Backbeat Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Rock Music

by Jeffrey Sussman

In the 1950s, when rock and roll music burst upon the scene, the major established record companies thought that the new music was a passing teenage trend, but mobsters, pounced. Backbeat Gangsters includes the stories of the most sinister people who took control of the record business during the early days of rock and roll, as well as those of the mob’s victims, especially numerous young performers who were exploited and never received the compensation that record companies owed them. The Mafia used intimidation and violence to achieve their ends, and corporate executives sacrificially ended the careers of various legitimate members of the music community, relying on the protection of political allies. The mob made millions from the careers of young performers who had dreamt of stardom and instead suffered from the indifference of those who could have helped them.

190 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Gregory Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hit

Good information about the mob and music. Peels away a facade that has existed for decades. Well done and well researched.