Record Makers and Breakers

This book delivers a vital history of the fiercely independent labels that birthed rock 'n' roll, tracing the genre from its raw 1940s roots in R&B and hillbilly music through its explosive 1950s peak and eventual 1960s decline. Author John Broven masterfully weaves a compelling narrative with extensive oral histories, pulling back the curtain on the recording industry's pioneers to show how regional scenes fueled a national revolution. You get direct accounts from titans like Sam Phillips of Sun Records and Atlantic's Jerry Wexler, offering an unfiltered look at the hustle and vision that defined an era.

What sets this work apart is its ground-level perspective, focusing not on the famous artists but on the maverick label owners who discovered and recorded them. By centering the voices of the people who built companies like Chess and Modern Records from the ground up, the book provides a uniquely authentic and business-savvy understanding of music history. For any music fan or aspiring musician curious about the real story behind the hits, this is an essential, eye-opening read that connects the dots between regional sound and global phenomenon.