“I bought my first 45s at age seven, made weekly lists of my favorite songs when I was 11 or 12, sang in choirs and choruses and informal doo-wop gatherings with friends as I grew into adolescence… I didn’t listen to mariachi or Indian music because it wasn’t readily available, but I consumed everything within my grasp. When I bought my first $8 guitar from Woolworth's, I learned to play (badly) and in no time I was singing and strumming in a teenage band, then later in parks, on beaches, and street corners, caring not for the coins or occasional bills that came my way but only for the love of singing and sharing song. Never parlaying the occasional coffee house, recording session, or church gig into a career, I grew instead into a schoolteacher but never left the world of music behind.
This book, then, is a labor of love. Whenever I watch or read about the latest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, or check out someone’s lists of the greatest this or that, or listen to a trendy artist picking up a handful of Grammys, I am always intrigued and sometimes ready to differ. That's what this book is about—it seeks to answer the question, just who are the greatest recording artists of the past century?”
– Steve Williams (from his book)
"Music Titans is an absolute masterpiece! This book isn't just educational—it's a captivating journey. Williams has a profound understanding of the musicians, the fans, and the industry, and he presents their stories in an incredibly innovative and perceptive manner. However, what truly distinguishes this book is its capacity to place popular music within the societal framework that has granted it its distinct form. Williams meticulously explains how business dynamics, mass migration, urban culture, and consumerism have all intricately contributed to the origins and development of our cherished music.
From Sinatra's melodious tunes to Taylor Swift’s cultural influence, from the timeless classics of Tin Pan Alley to Tupac Shakur's poetic prowess, Williams seamlessly blends empathy and intellectual insight in his penetrating analysis.
Get ready to be entranced by the symphony of perspectives, rhythms, and narratives that have shaped the very core of the music we hold in such high esteem.”
- Peter S. Burke, music publisher of hit songs recorded by Whitney Houston, Ringo Starr, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, and more