Hit Men

Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business

Fredric Dannen

Genre

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"Hit Men" by Fredric Dannen is a riveting exposé that delves into the dark underbelly of the music industry. Dannen meticulously investigates the behind-the-scenes machinations of powerful record labels, managers, and promoters, revealing the cutthroat tactics and high-stakes deals that shape the careers of some of the biggest names in music.

Through in-depth interviews and exhaustive research, Dannen exposes the seedy world of payola, where radio stations accept bribes in exchange for playing certain songs. He documents how this practice has manipulated the charts, determining the success or failure of artists based on corporate interests rather than talent.

This eye-opening account also delves into the coercive control exerted by record labels over artists. Dannen unveils the exploitative contracts, unfair royalty arrangements, and manipulative marketing tactics that have left many musicians trapped in oppressive deals, struggling to regain creative freedom and earn a fair income from their work.

While "Hit Men" uncovers the dark side of the industry, it also highlights the resilience and determination of artists who refuse to be silenced. Dannen presents inspiring stories of musicians who have fought against the system and achieved success on their own terms.

This meticulously researched and thought-provoking narrative is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of the music business. Dannen's compelling storytelling will leave readers both shocked by the industry's corruption and inspired by the power of artistic integrity and perseverance.

Explore More Books

See All
Obvious Adams
The Airbnb Story
Leadership
The Mythical Man-Month
Diaminds
The War for Kindness
Changing Minds
Children of Dune
The Intel Trinity
What Do You Care What Other People Think?
Future Forward
Principles for Dealing With The Changing World Order
Failure Is Not An Option
The Cancer Code
Rich Woman
Consider Phlebas
Brave New Medicine
The Art of People
Dictionary of Untranslatables
Abundance
Karl Marx's Theory of History
Fooled By Randomness
Carry on, Jeeves
American Lion
The Sixth Man
The Real Crash
The Bitcoin Standard
On Writing
The First Conspiracy
Wanting
Keeping At It
Harry Potter
The Hunt for Red October
Nourishing Traditions
The Evolution of Cooperation
God's Debris
Made to Stick
The Story of Civilization
Bitcoin is Venice
The Promise of a Pencil
In Praise of Shadows
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers
Beyond Good and Evil
Sit Like a Buddha
The (Mis)Behavior of Markets
The Perfect Bet
To Kill a Mockingbird
Bird by Bird
The World Crisis
The Hobbit
Factfulness
Indigenous Continent
The Gift
The River War
Burn
Getting Things Done
Moorish Spain
Rational Decisions
Living With A SEAL
I Am Not a Tractor
The Art of War
How Asia Works
The Knowledge
Hug Your Haters
Complexity
The Path to Love
Drive
Elon Musk
Merchants of Doubt
Vitamania
Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953
My Years with General Motors
Resistance (At All Costs)
The Snow Leopard
Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)
Dealing with Darwin
The Great War of Our Time
In Pursuit of Happiness and Good Government
Lifespan
Numbers Don't Lie
The Golden Trade of the Moors
Revolution
Startup Playbook
Scotland
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Napoleon
Creation
The Unwritten
Alice in Wonderland
The Fiat Standard
Lean In
ANSI Common Lisp
How Innovation Works
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
Give and Take
Now, Discover Your Strengths
The Spy and The Traitor
Body by Science
Intellectuals and Race
The Rosie Effect
Plowman's Folly