Miller Freeman Books, 1996. Discussions of rock hardware are usually of interest only to rock musicians, as anyone who has ever been friends with one can attest. But this beautifully illustrated, well-written book manages to make the history of electric guitars, keyboards, winds, and even studio production and live sound recording both accessible and interesting to lay readers and musicians alike.

Each of 14 chapter-essays focuses on the development and usage of an instrument or class of instruments in pop music. Though some of the information is rather technical (and some of the writing a bit stilted), most of it is presented in a clear and concise style?probably because most of the book's contributors are freelance writers and editors used to writing for magazine audiences.

Lavishly illustrated with high-quality color and black-and-white photos, this title does an admirable job of filling a gap in the literature and is recommended for all popular music collections.

From Booklist: Devotees of rock instrumentalists will want to peruse this incredibly well-illustrated and lively celebration of the most commonly used weaponry in the rock arsenal. The emphasis is more on the hardware than the players, which makes the book fit in with the Fender, Ludwig, and other musical-equipment-maker picture histories out there. Most of the musicians mentioned are American or English--hardly surprising in a rock book, but which does mean, for instance, that there are more Paul McCartney than Robbie Shakespeare references in the chapter on bass guitar.

The synthesizer chapter includes action pictures and discussions of barons of bombast Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson as well as Depeche Mode's Vince Clarke.

For drummers, the usual suspects--Starr, Moon, Bonham, and (Ginger) Baker--get lined up. In each chapter, discussion is comprehensive though brisk. Altogether, this snazzy combination of pictures and text is ideal for those who appreciate well-crafted devices for making loud music. 144 pages in full color.

 Softcover w/fold-over flaps. New. 11 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches.

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