The Rhino Records Story: The Revenge of the Music Nerds

This is a very interesting and informative account of Rhino records. It takes us on a journey from the beginning with many superb stories about artists and music. The book is very well written with zero typographical errors. I thoroughly enjoyed the insights into artists that I had never heard of or read before.Well worth it for any music fan.

For those who grew up during the time when the record industry was beginning to replace its jeans and headphones with MBAs mostly lacking in any affinity, let alone affection for music, this is the book for you. Even if you are not specifically familiar with the music and cultural influence of The Monkees, The Knack, The Turtles etc, the building of a business starting from a single shop in Westwood Village to an international brand, primarily due to the sincere devotion to music and its creators, would be of interest if not inspiration to anyone who still believes that a true passion for any art form can be translated into a successful business. Those back stories behind not only some of the music bands and artists such as Frankie Lyman and the teenagers, Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman of the Turtles, specific hits such as “My Sharona” (now selling real estate in L.A.) and “At This Moment”, as well as the expansion into films (“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”), as told by one Rhino brother, are engaging and well worth the read. It is risky to lay out one’s thoughts about decisions and actions of others in the business, as this Rhino brother did, but I believe it was done in such a way which confirms the whole point of a memoir, that this is his story from his perspective, and one of the major reasons Rhino became the brand known not only for quality product but for corporate ethicality, a model we are unfortunately not likely to see again in this industry in the near future.Not to mention a fun read!

This is an interesting look inside the record business through the lens of one of the founders of one of America's most original and successful record companies. I enjoyed the inside stories and was entertained by a look at some of my favorite 60s groups. Some of the stories were eye opening as to what was really going on in some of the "big" record companies, some of whom made money in spite of themselves. Rhinos was one of my favorite record companies of all time. Now I understand why. Thanks to Harold Bronson for telling this David and Goliath tale.

I enjoyed this book about Rhino Records. This book is essential reading for everyone wanting to understand the modern music business. Great segment on The Turtles. Great Storytelling! I recommend this book without qualifications.

"The Rhino Records Story" should more accurately have been titled "My Life by Harold Bronson" - the former has potential interest - the latter - "who?".Mr Bronson appears to have enjoyed his life in the West Coast Music scene - apart from the odd celebrity musician e.g., Ringo Starr, who ate cereal without offering any to Mr. Bronson (boo-hoo), or the odd boss- Roger Ames - whose lack of people skills have been documented elsewhere - who has the nerve to smoke in Mr. Bronson's presence. And he includes some - actually two - interesting vignettes, one of Tommy James telling him about his experiences with Roulette's infamous Morris Levy (who is writing the book Mr Bronson - you or Tommy?) and insider scoop on Terry Gilliam's directoral style on Rhino's film "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" both of which contrast with the mind numbing quasi-genealogy in the long and rambling chapter on the Knack. The book would have benefitted greatly from some editorial help to avoid the endless rambling about individuals who may not be remembered by too many today (if anyone had ever heard of them in the first place) and the abrupt changes in subject matter that detract from whatever little information the sentences contain. But then who'd pay $24.95 for a 100 page book?This book is a waste of time and money (both yours) and does very little justice to the Rhino label that eventually led the way in the reissue market and begat Ace, Bear Family, Hip-O, Legacy and others and now operates with a strong presence in Europe (check out the magnificent and reasonably priced Donny Hathaway boxes from Rhino/WEA France  Never My Love: The Anthology  and  Someday We'll All Be Free ) and the sporadically released overpriced new boxed sets on Rhino Handmade (Bobby Charles, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge etc.). In summary - to use a record collecting term from the UK - Harold Bronson story is one of a total anorak. Never My Love: The AnthologySomeday We'll All Be Free