Arnold Shaw (author)
Encyclopedia
Arnold Shaw was a songwriter and music business executive, primarily in the field of music publishing, who is best known for his comprehensive series of books on 20th century American popular music
.
Shaw entered the field of popular music during the 1940s, as a pianist and composer. He did not make a major mark in this field: his best-known compositions include Mobiles and The Mod Moppet: Seven Nursery Rip-offs, and “Sing a Song of Americans,” for which Rosemary Benet and Steven Vincent Benet wrote the lyrics. In 1945, he entered the business end of the popular music scene, as director of publicity and advertising for Leeds Music Corporation (later to become MCA
Music). He went on from there to the Edward B. Marks Music Corporation, also a music publishing company, where he spent most of his business career. During the 1950s and 1960s, he also handled public relations and advertising for a number of individual performers, including Elvis Presley
, Burt Bacharach
and Paul Simon
.
His first book on music, Gene Krupa
First Authentic Life Story of America's Ace Drummer Man, came out in 1945, and he published a biography of Harry Belafonte
in 1960. His significant career as a writer, however, came in the 1970s and 1980s, beginning with the 1969 publication of The Rock Revolution: What's Happening to Today's Music.
His books included histories of popular music in the 1920s, 1930s, 1950s and 1960s, books on jazz
, and books on African-American music. Honkers And Shouters. The Golden Years Of Rhythm And Blues is considered the definitive text on that musical form.
In 1985, Shaw founded the Popular Music Research Center at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, which today contains approximately 20,000 records, over 1000 manuscript scores, over 300 taped interviews of popular music artists, and miscellaneous memorabilia. Upon his death in 1989, the research center was renamed the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center in his honor.
American popular music
American popular music had a profound effect on music across the world. The country has seen the rise of popular styles that have had a significant influence on global culture, including ragtime, blues, jazz, swing, rock, R&B, doo wop, gospel, soul, funk, heavy metal, punk, disco, house, techno,...
.
Shaw entered the field of popular music during the 1940s, as a pianist and composer. He did not make a major mark in this field: his best-known compositions include Mobiles and The Mod Moppet: Seven Nursery Rip-offs, and “Sing a Song of Americans,” for which Rosemary Benet and Steven Vincent Benet wrote the lyrics. In 1945, he entered the business end of the popular music scene, as director of publicity and advertising for Leeds Music Corporation (later to become MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
Music). He went on from there to the Edward B. Marks Music Corporation, also a music publishing company, where he spent most of his business career. During the 1950s and 1960s, he also handled public relations and advertising for a number of individual performers, including Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
and Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
.
His first book on music, Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...
First Authentic Life Story of America's Ace Drummer Man, came out in 1945, and he published a biography of Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte
Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
in 1960. His significant career as a writer, however, came in the 1970s and 1980s, beginning with the 1969 publication of The Rock Revolution: What's Happening to Today's Music.
His books included histories of popular music in the 1920s, 1930s, 1950s and 1960s, books on jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and books on African-American music. Honkers And Shouters. The Golden Years Of Rhythm And Blues is considered the definitive text on that musical form.
In 1985, Shaw founded the Popular Music Research Center at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, which today contains approximately 20,000 records, over 1000 manuscript scores, over 300 taped interviews of popular music artists, and miscellaneous memorabilia. Upon his death in 1989, the research center was renamed the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center in his honor.