Music Book Review: The Birth of Loud by Ian S. Port

The Birth of Loud: Leo Fender, Les Paul, and the Guitar Pioneering Rivalry That Shaped Rock and Roll

by Ian S. Port (Music 787.87 Por)

 

This is a great book that delves into the early development of the electric guitar, and a popular favorite at Polley for the last few years. The narrative focuses primarily on the history of the two companies who were first to initiate mass-production of electric guitars in the 1950s: Gibson and Fender. The two continued to dominate the electric guitar market throughout the first decades of rock and roll, and their rivalry led to continued innovation. We’re treated to a peek behind the manufacturing curtain at the personalities involved in inventing and perfecting instruments the likes of which had never been seen before.

 

It’s an epic story that has an archetypal folk tale kind of feel, with new ideas coming from a startup Fender company, who suddenly find themselves in competition with the established and respected Gibson. Fender focuses on invention, bringing the first solidbody electric guitar to the market, followed not long after with the first electric bass. Then Gibson moves into the solidbody electric world with what they advertise as more luxurious instruments, built by experienced luthiers using the best woods and upscale appointments like carved tops. Both companies quickly realized that success would come not just from their designs, but also from attracting well-known artists from the burgeoning blues and rock and roll scenes to play their instruments, as the modern concept of celebrity started to gain traction in the early days of rock and roll. In the end, you might say that everyone was a winner, as great artists played great instruments that changed the music the course of music history.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try 60 Years of Fender: Six Decades of the Greatest Electric Guitars by Tony Bacon or The Gibson Les Paul: The Illustrated History of the Guitar that Changed Rock by Dave Hunter.]

[ official The Birth of Loud page on the official Ian S. Port web site ]

 

Recommended by Scott S.
Polley Music Library

 

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Check out this, and all the other great music resources, at the Polley Music Library, located on the 2nd floor of the Bennett Martin Public Library at 14th & "N" St. in downtown Lincoln. You'll find biographies of musicians, books about music history, instructional books, sheet music, CDs, music-related magazines, and much more. Also check out Polley Music Library Picks, the Polley Music Library's e-mail newsletter, and follow them on Facebook!