The Rhino Records Story: The Revenge of the Music Nerds

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.

The Rhino Records Story by music insider Harold Bronson, the co-founder of Rhino Records, Is a fabulous read. Despite my working in and with the music business for more than fifty years, I still learned an enormous amount of information, both good and bad –– but all true –– about the record industry from this wonderfully written book. The book also gives the reader fly-on-the-wall details about working with various pop stars and bigger-than-life celebrities without it seeming like a name-dropping tome.Bronson begins with his time spent at UCLA, writing for that university's paper, The Daily Bruin. His time working at the Rhino Records record shop follows, as does his co-creation of the legendary Rhino Records music company. His passion for great music and the importance of it being presented in the most respectful and thoughtful –– and often humorous –– packaging, clearly comes through in his text. As one industry head noted, music buyers don't consciously seek out Warner Records CDs (for example) –– but they do seek out Rhino Records discs to add to their collection, assured that the Rhino CDs will have the best sound, music selection, liner notes and packaging.On top of all that, this book is very, very funny. Bronson and his partner Richard Foos never missed a chance to include humor in what they and Rhino (both the shop and the record company) were involved in.Bronson gives you, the reader, front row seats at the creation of Rhino Records, its successes and the way that Rhino's unique and soulful vision was ultimately betrayed.If you have a passion for music and comedy and would like to know how all of this great music and humor worked its way into getting into your hands, I cannot recommend this great book highly enough.

I liked this book a lot. If you've ever been possessed by an audacious idea that won't go away, you'll probably like this book, too. Harold Bronson and his partner Richard Foos acted on their idea. It was crazy: "Let's start a record company!" Kind of like "Hey kids, let's put on a show!" * And like Mickey Rooney, they succeeded.The late great Rhino Records store on Westwood Boulevard in L.A. offered comfort and shelter. No incomprehensible industry hype, just music you liked or didn't like. Music you could like because it was cool, or because it was uncool. You could have passionate arguments with staff and customers about whether the Bonzo Dog Band was brilliant or unlistenable. And whatever your position, you would be right.It all flowed from proprietors Bronson and Foos, who championed what they liked. They grew up enamored of novelty records like "Purple People Eater," and loved underdogs. They had an ear for talent, whether it was recognized or not. They would buy any used record, even if for only five cents. They got attention with quirky and funny promotions (Hassle the Salesman Contest for only offering you five cents; Deface the Glen Campbell Poster). Celebrities (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and famous musicians (Bryan Ferry) frequented the store and future famous musicians (Nels Cline, jazz department, now with Wilco) worked there. They bought independent releases by unknown artists because they liked them -- they sold 400 copies of Devo's first two singles, more than any other store.So when Bronson and Foos started a record label, it reflected their iconoclastic sensibilities. Fittingly, their first album release was by Wild Man Fisher, an annoying street musician who was persona non grata at most local stores but celebrated at Rhino Records. With the release of "Wildmania" in 1978, the label became a formal entity. Their encyclopedic musical knowledge and fan's enthusiasm helped find new life for dozens of artists, from Frankie Lymon and Tommy James to The Knack, The Monkees, and The Turtles. They later branched into home video, and even produced a movie -- "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."How they translated their irreverent approach to an actual corporation is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book. The challenges were immense, as if they were a punk band finding a mainstream audience. They wrestled to maintain their core, through a distribution deal with Capitol and a joint venture with Atlantic. They continued to champion music they liked, using unorthodox marketing lessons from retail, giving new life to Atlantic catalog titles from John Prine (242,000 copies of "The John Prine Anthology") and Aretha Franklin (100,000 copies of "Queen of Soul"). Ultimately, Rhino was acquired by Warner Music Group.It was crazy, and they succeeded. As someone who has tilted at a few windmills, I found the story of how they did it inspiring.* For you sticklers, Mickey Rooney never actually said "Hey kids, let's put on a show" in "Babes in Arms," more like "I'm gonna write a show for us and put it on right here in Seaport." But that kind of takes the fun away, doesn't it? And I prefer to remember Humphrey Bogart saying, "Play it again, Sam."

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.