Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey

by Frank Broughton and Bill Brewster

Book Overview

Drawing on in-depth interviews with DJs, critics, musicians, recording executives, and others, two music journalists traces the definitive role of the disc jockey as a primary factor in the evolution of popular music, tracing the the dramatic influence of DJs on music over the past forty years and

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802136885
• ISBN13: 9780802136886
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book!

I'm a disc jockey who's new to the game. This book seriously changed what kind of DJ I want to be and how I view today's dance music scene. It's so good that I bought two more copies for friends. Great research and great writing! Truly a fun and informative read.

Good History of the DJ

The book has an extensive history of the life of the DJ. Anybody interested in the profession or what it takes to be a DJ, should at least read it. You'll be surprised at what you find.

Must Read for DJ's, Dancers, Music Heads

It is pretty well know that this book is a must read for DJ's, Makers, and Fans of all forms of electronic and dance music. Excelent histories of Dub, Hip Hop, Disco, House etc. While many of the adherents of these sub-cultures don't necessarily appreciate the others, the histories outlined in this book show how they are all inherently connected. My only issue with this book is that the West Coast is totally ignored up until the turntablist revolution of the late 90's which the authors regard as mostly mastabatory as the writers' bias is toward DJs as providers of a dance environment. No matter ... There are vital histories here. READ THIS BOOK!

Excellent.

I found this book to be a great read. Very well written, thorough, and extremely interesting! It's exactly what I was looking for when I went searching for information about the origins of the modern club DJ.

A Dj's history book-house, hip hop, disco, northern soul

Coming across this book has been one of the most enlightening finds of my music loving life. I picked it up and read it in it's entirety in 2 days. It is a thorough history of the DJ and the music forms that DJ's have spawned since the advent of vinyl as a medium of auditory stimulation and satisfaction. Just the discography alone, a listing of the top fifty or hundred songs and artist on the playlists of fundamental dance floors (like The Roxy, Paradise Garage, Warehouse, and The Loft to name a few) makes this book worth its weight in gold. The history that this book attempts to recount isn't end all to be all, but it covers enough ground to satisfy even the most discriminating old club lover like myself. And even the most well versed club historian and afficionado will find something entertianing and educational within this books covers. I've bought three copies of this book, just to put some of my friends forever in my debt.