Follow the Music

Follow the Music charts the rise of Elektra Records through the personal story of its founder Jac Holzman. Written by Holzman with Gavan Daws, this autobiography documents the transformation of a small folk music label into one of the most influential record companies of the 1960s and 70s. The narrative traces Holzman's journey from his early days recording niche folk artists to building relationships with major talent like The Doors, Love, and Bread. Through first-hand accounts and industry insights, the book reveals the business decisions and creative instincts that shaped Elektra's distinctive identity in the music landscape. The text also explores the cultural shifts of the mid-20th century music scene, from the folk revival through the emergence of psychedelic rock. Against this backdrop, Holzman details the technical innovations and artist development strategies that set Elektra apart from its competitors. At its core, Follow the Music is a testament to the intersection of artistic vision and entrepreneurial spirit in the golden age of the American recording industry. The book demonstrates how personal passion and calculated risk-taking can shape cultural history.

Readers consistently call this book a detailed account of Elektra Records and the 1960s music industry. Many note it offers behind-the-scenes stories about signing The Doors, Love, Tim Buckley and other artists. Readers appreciated: - In-depth business details about running an indie label - Stories about discovering and developing artists - The conversational writing style between Holzman and co-writer Gavan Daws - Photos and music memorabilia included Common criticisms: - Too much focus on business minutiae for casual readers - Some sections drag with excessive detail - A few readers found Holzman's tone self-congratulatory Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (38 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (21 ratings) Reviews note this appeals most to music industry professionals and serious record collectors. One reader called it "a master class in how to build and run an independent record label." Several mentioned referencing it multiple times for the wealth of industry information.

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby The story of an independent record store owner reveals the inner workings of music retail culture and the relationships that form through shared musical obsession.

Hit Men by Fredric Dannen This examination of the music industry's power brokers and business practices exposes the mechanisms behind record labels and music promotion from the 1950s through the 1980s.

The Record Men by Rich Cohen The narrative chronicles the founders of Chess Records and their role in shaping American music through the birth of rock and roll and blues recording.

The Last Sultan by Robert Greenfield This biography of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun traces the development of a major record label and its influence on popular music.

Mansion on the Hill by Fred Goodman The text details the transformation of the music business from the folk scene to corporate rock through the stories of key industry figures and record labels.

🎵 Elektra Records began in Holzman's St. John's College dorm room in 1950 with just $300 borrowed from his parents 🎸 The label was among the first to sign both The Doors and Queen, fundamentally changing rock music history 🎼 Before becoming a music mogul, Holzman built his own recording equipment and personally engineered many early Elektra sessions 🎧 Under Holzman's leadership, Elektra pioneered the use of stereo recording in folk music and invented the gatefold album cover 📀 The company's breakthrough came with the 1966 release of "Love" by the band Love, which prompted Holzman to shift focus from folk to rock music