MAGIC MUSIC BOOKS: Part 2.

Is the First 1,001 Book the Best?

The Heart of Rock and Soul: The 1,001 Greatest Singles Ever Made by Dave Marsh

My battered and dog eared copy of The Heart of Rock and Soul. By the author.

Thursday, 27th July, 2023 and I’ve awoken to the sad news that Sinead O’Connor has passed away.

O’Connor isn’t featured here, this book was written before Nothing Compares 2U was released. She did, however, make it onto Dave Marsh’s postscript list of 101 singles that might supplant songs that were in the original book.

While the connection between Dave Marsh and O’Connor might seem slim on this basis alone, a brief scanning of the numerous obituaries sees one word in abundance — controversial.

Many years ago I was standing in an airport bookshop, looking for a book to accompany me on the flight ahead. How to Succeed in the Music Business caught my eye. That seemed right up my alley.

I picked it up and flipped through the pages. All the advice boiled down to two simple axioms. Play nice. Do what you’re told (by the record company). I placed it back on the shelf.

I presume neither Marsh, nor O’Connor, read it either.

The pop music industry, despite portraying itself as the bastion of rock and roll rebels, is remarkably conservative…