Backbeat Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Rock Music

(Hardback)

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Description

During the early days of rock and roll the mob used every tactic they could, from creating their own record labels, bribing radio DJs and stacking jukeboxes with their own artists, to exploiting and intimidating performers, and creating their own black market of bootlegged records, to make millions.
In the 1950s, when rock and roll music burst upon the scene, the major established record companies thought that the new music was a passing teenage trend, but mobsters were there and pounced on the new business opportunity. They opened small independent record companies, signed ambitious young singers and musicians, and produced truckloads of 45 rpm records. To make sure that their records would be successful, the mob bribed disc jockeys in major cities to play the records and made sure jukeboxes, which were already mob-controlled, were filled to capacity with the new music. Whatever it took to gain airtime and repeated plays of their songs, the mob made sure it happened.
Backbeat Gangsters includes the stories of the most sinister people who took control of the record business during the early days of rock and roll, as well as those of the numerous, young performers who were exploited and received threats and beatings instead of the compensation they were promised. The Mafia used intimidation and violence to achieve their ends and made millions from denying royalties, maintaining copyrights and trademarks, bribing DJs, and numerous scams like flooding the market with counterfeit records which didnt have the burden of paying royalties. In yet another well-researched and thorough account, Jeffrey Sussman, details how the mob was able to infiltrate and control another aspect of American culture with devastating results.

Reviews

Backbeat Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Rock Music" organized crime expert Jeffrey Sussman lays it all out in fascinating and documented detail from jukeboxes to Morris Levy, Vincent 'the Chin' Gigante to Payola, from Scalping to Skimming, and so much more. * Midwest Book Review *
Jeffrey Sussman exposes how the mob controlled much of the music business and shaped much of American culture. It will fascinate anyone interested in organized crime, rock & roll, and American history. -- Nicholas Pileggi, author of Casino and Wiseguy and co-writer of the movies Goodfellas and Casino
Jeffrey Sussman continues with his great 'The Rise and Decline of the Mob' books with this most recent account of the mafia and the music business. Mob fans will love Sussman's insightful account of the relationship between the Genovese Family boss, Vincent 'The Chin' Gigante, and Roulette Records owner Morris Levy. -- Gary Jenkins, producer/host, Gangland Wire Crime Stories podcast
As an avid reader, I am truly fascinated by Jeffrey Sussmans book, Backbeat Gangsters. His research is extensive and pristine, with a thrilling prose that makes this book a tour de force! -- Joy Jan Jones, singer, composer, and creator of JJJ & the Fiancs
Jeffrey Sussman has done an eye-opening job in exposing the mob influence on rock and roll. He further documents, in an entertaining but lucid style, the corrupting influence that the mob has had on an important part of American culture. Highly recommended. -- Ron Chepesiuk, author, screenwriter, and podcast host, Crime Beat
Jeffrey Sussman once again proves that he is the modern master of the mob. Backbeat Gangsters makes you question your dream of becoming a rock star and prepares you to turn down offers you cant refuse. -- Daniel J. Glenn, host of Fascinating Nouns
Exhaustively researched, compellingly written, Jeffery Sussmans Backbeat Gangsters is a must-read for anyone in the recording business. Its also an eye-opening account of the dark underbelly of the 'innocent' music we all grew up with. Bravo! -- Tommy Sullivan, composer, producer, and musical director of the original Brooklyn Bridge
Jeffrey Sussman has brilliantly pulled back the curtain on a largely forgotten chapter of rock history. Backbeat Gangsters shines a spotlight on the untold stories of how the mob's grip on jukeboxes, payola, and the fortunes of artists shaped the rise of rock & roll. As someone working in radio today, I still see the echoes of the changes the mob brought to the music industry and their lasting impact on the business. Sussmans deep dive reveals a complex web where music and organized crime collided, forever altering the landscape of American culture. -- Frank Morano, nationally syndicated radio talk show host, host of The Racket Report podcast and "The Other Side of Midnight," 77 WABC Talk Radio
A fascinating and enthralling dive into the layered history of the rise and decline of organized crime's influence in the music industry. Backbeat Gangsters by Jeffrey Sussman is a must-read for music lovers and history buffs alike. Mr. Sussman's best book yet into the influence of organized crime in American industry and society. -- Robert A. Santucci, Esq., former chief of the Rackets Bureau, Office of the District Attorney of Bronx County; and special assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Public Corruption Unit
Jeffrey Sussman's book Backbeat Gangsters shines a light on the mob's sinister role in deciding who the winners and losers would be in the music industry. With this book, an extremely dark chapter in organized crime history finally gets the in-depth attention it deserves. -- Larry Henry, author of Mob in Pop Culture and columnist for the Mob Museum, Las Vegas

Author Bio

Jeffrey Sussman is the author of 18 non-fiction books. He has written several books about organized crime and has been recognized as one of Americas leading authorities on the subject. He has been interviewed on numerous radio programs and podcasts and participated in several documentaries about organized crime. His most recent books about organized crime are Big Apple Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in New York; Sin City Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas; Tinseltown Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Hollywood; and Boxing and the Mob: The Notorious History of the Sweet Science.