GrindEFX

GrindEFX has been running for just over 3 months now, and I’ve noticed that we haven’t talked much at all about books you should have in your collection. So here is the first installment of our book recommendation series.

Don Passman’s “All You Need to Know About the Music Business” is arguably the most well-known and praised book on the music business. Now in its 6th edition, the book has been universally regarded as the definitive, essential guide to the music industry for over 15 years.

In the book Donald Passman, who is considered one of the best entertainment lawyers in the U.S. with clientele such as Janet Jackson, Quincy Jones, R.E.M., and Tina Turner, covers everything from copyright and publishing to songwriter deals and how to pick a manager. I’m not going to write a review per se because there are a thousand and one of them out there written by people more qualified than myself, here are some you may recognise:

“Should be required reading for anyone planning or enduring a career in the biz.”– Rolling Stone

“Any creative person who’s considering working in the music business should read this book.”– Jimmy Iovine, chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records

“I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the music business.”– David Geffen

“I’ve spent ten years trying to get Don to open up like this to me. Never has he been so eloquent, so patient, or so thorough. It cost me a fortune to get these diamonds from Don: Now you can have them. For your own. At a fraction of the cost.”– Tom Waits

“This man is so knowledgeable that it’s difficult negotiating with him. The book is terrific and a must-read if you want to know how the music business works.”– Joe Smith, former president and CEO, Capitol Records/EMI Music, Inc.

“I almost hesitate to recommend Don’s book — it gives away more inside information than it should.”– Mo Ostin, chairman of the board, DreamWorks Records

“An entertaining and professionally written primer on the music business.”– Michael Eisner, former CEO, the Walt Disney Company

“I highly recommend Don’s book to anyone who has ever been interested in the music business. His experience and insight into the inner workings of the music world make this an indispensable work.”– Quincy Jones

“If I’d had this book when I started, I’d be ten times richer and would have saved a fortune in legal fees.” –Ed Bicknell, manager, Dire Straits

Michael Eisner Chairman and CEO, Walt Disney Company An entertaining and professionally written primer on the music business. –Review

I really can’t stress how much of a “must have” this book is for anyone starting out in the music business. I’ve read it at least 5 times over past few years and still refer to it for information, even if your knowledge on the music biz is quite advanced, you’ll still get something out of this book. I remember when I was first starting out in music I just couldn’t get my head around publishing, no matter how much I read about it or had it explained to me, I just didn’t get it, when I read this book Passman made it seem so simple and I instantly got it. He breaks everything down in an easy-to-understand way and provides insightful analagies and comparisons.

If you only buy one book on the music business, make it this one.

Buy All You Need to Know About the Music Business from Amazon.com for the special price of $19.80.