| "Uncle" Joe 's Record Guides, the history books of modern rock & roll. |  |
Definitive discographies used by radio stations and music fans worldwide. Each volume of the series includes insights and details on every official album and song with input from the artists -- the where, when, how and why of modern rock & roll.
Preface Like most Americans, I first linked up with the music that spoke for my generation through radio. I became fascinated with rock & roll's "magical" effect on people (nothing like a good song to get everyone going!). Upon searching for the source of that "magic," I began to see the situation in a different light. I found the business and gossip of rock & roll wasn't nearly as interesting as the music's creation and its effect on the lives of the musicians and their fans. Working in rock & roll radio since the late Sixties has given me a perfect opportunity to watch those effects and track the progression of each generation's music. These books will provide you with that additional insight and place each of your favorite albums in the perspective of the artist's career and contemporary music. If you use your ears, you don't need self-anointed rock critics to tell you what music is good or bad. If you want to know more about the genesis of the music you grew up with, you'll find Uncle Joe's Record Guides invaluable. A word of warning: These books should not be used as a substitute for listening to the albums. Since its beginning, rock & roll has been about the release of energy-- physical and/or mental-- and while one can spend hours reading and talking about the music and lyrics, there is no substitute for listening to the recordings. Words have never been written that convey the feelings rock & roll music inspires, but Uncle Joe's Record Guides can give you an insight into the people that created the music and the processes involved. So listen and read, then listen and enjoy, but don't forget to listen! ROCK ON!  Based on the scripts Joe Benson used on his radio program, The Seventh Day, the various volumes of Uncle Joe's Record Guides deal with hundreds of the most popular rock albums of all time. Each entry is a self-contained synopsis detailing an album's relationship to the artist's career and contemporary music. A glossary, recommended reading list and song index (arranged by artist) appear at the end of the book. With the emphasis of the Uncle Joe's Record Guide series on music and details of the recording process, there is a minimal use of photographs. If you desire greater visual stimulation, the recommended reading list can supply you with the titles of several photographic essays. In the Uncle Joe's Record Guides, the amount of detail on the creation of each album is proportional to the artistic or commercial success of the work. Likewise, definitive "greatest hits" compilations are detailed to greater length than the more pedestrian efforts. Throughout the Uncle Joe's Record Guide series, individual album entries are formatted as follows:
Because rock & roll is constantly changing (it would be quite boring if it weren't), Uncle Joe's Record Guides are updated on a regular basis. Your inquiries, comments and suggestions are welcome. For update notices or information on new editions of this book, please contact:
 
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