Here Comes The Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues

Bert Bern's what a character, what a talent. Unsung heroes seem to appear from out of the woodwork every few years. Bert Bern's will be familiar to music fans of soul, R&B and Popular music of the 60's. He was a talent who from the day he was born was racing against time to become famous and successfull. Working for Atlantic, United Artists etc as a freelance producer to finally becoming a part owner of Bang Records, Berns worked with some of the biggest acts of the time, including the Drifters, Isley Brothers, Van Morrison and the early Neil Diamond.. a gret read.

Interesting book that goes beyond Berns to cover the New York music scene from the 1940s to the late 1960s. As such, it can be confusing at times, especially in the early chapters, when we lose sight of Berns altogether for quite long periods. However, the structure works better as the book develops. Berns comes out of this pretty well, Atlantic - especially Wexler, but also Ahmet Ertegun - much less so. At last the history that Wexler wrote in the 70s is being unpicked. The story about Wexler trying to fiddle Berns, and getting gangland help to do so, and the denouement, is excellent. Recommended.

THIS IS A GREAT READ ABOUT THE RECORD INDUSTRY AND ALL THE DRUGS,SEX,GANGSTERS AND ROCK N ROLL. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS, WELL THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. WELL WRITTEN AND A GREAT PRICE AS WELL.

Really liked this book, happy with my purchase.

Really enjoyed this book. It doesn't just talk about Burns it features anecdotes on other great songwriters such as Goffin and King, Weil and Mann, etc etc. Stories behind some classic songs by the drifters etc and how they came to be recorded feature large. Phil Spector, Elivis et al all are covered.