Tearing Down the Wall of Sound

The Rise and Fall of Phil Spector

By: Mick Brown

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 17 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Phil Spector, born in the Bronx in 1940, grew up an outsider despised by his peers. Yet after his family moved to California, he learned everything he could about music, formed a band, and had a number-one hit with "To Know Him Is to Love Him". He quickly became the top producer of early rock and roll and the originator of such girl groups as the Ronettes. He was a millionaire by age 21 and owned his own record label by 22. Hit followed hit, and for all of them he used a new recording style and technique called the "wall of sound".

But the reign of the boy-man who owned pop music seemed doomed by the "British Invasion", and Spector spiraled into paranoid isolation and peculiar behavior. Though he seemed to improve for a time, and even returned to the recording studio to work, his renascence didn't last, and in 2003, the actress Lana Clarkson was found at his home, dead from a gunshot wound.

©2007 Mick Brown (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Nominee, 2008 Audie Award, Biography/Memoir

"Bloodcurdling....This book would feel like a crime story even if its subject were not currently on trial for Ms. Clarkson's murder." (The New York Times)
"[This] uber-detailed study of pop's scariest visionary is just about as good as a music bio can get." (Kirkus Reviews)
"[A] remarkable book about, among other things, fame, obsession, genius, money and madness....This is the definitive study of the man and the myth that engulfed him." (Observer)

comprehensive. I wanted to like Phil, but no

loved his music, like that he was a boy genius. felt for him, but ultimately to self destructive. author does a good job if a little redundant

Everything I was looking for

This biography had everything I was looking for. How he got from point A to point B and the evolution of his sound and how the industry in general evolved for decades(From 50’s rock ‘n roll to 2002). I had to create a whole playlist of songs discussed in this audiobook to go along with this novel so I could get the full story. I’ll have fun listening to that great music playlist for years knowing the effort and craziness that went on to create those songs. Great book, got a lot great history and facts for parties out of it.

Brilliant

Everything is here, an absolutely brilliant account of the madman Phil Spector. The details of the recording sessions and Phil's obsessive, compulsive behavior are given the due respect by the author. A great great great book.

Great But Mispronounced Names Abound

I loved the way the story was woven, and the performance except for a surprising number of mispronounced names of rock artists...

Wow! What A Great Book!

If you're any kind of music buff (like I am) at all, you'll really enjoy this book. I couldn't put it down because of the way that it described one of the most compelling figures our musical history, Phil Spector. I didn't know that he was so instrumental in the lives and careers of so many of my musical favorites throughout the years. You could almost see the tragic end coming in Phil's life, but it still keep my attention throughout and it brought back so many memories of my years growing up and listening to music the way that I did.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you're a fan of music and were around during the 60's, 70's!

Hands down, the best Spector biography of them all

What made the experience of listening to Tearing Down the Wall of Sound the most enjoyable?

3 things:
1) The incredible subject and his unbelievable story
2) The wizardry of Mick Brown's writing and style
3) The superb voice and delivery of the reader

What other book might you compare Tearing Down the Wall of Sound to and why?

The Last Tycoon: The Life of Ahmet Ertegun
Similar in the compelling/riveting character and journey of the subject.

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't possibly pick one; for me, a career recording musician,
it was the behind the scenes look at the making of these classic
Americana hits.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, of course. To give you an idea of this book's
impact, I've listened to it over 50 times and
sold in the neighborhood of 15 copies for you,
by telling everyone I know about it.

Any additional comments?

Highest quality work from beginning to end.
Triple threat classic, combining subject, author and reader.

A Total Nutcase

Would you consider the audio edition of Tearing Down the Wall of Sound to be better than the print version?

This audio is good, but print is always superior.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tearing Down the Wall of Sound?

Several. Possibly threatening George Harrison with a gun?

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

He did a good job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several.

Any additional comments?

Thankful that Phil Spector is NOT involved in my life.

Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Good biography of the father of the wall of sound. Lots of insights into his genius and madness and how this led to his rise and ultimate downfall.

I LIKED IT -- INTERESTING CHARACTER

I LIKED IT -- INTERESTING CHARACTER

I had no idea who Phil Spector was until the trial started on TV. Very good history -- Sad chain of events.

Fascinating & Timely

This is really a fantastic book,I enjoyed every minute of it. Having the Phil Spector trial going on while I was listening to it made it even more fascinating, but I think anyone at any time would be interested in listening to it. It is very well written and researched. Spector had a very interesting history and has led an unusual life. He may be a genius or a murderer or both; you decide for yourself.