Play It Loud

An Epic History of the Style, Sound, and Revolution of the Electric Guitar

By: Brad Tolinski, Alan di Perna, Carlos Santana - foreword

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The inspiration for the Play It Loud exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

"Every guitar player will want to read this book twice. And even the casual music fan will find a thrilling narrative that weaves together cultural history, musical history, race, politics, business case studies, advertising, and technological discovery." (Daniel Levitin, Wall Street Journal)

For generations the electric guitar has been an international symbol of freedom, danger, rebellion, and hedonism. In Play It Loud, Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna bring the history of this iconic instrument to roaring life. It's a story of inventors and iconoclasts, of scam artists, prodigies, and mythologizers as varied and original as the instruments they spawned.

Play It Loud uses 12 landmark guitars - each of them artistic milestones in their own right - to illustrate the conflict and passion the instruments have inspired. It introduces Leo Fender, a man who couldn't play a note but whose innovations helped transform the guitar into the explosive sound machine it is today. Some of the most significant social movements of the 20th century are indebted to the guitar: It was an essential element in the fight for racial equality in the entertainment industry; a mirror to the rise of the teenager as social force; a linchpin of punk's sound and ethos. And today the guitar has come full circle, with contemporary titans such as Jack White of The White Stripes, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent), and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys bringing some of the earliest electric guitar forms back to the limelight.

Featuring interviews with Les Paul, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and dozens more players and creators, Play It Loud is the story of how a band of innovators transformed an idea into a revolution.

©2016 Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"It's all here: everything knowable now becomes known about the plugged-in ax that changed the world. A comprehensive history of the electric guitar in cultural context is something long wanted, awaited, and needed. At long last, it has arrived." (Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top guitarist/vocalist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee)

"The authors...bring freshness to chestnuts through technical nuggets aplenty.... The electric guitar changed the world, and Tolinski and di Perna impressively reveal its epic story." (Kirkus Reviews)

Over The Top Good!

A well researched account of the history of the guitar from both the musicians and craftsman perspectives. I’m on my second read.

Great overview

Well-done and comprehensive overview with some new details. Nice job of research and presentation.

A must listen

This has been probably my most enjoyed listen on audible. If you are a musician or would like to be one or have any interest in rock music and/or guitars - I would highly recommend.

great book

the narrarater did a great job. the facts n history of guitars were on point. this book is very informative on guitar and music genre births.

Great Book and Audible Performance

This is the definitive history of the electric guitar. Wonderfully written and read. The true gold standard in documenting music history.

Excellent Power Chords in Every Key!

Almost perfect book that sheds light on almost every facet of electric guitars!

If you play electric guitar, if you have an interest in music history, if you like stories of self made geniuses GET THIS BOOK NOW!

Funny because I have been buying some semi vintage guitars recently and now discover the sellers were quoting THIS book to impress me with their knowledge!

My only gripes would be is it doesn't go into concert sound and contributions of Owsley Stanley. Should have been at least a page or two.

Also could have been a bit about the evolution of effects pedals etc... and the extremes say David Gilmour have taken tone.

It opted for a more rounded approach incorporating some modern players take with is 100% legit! I'd remove nothing but only add those components to flesh it out a bit more!

Over all one of the best listens (I have well lover 100 audio books and rank this top 5!) and I'm starting it all over again right now!

Connected So Man Musical Dots!

Excellently researched and presented. I found myself pausing the audio to listen to each of the artists mentioned play the references pieces. I didn’t know I was a Van Halen or Metallica fan until I “listened” to this book. Actually worth a second read/“listen. What I especially liked is the artists perspective: “Music making isn’t about compliance, it’s about evolution, discovery and relating to the world around you. If you haven’t found the sound you’re looking for, it might be time to create your own media—music and instruments!

Play it Loud, History of the Electric Guitar

I was amazed at all the amazing history contained in this book! This book I found to be very well read which combined with all the historical facts kept my attention throughout the program.
I wasn't keen on the periodic foul language, but it didn't deter me from listening to the book.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in guitars and or the history of how the electric guitar and pickups came to be, some of which may be surprising.

must read for guitar nuts

As a guitar fanatic, I devoured this audiobook. It is a treasure trove of guitar history, rich in detail and social context. Well researched and presented. I will likely be a repeat listener.

Vive Le Electric Guitar!

If you are into the electric guitar - check this out. So many great stories. Loads of stuff I never knew.