Classics Du Jour (CDJ) is excited and proud to announce the release of “Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay and The Art Of Rock Promotion” written by our own Paul Rappaport (‘Backstage Access‘)! Release date for the book is April 1st (available NOW for presale through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold ).“Gliders Over Hollywood” tells the exhilarating true story of a blue-collar kid nicknamed ‘Rap’ who grew up in thrall to rock’n’roll, then found himself right in the middle of many of his heroes’ lives as he became regarded as the most renowned rock promotion man in the USA.
Paul Rappaport enjoyed a storied thirty-three-year career at Columbia Records, where he was instrumental in the careers of everyone from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd to The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello to Billy Joel, Judas Priest to Alice In Chains, and many, many more.
The music business from the late 60s through the 90s was an exciting time that mirrored the music and the musicians making it. It was also a time of new and creative ideas on how to market this groundbreaking cultural phenomenon. Eccentric characters were everywhere, and often the managers, promoters, disc jockeys, and record company staff were just as big a show as the performers themselves.
This dynamic, entertaining memoir captures the magic of these times and the people who made it happen, revealing the never-before-heard secrets of the promotion and marketing that turned the music industry on its head. From creating the Pink Floyd airship to sword-fighting with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, receiving a guitar lesson from Keith Richards, and playing live on stage at London Arena with Pink Floyd, it’s a book packed full of extraordinary adventures with some of the biggest names in rock.
About Paul Rappaport
Paul Rappaport was senior-vice president of rock promotion at Columbia Records, where he enjoyed a thirty-three-year career playing a pivotal role in the careers of some of the biggest stars in the business. He co-created and executive produced the Emmy Award-winning music television series A&E’s Live By Request and the popular live radio series The Columbia Records Radio Hour. Upon leaving Columbia, he formed his own production company, Tres Hombres, and for many years wrote the ‘Backstage Access’ blog for Classics Du Jour. He was the lead guitarist in the pioneering LA punk band Mogan David & His Winos. “Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay, And The Art Of Rock Promotion” is his first book. He lives in Port Washington, New York.
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