Billy Murray: The Phonograph Industry's First Great Recording Artist

By Frank W. Hoffmann

At a time before radio ruled the waves and recording technology remained primitive, Murray's numerous popular successes gave the fledgling recording industry the credibility to develop into a popular form of entertainment.

The authors trace the life of this seminal recording artist from his childhood to the crest of his fame in New York where he worked for Edison, Victor, and other record labels. The appendixes provide a wealth of detailed information on this great artist as well as the early recording industry. They include ratings of pioneer era recording artists, a Billy Murray discography, an analysis and commentary on selected recordings, and listings of archives and private collections specializing in Billy Murray and acoustic era recordings.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810831058
• ISBN13: 9780810831056
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.7" x 1.4" x 5.8"