Inside the Music Business, By Tony Barrow and Julian Newby, Blueprint Pounds 14.99. 1 85713 012 X. So you wanna be a rock’n roll star? The excited youth beams expectantly as he awaits your sage advice on how to achieve fame and fortune as a pop icon. There is no doubt that the high media profile of the music business makes it an attractive proposition to the career hopeful, so what can you say?
The first thing is to realise that not everyone in the music business is on stage. In fact for every artist in the charts there are 20 people working hard to put them there.
Like corn flakes and life insurance, music is a commercial product and the multi-million pound industry that supports it offers almost 50,000 exciting career opportunities in Britain, even for the non-musical.
From DJs to journalists, Inside the Music Business gives examples of most of the key positions that could appeal to anyone looking for a future in music and features day-in-the-life examples with hints on how to get started.
Although the authors suggest required qualifications, the fact remains that the business is a meritocracy and there is no substitute for dedication and sheer hard work.
The book is a useful guide through the varied jobs and working lifestyles of people in the industry. From talent spotters to technicians, promoters to publishers it helps you choose an area that appeals.
Peter Leggett is managing director of Clearcut Productions, London.
