The Mansion on the Hill: Dylan, Young, Geffen, Springsteen and the Head-on Collision of Rock and Commerce Book

An engrossing account of the commercialisation of the American music business, Fred Goodman's Mansion on the Hill deserves a place in every rock library. Focusing on a handful of major figures, Goodman, a lifelong fan of rock 'n' roll, effectively skewers the managers and bean-counters who have done so much to subvert the record industry. Looking at the careers of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and mogul David Geffen, and the crucial relationship between artist and manager, Goodman chronicles the rise and rise of rock 'n' roll, from Elvis to MTV.Columbia's Clive Davis claims that the fees went up the moment performers started calling themselves "artists". But with the potentially rich pickings offered by the rock 'n' roll circus, it was surely only a matter of time before the vultures started hovering. Elektra Records' Paul Rothchild judges that the beginning of the end came "When David Geffen enters the Californian waters as a manager. The sharks have entered the lagoon, and the entire vibe changes. It used to be 'Let's make music, money is a by-product'. Then it becomes 'let's make money, music is a by-product'".Goodman's eye for detail is exhaustive and thorough but he still makes this book an entertaining read, including a great selection of anecdotes--like the time Bob Dylan casually swapped a priceless Andy Warhol print for a sofa he fancied in his manager's office. --Patrick HumphriesRead More