Ken Emerson

Ken Emerson is an American author and journalist known for his work on the history of American popular music. He has written books such as 'Doo-Dah!: Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Popular Music' and 'Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era,' which explore the development of American music and the lives of influential songwriters and musicians.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Always Magic in the Air

    This book delves into the golden age of American pop music, focusing on the period during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It chronicles the stories of fourteen songwriting teams who were central to the creation of classic hits in the legendary Brill Building in New York City. The narrative captures the creative energy and collaborative spirit of these composers and lyricists, who crafted some of the most memorable tunes of the era, shaping the sound of a generation and leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. Through personal anecdotes and historical insights, the book paints a vivid portrait of an influential epoch in the music industry.

    The 7900th Greatest Book of All Time