The Greatest Music Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Music History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy

Did you know about:

• The ballet that sparked a riot?
• The rock star who became an astrophysicist?
• The song that saved Wheaties?
• The man killed by his own conducting?
• The controversy behind "Mary Had a Little Lamb"?

Prepare to be astonished, bewildered, and stupefied by the tantalizing tidbits of music history collected here: amazing stories about jazz, classical, country, rock 'n' roll, hip-hop, show tunes, composers, band names, song lyrics, instruments, technology, controversies, and more.

Learn how the FBI spent years trying to decode the lyrics of one rock song. Discover how Watergate provided the inspiration for A Chorus Line. Find out how one megahit was born in a history class, while another was dashed off in a fit of anger at actor Robert De Niro. Meet the monk behind solfège, the aviation pioneer who created Muzak, and the prisoner who literally sang himself out of jail. Then there's the most important person in rock 'n' roll history—chances are you've never heard of him!

Continuing the successful Greatest Stories Never Told series, Rick Beyer has delivered another classic volume for history and music buffs alike.

“An effortless summer read for the music lover.” Houston Chronicle

"A little book you won't be able to put down." Florida Times-Union

“History doesnt have to be boring and author Rick Beyer proves it with this fun look at music.” Rock Book Show

“We picked up the book expecting to inflate our egos, reinforcing the myth that we know everything there is to know about music history. Short answer- we were wrong, very wrong.” LA Weekly

“100 stories you havent heard will delight in knowing.…Lively, offbeat and surprising in quick-hit snippets.” Denver Rocky Mountain News

“Surprising…the essentials of fascinating stories are here.” Dallas Morning News

“History like youve never read it before…Amusing.” The Tennessean

“A little book you wont be able to put down.” Florida Times-Union

“Full of tasty morsels…A delightful book to arm one for the next dull cocktail party.” Chicago Tribune

The author of the highly successful History Channel series The Greatest Stories Never Told is back with fascinating new anecdotes about the world of music. The Greatest Music Stories Never Told is full of little-known tales that will astound and delight everyone from accomplished professionals to enthusiastic shower-singers.

Rick Beyer recounts quirky yet meaningful stories that illuminate the origins of instruments, musical styles and technological advances, as well as little known facts about our favorite composers. These stories didn't come from the concert hall or Music History 101, but are guaranteed to enhance any student's understanding and appreciation of music.

Rick Beyer is an award-winning documentary producer and a long-time history enthusiast. He has produced numerous documentaries for The History Channel and currently operates his own documentary production company, Plate of Peas Productions. His creative efforts have won numerous awards, including multiple gold medals from the New York Film and TV Festivals, several Telly awards, and four Emmy(R) awards. He lives in Lexington, Mass.

--Rock Book Show

"Fullof tasty morsels.A delightful book to arm one for thenext dull cocktail party.” —Chicago Tribune

RickBeyer, author of the highly successful History Channel series The GreatestStories Never Told returns with new historic tales from the world ofmusic—ennobling, entrancing and inevitably surprising stories of soaringgenius, tantalizing scandal, nefarious intrigue, and, above all, unbridledpassion for music. Perfect for fans of The Mental Floss History of theUnited States or Bill Brysons Made in America, Beyers GreatestMusic Stories Never Told is “history like you've never read itbefore." (The Tennessean)

Rick Beyer is the author of the popular Greatest Stories Never Told book series, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work has been seen on The History Channel, A&E, and National Geographic Channel. He is also an accomplished speaker who inspires and entertains audiences around the country. He lives with his wife in Lexington, Massachusetts.