Book Review | Sonic Boom: The Impossible Rise of Warner Bros. Records by Peter Ames Carlin

Sonic Boom: The Impossible Rise of Warner Bros. Records by Peter Ames Carlin

Sonic Boom: The Impossible Rise of Warner Bros. Records is a lively and compelling account for any music lover as it portrays the story of how an unlikely Hollywood studio offshoot became one of the most influential music labels in modern history.

The book is a mix of business drama, cultural history, and larger-than-life personalities. It captures the chaos, risk-taking, and creative energy that defined the record industry during a transformative era, showing how bold decisions and strong relationships helped Warner Bros. stand apart.

For music fans, it offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the artists, executives, and moments that shaped popular music, with tales about Frank Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Madonna and so many more.

Key quotes from the book:

• The ethos guided the company from the start of the reign of its beloved chairman, Mo Ostin. A successful jazz label executive whose love for the music governed every decision he made, Ostin made the quality of the music, rather than the needs of its finance department.
• It was never okay to turn in half-assed material, but as long as you were growing, taking chances, making interesting music, and building a core audience, you’d have a home at Warner/Reprise – mostly.

‍

Link to Book

View more NAOS podcasts and book reviews