Play It Loud

An Epic History of the Style, Sound, and Revolution of the Electric Guitar

By: Brad Tolinski, Alan di Perna, Carlos Santana - foreword

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

The inspiration for the Play It Loud exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

"Every guitar player will want to read this book twice. And even the casual music fan will find a thrilling narrative that weaves together cultural history, musical history, race, politics, business case studies, advertising, and technological discovery." (Daniel Levitin, Wall Street Journal)

For generations the electric guitar has been an international symbol of freedom, danger, rebellion, and hedonism. In Play It Loud, Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna bring the history of this iconic instrument to roaring life. It's a story of inventors and iconoclasts, of scam artists, prodigies, and mythologizers as varied and original as the instruments they spawned.

Play It Loud uses 12 landmark guitars - each of them artistic milestones in their own right - to illustrate the conflict and passion the instruments have inspired. It introduces Leo Fender, a man who couldn't play a note but whose innovations helped transform the guitar into the explosive sound machine it is today. Some of the most significant social movements of the 20th century are indebted to the guitar: It was an essential element in the fight for racial equality in the entertainment industry; a mirror to the rise of the teenager as social force; a linchpin of punk's sound and ethos. And today the guitar has come full circle, with contemporary titans such as Jack White of The White Stripes, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent), and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys bringing some of the earliest electric guitar forms back to the limelight.

Featuring interviews with Les Paul, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and dozens more players and creators, Play It Loud is the story of how a band of innovators transformed an idea into a revolution.

©2016 Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"It's all here: everything knowable now becomes known about the plugged-in ax that changed the world. A comprehensive history of the electric guitar in cultural context is something long wanted, awaited, and needed. At long last, it has arrived." (Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top guitarist/vocalist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee)

"The authors...bring freshness to chestnuts through technical nuggets aplenty.... The electric guitar changed the world, and Tolinski and di Perna impressively reveal its epic story." (Kirkus Reviews)

Over The Top Good!

A well researched account of the history of the guitar from both the musicians and craftsman perspectives. I’m on my second read.

Great overview

Well-done and comprehensive overview with some new details. Nice job of research and presentation.

A must listen

This has been probably my most enjoyed listen on audible. If you are a musician or would like to be one or have any interest in rock music and/or guitars - I would highly recommend.

great book

the narrarater did a great job. the facts n history of guitars were on point. this book is very informative on guitar and music genre births.

Great Book and Audible Performance

This is the definitive history of the electric guitar. Wonderfully written and read. The true gold standard in documenting music history.

must read for guitar nuts

As a guitar fanatic, I devoured this audiobook. It is a treasure trove of guitar history, rich in detail and social context. Well researched and presented. I will likely be a repeat listener.

Vive Le Electric Guitar!

If you are into the electric guitar - check this out. So many great stories. Loads of stuff I never knew.

On the edge of my seat

I was literally on the edge of my seat every time I sat down to listen to this book. what a thrilling ride and discovery of the rich history of the electrical guitar.

Great history lesson for electric guitar enthusia!

Where does Play It Loud rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's definitely one of the best music oriented non-fiction books available.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the people, guitars and events in the book were very interesting.

Which character – as performed by Rob Shapiro – was your favorite?

All equally good.

Any additional comments?

It would have been great if it also included audio clips of the guitars and music referenced in the book. For example, it would help to hear the difference between a single coil vs humbucking pickups, a Gibson Les Paul vs a Fender Strat, sample riffs, techniques, etc. I would buy an updated version of this audiobook if it included all the musical, audio examples described in the book.

listen to this while I'm tinkering away in my shop

As I sit here in my shop building guitars I realize how much I absolutely have no idea what I'm doing. But I love it! I'm just tinkering away in my shop listening to this and I can't say this often but, I know that I'll re listen to this book again. What a great and wonderful history of a music instrument that has changed my life and so many more.... arguably it has changed the world. Some say that the guitar is dead. I know this to be false with 100% certainty. because like me sitting here at 11:30 at night while my kids sleep, I'm meticulously cutting frets in to a neck that will one day make music.
This book is inspiring. I know when I build a guitar that I'll never be Les Paul or Leo Fender but what I do know is there something magical in a guitar. It's almost indescribable. When you make something with your hands and then handed to somebody and they're smiling from ear-to-ear because they get it.... it's music.
If you love music. If you love the guitar. If you I love rock and roll..... go ahead download this book and prepare yourself to learn about the wonderful rich history of the guitar.