How Music Got Free

Synopsis

What links Taylor Swift to a factory worker?
Kanye West to a German engineer?
Beyoncé to a boardroom mogul?

They've all changed the face of the music business, in the most unexpected ways.

How Music Got Free is the incredible true story of how online piracy and the MP3 revolutionised the way our world works, one track at a time.

'This brilliant book tells you exactly how the perfect storm that forever changed the way we consume music took shape. Like many great works of investigative journalism it makes it clear that this is one of those stories you think you know. Until you realise you don't' John Niven, The Spectator

'Reads like an underworld crime story… concise and very funny… The most remarkable thing about Witt's book is that virtually none of the names is familiar… Witt finds unlikely heroes in unlikely places' New Statesman

Summary

Chapter 1: The Record Men and the Record Stores

* Summary: Chronicles the rise of the record industry, from the early days of 78s to the dominance of vinyl LPs in the 1960s.
* Real Example: RCA Victor's introduction of the "45" single in 1949, which revolutionized the industry and became a staple of record stores.

Chapter 2: The Coming of the Boombox

* Summary: Explores the impact of portable cassette players in the 1970s and 1980s, which enabled music fans to listen to their favorite songs wherever they went.
* Real Example: The introduction of Sony's Walkman in 1979, which became a ubiquitous symbol of music on the go.

Chapter 3: The Rise of the CD and the Death of the Record Store

* Summary: Discusses the rise of compact discs (CDs) in the 1980s and 1990s, and how they gradually replaced vinyl records.
* Real Example: The release of CDs by major artists such as Billy Joel and Michael Jackson, which boosted the popularity of the format.

Chapter 4: The Age of Digital Music

* Summary: Examines the emergence of digital music, from the early days of MP3s to the dominance of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
* Real Example: The release of the iPod in 2001, which enabled users to store and listen to thousands of songs on a portable device.

Chapter 5: The Hype and the Reality of Music 2.0

* Summary: Explores the impact of digital music on the music industry, including the decline of record sales, the rise of independent artists, and the emergence of new business models.
* Real Example: The rise of online music stores such as iTunes, which allowed artists to sell their music directly to fans.

Chapter 6: The Future of Music

* Summary: Speculates on the future of music, including the potential impact of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other technological advancements.
* Real Example: The emergence of immersive audio experiences such as Dolby Atmos, which provide listeners with a more engaging and personalized listening experience.