By George Petersen

I’VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME RESEARCHING PAST AUDIO technologies, and I’m frequently amazed at the speed by which history can be discarded. Even a remarkable product such as Sony’s PCM-F1—a revolution in its day—is virtually unknown some 25 years after its debut. So I’m hardly surprised (although truly saddened) by the near-complete lack of documentation on recording by early black artists who were pioneers of the record industry. And when I first heard about Tim Brooks book on the subject Lost Sounds—Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry, 1890-1919, I was delighted to uncover this absolute treasure chronicling these forgotten heroes.

In this exhaustive 656-page book, with some 60 pages of footnotes and cross references, Brooks and co-researcher Dick Spottswood have spotlighted a epochal time in the recording industry, and done so in a highly readable, fascinating style that brings history to life.

One particular highlight is a section on the life and career of George W. Johnson—believed to be the first black artist on commercial recordings. Almost forgotten today, Johnson recorded two of the best selling recordings of the 1890s and achieved such popularity that some of his records were pirated and bootlegged—more than 100 years ago!

In all, the book covers the works of some 40 artists such as Bert Williams, George Walker, Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, W.C. Handy, James Reese Europe, Wilbur Sweatman, Harry T. Burleigh, Roland Hayes, Booker T. Washington and boxing champ Jack Johnson—all who faced enormous hurdles in an era of racist attitudes and blackfaced white performers lampooning black music and musicians.

Lost Sounds—Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry, 1890-1919 is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the roots of recorded music. It’s available in cloth and paperback editions from the University of Illinois Press: Just click here…

When not working on Mix stuff, George Petersen records and performs with the SF Bay Area-based rock band ARIEL. Click here www.jenpet.com and check ‘em out.

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