Rock of Pages: All You Need to Know About the Music Business

Given that it’s now in its seventh edition Donald S. Passman‘s All You Need to Know About the Music Business looks like a pretty safe investment, .

The music landscape has certainly changed since All You Need to Know… was first released in 1991. However, what hasn’t changed is the fact that many artists go into the music industry as just that — artists. Artists aren’t aware of the various legal hurdles, contractual issues, and everything business-related they’re bound to encounter as they record albums, book shows, and (maybe) sign a contract with a label.

This book is legally dense. Seriously. There’s mathematical formulas, which usually cause me to set a book down and walk away slowly. There are four ways to get through it, however. You can fast-track through the book, and get an idea of how to hire your “team,” as Passman refers to the group of advisors you’ll need. Those advisors, by the way, are as follows:

1. Personal manager

2. Attorney

3. Business manager

4. Agency

5. Groupies

With respect to number 5, you’re pretty much on your own.

That’s also an example of the humor Passman sprinkles around

All You Need to Know…. If you do more than just fast-track the book, you’ll get more enjoyment than you’d expect from a book that deals with business affairs. The fake band names and album titles are especially entertaining. You can also just read the book with the more detailed sections skipped over (“Advanced Overview”), or just read the whole book all the way through, and end up being able to tell your lawyer that he’s trying to screw you when he represents you and your record label.

So, bands — skip that next trip to the liquor store before practice, and drop the money on All You Need to Know About the Music Business instead. Even if you never make it, you’ll at least know that it’s not because you got screwed by the system.