Rating: 
Summary: Thee BEST retrospective of Top 40 Radio EVER`!!!
Review: Ben Fong-Torres has written a solid book on the history of Top 40 Radio in "The Hits Just Keep On Coming." It was an enjoyable read to this long-time student of contemporary radio. Alas, at times the book focuses more on the stars of the business, giving it almost a People magazine feel. But that doesn't spoil the story here.In fact, perhaps because the title promises so much, I was surprised to find the book a bit on the thin side. At some 272 pages, I was left was the feeling of having gotten a small taste of a wonderful dessert. You too, may find yourself wanting more of Fong-Torres' solid writing and in particular, his analysis of the rise, fall and resurrection of this sound that a generation grew up with. There are a few nits to pick: more than just publicity pictures of faces would have been nice and towards the end of the book there are a few errors in details (A K in call letters for a NYC station, when it should be a W) but all in all to use the jargon of the business it covers, this book is definitely a "Hitbound." Who knows? If this one's a hit, maybe Ben Fong-Torres has more material for a volume 2!
Rating: 
Summary: Many Hits, but a few misses in this history.
Review: Ben Fong-Torres has written a solid book on the history of Top 40 Radio in "The Hits Just Keep On Coming." It was an enjoyable read to this long-time student of contemporary radio. Alas, at times the book focuses more on the stars of the business, giving it almost a People magazine feel. But that doesn't spoil the story here. In fact, perhaps because the title promises so much, I was surprised to find the book a bit on the thin side. At some 272 pages, I was left was the feeling of having gotten a small taste of a wonderful dessert. You too, may find yourself wanting more of Fong-Torres' solid writing and in particular, his analysis of the rise, fall and resurrection of this sound that a generation grew up with. There are a few nits to pick: more than just publicity pictures of faces would have been nice and towards the end of the book there are a few errors in details (A K in call letters for a NYC station, when it should be a W) but all in all to use the jargon of the business it covers, this book is definitely a "Hitbound." Who knows? If this one's a hit, maybe Ben Fong-Torres has more material for a volume 2!
Rating:
Summary: And The Memories Just Keep On Coming Back!
Review: Chances are, if you grew up in the '60s and '70s you spent alot of time listening to the radio. In every major city across the USA and in most towns with any sort of population, Top 40 radio was bringing us the best that Rock N Roll had to offer. Fong-Torres' book provides a deep, rich insight into not only who those magic momement makers were...but how the radio industry as a whole came to Top 40 dominated. This book is rich in historical detail, without boring the reader. Just scanning the through index at the back of the book is enough to bring back a flood of a thousand moments spent tuned in to your favorite transistor or table radio. The Hits Keep On Coming is easily one of the best contemporary books written about modern radio and the people who made listening so magical. It's well written, filled with tremendously interesting sidebar material and comes complete with a year-by-year listing of top hits through the decades. If there were one thing I wish the book had more of...it would be more photographs of the music makers (djs) and their radio studios. Perhaps this is a possibility for a "new and expanded edition in the future). If you're a radio fan, American history buff, Rock N Roll collector, this is one book you should definately make sure you own. Opening up the pages of "The Hits Keep On Coming" should instantly bring back to your mind a million memories and the hits that were the soundtrack of our lives.
Rating:
Summary: My wife liked this book
Review: I bought this for my wife. She really enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: My wife liked this book
Review: I bought this for my wife. She really enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: Thee BEST retrospective of Top 40 Radio EVER`!!!
Review: Just finished this book. Having grown up in LA in the sixties this book took me back to all those great radio days! There is LOTS of great stuff in here! Ben did an excellent job of talking to all the shakers and movers of the golden days of radio. I found it hard to put it down and a great inspiration to create fun radio again for the new century! When I find a book that's this great I can't wait to tell everyone I know! Thanks, Ben. It's awesome!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Snoozer
Review: More like an encyclodia I could not really follow it inspite of my long term interest in radio.
Rating: 
Summary: If you like baseball cards...
Review: Ok, so I'm the party pooper here, but I'm not enjoying this book (still reading). What bother me about it is it's tunnel-vision focus on DJs (names, dates, station IDs etc.) while zilch on the music (how tunes were selected, politics, label preferences, payola, etc.). I'm personally curious why Top 40 has changed from period to period and how decisions were made behind the scenes out of hearing range of the listening audience. Telling us things like "Bill Balance, who had been at KFWB for three years when Blore blasted in to install the Top 40 format in late 1957" doesn't even pretend to discuss the kind of details I'm interested in. The publishers would have been more truthful if they'd named the book something like "The People Who Played the Hits." Also disappointing to me because I've read many Fong-Torres articles over the years that I've thoroughly enjoyed. If I change my mind as I read on, I'll revise or append this review.
Rating:
Summary: It speaks GREATLY on Top-40 radio
Review: Splendid display of TRUE interviewing by this author as he his one of the best from ROLLING STONE....This book explains the MEANING of Top-40 Radio at its best and should re read by every broadcaster in the country!!
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