Restless Giant: The Life and Times of Jean Aberbach and Hill and Range Songs (Music in American Life)

"Restless Giant" is a fascinating account of the life and times of Jean Aberbach, the elusive music publishing legend who, with his brother Julian, built one of music history's most powerful popular music publishing companies: Hill and Range Songs. During the 1940s and 1950s music publishers, rather than artists and record companies, controlled the American hit-making machine. Using corporate records, Aberbach's daybooks, and extensive interviews with top performers and songwriters, Biszick-Lockwood weaves an adventure story that demystifies this occupation, showing how Aberbach's keen insights, behind-the-scenes manipulations, and bold business moves fundamentally changed the music industry and nurtured the careers of some of America's biggest popular performers and songwriters.