SelectBooks, Inc. has announced the publication of The Rhino Records Story: Revenge of the Music Nerds by Harold Bronson, the inside story of how a small record store in Los Angeles launched a music label that defied all odds to become one of the industry’s biggest and best. The October 22nd publication date coincides with Rhino Records’ 40th anniversary.
Bronson, who co-founded Rhino Records with Richard Foos, reveals how the partners’ unique approach to business led them to express themselves in unconventional ways. They hadn’t gone to business school and hadn’t worked full-time for a record company but they did have a passion for music and an inherent business sense. Their dedication to rock history propelled Rhino Records from $90,000 in sales that first year, to over $100 million in 2001.
The Rhino Records label initially focused on releasing compilation albums of pop, rock, and rhythm & blues successes from the 1950s through the 1980s. The label contributed to revitalizing the careers of such seminal rock acts as The Turtles, The Monkees, and Tommy James. Rhino was also known for its releases of novelty material and comedy albums, including retrospectives of such legendary comedy acts as Richard Pryor, Stan Freberg, Tom Lehrer, and Spike Jones.
Rhino later branched into other aspects of the entertainment industry, starting with home video re-issues of television programs such as South Park, The Lone Ranger, The World of Sid & Marty Krofft and Mystery Science Theater 3000, as well as CD releases of movie soundtracks. By the late 1990s, Rhino launched Rhino Films and began producing features, including the cult classic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
In 1998 Rhino Records became a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group. Bronson left the company in October 2001, and Foos five months later. Their original record store closed its doors in 2005.
The Rhino Records Story offers exclusive stories of rock history, evolving pop culture, and unique insights into the music. Bronson’s behind-the-scenes accounts of encounters with some of the biggest personalities in show business are wildly entertaining. He also vividly portrays the unique anti-authoritarian personalities of the company founders and their rich—often absurdist—sense of humor.
Read more VVNMusic
Stay updated with your free Noise11 daily music newsletter. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here
