- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Benny More (1919-1963) was one of the giants at the center of the golden age of Cuban music. Arguably the greatest singer ever to come from the island, his name is still spoken with reverence and nostalgia by Cubans and Cuban exiles alike.
Unable to read music, he nevertheless wrote more than a dozen Cuban standards. His band helped shape what came to be known as the Afro-Cuban sound and, later, salsa. More epitomized the Cuban big-band era and was one of the most important precursors to the music later featured in the Buena Vista Social Club. Even now, to hear his recordings for the first time, it is impossible not to be thrilled and amazed.
Journalist John Radanovich has spent years tracking down the musicians who knew More and More family members, seeking out rare recordings and little-known photographs. Radanovich provides the definitive biography of the man and his music, whose legacy was forgotten in the larger scheme of political difficulties between the United States and Cuba. Even the exact spelling of More's first name was unknown until now. The author also examines the milieu of Cuban music in the 1950s, when Havana was the playground of Hollywood stars and the Mafia ran the nightclubs and casinos.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Prologue
- One La Guinea, 1919–1935
- Two Rumba, Son, and the Orchestras
- Three Sugar, Guitars, Vertientes, 1935–1940
- Four Havana Apprenticeship, 1940–1943
- Five Conjunto Matamoros, 1944–1945
- Six In the Land of the Aztecs, 1945–1948
- Seven Locas por el Mambo, 1948–1950
- Eight Return to Cuba Voice First, 1950–1952
- Nine Duarte, 1952–1953
- Ten La Banda Gigante, 1953–1954
- Eleven Son Montuno and Murder Inc.
- Twelve The Hogs and the Hits, 1955–1956
- Thirteen Recordings, Tours, 1957–1959
- Fourteen Revolution and Death, 1959–1963
- Fifteen Influence
- Notes
- Sources
- Discography
- Index
- About the Author