Jac Holzman's blog

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Elektra Chief Executives and the Artists they signed

Submitted by Jac Holzman
on August 10, 2010

Created by Bob Kaus and Mark Leviton

 

Founder and Chairman:  Jac Holzman 1950 – 1973

On October 10, 1950, Elektra Records was born in 19-year-old Jac Holzman’s college dorm room.  For the next 23 years, Holzman nurtured Elektra into an iconic, eclectic, and much-revered label, guiding it from an early mix of traditional folk, ethnic music, and blues into a golden age of contemporary folk, rock, and pop artistry.  During this fertile period, he also branched into classical and world music with the founding of the Nonesuch label.

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Dreams of Vinyl

Submitted by Jac Holzman
on July 23, 2010

The story of the LP (long playing) record lies at the heart of recording history.

The first widespread pre-recorded music device was the player piano with large punched paper rolls, (cumbersome to load, apt to tear) which brought "recorded" music into homes throughout America and the world.

The most renowned pianists, in all musical genres, played in your parlor at the touch of a button or pull of a lever. The notes and timing were identical to their original performance, however, the subtleties of emphasis and shading could not be captured.