Parents' Guide to

Legends, Icons & Rebels: Music That Changed the World

By Blair Jackson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Wonderful intro to 27 musicians and their unique styles.

Legends, Icons & Rebels: Music That Changed the World Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

age 8+

Okay book not that bad but not that amazing

'Legends, Icons, & Rebel' is a book made of many short biographies. These artist are from the back then eras to even now. They give you a brief introductions how they were raised, how they became known,and how they impacted society with their own way of music . Many of the artist struggled against society worrying if the public neglected or accepted their way of music or the message they're trying to put out to the people. This book revolves around the theme never give up on your dreams as many of these artist had a rough start ,but never gave up. In my opinion I would recommend this book to a person whose has a major interest in oldies singers and learning about their struggles. in their career. This book is alright for just passing the time when there is nothing to do.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Legends, Icons & Rebels is a wonderful introduction to more than two dozen pioneering singers and groups who helped shape modern popular music. The book covers a tremendous range of styles and eras: seminal jazz artists (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong); early R&B greats (Ray Charles, Louis Jordan); first-gen rock 'n' rollers (Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard); a few country legends (Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash); pop crooners (Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole); influential soul sensations (Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder); two superstar 1960s groups (the Beatles and the Beach Boys); singer-songwriters (Bob Dylan, Carole King, Joni Mitchell); and the undisputed king of reggae (Bob Marley). Each enthusiastic, two-page, large-type bio has interesting anecdotes, facts, and analysis of what's special about the artist, plus a five-song playlist of recommended listening.

The writing is clear, concise, and well researched. The typography is sometimes jarring, with certain phrases emphasized in larger (and LARGER) type to bring home a point, but it makes for visually stimulating reading. Co-author Robbie Robertson, famous for leading the popular '60s/early '70s group The Band, offers brief personal remarks about each musician. The only quibble is the seemingly random order of the profiles. Had they been arranged chronologically or by genre, developments in the different styles would be more coherent.

Book Details

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