Product Review

The Wages of Spin chronicles the Philadelphia music scene from 1952-1963 taking a comprehensive look at the creation, growth and popularity of Bandstand. From Bandstand's concept and creation to the rise of the iconic Dick Clark and a true national phenomenon, Wages looks behind the curtain at the inner workings of the music industry and the people who were involved, told by the people who lived it, the performers, dancers and those waiting in the wings. The music industry was by no means a paragon of American business ethics, characterized by underhanded practices, conflicts of interest, and most notoriously, Payola! As the dirty business of making hits and selling records went on everyone had their hands out. Clark emerged at a unique time in American cultural and economic history, saw an unprecedented opportunity and exploited it. Talent was a secondary consideration in the system of graft and legalized corruption that prevailed at the time.