PAUL RAPPAPORT – GLIDERS OVER HOLLYWOOD AIRSHIPS, AIRPLAY, AND THE ART OF ROCK PROMOTION – BOOK REVIEW
1st March 2025O my brothers and sisters, rock ‘n’ roll lovers, and all you chepuks, this is the book is the book you didn’t know you were craving, but now you can’t live without it. It’s like reading a crazy, music-packed rollercoaster ride through the glitzy world of Hollywood and the rock biz—only this time, the rollercoaster is bein’ pushed by a bloomin’ airship. Believe me, it’s as brilliantly bizarre as it sounds.
If you think rock promotion is just some sharp cat in a sharp suit pushin’ press releases around, Gliders Over Hollywood is gonna knock that naive thought outta your head quick-sharp. The firsthand accounts of getting rock music onto the airwaves are an education in the art of chaos. this book’s packed with outlandish tricks that’ll have you scratchin’ your noggin and crackin’ up at the same time.
Need a billboard the size of a big moon in the sky? Easy peasy. Wanna get your band’s name blurted from a bloomin’ blimp? That’s in the plan, no doubt. The man’s got some tricks in his pocket that would make even the most twisted marketeer go, “Wait—why didn’t I think of that?!”
And let’s not forget the rock stars themselves. Between the egos, the drama, and the occasional overzealous PR stunt, Paul Rappaport gives us a peek into the world of big-name musicians (Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Alice In Chains, Aerosmith, and Elton John. Just to name a few), and the even bigger personalities running their promotional campaigns. It’s like Mad Men meets Spinal Tap… only with more airships.
It ain’t just all fun and games, it’s clever and informative, too. Rappaport’s the man who’s seen it all, and his insider know-how on the twisted ways of rock promotion makes you appreciate how tough it was to get a song on the airwaves. It wasn’t all about makin’ a tune that sounds ace—it was a full-on war of guerrilla marketing, random stunts, and weird things that somehow worked. Who knew the rock ‘n’ roll biz could be so bonkers?
Written with the sharpness of a fella who has probably crashed a few blimps along the way. Whether it’s the backstory on why the radio was the most powerful marketing tool in history, or his hilarious tales of over-the-top promotions that somehow worked, you’ll find yourself bookmarking a few crazy PR strategies of your own.
So, if you love rock ‘n’ roll, ridiculous marketing stunts, or simply enjoy the delightful chaos that is Hollywood, grab Gliders Over Hollywood. It’s a humorous, insightful, and entertaining ride that proves one thing for sure: when it comes to rock promotion, the sky’s the limit—sometimes literally.
