Wake Me, Shake Me

New York City in the 1960s was a musical melting pot, in which folk, R&B, rock and roll, blues, girl groups and Brill Building pop produced a wealth of great artists and records. This book tells their story.

Using numerous new interviews with major figures from the time as well as contemporaneous trade magazines and other sources, author Mitchell Cohen captures this rich (but often underestimated) musical era's history and sounds. He chronicles the arrival of new artists on the scene — bands like the Lovin' Spoonful, the Young Rascals, the Blues Project, the Shangri-Las and the Vagrants — as well as solo artists from Dion to Darin to Dylan and the local producers, songwriters and label executives who all helped shape the music. He also explores the role TV, radio and the press all played to show not only what was going on, but how it was being promoted, exploited and attacked.

An acclaimed music journalist and former record company talent scout, Cohen lived in New York when all this was happening and adds his own memories to those he interviewed. The result is illuminating, entertaining and sure to be both informative and nostalgic for anyone who remembers songs like “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Groovin’,” “Good Lovin’,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Summer in the City,” “Chapel of Love” and “In the Midnight Hour.”

Includes an extensive, annotated discography of albums and 45s and a bibliography.

Fans will find that this book details a lot of what they might have long forgotten about one of the most vibrant and influential eras in American rock and roll. It adds to the scholarship regarding New York culture and will send readers scurrying to play these old songs.

“It was such an exciting time for music, and Mitchell brings it vividly to life.” —Clive Davis. author of The Soundtrack of My Life

“Mitchell Cohen, as always, connects the dots from the perspective of a true believer in rock and roll … Wake Me, Shake Me is music history told with much insight and detail.” —Dion DiMucci, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and author of Dion: The Rock and Roll Philosopher

“Cohen puts a decade of profound musical change into celebratory perspective … A bravura accomplishment.” —Lenny Kaye, rock guitarist, author of Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock & Roll

“Cohen writes about the breadth of New York’s music with all the noise, animation and attitude of the city itself.” —Jim Farber, music journalist (New York Times, The Guardian)

“Cohen conjures the hustle, magic and ecstasy of Gotham’s groove during one of its most happening eras with a helping of context that makes it all come alive.” —Dennis Diken of the Smithereens

“A wonderful love letter to the chaos, craft and blind faith behind the music of ‘60s New York.” —Sam Hollander, songwriter, author of 21 Hit Wonder: Flopping My Way to the Top of the Charts