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Title: The definitive historical and critical study of Bandstand
Review: Jackson's book is published by a top-flight academic press, and that should warn off readers hoping for a snappy, picture-laden bit of nostalgic hagiography (for that, see Dick Clark's own book, coauthored with Fred Bronson, replete with pictures and even, as the cover declares, a "Nifty Dance Poster Inside!"). What Jackson gives us is a deeply researched, thoughtful, and judicious history of the show and its implications. There are numerous divergences from common wisdom here-- most notable is Jackson's read on the so-called "integration" of Bandstand, which he treats with nuance and sophistication. References to obscure tunes and performers indicate that Jackson is surely one of those legendary record-collector enthusiasts; it shows in his footnotes but not, blessedly, in the text itself. Instead, the book gives us a closely observed history of the pop music business and one of its most important institutions.
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