Episode 8 – James Hall on The Industry of Human Happiness

Dave interviews James about his novel on the early days of recorded sound, The Industry of Human Happiness. James tells how he chanced upon the adventures of Fred Gaisberg and Sinkler Darby in the sleeve notes of a CD that he bought outside a concert, and how they inspired him to write a fictional account of those heady days of format wars, skulduggery and breath-taking invention. James also talks about his campaign to have a commemorative plaque erected on the Maiden Lane building where the industry started (a plaque that was unveiled by Queen drummer Roger Taylor in December 2019).

Links:

How gramophones changed the world forever – James writes in the Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/beatles-crushed-beetles-gramophones-changed-world-forever/

Blog on the BPI website about the birth of the record industry

https://www.bpi.co.uk/news-analysis/the-industry-of-human-happiness-james-hall-guest-blog/

James writes in the Telegraph about his Maiden Lane commemorative plaque campaign

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/fight-honour-britains-first-recording-studio/

The Industry of Human Happiness on Amazon

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We hope you enjoy listening as much as we’ve enjoyed recording them!