Duane Tudahl
Duane Tudahl is an award-winning author, historian, and independent researcher who focuses his scholarship on under-studied and overlooked aspects of rock and roll music history. Tudahl's passion for uncovering the truth behind classic recordings and long-forgotten sessions has led to his appearance in documentaries and videos from HBO, Fox News, and British TV. He has written five books, and contributed chapters to five additional books—all of which focus on the intriguing and mysterious aspects of classic rock and roll.
The thing that distinguishes Tudahl from many other popular music historians is his deep dive into the oft-untold story of the classic records. Through meticulous research, he reveals secrets and details about the origins of songs, their musical ancestry, and who really played on the recordings. His passion for setting historical records straight began as a teenager in high school when he discovered that one of his favorite classic compositions—“Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”—was actually a cover of an obscure blues traditional made famous in the late 1950s by Johnny Marks. His subsequent interest in uncovering the hidden stories of classic rock and roll recordings led to his new career as a historian.
Tudahl's first two published books focused on the work of famed record producer Phil Spector. The first, "Behind The Wall Of Sound: The Life And Legacy Of Phil Spector," (2005) delved into the life and career of the most influential producer in popular music history. A complex man with an enormous impact on pop culture, Tudahl traces Spector's meteoric rise and equally spectacular fall. He examines every element of Spector’s career, from his early days as a hot rod enthusiast to behind-the-scenes accounts of the production of such classic albums as "Be My Baby" and "You've Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'."
His second book on Spector, "The Producers," (2008) looks at the work of the legendary producer from a different angle. Featuring interviews with close associates and artists, Tudahl tells the story of the classic recordings created by a group of talent that include Leiber & Stoller, Jack Nitzsche, and "Wall of Sound" engineer Larry Levine.
Tudahl moved beyond Spector’s impact with his third book, "Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll," (2010). Examining the contributions of guitarists, singers, arrangers, and behind-the-scenes technicians, he collected dozens of stories of people overlooked in traditional histories of rock and roll. He interviewed icons such as Jack Bruce of Cream, British pub rocker Nick Lowe, Tommy James & the Shondells, and acts from Motown, Atlantic, and other independent labels.
Tudahl shines the spotlight on a different artist in his fourth book, "Flashbacks," (2014). Focusing on the incredible story of pioneering guitarist Les Paul, Tudahl highlights the guitarist’ legacy as a player, composer, and inventor. He traces Les Paul’s entire career, from his early embracing of country, blues and jazz, to his collaborations with Mary Ford and his late-career re-emergence as an international celebrity.
His most recent work, "California Rock & Roll," (2016) brings a new focus to the classic rock and roll sound. Examining the influential Los Angeles music scene of the 1950s and 60s, Tudahl reveals some of the city’s little-known music scenes, including the club and studio scenes led by such famous figures as Jack Nitzsche, Jack Elliott and Stan Ross.
Tudahl provides an incredible level of detail, analysis, and insight into his works. His research shows that even iconic works of popular music have hidden stories to tell—stories that can expand and deepen our understanding of their legendary creators. With five titles currently in print and his recently completed doctoral dissertation, Tudahl continues to expand our understanding of rock and roll's hidden gems.
