Bubblegum: the history of plastic pop

The rise and rise of the 'manufactured' pop group has been a reliable and consistent trend over the last 50 years of the pop music charts, and this entertaining account by Nick Brownlee features them all!This is the story of the hapless artists and the all-powerful Svengali's who created them, how they hit the top and then plunged into obscurity overnight. Discover the real stories behind the hits - the stars who couldn't sing, the no-hopers who became million-sellers, and the wannabes who shouldntabeen. You'll get all the tricks of the trade, right from the mouths of the men and women responsible.For anyone amused by the latest international audience-voting talent shows such as American Idol and Fame Academy, or for those who dream of being the next great pop hero, this is an invaluable guide to a truly postmodern phenomenon.