Reviewed by Jen Oliver-Rigsby for Reader Views (9/2022)
If you are a fan of the music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, or a music history buff in general, or even one of those people who store “useless” trivia information in their heads, you might want to pick up “Moments in Time” by Tom Locke. It’s like Paul Harvey’s radio segments “The Rest of the Story,” where he picked out random stories and told listeners other tidbits that most of us did not know. Tom Locke does this for music and “Moments in Time” is a combination of segments that he aired on “Treasure Island Oldies” over the last several years.
“Moments in Time” is broken up into different sections (i.e. The Early Days of Rock & Roll, Country Crossovers, and Great Disappearing Acts) and each section has ten different stories that fit the section theme. What is unique is that each story has its own QR code which links to the actual song being discussed. The stories are taken from Locke’s segments on the radio and are written out as they were told, with the teaser, commercial break, and the historical story itself. Most of the songs and artists, readers should be able to recognize, especially if they check out the song after each story.
“Moments in Time” can be read quickly. Each story is only two pages. It is not complicated to read unless you find yourself being transported to the particular era where the song was made and released and you get lost in your thoughts. Some of the stories will be like, “Wow, I never knew that” or “That was really so and so instead of that more famous person.” Even if you are not a big fan of all types of music, you should still be able to get something out of reading this book.
“Moments in Time” is a must-read for any fan of 50s, 60s, 70s music. Even if you think you know or heard it all, there will be something new to learn. If you are someone who likes to have a lot of knowledge that no one else really knows and wants to impress your friends, read this book and share what you have learned.
