Dynamic Duets

Abstract

The second half of the twentieth century saw a great number of powerful vocal pairings as short-lived but undeniably magical collaborations. Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999 uncovers the stories behind 110 of the most memorable duets between otherwise independent musical artists. Whether the two artists came together for only one song or for many, the story of each duet’s inception, the collaboration process, and the song’s success and promotion paint a dynamic portrait of each artist and the music they created. Focusing on songs that made it into the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100 between 1955 and 1999, this encyclopedic work includes such classics as Nat “King” Cole and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable,” Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s “The Girl Is Mine,” and Mick Jagger and David Bowie’s “Dancing in the Street.”

Arranged alphabetically from Bryan Adams to Dottie West, the entries feature firsthand interviews with many of the artists, including Dolly Parton, Neil Sedaka, Eddie Money, and Billy Vera. The book also includes photographs of many of the records and/or the performers and chart and label information. An appendix lists honorable mentions of twosomes that did not reach Top 100 but should not be overlooked or those whose duet partners played more of a minor role. As a chronicle of the best pop vocal pairings from the second half of the twentieth century, Dynamic Duets is a must-read for vinyl collectors, music historians, and classic hits radio DJs, and music lovers of all ages.