Persuasive Percussion was an LPalbum performed by Terry Snyder and the All Stars and released in 1959 by Command Records (run by Enoch Light). The packaging includes the first use of the gatefold cover which, upon being unfolded, lists information about each selection. The liner notes state that the album may be used to test audio equipment, due to the stereo placement of sounds independently in either the left or right channel (something common today, but extremely innovative in 1959). The album cover artwork, by Josef Albers, is minimalistic in style, consisting of an arrangement of dots. The album was the first volume in a series of Persuasive Percussion releases. Provocative Percussion was the second release of the Percussion albums. Both Persuasive Percussion and Provocative Percussion had four volumes released over the next several years.
In April 1960, the album reached number 1 on The Billboard's Stereo Action Albums chart,and stayed at the top for 13 weeks. It spent a total of 124 weeks on the top selling albums charts.[1]
In 1965 Cash Box magazine stated, "Persuasive Percussion Vol. 1 was perhaps the LP that put the stereo disk on the map. Much like Milton Berle, whose antics in the early days of TV was credited with selling millions of sets, this album undoubtedly brought to light the startling musical aspects of stereo sound on records".[2]
