Book Description

The first biography of one of modern rock’s most influential figures. Emerging from the morass of suicide and potent musical legacy that was Nirvana, the Foo Fighters established themselves - against all odds - as one of the most popular rock bands in the world. Deflecting early critical disdain, Dave Grohl has single-handedly reinvented himself and cemented his place in the rock pantheon. This is his story, from his pre-Nirvana days in hardcore band Scream to his current festival-conquering status as a Grammy-winning, platinum-selling grunge legend reborn. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Absolute Trash
What could have been a fantastic biography ended up being a poor excuse for a useless music critic to write a book on punk music. There is very little information on Dave Grohl the person and not even that much on the Foo Fighters. Instead the author simply tries to analyse each and everytrack that Grohl and his bands have released and then analyses every track that influenced those tracks and then analyses the bands that performed those tracks. In a nutshell this book is a collection of interviews with various magazines. If you were to take the information on Grohl alone the book would be a good 5 pages.
A complete waste of time. Do not even bother! Go and spend the money on music mags instead. I seriously think the reason the author has worked for so many different publications is because he got fired for trying to sound clever.

Potentially great but disappointing
I love a good biography, especially those of musicians. I love all of Dave Grohl's creations esp. the Foo Fighters. I was really looking forward to learn more about the man. Unfortunately this book doesn't focus much on Dave but rather on the Punk music scene and a who's who of punk music. I didn't need a whole chapter on Cobain either. Who's bio is this anyway? The book does have some really good pictures, just not much personal info on the man. I grew bored and didn't even bother to finish it, which is rare for me. Not recommended.

A lot about "Dave, the musician" but not "Dave, the man"
Although this book was an interesting summary of the bands Dave Grohl admired and was influenced by growing up, and, of course, played in, I was disappointed that it really didn't talk about him much in terms of his personal life. Most of the personal stuff in there I had already read on the internet. The author doesn't make it a secret that he pretty much pieced this together using interviews to other magazines or web sites. It seems that he must personally know Dave, but there is no indication of any one-on-one interview for this book.

I guess I was looking for the: what was his childhood like, what was it like growing up with him as a child or teenager, where did he work, where did he meet his wives, etc.

If you're looking for a breakdown of concerts and albums, this book does a good job of that. I do question reviewing each song from each CD...songs seem pretty subjective to me, and the author uses a lot of "this has a hint of the Pixies with a Metallica type chorus"... If you're getting that much out of it, you're analyzing it too much. IT'S JUST A SONG! Ya like it or ya don't! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

GREAT BOOK ABOUT THE KINKS, BY KINKS FOUNDER DAVE DAVIES!
Now here is a great book about life in The Kinks. Dave Davies who founded The Kinks with his brother Ray in the early '60s
has written his autobiography. The book is simply titled Kink/Hyperion Books and is a must read for every Kinks fan the
world over. The legendary Kinks guitartist/Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer tells his story from life as a child in the Davies
family, the formation of The Kinks, their success at the top , their lows at the bottom, the constant bickering between him &
Ray, his spiritual quest and his own role as a family man. He gets right to the point on his and The Kinks past & future as of
the mid '90s. This book came out in '96 so it makes you wonder if a follow up book may appear somewhere in the future. He
wrote this book in a very simple, easy to read fashion without drifting off into fantasyland, somewhat like brother Ray's book
X-Ray . His story is that of joy and pain, heaven and hell and shows his rise, decline and rise again over the years both as a
band member and as a person. And he makes no bones about the constant feuding between him and Ray and his struggle
fighting his own personal demons that have finally been put to rest. Sounds like The Kinks tune "State Of Confusion" to a
degree. A complete Kinks/Dave discography is featured along with lots of unpublished pixs. I highly recommend this book to
anyone whether they are a Kinks fan or not. It is a wonderfully written book by someone who has lived the music life as a

performer in one of the most loved Rock 'N' Roll bands of all time. He sets the tone with the view of 'outside looking in' &
'inside looking out'. No rose colored glasses here. Just direct and to the point with a lot of humor! Honestly, as Dave told me
in an interview... 'I wrote this book for the fans, not the critics. Because after all these years the fans are still there. I wrote it
for them and I wanted to set the record straight on a lot of things.' Remember Dave's '84 Kinks tune "Living On A Thin Line"
or his '93 tune "Close To The Wire"? Well, that title rings very true with this book. A Must!

Good music doesn't necessarily beget good writing...
Dave Davies' book is good simply because it talks about all those things that Ray didn't in his autobiography. And I only recommend this book as a companion piece to 'X-Ray' because to be perfectly frank, it's kind of a stinker.

As a writer, Dave is serviceable...telling us what we want to know with a minimum of flowery language and a barrage of exclamation points and embarassing asides. But if you want to know what the Kinks were thinking when they nose-dived in the 80's...this will help.

Much has been made of Dave's claims of visitation by an unnameable intelligence. And yeah, it's strange and I don't really believe it...i believe he believes it....but it's not really the point of reading this book...unless you like to laugh at your rock stars (i do! i do!)

A nice glance into the hedonistic excesses of rock star life, but one that paints a fairly unflattering portrait of Dave. An interesting view into the brother dynamic but without any real insight or information.

All in all, it made time pass.

Disappointing....
On the good side, it's more emotionally direct that the memoir of his sibling and Kinks leader, Ray. But it's pretty shambolic and its nowhere near as well written as his brother's work.

The high points should be the 1960s part - the Kinks in that time produced some amazing music. But we don't get much about the music, we get a lot of stories about the general debauchery. Tales of drink, drugs, and non-choosey sex from that time are a dime a dozen and, frankly, are now getting pretty tired.

The book takes an unusual twist when Dave gets visited by alien life forms. When I got to this bit I thought 'this is a wind up, right?' but no, he is deadly serious.

The most unusual thing about the extra-terrestials part of the book, though, is they seem to be the only life-form the author met that he didn't try to have sex with.

'Kink' is an understatement
I actually didn't quite finish this book. All the occult bs was getting on my nerves. Why does he believe so strongly that he was "visited" by an alien inteligence when he was, by his own admission, out of his mind on drugs at the time. Ya ever hear of drug induced hallucinations Dave? This book just about put me off reading about the lives of my favorite musicians. Alot of it was interesting but alot was unsettling too. Dave, your a great guitar player and we all love you for that but some things you should've kept to yourself.

It's the "Quiet One" You Have to Be Careful Of
Having listened to and lusted after Dave Davies for over 20 years, I was extremely curious to read the auto-bio of the "Jan Brady" of the fabulous Kinks. I was surprised and amused at his early escapades, but what overwhelmed me was his shameless attitude towards his hedonism, infidelity, and general confusion of why his genius brother Ray treats him as he does. And still, he ends his book sounding like a man happy with his life and at peace with himself. When I was first done reading it, I wasn't sure if I was happy or upset that I now knew so much about him, but that's pretty much how Dave seems to make people feel. But I went right back to playing his solo stuff, so he is still a welcome entity in my psyche. All in all, entertaining. God save the Kinks! ... Read more

Book Description

When Jeff Buckley drowned at the age of thirty in 1997, he not only left behind a legacy of brilliant music -- he brought back haunting memories of his father, '60s troubadour Tim Buckley, a gifted musician who barely knew his son and who himself died at twenty-eight. Both father and son made transcendent music that mixed rock, jazz, and folk; both amassed a cadre of obsessive, adoring fans.

This absorbing dual biography -- based on interviews with more than one hundred friends, family members, and business associates as well as access to journals and unreleased recordings -- tells for the first time the intriguing, often heartbreaking story of these two musicians. It offers a new understanding of the Buckleys' parallel lives -- and tragedies -- while exploring the changing music business between the '60s and the '90s. Finally, it tells the story of a father and son, two complex, enigmatic men who died searching for themselves and each other.

Reviews (29)

takes away some of the mystery of the mystery white boy
david browne had a daunting task when preparing to write "dream brother"--taking the life of jeff buckley, who came to fiercy guard his privacy, and make sense of it for the general public. much of buckley's life--and death--has remained shrouded in mystery in the four years since he disappeared into the wolf river, and browne ferociously attacks his research. jeff was always determined to separate his life and career from his father, 60's folk/jazz singer tim buckley, so one could imagine the reaction jeff might have had had such a book been in existance while he was still living. however, browne clearly illustrates why both buckley's lives need examining, showing similarities between the two throughout the years. any buckley fan will be interested in reading "dream brother" and discovering aspects of jeff's (or tim's) life he or she was unaware of. just as jeff's music forces the listener to pay complete attention, reading "dream brother" requires full concentration; the names and roles of people involved form a complex web that can get confusing. the book destroys some of the mystery surrounding jeff buckley, but fans will enjoy being able to learn more about the buckleys and their incredible talent--both taken away too soon.

Dream Brothers indeed
I have waited a long time for a book such as this one, but was worried about the integrity of the author of a topic so dear to my heart. My reservations were, as it turns out, unfounded, particularly when I discovered that Jeff's mother, Mary Guibert had been consulted and had given the author numerous interviews and access to her most private life, and her most precious son's memory.

David Browne approaches the life stories of Tim and Jeff Buckley with the utmost respect and reverence. I am so grateful for this insight into Jeff's life in particular, although reading the book just brings home all over again how much of a thorough tragedy his loss has brought - both to the music world, and the world at large.

I get the distinct inpression that Jeff Buckley was always IN this world, but not OF this world. I just thank the higher powers that he left behind his most precious gift to us - his music.

Captures his grace and spirit
Being a huge JB fan, I mourned his passing and the loss of any future gifts he had to give. Now reading the book nearly 6 years later, I mourn him all over again. But this time not just as a voice, but as a relentlessly creative, humorous, mooody, beautiful person as well. Although you do get the sense that a lot of pieces are missing about Jeff's erratic behavior and scattered personality, you are able to connect with his music in a much more profound way, knowing from which place this art emerged.

Not serious literature, but....
Ok, this book is no serious piece of literature, but it is extremely interesting. If you're interested in Tim or Jeff Buckley (or even just music in general), get this book. Considering both subjects are no longer with us (damn shame), it is certainly not a first-hand account of either of their lives, but it does provide a chronology of both artist's lives and careers, as well as their influences, musically and otherwise. I cannot put this book down. It interchanges between Tim and Jeff's experiences, so it is sometimes confusing to remember which bassist played for whom, or which one of them wrote songs with so and so, but I am warming up to the format. The interesting fact that they had similar career progression is certainly noted given how the author laid out their stories. If you're not a stickler for grandiose authorship, this book will not dissapoint.

AMAZING!
An amazing book that gives you incredible insight and appreciation for these two talented musicians! ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive portrait of one of the world's all-time great pop groups.Covers all aspects of the ABBA members' lives and careers: the pre-ABBA days, the amazing success story of the 70s and beyond, the marriages and divorces, the business empire and the solo careers after the breakup.A major biography skillfully set in the context of Swedish culture and global fame. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

An indepth look at the rise of ABBA
This is perhaps the first book to ever go into the depths of the Story of ABBA. Whereas in the past there have been many books and recently only rather vague overviews of ABBA's highly successful career, but very few books have examined ABBA in such depth.

The author manages to go to the very root of their formation, their success and their eventual demise as a collective group. The author's insight into their formative years, the people that worked with and alongside them, as well as the impact of the Swedish cultural climate of the time give a valuable perspective that effectively gives an understanding of the way they worked and they way they approached their career and lives as ABBA.

It's also interesting to note how the international press has long regarded ABBA as rather distant media-shy figures, which was not the case. It's surprising to read how frank they have been with the press over the years. There are many revealing and personal quotes from Agnetha, Frida and Benny and Bjorn regarding their personalities, their conflicts and the marital strain of their work. Looking back on the book one will find it quite amazing to look back on their accomplishments and how far they had come in the 10 years that they worked together.

Overall a very worthwhile and provocative read. This book may not be recommended for casual ABBA fans, who may find all the intricate references to Sweden and Swedish culture as well as the many surrounding details just a little dry and confusing. Although it's definitely essential for fans who have background on the ABBA story and who wish to gain further insight on the people; their lives and sacrifices, and the wonderful music which built the success of ABBA.

The standard by which all future ABBA books must be judged
BRIGHT LIGHTS DARK SHADOWS is absolutely compelling; although the chapters are largely self-contained, the hooks leading into the next chapter (and the opening paragraphs of each chapter) are irresistible. I often found myself beginning to read a new chapter when I swore I would stop at the end of the preceding one.

Part I is gripping from the start of Chapter 1. I was impressed for several reasons. First, the personal and industry backgrounds on the four members and Stig are usually glossed over in other books. Here, the sketchy details are fully filled in, and it's
fascinating reading.

Second, Carl Magnus Palm puts everything in its cultural and historical context with information about the regions where each member grew up, the origin of the various Swedish charts etc. He expresses an authentic feel for the times and for his country
and its people.

Third, the narrative flows beautifully. Although it's largely chronological, it feels fresh - the first four chapters don't just go through each member one by one, the book has been better planned. It seems perfectly natural that we don't arrive at the childhood of the youngest member, Agnetha, until we've learnt about Stig's background and followed the others into their teenage years.

There isn't as much public information available about each member's childhood, which must have made it difficult to piece a lot of these facts together. The book really begins to hit its stride with the early chapters of Part II. In Chapter 12, Palm
begins to weave the various stories together. There's such a lot that isn't known about ABBA's formative years, there's a real joy of discovery in these chapters. Palm's tone is also more assured at this point - he slips in some reasoned criticism of each member's early recordings - and he injects some satirical, but affectionate, humour into the reportage. I loved the style on pages 177 and 178, for example, when Agnetha recounts her "baking accidents" and the bemused tone when Frida decides to throw it all in and "become a clothes designer".

An impressive feature of the book is its succinctness. That may sound funny, since BRIGHT LIGHTS DARK SHADOWS is over 500 pages, but it's a fair assessment. The Habari Safari movie takes up about a page; the progg movement is concisely charted and explained in a few pages. He sums up the sound and limitations of Gemini in one pithy phrase - "studio product, shoulder-pad music sorely lacking in soul" - and is equally spot-on with Agnetha and Frida's 80s solo efforts. Although I didn't accept his criticism of Djupa Andetag, it is a rational critique, and I admittedly suffer the disadvantage of not being able to understand the album's lyrics in their natural language.

Part III - The Time is Right - covers Waterloo through to 1982. The material is generally more familiar here; for instance, I could usually be sure of what incidents would be included in each chapter (other fans, as opposed to the general public for whom this book is also written, may be as acquainted with this part of the ABBA story to feel the same).

Fortunately, although a large part of this slab of the book is taken up with recounting events, Palm is not writing a mere overview of the ABBA years. He's writing a biography, and the significance of events on ABBA as people is analysed; he keeps
sight of the biographer's purpose in representing the big picture. Occasionally, this is of necessity a little strained - the psychoanalysis of Frida (p. 508) didn't entirely convince me, for example.

After reading BRIGHT LIGHTS DARK SHADOWS, I've learnt as much as I think I'll ever know about the people that make up ABBA. Ultimately, it's eye-opening and - towards the end - dispiriting reading. But you get a real sense of the demands and pressures that they were going through - the chapter on 1978, supposedly a quiet year for ABBA, makes this plain. As the business side of Polar consumed Stig, and the marriages collapsed, I think it's clear that the ABBA "magic" was a relatively short-lived
alchemy of personality, managerial drive, talent and determination in a specific historical and cultural setting. But it wasn't a fluke - it wouldn't have lasted as long, over as many unambiguously great albums, if it was.

You'll understand a lot more about ABBA, and I think you may even better appreciate the music, after reading BRIGHT LIGHTS DARK SHADOWS. It's the first real biography of ABBA but, more than that, it's the definitive biography. And it's the standard against which all future attempts at retelling the ABBA story will be judged.

Polar Music indeed!
Someone said it's as difficult to write about music as it is to dance to architecture, and I guess Carl Magnus Palm faced a tougher task than most. As any "Behind The Music" aficianado knows, your typical pop group creates plenty of drama, even when their music isn't all that good. Abba is unique in that their story is devoid of drug arrests or lurid groupie tales. Divorces, yes, they had that going in spades, as the band mates were all husbands and wives who broke apart and eventually ended the band, but the partings as described by Palm seem almost antiseptic, even when Benny cheats on Frida with (gasp!) a journalist. The dissolutions feel more like a Bergman movie than "A Star Is Born," but that's not Palm's fault.

Palm does a fine job with the story at hand, telling it in a Joe Friday "just-the-facts" kind of way that commands respect and a healthy amount of interest. He takes care to give us a perspective of the band in its time and place, and notes how badly Abba's music was received in its own homeland because of its excessive commerciality. (People digging your sound meant something was wrong with you, comrade.) He analyzes key moments in the band's creative development with commendable detachment and fairness. It's nice to see he doesn't pile on the negativity over the 1979 album "Voulez-Vouz" or praise 1977's "The Album" as the band's finest hour as others do. He's an especially biting critic after the band breaks up, even ragging on "Chess," but he's careful to always give credit to Benny's tuneful genius, Bjorn's often-clever way with a lyric, and the way Frida and Agnetha's voices, when joined together, created a unique "third voice" which gave the band much of its urgency and power.

I wish he was more willing to take us inside the band by painting some individual scenes in greater detail, making us feel like actual witnesses rather than readers of a police report, even a very good one. Guess the Swedes don't practice New Journalism too much. I didn't get much of a feeling of who the Abba band members really were, except that beyond their era-defining brilliance they seem a bit cold and dull. The only vibrant character, manager Stig Anderson, blusters and rants on the sidelines much of the time as Palm focuses on the band.

But what's here is good enough. Its an absorbing, thorough, and sober-sided account of the life and death of one of pop's most successful and misunderstood bands. If you like Abba even a little bit, you will like this book.

The best ABBA biography we'll ever get
A comprehensive overview of the careers of all 5 of the main protagonists in the ABBA story. The author covers the pre and post ABBA phases thoroughly, as well as their time together as ABBA. For a fan such as I am, the stories were fascinating and this book will have a permanent place on my bookshelf. However, as another reviewer has stated, Palm has a tendency to be very dry and I'm not sure this book would appeal as much to someone looking for a good music biography as it will to an ABBA fan. The dryness is most apparent in Palm's discussion of ABBA's music. Damning with faint praise comes very strongly to mind, particularly in his discussion of Super Trouper. There didn't seem to me any sense that this was a fan of the music (which for all its faults you couldn't say about the 'Name of the Game' by Oldham et al.)

His post-ABBA opinions are even more downbeat, particularly in regard to Chess. He complains about the number of styles used - but anyone familiar with the way Lloyd-Webber and Rice worked would know that that was how they put musicals together, and that was the template that Benny and Bjorn worked from.
Nevertheless this is a superbly researched book which contains probably as much as anyone needs to know about ABBA's formative years

One of the best biographies published.
I read many books, including many biographies. I am not an ABBA fan per se. However, this book, I DEVOURED. It was simply an outstanding read. For its length, I raced through it, eagerly yearning for the next page.

The writer's style reminds me of the best of Michener's writing, like Hawaii.

PS> I also highly recommend "The Day Paul Met John" or vice versa. ... Read more

Book Description

You wanted the truth, you got the truth—the hottest book in the world!

Fueled by an explosive mix of makeup, costumes, and attitude, KISS burst onto the music scene thirty years ago and has become a rock institution. The band has sold more than eighty million records, has broken every concert attendance record set by Elvis Presley and the Beatles, stands behind the Beatles alone in number of gold records from any group in history, and has spawned more than 2,500 licenses.

There would have been no KISS without Gene Simmons, the outrageous star whose superlong tongue, legendary sexual exploits, and demonic makeup have made him a rock icon. KISS and Make-Up is the wild, shocking, unbelievable story, from the man himself, about how an immigrant boy from Israel studied to be a rabbi, was saved by rock and roll, and became one of the most notorious rock stars the world has ever seen.
Before Gene Simmons there was Chaim Witz, a boy from Haifa, Israel, who had no inkling of the life that lay ahead of him. In vivid detail Gene recounts his childhood growing up in Haifa under the watchful eye of his beloved, strong-willed mother, a concentration camp survivor; his adolescent years attending a Jewish theological center for rabbinical studies in Brooklyn; his love of all things American, including comic books, superheroes, and cowboys; and his early fascination with girls and sex, which prompted him to start a rock band in school after he saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.

KISS and Make-Up is not just the classic story of achieving the American dream through the eyes of an immigrant boy making good, but a juicy, rollicking rock and roll read that takes you along for the ride of your life with KISS, from the 1970s, when they were the biggest band in the world, through the ’80s, when they took off their world-famous war paint, and into the ’90s, when they came back bigger and badder than ever to become the number one touring band in the world.

In his own irreverent, unapologetic voice, Gene talks about the girls (4,600 of them and counting); his tight bond with KISS cofounder Paul Stanley; the struggles he and Paul had with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss and their departures from the group; the new band members and Eric Carr’s untimely death; the enormous love and affection he has for the people who put him there in the first place—the KISS Army and the ever-loyal KISS fans around the world; his love life, including stories about his relationships with Cher and Diana Ross and with Shannon Tweed, Playmate of the Year, mother of his son and daughter, and his companion of eighteen years; and much more.

Full of dozens of photographs, many never-before-seen pictures from Gene’s private collection, KISS and Make-Up is a surprising, intimate look at the man behind the mask. For the first time Gene reveals all the facets of his complex personality—son, rock star, actor, record producer, businessman, ladies’ man, devoted father, and now author. ... Read more

Reviews (112)

Remember, it's a GENE SIMMONS bio, not a KISS bio
So many other reviewers here have bemoaned the relatively small proportion of KISS road stories, recording session stories, etc. But this is an autobiography of just Gene, not a tell-all of the whole band. Have some perspective, guys.
I really liked this book. Gene's gentle and sometimes humorous writing style makes this a pleasure to read. I've been a KISS fan since I was a 10-year old kid in 1976, and I've read or heard all of the glossed-over stories about the band's inner turmoils. Finally Gene has taken the gloves off (or at least one of them, perhaps) and let some of the less-flattering truth about KISS's up-and-down career filter through. Primarily, though, he talks about himself (his favorite topic). He certainly makes no apologies for his choices or lifestyle (nor should we ask him to), and his rather obvious intelligence certainly shines through. He managed to guide a band (that would so often be on the verge of self-destruction and collapse) from their humble beginnings on the streets, to the heights of international stardom, to near irrelevance in the 1980's, and back to the top of the (nostalgia) heap in the 1990's. A helluva ride, and Thank You Gene for letting us tag along. Most of us who grew up listening to KISS learned a LONG time ago that the "Rock and Roll Gods" image has its time and place, and that Gene (just like Paul and Ace and Peter) is basically just another regular guy, although with chutzpah to spare and and an unwavering ambition. Gene is entitled to be Almost Human like the rest of us. That means he is allowed to cry, love, regret, and make mistakes like you and me. He sure does those things, and readily admits it. KISS is a business as much as it is a band, so how is that any less forgivable than any other celebrity selling him- or herself to stay on top and gainfully employed? If you weren't already a KISS fan you probably wouldn't be buying or reading this book anyway. But for the legions of KISS fans everywhere this book is Gene without the make-up - a regular (and singularly driven) guy whose destitute upbringing gave him a sense of perspective on the American Dream that most of us take for granted and even resent when it blesses people other than ourselves. I don't think Gene is trying to hold himself up as the paragon of success or as a role model to anyone else. All he is saying in this book is "Hey! I came here with nothing, but thanks to a lot of hard work, a little luck, and my refusal to run from a fight or let someone else sabotage my dream, I have achieved great success, carved out a name for myself in this world, found true love and happiness as a father and companion, and learned a lot about myself. And I owe a lot of respect to my Mom!" Sounds like a great success story to me. Don't let the fact that he did all this through the fickle medium of rock and roll cloud the facts.
My only wish is that he had delved into even greater detail about the business end of KISS, as C. K. Lendt did in his excellent book "KISS and Sell" (available through...). Not all the KISS years were rosy. Some were downright embarrassing. But at least Gene isn't throwing as big a PR spin on those times as he has in other interviews and books - even the fascinating KISSTORY book pulls its share of punches. But I doubt we'll get much more honest disclosure from any of the band members until after they've hung up their platform boots for good. Because to do it before then, and let fall some of the sheen of mystique before every last promotional buck has been bled out, would just be bad business.

Kiss Uncovered
The best description of this book, in my opinion, is "Kiss Uncovered". Gene Simmons hid absolutely nothing from his readers. Gene is no great author but the book is above the standards of a rockstar. Overall, I believe this book was written for a profit for Gene and to add to his line of Kiss merchendise. Despite that, the book gives an in depth look on his life and the life of Kiss. I've been a Kiss fan for all of my life. They were there at the beginning and are now respectfully going away. As any Kiss fan should be, I was dissapointed to see Gene's views on Peter Criss and Ace Frehley and I was dissapointed with the actions Peter and Ace as described in the book. I always thought of them as larger than life superheroes, which according to Gene, many other people (including the band) have believed the same thing. But that, of course, is not the case. The book follows Gene through his life as a poor, young, Israelean boy named Chaim Witz, to a poor, young, American teen named Eugene Klein, to a rich, famous, business man and rockstar named Gene Simmons. It doesn't matter if you're a member of the Kiss Army or just a fan of rock'n'roll... the truth is anyone will enjoy this book. You will learn the many secrets of Kiss and will see how Gene lives up to his over-used motto "Rock and Roll All Nite and Party Every Day".

RYANS REVIEW
This book is called KISS and make up a bkiogrophy on Gene Simmons life or should I say Chaim Witz later changed to Gene Klein then to his rockstar name Gene Simmons a legendary bassist for the band KISS. KISS was not his only thing. Gene was born in Haifa, Israel on August, 1949. He lived there for a good couple years then came to America where he changed his name, he loved hammers as a child. Some of his first influences were Elvis Presley. This book is really good it has so many facts you would never find out if you are a KISS fan this book is way up your alley. It talks about Gene Simmons life and how he formed KISS and fame and his later years with KISS, and the members that break away from KISS. If you wanna know who stays in the band, and who leaves. Read this book, also recomended Sex and Money by Gene Simmons

Idiot
Don't you know that everyone likes Peter and Ace more than you? You schmuck, you!

A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING.....
As a lifelong KISS fan, I've always followed their every move, in good times and bad. So it was with great anticipation that I awaited Gene Simmons' book. Obviously, he is intelligent and well spoken, but also brash and full of himself (as he will readily admit!). While the book is good and entertaining in many places, I just expected more. We know the whole story about the women, the money, etc. He takes every opportunity to attack bandmates Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and it comes across as pretty one sided. I'm not sure what I expected exactly...maybe more info or thoughts from him that I haven't seen or heard in countless interviews over the years. A good book but just a little disappointing. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The Lizard King
The Lizard King by Jerry Hopkins is a very interesting book. It is filled with wild stories of being on the road, performing at concerts, and taking part in the Los Angeles party scene. The book is well written, and really held my attention. Any person who enjoys a nostalgic trip through the groovy 60s will enjoy this book. It gives a sense of how society was affected by music and the changing times.
The Lizard King clearly depicts Jim Morrison's entire life; starting with his fairly average childhood in a military family, his wild college years, and the fast paced years with his band, The Doors. All of the events that are chronicled lead up to his untimely demise, which is still somewhat of a mystery and is widely disputed. There are several interviews at the end of the book, collected from various magazines that were popular in the late 60s, which show the intellectual side of Jim Morrison. I highly recommend this book to all fans of The Doors, or anyone that is interested in Jim Morrison- the rock star poet. This page-turner is sure to captivate anyone who reads it.

Interesting sequel to his first book on Jim Morrison
Jerry Hopkins espouses many new theories about Jim's drinking and his death. What struck me were the facts brought forth in the book about Pamela.

Pam was a heroin addict. Jim despised heroin. Pam has been quoted as saying she was tired of Jim. She drained Jim Morrison's finances with her boutique. She had numerous affairs until heroin became her true love. She died penniless, a prostitute, guilt ridden and selfishly kept quiet over her role in contributing to the death of the man she "loved." She left him to die in that bathtub in France, knowing he was ill, vomiting from the nose. She chose to sleep instead. She chose to bury the man she loved sans headstone, sans ceremony.

Want to read more? Buy the book.

A well-researched and presented biography
What I like so much about this book is that Jerry Hopkins shows determination to present as much truth as possible by considering and reconsidering the facts that he uncovered regarding Jim's life. He does this particularly well by presenting his findings and impressions on Jim's family life, Pamela Courson and the circumstances regarding Jim's mysterious death. Hopkins manages to stay clear from idolizing and inscribing Jim with projected fantasies of who he thought Jim was, and stays close to considering the evidence that he acquired from interviews with Jim and Jim's associates, along with other discovered facts.

My overall impression of this book is that it is definitely well researched. Hopkins truly attempts to give Jim a fair representation. He obviously wants to present the facts, but not in a manner that would disparage Jim in any way. Subsequently, Hopkins manages to stay adroitly clear of purulent interest in Jim's private life while managing to be informative. This is refreshing. Hopkins does not appear to be cashing in on Jim's fame, but seems rather totally committed to presenting a well-researched biography of an extraordinary man.

enthusiastic but godawful--if only jerry could spell
jerry hopkins has the fiery enthusiasm and idol worship of a five year old really digging barney, but as far as spelling and grammar go, he leaves much to be desired. he talks excitedly about how morrison was fascinated by such existential philosophers as 'friederich nietzsche' and psychoanalyst 'sandor firinczi'. also, his objectivity seems eh, a bit skewed at times? a passage on an airlines incident involving morrison and fellow artist tom baker goes something like this: "the nincompoops and jerks who prosecuted jim were hard put to bring any real evidence against him, although jim's friend tom baker had indeed acted silly." he also lets us in on a really interesting incident involving jim in 1989! hmmm. i'm thinking the guy who published this book must also have been of the countercultural persuasion, and decided to release it for a dimebag provided by our boy jerry. this is good for those want to be well versed in hopkinspeak and the fine art of money making sensationalism, but for those who are after a real insight into the actual life of jim morrison, look elsewhere. anywhere.

A few hours well spent
The Lizard King was a good sequel to No One Here Gets Out Alive. The interviews at the end were a nice treat as well. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very Comprehensive
This biography is indeed very informative. The details on Eric's life are very complete. One can see how Eric's small stature and limited coordination stunted his confidence at the beginning of his music career. In the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith, Eric was content just to be a part of the band. I especially enjoyed Delaney Bramlett's influence on Eric's vocal development. And of course the Layla stories are always a joy to read. The feelings behind many of Eric's signature songs are a joy to read over and over again.

The only slight drawback in this book is the fact that the author discounts the There's One In Every Crowd CD. Truthfully, I find it an underatted gem. Otherwise, Michael Schumacher does an excellent job.

GREAT. NEUTRAL STORY TELLING OF ERIC'S LIFE
THis book is very good. Schumache portrays Clapton as a musician and man, nothing going into the cheap way of focusing the book around gossips. Even the subject of Conor's death is treated decently. Also, he gives a good portrait of Eric's band mates along time, all his influences, a brief analysis of each album recorded, etc. It's a shame that Clapton didn't give any personal interviews for the book, that I think is best than Ray Coleman's offical biography.

Very good, indeed !!!
Amazing reading for thoso who like to read about music and rock. The writer (Michael Schumacher !!! - not the F-1 Champion, of course, hê, hê...) did a stupendous job and I read the book fast as hell.

One of the most intimate portraits of Clapton ever written
If you ever wanted to meet Eric Clapton in person. Have ever been inspired by his blues-roots licks or follwed his career from Cream, Blind Faith or Derek & The Dominos, you'll want to read this book. Schumacher spares us the drippy, glossed over fanzine approach to provide the reader with solid insights into the good, bad and ugly parts of Clapton's life and career. There are no holds barred. What I especially enjoyed about the book is the fact that Schumacher uses good solid story telling, to compell the reader to turn the page and find out more about Clapton, his victories, defeats and ressurection as a man, artist and rock icon. The book is well indexed, allowing you to search by subject, song title and person for specific information. This book is worth the search!

The best book out there about Clapton.
Gives a good, detailed account of his personal and professional life. Shows his infuences and how he traveled through his many phases of being a blues to rock to country to pop and back to blues player. The author shows good balance between writing about his personal life and his professional life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fun, informative read of Young and his Harvest
This book does a good job of packing in a lot of informative bits, personal opinion, and musical history context -- I'm not sure it helped me re-discover an album I've liked for a long time -- but it is definitely an interesting, cheap and fun read.

The author does a good job of helping us understand Young's production techniques (or lack of them) and his attitude toward music making. I liked the musical context he gives us for country-rock and Young's contribution to it. Especially fresh was the author's attitude of the album as not being a superlative Young album. His critical take on the songs at the end of the book is not as enlightening as I had hoped -- it's really the first 50 pages of this 33.3 book that work for me.

The author should be credited for pulling in information like how often Young continues to play these songs in concert (context pertaining to Young's own ongoing attitude toward Harvest) and detailed information on the different CD (DVD-A) versions of the album and the merits and faults of each -- definitely helps one consider a new purchase of Harvest in the future.

Recommended for anyone who is a music geek or a Young fan. ... Read more

Book Description

The Velvet Underground is arguably one of the most influential American rock bands ever. Based on interviews with former members Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison, as well as others from Andy Warhol's circle of artistic collaborators, Up-Tight is ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great history and biography of the early Velvets
This is a fantastic book! It covers alot of the early formative years, and is worth getting just for that.

I do think that it starts to lose its depth when it comes to the later years, their last two studio albums (which are highly under-rated in comparison to the first two experimental albums). But what this book covers concerning the formation and first two albums is an excellent piece of rock n roll history! Highly Recommended!

Intelligent & entertaining approach
An intelligent and entertaining approach to one of the most influential (read: they didn't sell a lot of records in their heyday)rock bands ever. Great pix too. The Velvets epitomized a time when artists didn't feel narrowly compelled to practise any ONE discipline, but rather people were less afraid to combine ideas, cross genres and disciplines. The spirit of the time, to me, suggests Possibility. Yes, Warhol et al. could drift into pretention, but that's the price (and it's really not such a costly one) you pay for being daring. You may go too far sometimes, and by today's (stupid?) standards, perhaps some of the VU "happenings" might appear contrived. But I don't think so! Altogether, VU rules. Way ahead of their time, and before it too. And beside it.

Buy this book, but more importantly, buy into the Underground. ... Read more

Book Description

In October, 2002, David Bowie performed the New York City Marathon Tour. Five different nights in five different venues in each of New York's five boroughs. It was a tribute to New York, and a tribute to his fans. For the first time in over fifteen years, he let a photographer follow him on tour, capturing a David Bowie we've never seen before.Myriam Santos-Kayda, acclaimed portrait photographer for the music industry, has captured David Bowie in rehearsal, in the dressing room, onstage and backstage, alone and hanging out with his band.Bowie, one of rock's most influential and enduring figures, reveals his complexity, humor, grace, and rigor as an artist and performer.About the Marathon tour, Bowie writes, The last time I came through the Northeast it was on the Area 2 Tour. We played in amphitheaters, which are usually a good distance from the major cities. Marathon courses are strategically planned to bring the runners to the streets.I would like to repay the fans that traveled so far to see me by bringing my show to them. But most importantly, I could get hom from all the gigs on roller skates."David Bowie: Live In New York is an intimate portrait of one of rock and roll's most exciting events of the decade.The Bowie Tour: October 2003 - April 2004. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Piece of Bowie Heaven!
I got into Bowie when all my favorite bands were claiming him as an inspiration. I Figured I should find out why. I now get the Bowie that all my friends talked about for years. Everytime he released a new album, they bought it the first day out. Which is what I do now.
I wouldn't have been able to appreciate this book 2 years ago to it's fulliest. I would have been in awe of the photographs beauty, but not the Bowie part of it. Now I get Bowie and now I know how special this insiders look into this music God is. The images are superb. And to take it one step further, they are superb images of BOWIE! The only text in this book is Bowie's own foreword, the images speak for themselves. It's Bowie as this new fan craved to see.

Private Bowie Photo Journal
I feel like I'm viewing Bowie's own private memories of this tour.
There isn't hardly any text, just Bowie's own introduction, and the
rest are beautiful photos. It's obvious that Bowie gave his seal of approval by writing the foreword, and then you are just left alone to enjoy the art. I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I bought this book, but it has become one of my favorite photo books I own.

Pics are great, text is sorely lacking
I was VERY disappointed by this book. Yes, the pics are great, but it would've been nice to have some text to go along with them (i.e. background stories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, interviews...)!

BEST ROCK BOOK EVER
I wrote a review for the amazon UK site, not sure if it tranfers over to this one. I love this book. The photographs are beautiful,
all black and white, all stunning. It's Bowie like I've never seen him before and I've been a fan for a very long long time.
It's not just a great photography art book. It's not just a great David Bowie book, it's both. I just bought this book for my friend's birthday and they loved it.

The Art of Rock Photography
In October 2002, David Bowie commenced his now famous New York City Marathon Tour, whereby Bowie played five shows in the five New York boroughs on five nights. This was one of the most personal, intimate tours Bowie ever launched and to commemorate it he chose acclaimed entertainment photographer Myriam Santos-Kayda to shoot the tour - onstage, backstage, with his band and by himself. The result is the fabulous collaboration, David Bowie: Live In New York. In addition to opening every aspect of the shows to Santos-Kayda's lens, Bowie wrote a very personal foreword for the book which sets the tone for the photographic collection to follow.

While other books may be called "definitive David Bowie encyclopedias", Santos-Kayda has captured what will surely be considered a definitive David Bowie photographic series. For those Bowie fans who could not attend the New York City Marathon gigs, this book will give them an inside view from a gifted photographer and a Bowie fan herself- which adds another dimension to this gorgeous series of black and white photographs. The collection shows the wit and intelligence of one of rock's most enigmatic legends.

So much has been said about David Bowie and the vast body of work that spans his thirty plus year career. However, rarely has anyone gotten so close to Bowie in the midst of such an energetic atmosphere and revealed the man (and his band) at the height of the creative process. Intimate while never intrusive or contrived, this book should be on the shelf of any self-respecting David Bowie fan. And for those interested in the art of taking pictures, this collection is a handbook on black and white photography in a rock and roll environment. David Bowie: Live in New York by Myriam Santos-Kayda with a Foreword by David Bowie is an influential study that will be a hallmark for future artists and photographers. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (20)

A STONE IN A TIN CAN...
I was very disappointed in this book - and while some of that disappointment is with the style of writing Mr. Humphries employs here, there's more to it than that. Writing a biography is a tricky proposition at best. In the case of an artist like Nick Drake - reclusive and withdrawn, with only one interview given during his brief lifetime - it's a task even more daunting than one would usually expect. Humphries has written bios of other musicians - Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, &c - and has evidently built a career and reputation in this area. I'm sure that he felt drawn to the music of Nick Drake in some ways, rather than simply choosing an artist about whom to write in the hope of selling tons of books - there are innumerable choices that would have garnered him greater sales - but without the cooperation of two critical people in Nick's life (his sister Gabrielle and his manager/producer Joe Boyd), given the nature of his subject, the project was more or less doomed from the start.

Humphries mentions in his forward that Joe and Gabrielle 'had decided not to cooperate' - and since Joe's Warlock Music is the publisher of all of Nick's songs, this also meant that Humphries would be unable to quote from Nick's lyrics. He was thus reduced to quoting Gabrielle and Joe from previously available sources. Molly and Rodney Drake, Nick's parents, were deceased, so no direct conversations between them and the author were possible either. The only other sources left for him upon which to draw were the remembrances of various friends of Nick and written articles about the man and his music. What emerges from all of this is inevitably a choppy picture of the man - not unsympathetic, but jarring and incomplete. Many parts of the book are simply strings of quotes strung together - and too many of the gaps have been filled in by well-meaning but ultimately tedious anecdotes about the music scene of the 60s and 70s in general. Referring to the musicians and bands emerging from the public school scene in the UK of the time, Humphries mentions Genesis coming out of Charterhouse to begin their 'windy, wuthering road' to success - a reference to their 'Wind and wuthering' album of the late 70s. He's trying a little too hard here for my tastes, I'm afraid.

Another irritating practice of Humphries is that he contradicts himself in too many places to mention. He can't seem to settle on his own opinion. On p. 93, he says 'FIVE LEAVES LEFT is an astonishingly assured and mature debut' - on p. 94, he says 'Lyrically the songs on FIVE LEAVES LEFT are largely unremarkable'. Huh? On p. 89, he speaks warmly of how well Robert Kirby (Nick's school chum and string arranger on his first two albums) worked with Nick's songs: '...his arrangements remain an integral part of the distinctive sound of Nick's debut album' - then, again from p. 94: '...perhaps the arrangements are a tad lush'. This sort of 'playing both sides' persists throughout the book. These are not instances of Humphries quoting the opinions of others (at least they are not presented in that way) - these are his own words.

The publisher, Bloomsbury, must also be taken to task, for their (lack of) editing - there are several errors in the book that have nothing to do with writing style, but everything (apparently) to do with allowing one's computer spell-check program to act as an editor. This point may seem to be a bit picky, but in context of my other problems with the book, it merely added to my inability to appreciate it.

There's another review below that wisely suggests that those interested in Nick allow his music to speak for him - and this is of course the closest we can come to him, for his music came from his heart and soul. Over the years since his death, it has become much more widely appreciated than it was in his lifetime - sadly this is the case in too many who die before their time. There is beauty in that music. Humphries speaks in several places of the darkness of Nick's lyrics (but, being unable to quote from them, gives no examples), that his depression was a result of an adolescent never coming into maturity, unable to cope with the world - and many of the songs were dark, without a doubt. There were, however, many moments of light and beauty. One only has to listen to the first track on his debut album ('Time has told me' from FIVE LEAVES LEFT) - to me, the song is one that speaks of hope and patience, of learning and recognizing the important things that are worth waiting for. That sounds like maturity and good judgment to me. Nick may well have been a troubled soul - but he was not without happiness, and he obviously understood and appreciated things that a person stuck in adolescence would not.

Near the end of the book, when Humphries is writing of the release of Nick's final four songs, and some additional material - early home recordings and alternate takes - he quotes both Nick's parents and Joe Boyd as saying that they were trying to make sure that anything they released reflected only well on Nick, that they were concerned with how he was represented, that he deserved that consideration. I think that he deserves better than this bio - that might seem harsh, but there's simply too much contradiction and padding here. Rather than a 270+page book, this could have been edited down to a decent magazine article. There are a lot of facts here, but very little understanding. If you have the opportunity to view it, check out the fine documentary A SKIN TOO FEW - it's a much more satisfying portrait of this gentle man.

MEMORIES & RECOLLECTIONS
Once you get past the ridiculous account of the sinking of the Titanic in the introduction, this book becomes quite absorbing. Humphries writes engagingly about Drake's early years, with reference to the culture of the fifties and speculations on possible early musical influences. The description of the British pop scene in the early 1960s and how it related to Drake's years at Marlborough school is very helpful in framing Drake's music in time and place.

It's interesting that the singer had completed his schooldays in 1966 when The Beatles released Revolver and Dylan was making waves with Blonde On Blonde. Nick's visits to France and Marrakech are covered in detail. The description of the UK folk scene of those times is very informative, as Humphries writes about musicians like Danny Thompson, Fairport Convention and Richard & Linda Thompson and the clubs and circuits where they performed.

Much of the text consists of various peoples' recollections of Drake, most of them within the music industry. So there is an amount of repetition and revisiting the same eras and incidents through the eyes of different narrators. Humphries also discusses Drake's rare coverage by various music publications of the time like Sounds and Melody Maker, including reviews of his albums. In addition, he attempts to recreate the circumstances of the recording of each album and provides illuminating information and opinions on most of the individual songs. I was particularly pleased to read about John Cale's contribution to Bryter Layter and his recollections of the recording sessions.

Drake's tragic decline from a happy, well-adjusted school kid to increasingly isolated and alienated young man is treated with understatement, but the overall effect leaves a strong impression. The chapters on Drake's posthumous rediscovery and growing influence are well-researched and provides detailed information on covers of his songs and compilation albums that contain his work. There are eight pages of black & white plates with photographs, a lino cut and a pencil sketch. The book concludes with a discography that includes Drake's individual and compilation albums, multi-artist compilations and the tribute album Brittle Days.

Diminish the aura
Any biographical information about the life of Nick Drake has to be welcomed and Patrick Humphries has done his best in tracking down Nick's old aquantinces. But you'd have to be close to illiterate not to figure out there's an awful lot of padding and repetition in this book.

The life and recording career of Nick Drake was so short that ironiclly the lack of visual images featured here only adds to the aura. It's as if we only had a miniscule visual record of Nick Drake. On the contrary, photos of him seem to be in relevant abundance and seeing them would have done more to humanize his past than speculation and half-forgotten anecdotes.

A lot of time was given over to descriptions of Nick's appearance and there was some interesting details supplied by the photographers who shot the album photos. But I felt myself wanting to see the actual photos of Nick and interpret them for myself rather than read about what somebody else thought about them. Interpreting already available photos is hardly great autobiographical insight.

As such I think this would have been a much more complete reflection on Nick's life if it had been released as a photo book. That way the biographical text could have been shortened to 100 pages or so of the most relevant and important information and the rest of the book could include a photographic record of Nick Drake with the complete photo sessions of every album.

So you've heard Nick Drake... but who is he?
Written in a non-bias yet appreciative perspective Humpries really gets into the life of Nick Drake. Without the ability to quote lyrics and with very restricted active sources the job is still done beautifully.

The book covers the launching of the Titanic, WWII, Humpries own connection to Drake and a very fluent, flowing account of the trouble mans life from his birth in Burma, to Cambridge Uni, to his artistic career at Island.

If you've recently got into Nick Drake and have noticed the severe lack of publicised material, this book should quench your thirst for knowledge and explain many questions you may have... as it did for me.

Thank You Patrick Humphries.

Anthony Jacobs

Until the definitive Nick Drake biography-
This is what we will have to make do with. I recommend this for fans of this brilliant musician as it is simply the only large book available and has the most information in one volume. Unfortunately. Humphries breaks up his narrative with information on the Titanic, history of Cambridge University, and casual acquaintances of Drake, often in no sensible sequence. For those new to English Folk rock, more background information on Richard Thompson, Fairport Convention and others associated would have been helpful. Also, some perspective on Drake's music in relation to pop culture late 60's early 70's would have been appreciated.

In the author's defence, Nick Drake is a difficult man to research, due to his own reclusiveness and short life. Despite the brilliance of his music it's not hard to understand why he never became a "pop idol" after reading this. There are enough interviews and anecdotes inside to piece together, with difficulty, a portrait of Nick Drake as he lived.

Hopefully, with Drake's recent surge in popularity, the friends & family of Nick Drake still surviving will help provide a dedicated writer the information on a truly enlightening and memorable work. ... Read more

Book Description

The late Lowell George is best known as the lead singer, slide guitarist, songwriter, and producer of Little Feat, acclaimed in the '70s by the likes of Mick Jagger and Jimmy Page as their favourite band. George's offbeat sense of humour and surreal lyrics became a Little Feat trademark, making songs like 'Fat Man in the Bathtub' and 'Dixie Chicken' unforgettable. Rock and Roll Doctor explores the genius that animated Little Feat - from George's early bands The Standells and The Factory, to his work with Frank Zappa, landmark albums such as Feats Don't Fail Me Now and The Last Record Album, and his session and production work with the likes of Linda Ronstadt and The Grateful Dead. George's colourful childhood (he lived next door to Hollywood idol Errol Flynn) is here - as is his solo career after Little Feat that was cut short tragically. But most of this book portrays his highly productive period with this great rock and roll band. Each Little Feat album is dealt with in detail and the book examines the development of Lowell's classic songs - how they were conceived, recorded, and produced. The analysis of Little Feat's complex rhythms and Lowell's great music will fascinate musicians and fans alike. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Hopefully not the last Lowell George Book
I love Lowell Georges music. I love the work that Little Feat did with him at the helm of that great band. I bought this book, like others, because it was about Lowell & his music. It is clear that the author wanted a chance to review every song and every little contribution that Lowell made to them. But I'm not sure that he particularly liked many of the songs. There are a lot of quotes from the Lovin Spoonful alums, and very little from Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and other names most Feat fans associate with the original Little Feat, and Lowell George. If you are the type of fan that likes to sing along and tap your feat to the great licks, if you have been listening to Little Feat for as long as you can remember, don't buy this book. You'll probably find you favorite song shredded by this complete review of the music you love, by someone who isn't as interested in the sum as he is in the parts. This isn't a biography, it's more like a revisionist history. Lowell should be listened to not picked apart. Long Live Lowell George!

Easy to slip
I saw the comments of the_lone_reviewer from Dallas, TX United States. As someone who works for the book's publisher, I felt I had to reply. Yes, this is the ONLY book in print on Lowell George. But you're quite wrong when you say the book is "compiled from pre-existing interviews and text". Author Mark Brend spent a long time interviewing many, many people involved with George, including musical colleagues, friends, and close family. That should be clear to anyone who has read this unique book about the music Lowell made. (And yes, I would say five stars, wouldn't I...)

George bio big disappointment
I have been a Lowell George fan since just after he passed away, and have been waiting for a good biography -- this isn't it. The writer gets far too bogged down in details that just don't matter (for instance, pinpointing EXACTLY when George joined Frank Zappa's band) and just skims over stuff about collaborations that I would have enjoyed reading about, not to mention more information about George himself. This book is more like a timeline with commentary that centers on music criticism than a more traditional biography. I would pass on it unless you are interested in tedious details. I wish I had.

Good Focus But Some Aspects Need Development
I am a big time Little Feat fan. And I am very happy that Mark Brend took the time to communicate the genius of Lowell George and the talented and badly underatted band known as Little Feat. The details surrounding the music and stylings of each song is incredibly detailed. The bio of Lowell George is fairly interesting as well.

However, I would have preferred some more ellaborate quotes from the living band members of Little Feat if not Lowell George himself. I have met the bandmembers and they seem like ery regular guys. I am sure a few ellaborate quotes from Paul Barrere or Billy Payne on what it was like working with Lowell would go a long way to giving this wonderful band some needed publicity as well as showing the world the true legend Lowell George was.

In addition, I would have liked to know more about the subject matter and the influences of Lowell's lyrics. What did inspire him to write such gems as Strawberry Flats or Long Distance Love? I will admit Mark Brand gives a good account of the tensions within a rock n roll band that is trying to find its place in the music world. Also, its good that Brand mentions that Little Feat's fan base included such musical heavyweights as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

I do thank you very much Mark Brand for putting out a book on Lowell George. However, there are some ommissions which make the rating somewhere between three and a half and four stars.

Yawn!
Considering that this appears to be the ONLY book in print on Lowell George, it sort of has a lock on the market. That, however, does not make it a good book!

Compiled from pre-existing interviews and text, this book reads like a high school term paper. (I struggled to make it to the end of the book!)

The liner notes found within the "Hotcakes and Outtakes" boxed set are much better. ... Read more

Book Description

Here they are -- John, Paul, George, Ringo -- the band that inspired and changed popular culture forever. In this revealing and provocative new account, Steven D. Stark puts their impact into unique perspective by revealing both the personal details and the larger events that made them into the twentieth century's greatest cultural force.

"They were magic," said their producer George Martin, and most of us would agree. But the band has become so shrouded in cultural mythology that it is difficult today to really understand how or why. This book explains that why -- unpacking the legendary band's aura and examining the ways in which the Beatles' own lives were inextricably tied to the cultural, youth, and gender revolutions they helped create and lead during the 1960s.

Based on extensive research and more than a hundred new interviews, Meet the Beatles offers a compelling fresh interpretation of their story, beginning with their childhoods in England and the profound effect on their outlook and music caused by the deaths of Paul's and John's mothers when they were young. It documents their subsequent special bond with women -- from their teenage fans to the mothers of their friends to close partners Linda and Yoko. It illustrates the central importance of drugs, both for them and the youthful counterculture they led; why their unusual hairstyles set off a cultural revolution; how the band came to create a new vision of the role of women; and the unique conditions that allowed these four to conquer America faster than any other cultural phenomenon in history. It explains why the group's popularity has never faded -- even now, more than four decades after they first hit the charts.

From Liverpool and Hamburg to Ed Sullivan and Shea Stadium, it's all here -- from the improbable decision to fire their original drummer and bring Ringo into the band to why they broke up and who was responsible. After reading Meet the Beatles, you'll never think about the Beatles or listen to their songs the same way again. Live the magic once more.

Book Description

Called by "Entertainment Weekly" "The best book on Hendrix", "Crosstown Traffic" rode their A-list for over two months and won the prestigious Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Award. Roots-savvy British critic Charles Shaar Murray assesses the lifework of guitarist Jimi Hendrix in the context of black musical tradition, social history, and the upheaval of the 1960s. of photos. (Music) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Superb Analysis
Although most fans will be content with the 'Electric Gypsy' bio (which is equally good), "Crosstown Traffic" is more than a mere biography, and as such, invaluable for all Jimi fanatics.

The book is 1/4 bio, 1/4 Jimi's influences (as well as those subsequently influenced by him), 1/4 comparisons between peers and other black artists, and 1/4 conjecture based on his final days.

They've included a list of bootlegs (obviously out of date, but still pretty comprehensive) as well as all legitimate Hendrix material, and a guide to Jimiphiles on what artists to check out that might catch their interest.

An Excellent Book
This is my favorite book about not only Jimi Hendrix, but Robert Johnson and Charlie Christian too. Occasionally Charles Shaar Murray gets a little carried away during his wordy descriptions, but it doesn't matter. If you want to learn about the evolution of African American guitarists, this is the place to start.

Life R&R and the whole damn thing
Perhaps the best book written on rock music.

The Most Insightful On Jimi Thus Far
Unlike the usual gossip-laden rock bios (which I sometimes relish too, I'll admit), Murray's book is a serious piece of work. I've yet to come across a rock author as capable as Murray in analyzing the most important aspect of our Jimi-worship-- the MUSIC. Murray's book delves into the sociocultural groundwork of Jimi's musical style, and makes very astute leaps in connecting Jimi's music to various influences. Murray is perhaps the most intelligent rock biographer I've ever read (and I've read most of the major ones). At certain times, it's as though Murray's descriptive skill nearly matches his subject's musical genius. In any event, this book certainly does Jimi justice. Murray's descriptions of some of Jimi's well-known material are awesome. He describes an instance of Jimi's tight playing as (sorry if I slightly misquote) a "propulsive ball of rhythm, densely packed with ideas," and so forth. Murray is singularly able to verbally express what we deeply feel about Jimi's music, but have a hard time explaining to others. You know how tough it is to convince non-believers why you KNOW that Jimi is a genius, when they think that he was merely a hyped-up, noisy, wildman-clown, right? Well, read Charles Murray's book. I think it'll sooth your soul, and you'll come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of his subject. Hats off to Murray!

An excellent