Book Description

A collection of removable reproductions of rare Elvis® memorabilia, direct from Graceland®! With the help of archivists from Elvis Presley Enterprises, this unique compilation shares the King’s life story through reproductions of handwritten letters, press releases, movie scripts, and never-before-seen photographs. Also features evocative text from renowned author Robert Gordon, and Elvis Speaks, an exclusive 60-minute audio CD of candid conversations with Elvis himself. Includes such treasures as:

- A copy of Elvis’s first RCA recording contract
- Replicas of concert tickets
- A reproduction of Elvis’s personal wallet and its contents
- Facsimiles of telegrams Vernon Presley received at the time of Elvis’s death
- And much more!

The avid collector’s dream come true! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The King's treasures
Mr Gordon does a decent job of telling Elvis' life story, although it's a story that is well known by now. The real treasures here are the rare documents and memorabilia from the Graceland archives. There are a lot of things that will be of interest to the Elvis fan. Oh, and there is also an audio CD featuring interviews with Elvis. The interviews are worth listening to once, but I don't think many people would want to listen to them multiple times.

The Elvis Treasures
Someone had purchased this book for me. I was so impressed with its contents/documents/photos and information that I ordered the same book for a person I know who is an Elvis impersonator. He was over-joyed to receive it and claimed he had never come across such a great book! It is a book to treasure.

Great Choice for Elvis fans
When I purchased this book, I really couldn't put it down. It has some amazing stories and literature in it. It also contains letters that he wrote, letters that were sent to him, tickets, etc. This is a perfect gift for the Elvis fans!

Admitted Elvis Junkie
This book I received as a gift. A most welcome one at that. The text is highlights of his life. For us knowledgeable about Elvis there is nothing new here. The neat thing here is all of the removable memorabilia. So let me talk about that. Some interesting notes he wrote on the back of a press release for his upcoming 1970 season in Vegas; black tights, fix bracelets, record player for dressing room, scarves blue, etc. guitar reef (anybody know what that is?) for dressing room and new flowers for piano, gator aid for stage, a list of songs for his show; The Fair Is Moving On, The Grass Won't Pay No Mind, Without Love, This Is The Story, Only The Strong Survive. He goes back and forth from printing to cursive writing. He did not have very neat handwriting. And how about seeing the script for the karate documentary Elvis wanted to make in the late 70's - that's here too. It looks to be written in/by different hands.

Then there is the 10-track interview CD. The interviews range in date from 1955 to 1972. Included here is probably the longest Elvis interview I ever heard. The date for the interview is Sept. 1962 with Lloyd Shearer for Parade Magazine. He talks about sports; football is his favorite sport, karate, and boxing. Books he's read, mostly educational, some philosophy and a little poetry. His friends, his father, the death of his mother, his cars, possible future marriage, his loneliness, his own mortality, how he feels about himself, his temper. His image and how it has changed and his desire to improve all aspects of his career. It's not all serious. He and Shearer joke and people can be heard laughing in the backround. Another noteworthy interview is the 1956 Paul Wilder Tv Guide interview. Wilder reads to Elvis selections from Herb Rowe's drag-'em-through-the-mud-review of Elvis' music, his performances, his fans and his religion. You can also hear Gladys and Vernon interviewed in 1956. Glady's favorite songs are: Baby, Let's Play House and Don't Be Cruel. Vernon likes too many to name but he comes up with Hound Dog.

Incredible Memorabilia!
THE ELVIS TREASURES is great fun! Every page hold something new in the way of removable, facsimile reproductions of all kinds of great memorabilia. (Graceland provided the memorabilia for this book, and there really are some exceptional pieces.) The author has also done a good job of hitting the key points of Elvis's life and bringing the story of Elvis alive. This, combined with a vibrant and exiciting design, makes for a great gift for anyone who is an Elvis fan. ... Read more

Book Description

Once the "hottest band in the land" and the highest-earning rock group in the world, Kiss has exceeded the $1 billion mark in sales of records, concert tickets, and merchandise over its long and industrious history. Now, for the first time, comes the unauthorized behind-the-scenes story of the making and marketing of one of Rock’s original supergroups.

Kiss and Sell is a riveting account of the intersecting worlds of music and commerce, as viewed from the perspective of C.K. Lendt, a top executive with Kiss’s business management from 1976 to 1988. It’s an in-depth look at the convergence of hard rock, big business, and bigger egos, and a revealing story of how images are built and money is made and spent. It’s an unparalleled view of the lifestyles and excesses of rock stars, the pressures of staying on top, the influence of the entertainment industry’s power brokers, and the glitz, glamour, and celebrity of stars such as Diana Ross, Lisa Hartman, and Cher.

This is the story of Kiss’s spectacular rise in the ‘70s, their plummeting popularity in the ‘80s, and their survival from a series of debacles and downturns to reclaim their title of "the hottest band in the land" in the ‘90s. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Lendt tries to impress us with big words; good material.
All in all, KISS & Sell is a good book. My only complaint, however, is the seemingly endless chapters that chronicle the non-KISS experiences that Lendt faced. Why does he drone on about the Isley Brothers? And who really cares about Gene's dalliances with Cher and Diana Ross enough to warrant nearly 30 pages of text?! Sure its part of "KISStory" but Lendt's editor should have recognized that such material could have been greatly trimmed for content. There are many interesting stories that Lendt brings to light such as Gene's mogulling, Peter's manic behavior, Ace's extravagant recording studio, and Paul's perseverance in keeping the band together. He also reveals the gross spending habits of the band members. Who knew that such ignorance to money matters occurred within the band? Lendt's take on the financial situation of the band is a new one and should not be ignored by any true KISS fan; however, Lendt's obvious reliance on a Roget's thesaurus may distract some readers from enjoying an interesting read--I am a university graduate with an English degree and I frequently had no idea what Lendt was saying because of the big words he uses. Also, one has to question the credibility of some of Lendt's stories. His memory of minute details, for example, how many cigars Howard Marks held in his cigar case at a 1979 business meeting, is endless--and apparently flawless. Perhaps he added some of these details for dramatic effect but overall it takes away the reader's faith in Lendt's stories. If Lendt had not paid as much attention to this endless minutiae, his position could certainly hold greater credibility.

The myth WAS true
BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU WANT AN INSIDE LOOK AT KISS THAT IS TAMED DOWN FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.

Chris Lendt explains how KISS played every business card they could: He includes quotes from the guys in KISS saying things like "We're not really a good band" and "This business isn't about making good music, it's about making PROFIT!" True, in their day, KISS sold not only records and concert tickets but T-shirts, toys, lunchboxes, coffee cups, you name it! You could buy it with a KISS logo on it, and the profits went right into accounts managed by KISS's crew of accountants and lawyers. How ironic: In one of Gene Simmons's songs he claims to have been "born and raised" in New York; in fact he was born in Israel, and his real name is Chaim Witz.

So money was the name of the game, but that certainly comes as no surprise. KISS AND SELL describes the rise and fall of this group, with extra effort to convince the reader that any crooked behavior was done by somebody OTHER than Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. At least a half dozen times, the author of the book says that neither Simmons nor Stanley drank alcohol, did drugs "of any kind," and didn't even smoke cigarettes. Ho-kay, pal... Just given the on-the-road stories he tells in the book, there's no way Gene and Paul never did dope. No chance. And as for cigarettes, How about from the song "Detroit Rock City": "First I drink/Then I smoke"? I myself saw Paul and Gene smoke on stage! It's pretty clear the author wants to keep his friendship with KISS alive. That's fine, though; this book has some great stories in it, and certainly captures the spirit of what I believed KISS was always about: C-A-S-H.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Skip this book unless you want to replace sleeping pills! The reading is belaboring.
The much better Kiss related book is KISS & Tell by Gordon Gebert and Bob McAdams. I found myself literally laughing out loud reading it. Bound to be a classic years to come.

A Great read of a great band.
This book, I must admit had me totally riveted from the beginning to the incomplete end. It tells all the gory details of a band that had / has all the trappings of Rock and Roll success, but were then almost thrown out without a cent. Practically losing nearly all their earnings to some dodgy investments, I can't help but think that they owe a huge thanks to Ace and Peter for helping them out. I'm sure Gene would tell me to f**k off!!. But the truth is they were broke or close to it, then "hello" Reunion tour and "we're in the money" all over again. They could have only done that with Ace and Peter.
Now with circulating band members, they'll be around for years to come.
My strongest memory of the book is of a story where author is walking across a road and bumps into a old manager or someone and they tell him about how the Kiss thing is all over, a thing of the past, when in actual fact they just played to probably their largest audience ever in Rio!! But did they get paid for it??
It's a great read, lots of scrapping at the bottom of the barrel to make some money for Gene and Co. and some fantastic stories for Kiss fans or any fan of the rock and roll world.

Best rock book in years
This is the best rock book written in years. It unveils the truth behind Kiss and the tremendous amounts of money blown by the members and manager, Bill Aucoin. Gene Simmons tends to gloss over the reality that he too participated in the financial fiasco that was their 79 tour. However, in a fair and even handed way, CK Lendt tells how the Kiss members and manager foolishly spent money that could have been better invested.

In fact, the reunion tours of 96 and thereafter really gave the members the financial stability that they'd lost in the late 70's.

The irony of Kiss is that without Ace and Peter they were nothing but a sinking nostalagia act. With the reunion tour and make-up back on and Ace and Peter in the band the group suddenly became interesting.

In the end, the great success of Kiss is not the bluster of Gene Simmons or posturings of Paul Stanley but the dynamic of all four members--Ace, Peter, Gene and Paul.

This book is honest and brilliant in it's review of the story of Kiss and of the music business. Buy it and enjoy the behind the scenes look at a fascinating world. ... Read more

Book Description

When Bertensson and Leyda's 1956 biography appeared, it lifted the veil of secrecy from several areas of of the intensely private Sergei Rachmaninoff's (1873-1943) life, especially concerning the genesis of his compositions and how their critical reception affected him. David Cannata's new introduction summarizes what has happened in Rachmaninoff scholarship since the book was first published. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This book is excellent
I found this book extremely helpful and a joy to read. I have used it as a resource for a Rachmaninoff class that i am creating and also for my own pleasure. It spans through Rachmaninoff's life, going in-depth to look at glimpses of Rachmaninoff's life with family, and then meticulously explores his music career.It looks into what inspired him, his meetings with other famous composers, his performances, and includes many letters about his personal life that he wrote to his family and friends. Overall, an excellent look into the life of a composer about whom we do not know much.

A must-have for any Rachmaninoff lover.
This book is very thouroughly written, drawing on resources of Rachmaninoff's relatives, letters that Rachmaninoff himself wrote, and of personal interactions. It gives a glimpse into Rachmaninoff's private life, which very little is known about, and shows Rachmaninoff for the true musical genius that he is. ... Read more

Book Description

The first biography of Jane's Addiction who became Godfathers of the Alternative Nation, originated the Lollapalooza festival, and captured the spirit of Los Angeles at its most decadent.

Jane's Addiction's 1988 breakthrough album, Nothing's Shocking, had a seismic impact on the music scene of the late 80s. With a bracing combination of metal, punk, and psychedelica, coupled with lead singer Perry Farrell's banshee-in-a-windtunnel vocals, the arrival of Jane's Addiction put what would soon be co-opted as"alternative" on the map. Rising from the depths of Venice Beach's junkie-surfer demonade, Jane's Addiction freely mixed the decadent with the innocent, and paved the way for the mainstream success of bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana. After Nothing's Shocking, Jane's Addiction released another classic album, Ritual de Lo Habitual (featuring the hit "Been Caught Stealing"), founded the Lollapalooza festival, and openly celebrated a bacchanalian lifestyle that blurred all lines of gender and sexuality.

Drawn from original interviews with the band (including Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro), their friends, and musical colleagues, Whores will take readers through the early days of the band to their drug-addled breakup and eventual triumphant reunion with the 2003 release of their album Strays. Along the way, providing a candid, sometimes disturbing glimpse into the dynamic alternative rock scene of Los Angeles in the '80s and '90s. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jane's Addiction....bread and spread in LA....
First of all, I really looked forward to this book. I read it in 3-4 hours in two sittings and it was very entertaining. Brendan Mullen wrote an extended article in SPIN Magazine on Jane's Addiction back when their Strays album came out a couple years ago. He states, at the beginning of this book, that band members more or less stopped giving interviews shortly after the albums release so he couldn't get additional information for the book. This forced him to search high and low for other key characters who surrounded Jane's Addiction, along with the band and management, in telling their complete story. It worked. This is a great book and gives an excellent perspective as to what Jane's achieved and what they were up against (primarily themselves). Anyone familiar with Jane's will notice a few familiar quotes and paragraphs from past interviews dating back more than 15 years. Mullen pulls from all sources and paints a good picture of band's impact on the LA music scene at that time and the argument that they created the alternative scene that Cobain and others were able to blow the doors open on a few years later. The development of Lollapalooza is very interesting as well. This book would receive a five star rating had the band done interviews more recently specifically for the book. Unfortunately, they didn't and you have to stick to their old interviews which in many ways is good for catching the moment but not as good for catching the band's perspective on their impact over time. Had they done interviews it may have turned out more like the Crue's DIRT. But Jane's was a much darker band, and you definitely get the feeling here. Actually it sounds like Porno For Pyros was more drug-addled than Jane's, if that's possible. This is a biography and almost gets 4.5 stars. The 5 Star books will be the complete autobiographies by Avery, Perkins, Navarro and Farrell. They'll come in time. Long live Jane's Addiction, one of the last truly great rock 'n roll bands...... ... Read more

Book Description

"Here at last is the full, true, and mesmerizing story of Elvis Presley's last two decades, in the long-awaited second volume of Peter Guralnick's masterful two-part biography.Last Train to Memphis, the first part of Guralnick's two-volume life of Elvis Presley, was acclaimed by the New York Times as "a triumph of biographical art." This concluding volume recounts the second half of Elvis' life in rich and previously unimagined detail, and confirms Guralnick's status as one of the great biographers of our time. Beginning with Presley's army service in Germany in 1958 and ending with his death in Memphis in 1977, Careless Love chronicles the unraveling of the dream that once shone so brightly, homing in on the complex playing-out of Elvis' relationship with his Machiavellian manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It's a breathtaking, revelatory drama that for the first time places the events of a too-often mistold tale in a fresh, believable, and understandable context.Elvis' changes during these years form a tragic mystery that Careless Love unlocks for the first time. This is the quint essential American story, encompassing elements of race, class, wealth, sex, music, religion, and personal transformation. Written with grace, sensitivity, and passion, Careless Love is a unique contribution to our understanding of American popular culture and the nature of success, giving us true insight at last into one of the most misunderstood public figures of our times. " ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Poignant and Sad, Never a Work of Caricature
We all think we know the post-Army Elvis. He's the gradually fattening lounge act on steroids (and other assorted chemicals) who cranked out awful movies with mechanical regularity. His talent rebounded in the late 60s with his NBC comeback special and some of his live performances to remind us what he meant when his first performances made a young Bob Dylan feel like he was breaking out of jail. Reading Guralnick's successor to "Last Train From Memphis," one is reminded of the old line that airplane pilots experience 98 percent sheer boredom and 2 percent sheer terror. This resembles Elvis's life, enclosed in a dual prison of Graceland's walls and the companionship of the "Memphis Mafia"--his cronies and pals whose lives consisted of serving the King's often bizarre whims, and awaiting his generous handouts. The predicament echoes China's last emperors in their Forbidden City, ruling a landscape they can no longer see and in which they no longer mattered.

This book oozes sadness, and I sensed that Guralnick, whose prose crackles with energy even describing Elvis at his most pathetic, felt personally disappointed with the great waste of talent Elvis's life became. In the preface and on the book's last page, Guralnick makes reference to the mythic Elvis we encountered in "Last Train." In between, a chronicle of pathos unfolds. Guralnick could have used the decline and fall to interrogate the American mythology Elvis once fulfilled, to show how ultimately false it proved. Instead, we get a touchingly human portrait of a man living in the chaos that celebrity creates. I wouldn't wish celebrity on my worst enemy. One is struck by Elvis's loneliness, by the sense of loss occasioned by his mother's death, and from which he clearly never recovered.

The mythic Elvis is still here, particularly in the burst of achievement from the '68 Comeback Special, through the American Recordings with Chips Moman, and the early stands in Vegas. But even when recounting the saddest days of his apotheosis in the mid-70s, Guralnick's tale suddenly shows Elvis explode out of his stupor with charisma and passion, leading his band through the occasional great session or show. Elvis's bizarre obsession with law enforcement and completely surreal desire to meet Richard Nixon and volunteer to serve the country as a Narcotics Agent has something of greatness about it. All that vitality had to go somewhere, and if it's not fed with healthy outlets, it manifests itself strangely.

When I visited Graceland as a tourist a few years ago, the walls still seethed with the boredom the place must have witnessed. Guralnick captures the pathos without descending to the pathetic, while still maintaining a perspetive on his subject that dilutes none of the passion.

A poingant, depressing, and insightful look at Elvis...
First and foremost, this is a depressing book. There is a warning in the author's note that the book is about a tragedy, and this is an understatement. Elvis Presely's "fall" was a hard and bitter one. This book outlines events starting in 1960 up to Presely's death in 1977. Things start out looking pretty good for Elvis as he leaves the army and begins his career almost anew, but as the 1970s emerge, things start to cloud over, and the book follows the downward spiraling vortex that Presley and his somewhat bizarre and almost constantly fluctuating entourage followed up to the end. Along the way, Guralnick allows readers to draw their own conclusions about Presley. Mostly the book outlines details of certain events - sometimes so detailed one wonders if Guralnick was there himself - interspersed with commentary from people who lived through these same events. It is not an uplifting read. One gets the impression that Presley's fame isolated him from pretty much the human race, made him untouchable (reprisals were feared by anyone is his immediate "gang", and it didn't help matters that most of them were on his payroll) and ultimately put him beyond the help of his own family and the people who he thought were his friends. Presely's fame turns horrendously destructive in the 1970s, and some of the stories and anecdotes may make the sensitive reader wince. Some of the stories are just downright strange: Presley's religious enlightenment from seeing an image in the clouds of the face of Stalin turn into the face of Jesus; Presley's determination to secure himself a position of Narcotics officer from President Nixon; the pranks Preseley and his retinue play on each other, on audiences, and on themselves; the fact that, as record sales declined, Presely's revenue actually increased. Other anecdotes have a more disturbing undertow: Presley's manipulation and abject objectification of the women in his life, and the fact that many of them kept coming back even after being brusquely brushed off; Presley's fascination with guns, and his sometime not so comforting habit of pointing them at people when angry; Presely's wild, erratic, and irresponsible spending; Presley's inability to take advice from his wife, girlfriends, business manager, and even his own father on dire personal matters (e.g., his finances, his marriage, his health). It is a tragedy to read about someone who both cared about people but also put himself above others in a way that put him beyond their help or aid.

The figure of "the Colonel" lurks behind the entire story. He has Presley's business needs in mind, and, due to his business acumen, makes Presley (and himself) multi-millionaires beyond imagination. It's amazing to read how the Colonel is able to make more and more money from Movie studios, even as movies starring Presley are on a sharp decline in revenue and popularity. The whole story is mind boggling. In the end, the Colonel thought he was taking care of Elvis in the best way he knew how, but insatiable greed and insular attention to the bottom line and almost nothing else probably hurt Presley more than it helped him in the long run. Guralnick does not say this anywhere in the book. Again, the reader must draw moral conclusions based on the evidence. Guralnick does not moralize apart from calling the story a tragedy, and this makes this biography doubly interesting, as different readers will likely draw different conclusions based on their own interpretations of the delineated events. Who is to blame in the end? Is it fair to blame one or a few people? Is it fair to blame Presley? These questions are not answered (as they shouldn't be) but much food for thought is presented. As usual in life, the answer is far more complicated than mere finger pointing can accommodate. Guralnick handles this subject with eloquence and a distance that pull the reader in and allow for reflection upon what happened. This is not the usual shoddy rock biography that typically clutters the "Music" section of bookstores. This is a story to sink one's cognitive teeth into and reflect upon. Warning: this book will make you think; it will make you moralize; it will make you angry and frustrated at what happened, and it will make you ask "Why?" Regardless if you are an Elvis Presley fan or not (I'm really not; I was very young when Presley passed on) this is a book worth reading. It is a thick book, but a quick read (keep your dictionary handy nonetheless). Once you're in fifty pages or so, you'll probably find yourself stuck on it.

Well Written and Researched Tale of the King
There is one way to describe this book - wow, what a story.

The writing is just flat out good. Once you start reading be prepared to finish, except for those pesky breaks to sleep and work.

A very well written account of Elvis's life and actions in and out of the recording studio with lots of details, lots of hanky panky, road trips, recording sessions, flights, drugs, buying Cadillacs, the whole mess. Basically Elvis spent every cent he made. The colonel took each dollar and sent 50 cents to the IRS to keep Elvis out of trouble but Elvis and his "mafia" lived like kings where money was no object. If he was in the mood he would just pick up the phone and buy cars, trucks, land, food, whatever was his fancy. When he died Priscilla actually started to manage the finances and Graceland and then after he was dead, the money really increased.

With his love of music and his drive to create, he had hit after hit, a lull and then more hits, movies, hits, lulls, Las Vegas, and on and on. There were no limits until he came in collision with obesity and drugs. It all became very depressing and then it ended. Elvis came close to pulling back and recovering a few times but was unable or unwilling or not intelligent enough to see what was happening to himself. In that sense he was alone and in charge.

An enthralling and well written blockbuster that stays in your hands until the last page.

Jack in Toronto

Stirring...
I picked up the book Careless Love. At the time the title puzzled me. Who was guilty of Careless Love? Elvis? Umm. Go figure. But upon completion of the book, I now realize no other title would have suited. Elvis was guilty of careless love as was the people whom he surrounded himself with daily and most importantly the fans.
Now, I find no joy in his music and it is painful for me to look at smiling happy picture's of him when he was at the height of his career. Why? Because I know how it all ends. The man, who would burst on the scene and shred American culture, all the while rebuilding it, fascinates me. He was a pioneer, a rebel. Everyone knows the story. Poor boy makes good. But the trajectory his life took is painful to follow. How could a man whose vision changed the music world not have had enough foresight to see his own destructive and erratic behavior?
Paul Guralnick writes the only account of Elvis that I trust implicitly. Why? Because his regard for Elvis as an artist is woven between even the most heart wrenching accounts of his life. Mr. Guralnick does not try to persuade you to like or dislike Elvis. He merely gives Elvis life and places him in front of you saying, "Here he is...you make the decision on how you feel about him."
The book is a disturbing but respectful look at a man who was gifted beyond reason. Mr. Guralnick clearly demonstrates that the fame Elvis endured was even beyond him.

You want to know who Elvis really was? Read this book!
A wonderful achievement. Thoroughly researched, beautifully written. You'll learn everything about the King you always wanted to know - plus some facts of which you had rather remained ignorant. Careless Love is on par with the first volume of Guralnik's Elvis-biography, "Last Train to Memphis" (see also my review of that outstanding work). ... Read more

Book Description

The posthumous memoir of Dave Van Ronk, leader of the Greenwich Village folk revival of the '60s

Dave Van Ronk (1936-2002) was one of the founding figures of the 1960s folk revival, but he was far more than that. A pioneer of modern acoustic blues, a fine songwriter and arranger, a powerful singer, and one of the most influential guitarists of the 1960s, he was also a marvelous storyteller, a peerless musical historian, and one of the most quotable figures on the Greenwich Village scene. Holding court in legendary venues like Gerde's Folk City and the Gaslight Caf8E, Van Ronk's influence was so great that a stretch of Sheridan Square-the heart of the Village-was renamed on June 30, 2004, and is now Dave Van Ronk Street. The Mayor of MacDougal Street is a unique first-hand account by a major player in the social and musical history of the '50s and '60s. It features encounters with young stars-to-be like Bob Dylan (who survived much of his first year in New York sleeping on Van Ronk's couch), Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell, as well as older luminaries like Reverend Gary Davis, Woody Guthrie, Mississippi John Hurt, and Odetta. Colorful, hilarious, engaging, and a vivid evocation of a fascinating time and place, The Mayor of MacDougal Street will appeal not only to folk and blues fans but to anyone interested in the music, politics, and spirit of a revolutionary period in American culture. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

At The Pinnacle Of Importance
Everyone can pinpoint a few songs that changed their entire perspective on the first hearing.Such was the case with Dave Van Ronk's contribution to the great 1964 Elektra compendium of folk and blues, The Blues Project.Mr. Van Ronk performed "Bad Dream Blues," and my life was altered forever.This song is the yardstick of excellence by which I measure so much other American music from Dylan to Chapin to Springsteen.

Had he been with a powerhouse label like Columbia, Mr. Van Ronk would have become a household name.

This book focuses on the source of the genius.The particular blend of time, location, and current events combined to produce a fertile opportunity for singer-songwriters.And to my ears, Mr. Van Ronk was at the pinnacle of importance.

Mr. Van Ronk may've been The Mayor on the world's most vital street of the folk scene during its heights, but among artists he's royalty.

Van Ronk's Golden Memories
Some of you who have made Bob Dylan's CHRONICLES VOLUME ONE a bestseller might pick up on this book; Van Ronk covers some of the same territory as Dylan, only he got there first and he's more capacious, Whitman to Dylan's Hart Crane.Props to Elijah Wald who hand-crafted this material from a bunch of Van Ronk's monologues.It reads like a book and you'll hardly know it wasn't.The detective writer and creator of Matt Scudder, Lawrence Block, adds a preface that does the job efficiently and well.

What a life he had!(The singer died in 2002.)In the chapters devoted to his youth, Van Ronk paints us picture after picture, of the memorable individuals he met in the age of the first folk revival.In San Francisco he encounters the nutty Jesse Fuller, who had once been the folk-singing protege of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.In New York he shares a stage with Odetta, whose powerful voice could fill all of Manhattan when she let it loose.The truth is that being a folk singer in the late 1950s wasn't very much fun, and Van Ronk believed in getting paid for his singing and playing, so he was denied a space by the coffeehouse owners who could put on all the entertainment they wanted for free, and so he started organizing the musicians properly.All of this is fascinating to read about.Those of you who enjoyed Christopher Guest's folk revival send up A MIGHTY WIND will howl with recognition as Van Ronk lays into the "crewcuts in drip-dry seersucker suits" of the period such as the Kingston Trio."There was an obvious subtext," he writes, "to what these Babbitt balladeers were doing, and it was, `Of course, we're really superior to all this hayseed crap-but isn't it cute?'This attitude threw me into an absolute ecstasy of rage.These were no true disciples or even honest money-changers.They were a bunch of slick hustlers selling Mickey Mouse dolls in the temple.Join their ranks?I would sooner have been boiled in skunk piss."Yowzer!

He's funny also about the truth that, although he was a tried and true Bohemian anarchist, he sure wasn't getting laid very much.In the pre-Pill age, he says, nobody was."And the fact that we were a pretty scuzzy bunch might have had something to do with it." ... Read more

Book Description

From the world's most controversial rock star comes his shocking, confessional and revealing life story. In The Long Hard Road Out of Hell, Marilyn Manson candidly and vividly recounts his metamorphosis from a frightened Christian schoolboy into the most feared and revered celebrity in America. ... Read more

Reviews (359)

Anti- People, you've gone Too Far.....
This book is definitive proof that the Hypocrisy of our Society, "teachers" and religious leaders (major and minor) is scarring humanity. Fundamentalists hate Marylin Manson....well, They Created him. I have struggled to understand the Warped view of religion that I have seen, throughout my life...leading me to read voraciously in areas of Spirituality, Anthropology, etc.--and I have always been fascinated with Musicians. Marylin Manson has proven, conclusively, that the "morals" we are taught are not remotely Humanitarian in nature. Society is based on how we present ourselves to others....not how we Truly are, or believe. This book shows the Obsessive, Demented way in which we are instructed to live our lives....leading to Repression, Psychosis and all manner of weirdness. Marylin Manson simply tells it like it really IS, instead-of lying abuot the Reality of how messed-up our Culture has become. He does not paint a pretty picture, with white picket fences...he informs you what goes-on in the basement, behind closed doors. This man sees that few people are raising their children in a manner that is conducive to creating intelligent, enlightenend human beings.... So, he is giving the confused masses a forum to vent their frustration. I love Anthropology and attended the Louisville, Ky concert that the locals fought against, radically....until the camera crews left the streets. Thousands of "religious" people shouted that this man would kill us, or turn us into satanists....but, not ONE person waited to see if we survived. I guess the camera crews didn't stay long-enough..... This book may inspire you to study Psychology and pursue Positive Methods of raising children and teaching children in schools, religious groups, etc. Fanatical adherence to Dogma can create a monster.... You hate in others, what you despise in yourself---Food for thought.

Still a great read
I first read this book about 4 years ago, I remember loving it then and reading it about 3 times back to back, feeling satisfied. I don't support all his opinions, but that's not what this review is about. About 3 months ago, I bought one of my friends who is a Marilyn Manson fan this book, and I ended up borrowing it from her and reading it again, to see if I still felt the same way after the initial "manson craze," had died off. It was still an excellent read and I read it in the same 2 day period as before, laughing at his childhood antics, sense of humor, and various inner thoughts. This is still one of the best books I've ever read. (Not because I don't read either!) I would recommend this to anyone, who isn't afraid to let go of their tight grip on a supposed reality, relax, and enjoy a unique book. It's a good one.

Manson
I dont read at all but I read this book and it is one of the best I have ever read and after reading it I wanted to read it again....Because Manson is the only person who makes scense anymore....Check this one out

Great Book ~ A Fun Read !!!
Who knew (besides Manson fans) Manson was so insightful. The book is an easy and fun read filled with well written/detailed accounts of Manson's childhood until the day he wrote the book. Also, great photography is laced into the book. Every chapter/section begins with a cool old quote from Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche and other great philosophers. The best part of the book is when Manson talks about his time with Anton Szandor LA Vey (founder of 'The Church of Satan' ~ someone I've always been interested in) you get a better understanding of just how cool La Vey is from how Manson profiles him. =)

If you want a well written, fun to read, visually stunning, fascinating look into this artists' personality...then buy this book! Later, you can sell it on eBay. =)

absolutely amazing
This was one of the most intriguing books I've read in a really long time. I was so interested in everything Manson had to say and had a hard time putting the book down. Whether you're a fan or just interested to find out what he's really all about, this is definitely a book to pick up and read. ... Read more

Book Description

Bassist James Jamerson was the embodiment of the Motown spirit and groove - the invisible entity whose playing inspired thousands. His tumultuous life and musical brilliance are explored in depth through hundreds of interviews, 49 transcribed musical scores, two hours of recorded all-star performances, and more than 50 rarely seen photos in this stellar tribute to behind-the-scenes Motown. Features a 120-minute CD! Allan Slutsky's 2002 documentary of the same name is the winner of the New York Film Critics "Best Documentary of the Year" award! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A good book about a great bassist
This book and CD combination examines the music of James Jamerson, the studio bassist on most of the early Motown hits. Until rather recently, Jamerson was unknown to the general public and not widely known to musicians. Nonetheless, his playing was very influential and many bassists today consider his playing the gold standard of bass guitar in popular music.

This book is valuable as a reference for the history of Motown, but it is primarily a teaching tool. It is organized into three parts. The first 78 pages give a biography of Jamerson and put his work into historical context. Part two (17 pages) is a compilation of data: descriptions of bass equipment, recording facilities, accompanists, and discography. Also included in this section is a four page "Appreciation of Style" by Anthony Jackson that attempts to analyze the musical elements that made Jamerson unique. Part three contains 90 pages of transcriptions of Jamerson bass lines and accompanying text. The transcriptions go with the CDs described below.

The CDs and transcriptions are the heart of the set. The CDs feature Motown tunes with the bass lines played by over two dozen "all-star" bassists (e.g Marcus Miller, Jack Bruce, John Entwistle). Bass is on the left channel with instrumental accompaniment on the right. The bass lines are transcribed by the author and the transcriptions are accompanied by short bios of the artists who play the lines. The tracks on the CDs are interspersed with short interviews of people who knew Jamerson. The artists reportedly donated their services as a tribute to Jamerson and the bass lines and accompaniment were recorded in a variety of circumstances. Many tracks are recorded in home studios. The quality varies, but all tracks are well played and all are useful teaching tools. I thought the variation of sounds would be a drawback, but it is a very interesting part of the project. The best Precision Bass tones are not necessarily from the artists you would expect. (Not everyone tries to duplicate Jamerson's tone. Geddy Lee was approached backstage at a concert and contributed "Get Ready" on either a Steinberger or a Rickenbacker. Lots of fun.)

The level of the transcriptions is somewhat advanced. Transcriptions are given in traditional bass staff (no tab) and the rhythms will give your reading skills a workout. There are very few specific comments about fingering, right-hand technique, or damping. Yet the range of difficulty is from dead simple (beautifully rendered) line to lines that will challenge the most advanced player. (The challenge is rhythm and feel not lots of note or big stretches.) Beginning to intermediate players can use this book, but will benefit greatly by using it with the help of a good teacher.

One can quibble with the historical overview. It is quite readable, but doesn't dig deeply into any of the tough issues it raises (e.g. Jamerson's drinking and emotional stability, Berry Gordy's business practices). Since the focus is on the music, some of this reticence is laudable. However, one important musical controversy that the author fails to pursue is the question of the true credit for recorded bass lines in the era when Motown was moving from Detroit to LA. (Many tracks were demoed by LA studio bassists and then cut by Jamerson as well. There is still debate as to which track made it to the final recording. The question is acknowledged, but no new information is brought forth.) Another musical deficit is that there is very little about the interplay between Jamerson and other members of the rhythm section. (This is in contrast to the author's better-written (if slightly less important) book on the James Brown rhythm sections.)

Even with those minor issues considers, this is an extremely valuable book. It is clearly a labor of love and will be an extremely valuable learning tool for any bassist with the fundamental skills (or support) necessary to ap

Don't Believe The Hype!
As a biography of James Jamerson, this book succeeds. However, as an educational guide to James Jamerson's playing style, it is lacking. While the CDs are excellent learning tools, there are a few errors in the transcriptions. Also, there is no tablature, so be prepared to read music. Only a few of the examples are suitable for beginning bassists, and there is no fingering information, so you'll have to figure it out for yourself. As far as analysis of Jamerson's playing style goes, there are fewer than 10 pages devoted to picking apart what made his bass-lines special. On the other hand, the book includes a wonderful chromatic exercise penned by Jamerson for a fellow studio bassist.

In summary - this is a good book if you are really interested in learning about this Motown legend, or if you are an intermediate or advanced bass player willing to spend some serious time to learn some incredible bass-lines. Just thought I'd add a level-headed assessment to all the adulation here.

A Portrait, a Tribute, a Learning Tool, & a Great Listen
To comprehend James Jamerson's work, listen to the beautiful bass lines of the hits. Whether you're a student of bass or a seasoned player, playing those lines is no easy task! "Bernadette", "Reach Out",.... Envigorating sounds! Jamerson's story is here. Hear re-creations of his work minus vocals by the best of the best of today's bass players. Most of the sheet music is included!
Sitting without tribute, quietly and anonymously in the audience at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special performance in California, Jamerson had been akin to the elder Indian in the old "Keep America Beautiful" TV ad who sheds a tear with grief at the spoiling of his pristine land. This book was a great first step at righting that wrong.
This book went on to inspire a similarly titled movie on the Funk Brothers. This book and the 2 CDs that accompany it are a one-of-a-kind find for the bassists and all who crave the Motown and soul sound of the sixties and seventies. Thanks to its author for assembling the treasures and for inspiring such good will in the music community!

Superb resource for new Bass players
This is a must-have for new Bass players who want to be serious about the craft.
One possible draw-back is that there is no TAB, but serious students will value the extra push towards better standard notation reading skills.
Much of Jamerson's music is now 40+ years old. So, in some ways the book now also serves as an important Historical perspective on the roots of the modern Bass sound.
If you're serious about BASS, get the book.

James Jamerson, Stone Alone
In contrast to the bass players warning you away from not reading this book, those who have seen the movie of the same name may not be surprised enough by how different this book (dedicated to James Jamerson alone) is. This is because the movie is frankly a celebration of a Motown sound which is no longer a live cultural influence, and many may not properly understand the equivocality of this statement on account of Norman Whitfield's other omisssions -- Jamerson was very much a figure of Detroit Motown, but like the "psychedelic soul" which immediately preceded the *auteur* LA era he was *meant* to be felt and not heard.

Due to his increasing cultural stature, very little attention is paid here and elsewhere to the fact that the famous AM-friendly Motown mastering was intended almost explicitly to reduce Jamerson's presence in the mix, to the point that I suspect the first revelation for quite a few concerning the downside of the Sixties was the discovery that some people *really* knew how to play. The praise for "Igor" is not "subaltern" hype: Jamerson's arpeggios meet the formal standards for virtuosity set by classical musicians, and the further standard of not interfering with Motown's positioning in the "social field" as the "Sound of Young America" in no ambiguous sense. Here we can see how Jamerson's stature was reduced during his lifetime *even* as the cultural influence of his midsixties highpoints increased.

Such that we might do well to wonder not only "whither Berry Gordy?" but also whether Jamerson's descent into madness and death reflected the de-privileging of a certain standard of craftsmanship in American culture (one might also consider Rick James' sobriquet for the late Marvin Gaye, "Uncle Marvin"). On this score, the sociologist Niklas Luhmann once said that his position on long-term societal changes was that he was not asked: and although there is a refreshing amount of realism in such positions, that is rather explicitly and interestingly not the stance of this book -- those curious about "cultural memory in the present" would also do well to consider it. ... Read more

Book Description

That voice, those eyes, that hair, the cars, the girls...Elvis Presley revolutionized American pop culture when, at the age of twenty-one, he became the world's first modern superstar. A Memphis Beau Brummel even before he found fame, Elvis had a personal style that, like his music, had such a direct impact on his audience that it continues to influence us to this day. Elvis Presley compellingly examines Elvis' life and style to reveal the generous, complex, spiritual man behind the fourteen-carat-gold sunglasses and answers the question, "Why does Elvis matter?"

"Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century," proclaimed Leonard Bernstein. By any measure, Presley's life was remarkable. From his modest beginnings in a two-room house to his meteoric rise to international fame, everything about his life -- his outsized talent to his car collection -- clamored for attention. And he got it; even today, Elvis continues to fascinate.

Written with the assistance of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Pamela Clarke Keogh's biography draws on extensive research and interviews with Presley friends and family, among them Priscilla Presley, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Larry Geller, Bernard Lansky, famed Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, and designer Bill Belew. Offered access to the Graceland archives, the author considered thousands of images, selecting more than one hundred color and black-and-white photographs for this book, many of them rarely seen before.

Both a significant biography of the greatest entertainer of our time and a provocative celebration of what Presley means to America today, Elvis Presley introduces the man behind the myth, a very human superstar beloved by millions. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Legend continues....
There is no doubt that the author comes across as a true-blue Elvis fan and there is some very interesting and poignant moments in the book that have not been delved into in other publications (Elvis' meeting with the Beatles and his afterthoughts, and Sophia Loren's encounter with the King). However many of the stories and words in the book have been read and heard elsewhere...de ja vu? Also, there are some inaccuracies in the book(albeit minor) where only die-hard elvis fans like myself would notice. Nevertheless, the book is a fast read that's entertaining with accompanying photos and is a good addition to every Elvis fan's collection.

As a side note, I highly recommend Peter Guralnick's "Last Train to Memphis" and "Careless Love" - the best and most compelling books on Elvis ever written!

A book worthy of a King
Wonderful is all I can say. Ms. Keogh is a masterful orchestrator of the words and images that do Elvis Justice finally.
I Recomend this book to any who loves or loved the King or knows anyone who did... it will be a treasured gift...

A riveting and fresh take on The King
A brilliant literary tour de force, this book offers a fresh take on Elvis, explaining why he still matters today (and probably always will). Told in an energetic style, it has the crackling narrative drive of a great novel. Fans will adore it; it's a beautiful book, full of stunning black-and-white photos of the King, some seldom seen. And it will delight anyone interested in the style secrets of an icon, from his clothes to his Graceland furniture. The coolest book on Elvis ever. ... Read more

Book Description

From the critically acclaimed, best-selling author of Holler if You Hear Me, a fresh reassessment of the remarkable life, art, struggles, and death of an American icon.

Twenty years after his murder at the hands of his own father, Marvin Gaye continues to define the hopes and shattered dreams of the Motown generation. A performer whose career spanned the history of rhythm and blues, from doo-wop to the sultriest of soul music, Gaye's artistry magnified the contradictions that defined America's coming of age in the tumultuous 1970s. In his most searching and ambitious work to date, acclaimed critic Michael Eric Dyson illuminates both Marvin Gaye's stellar achievements and stunning personal decline--and offers an unparalleled assessment of the cultural and political legacy of R&B on American culture.

Through interviews with those close to Gaye--from his musical beginnings in a black church in Washington, D.C., to his days as a "ladies' man" in Motown's stable of young singers, from the artistic heights of the landmark album What's Going On? to his struggles with addiction and domestic violence--Dyson draws an indelible portrait of the tensions that shaped contemporary urban America: economic adversity, the drug industry, racism, and the long legacy of hardship.

Published to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of Gaye's death in 1984, and infused with the soulful prose that has become Michael Eric Dyson's trademark, Mercy, Mercy Me is at once a celebration of an American icon whose work continues to inspire, and a revelatory and incisive look at how a lost generation's moods, music, and moral vision continue to resonate today. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Good Review, but...
I've read most of the books that have been written about Marvin Gaye, this being my most recent. Although I found it to be a somewhat interesting read, I also found it to be a little too "clinically" written, for lack of a better term, much like an academic study of the man. The section on R. Kelley, and the author's conviction that he is very much like Marvin, was way off base for me. This book is one of those that you'll just have to read for yourself and form your own opinion.

A biography and social criticism combined
"In his guttural cries, his hectic moans, his elliptical ejaculations, and his plaintive whispers, Marvin explores the healing and redemptive dimensions of black romantic love."
- From page 132 of "Mercy, Mercy Me"

Man, does Dyson have a way with words!

I guess that I am one of those "public intellectuals" that finds Dyson's analyses of both Gaye's life and the social ills plaguing the black community so intriguing. Dyson, a minister himself, contrasts Gaye's life as a popular secular singer with his strict Pentacostal upbringing at the hands of his stern minister-father. The struggle that the singer endured played an important part in his music and the book dissects four of the artist's most challenging and enigmatic works: the classic and legendary "What's Going On", "Let's Get It On", "I Want You" and the controversial "Here, My Dear".

The author cuts down each album, layer by layer, revealing Gaye as a man in constant turmoil with the battle between his religious teachings and his desires as a man. Dyson also introduces the reader to many lost versions of Gaye's work, now coming to light in "deluxe editions" available for purchase.

Unlike most "men of the cloth", Dyson's approach is destined to draw criticism from traditional Christians for he suggests a greater openness in sexual matters, as well as less dependency on corporal punishment as a means of child-rearing. He implies that stiff and unbending Church doctrine may have contributed to Marvin's death at the hands of his preacher father.

The final chapter of the book compares Gaye's music and approach to life with the contemporary singer R. Kelly, an admirer of Gaye himself. This provides some interesting food for thought, as the two singers seem to share a bond transcending death and decades.

Dyson could've spent a little less time on social/culture commentary and more on the life of the singer at hand; however, the book is still a worthwhile read into the soul of a soul singer and the society that both uplifted and condemned him.

Detailed analysis of Gaye's musical history
I LOVED the first 5 chapters which breaks down Gaye's music on his popular What's Going On, Let's Get It On and I Want You. Dyson's interviews with those behind the scenes on those landmark classics and what went on very much was impressive to get their thoughts and them acknowledging the different takes Marvin did on songs. I actually wanted to go back and listen to What's Going On again after such a detailed breakdown of the songs and the feelings surrounding them. The book also goes into detail of Gaye's personal issues he was dealing with in the midst of the creation of those classic albums as well.

The final chapter in my view was a rehash of the final chapter of Divided Soul but Dyson brings in an analysis of Gaye Sr's disfunctional behavior and corporal punishment. Sadly that messed up influence leads his celebrated son into his own disfunctional drama and sadly his death by his own father (which 20 yrs ago as a kid and now 20 yrs later as an adult still saddens me and is still hard to understand why).

The afterword in which Dyson spoke to R. Kelly and how Gaye has influenced him was also very much amazing to me how similar both of these men are with conflicts they have of the spiritual and sexual. It makes me wonder if Gaye was alive today if he would do some kind of music collaboration with R. Kelly and (if he was able face his demons and win the war) if he could be of some mentor/father figure to him beyond the music scene.

I just only hope after reading R. Kelly's glowing praise of Gaye that Robert finds a positive way to face his own "Divided Soul" and get the help and seek positive guidance in the way his old school counterpart wasn't able to.

Most Intriguing, Profound Commentary on Marvin
Dyson explores the life and love and pain of one of the best musical geniuses of all times. He reveals little known facts and secrets such as his love affairs, some purposely blurred song lyrics, and his broad range of musical abilities including playing the piano and drums. This book deeply touched and inspired me. I have grown deeper in my fascination and admiration of Marvin. I have had the pleasure of meeting Dyson on a couple of occassions and he is very articulate, intelligent, charismatic, and also has a great sense of humor. This is a must read for any true Marvin fans!

Analyzing Marvin....
Upon fist glance, one would think this was another of many biographies on the legend that is, Marvin Gaye. This is not a biography however, but an analytical look at the life of Mr. Gaye; what made him do what he did, sing what he sang, and feel the way he felt. In an essence, Mr. Dyson disects events in Marvin's life to show what it was that made Marvin tick; what made him fall in love with the women that he fell in love with, and what made him rebel.

This book has surprises- one in particular that we all wondered about for some time. There is also an interesting parallel made between Marvin and another modern day singer, R. Kelly, that will surprise some readers. There are references to other Marvin Gaye biographies (Divided Soul by David Ritz; My Brother, Marvin Gaye by Frankie Gaye; and Trouble Man by Steve Turner, just to name a few), which are good for the readers who haven't read many books on Marvin, or want to know more about him outside of his music.

Michael Eric Dyson did a good job on bringing forth the "inner" Marvin, and revealing sides to him that weren't often documented prior to the release of this book.

A wonderful read for the die hard Marvin fan- such as myself- and those who want to know more about the spirit behind the music. ... Read more

Book Description

Now in paperback, Journals includes never-before-seen material that will keep everyone talking.

Kurt Cobain filled dozens of notebooks with lyrics, drawings, and writings about his plans for Nirvana and his thoughts about fame, the state of music, and the people who bought and sold him and his music. His journals reveal an artist who loved music, who knew the history of rock, and who was determined to define his place in that history. Here is a mesmerizing, incomparable portrait of the most influential musician of his time. ... Read more

Reviews (144)

You know you want to read it
Yes, there's the moral corundum of disrespecting a dead man's wishes and invading his privacy to make an easy buck off him, but Journals is an interesting read. I'm not a huge Nirvana fan, but I did get a voyeuristic kick out of perusing his handwritten rants, unsent letters, drafted lyrics, rambling diary entries, and assorted scribbles and doodles.

That is not say Journals is essential in understanding Kurt - his music was just as effective in that regard. There's nothing in this book to shed any new light on his complicated personality, though time will tell if that's just a result of Courtney Love's selectivity.

Journals is put together nicely and works as a really morbid coffee table book. But to ease your guilt of exploiting Kurt's death to make Courtney's wallet thicker, while still satiating your curiosity, I would recommend simply borrowing it from a library.

review
Some of you people need to calm down and get a grip, dont be all like " well I dont think Kurt Cobain would like this, and its Courtneys scheme" so be it. If you despise it so much dont buy it.

I will admit i was to young to remember his suicide, but after reading a book on him I found he was a simple and amazing man who had a passion for what he did. I love every one of his songs. Im not saying im better at guitar than him, but he was a kinda crappy guitarist, but an amazing and inspiring song writer. I like to this man is my hero. BUY JOURNALS BUY JOURNALS BUY JOURNALS BUY JOURNALS!

Grow up and read this book if you're so inclined to do so!
The problem with the people who give Journals a negative review is the fact they haven't read Journals. And the kicker is that these so-called "fans" are so terrified of reading it and somehow "desecrating" Kurt Cobain's soul in the process that they dare not read it. These tpes of people don't even belong here reviewing something they haven't even read let alone opened with their own hands. It's not like Kurt's going to come back from the dead to haunt any of you people; None of you are even worth it. Anyway, Journals is a good read for anyone interested in the documentation of an every-man's life because it's such a rare thing to see someone's letters of any profession, word-for-word (the airbrushing was a rumor... or not!), in their own handwriting. To the naysayers: Go naysay your heads off, and don't come back 'til you read Journals.

...
I HATE how people are saying it's "disgusting" reading Kurt's Journals...If you don't think it's right, then don't read it.Make a choice for yourself.Kurt's gone and his privacy should be respected, however, people are going to buy Journals no matter what you say. I only flipped through it in the book store the other day. Interesting to say the least. And I'm going to buy it. Despite all the bashing I've read about it. Despite the fact that it's repeating facts I already know [he was a druggie, suicidal, such and such]. Despite the fact that buying it will help Courtney more than anyone else. When I die, if I'm a recognized celebrity I would want my journals to be published. It's a way for fans to see more about the person they idolize.I'm not saying I idolize Kurt and thats why I'm buying. I'm just saying there is people like that.

These one-star reviewers haven't read Journals! Ignore them!
Kurt documented his drug abuse, suicide attempts, and other problems in this Journals compilation so that the entries could be read after he killed himself. That's the ONLY reason somebody like him would do that. His entries aren't even numbered or marked with dates because he just wanted to keep track of his daily rants, whines, and problems for future reading. Who they were meant for exactly is obviously a mystery, but he kept them for SOMEONE. The "fans" who say that selling Kurt's Journals is "disgusting" need to actually read the journal entries before making judgments, because there's isn't anything in there that Kurt hasn't mentioned in interviews or Azzerad's CAYA. I hate preachy fans of any band, but that stands double for supposed "morally-upright" Nirvana fans. They practically worship Kurt Cobain when he was the most self-absorbed, self-indulgent druggie ever to grace he music world. They're such hypocrites. He deserved the "tragic" ending to his life that he gave himself. Wanna talk about somebody's greediness? Then talk about Kurt's daily $400 a day heroin binges... and how he killed himself and took hemself out of his daughter's life forever. Kurt allowed Courtney to get her hands on his journal entries by killing himself, so it's his fault if he didn't want them released. All in all, Journals was an interesting read. Ignore the born-again Christian Nirvana reviewers who gave this book one star, and see for yourself if you like it. ... Read more

Book Description

Led Zeppelin was the hottest, hardest, horniest, most hedonistic group in rock history. Their parties defined 60s and 70s excess, their concerts were long, loud and thrilling. Based on interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, here is the truth behind the genius of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and the late John Bonham.
... Read more

Reviews (53)

"Unauthorized" should be in big, bold letters on the cover.
I held off on purchasing this book for quite some time. I finally succumbed to the temptation and bought a copy despite the possibility of being disapointed (and nauseated). I have read most of the book, and have yet to decide whether to vomit and return the book to the store, or keep reading and then vomit some more. If you are looking to find the truth behind the debauchery stories of one of the greatest rock bands, I suggest that you look elsewhere. Deemed as the "definitive biography" of Led Zeppelin, this book only further perpetuates the mystery behind the stories. The author does a poor job of being convincing. Also, one wonders about the intelligence/developmental level of the some of the women who were interviewed which does not yield a reliable source of information. As a result, the reader is left wondering if these wonderful musicians were really as idiotic as the stories have suggested. The tales are a bit unnerving (to some they may be understandably humorous). But even worse is ever- present feeling that what you are reading may or may not be utter rubbish. If you are looking for some entertainment and do not give a hoot as to what the band did in their spare time, and you are not bothered by a rather large degree of uncertainty, then by all means, grab a copy, relax and perhaps keep a bottle of Pepto-Bimal handy.

An essential compilation of our heavy metal heroes!
Led Zeppelin....the pioneers of heavy metal and rock and roll. I thought I knew a lot about Zep before I read this book. Now on the flip side, I had no idea how much I was missing! Anyone who wants to gain some intelligent insight into Led Zeppelin's "backstage and post-concert antics" must read this book! Although I was not very pleased with some of Davis' comments concerning bands who are influenced by Led Zeppelin, my conscience won't let me give this book less than five stars. Even if Page didn't like the book, it's still worth your while. But, don't formulate your opinions on this band by just reading this book....Go get Led Zeppelin I (and all the other albums for that matter!) and figure out for yourself that Led Zeppelin is the greatest band that ever walked the Earth!

Hammer Of The Gods is a must read for any Led Zeppelin Fan
I have this book and its one that I can read again and again.
Some of it seems far fetched but you have to remember the times were alot different back then as well. Being up in my age I can recall the time period of the high flying Zeppelin and reading about them in the magazines that this book mentions.
If you get any book about Mr. Page and company this would have to be it.

Good Zep Read - even despite inaccuracies
Stephen Davis isn't a Zep expert, but this book was spot on in its release at a time when Zep didn't exist anymore back in the mid-80s. I remembered reading it and going wow! This is Led Zeppelin! It is a fun read, but take it with a pinch of salt...much of it is attributed to Richard Cole. The book has never been endorsed by the band, but it's the stuff of what legends are made of. Even Plant admitted in a Musician interview that he didn't much remember what went on in the seventies...if even a portion of what's written here is true - then it makes sense why!

This book did much to promote the legend and legacy of Zep - warts and all...

Don't expect too much from this fun read
This book is extremely well researched and contains an incredible amount of detail about the band and its members.

Its weakness, and it's a big one, is that the author gives the reader little sense of perspective or narrative comment. It reads like this: "This happened. Then this happened. And then this happened, then this..."

While it would be a mistake to try and tell readers what to think, this account goes so far in the opposite direction that despite all of the wild and often abusive exploits of these musicians, it reads in the bland way newspaper stories often do. So much more could have been done with the material and while the author occasionally dabbles in the style of Tom Wolfe, not much is holding the narrative together except the paper the words are printed on.

Oddly, the very end of the book contains some wondeful writing that surprisingly appears only there. ... Read more

Book Description

Mr. Tambourine Man: The Troubled Life and Musical Legacy of Gene Clark is the story of a pivotal figure in the evolution of popular music. A founding member of the Byrds, one of the '60s' most influential groups, Gene Clark pioneered several important genres, from folk-rock and psychedelic to country-rock. His leadership within the Byrds and his subsequent acclaim as both a solo artist and member of Dillard and Clark mark Clark as one of rock music's key innovators and visionaries. Yet his troubled life hampered his career at critical junctures, inhibiting what should have been one of popular music's greatest contributors. While revered by a new generation, his legacy remains clouded. Told through the personal recollections, insights, and reflections of those closest to Gene Clark throughout his life and career, Mr. Tambourine Man offers a rare glimpse into one of America's greatest groups, the Byrds. Based on over 100 first-person interviews, the book features rare and previously unseen photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An Uderrated Talent
This book gives an interesting account of Gene Clark's life.The most interesting sections are about his upbringing in a large family in Kansas/Missouri. The large family undoubtedly gave Gene the time to explore his surroundings and develop a music talent.Regarding the Byrds, you get the sense that Gene Clark was the main creative force while Roger Mcguinn had the arranging and musicianship goods, Chris Hillman (underrated also) provided grounding, and David Crosby contibuted his voice to round out the unique Byrds sound.
Things went wrong though after the initial success of the Byrds. Gene's anxiety about flying and a general case of stagefright effectively ended his stint with the Byrds.Because the band was at it's pinnacle, they decided to keep going without him.The result was a few more good Byrds records but amuch wider collection of Gene Clark solo records...further under the radar.
While much of the rest of the book describes Gene's drug and alcohol problems it could not precisely portray what was behind the man.One interviewee tellingly retold how he witnessed Gene Clark singing a song...He was sure that it was not from darker sources, yet he could not understand how something so heavenly could be from someone who was so messed up. Though the book is intriguing, this instance tells us that it is equally important to remember just by listening to his records.I highly reccomend.

White Light
Gene Clark seemed like a lost soul. One of the guiding lights of The Byrds and the best songwriter/singer in the band, Clark left the band due to ego, conflicts and infighting. Unfortunately, after his soaring success with The Byrds his solo career and later bands never quite took off. John Einarson's terrific biography of Gene features vintage interviews with Clark (he died in 1991), new interviews with his former bandmates, family members and managers to create a picture of a restless creative spirit who clearly wasn't comfortable with the trappings of fame or his own skin for much of his life.

Originally the most prolific songwriter in The Byrds and their main focal point, Clark was pushed out of the band by Roger McGuinn and David Crosby as they wanted to write more and sing more. It didn't help that their manager saw McGuinn as the "voice" of the band (he did sing on their most popular singles). After a disasterous reunion in 1973, Clark continued his solo career producing the legendary "No Other" album (which still has mixed reactions to this day). The lack of self confidence and set backs that Clark faced (including his stalled solo career) kept him from achieving a sense of balance in his life.

My only criticisms of the book is a lack of a detailed discography (particularly of the numerous unreleased tracks that Clark recorded)and a list of all his published songs. Also, the book could have used more photos. Despite this minor flaw, Einarson (who has written for Mojo, Uncut and other music magazines)creates a complete picture of this frequently troubled but talented musician.

Music to listen to while reading this: The first three Byrds albums, Clark's Echoes, Roadmaster, White Light (aka Gene Clark), No Other, So Rebellious a Lover (with Carla Olson)and the reissue of the Clark-McGuinn-Hillman album.

No Other
I got this as a birthday gift and was so excited I practically devoured it in two days, once I calm down I'll read it again a little more slowly and savor it.John Einarson handles his subject with sensitivity, compassion and intelligence, it's an honest and sympathetic portrayal that doesn't gloat over the salacious side of his story.I would recommend this to any fan of the Byrds or 60's music in general, but make sure you also go out and get some of Gene Clark's music too, it might help you forget about the tragic side.I have the Buffalo Springfield book by this author, and am looking forward to seeking out his other books too!!

A Sad Story of a Talent Squandered So Soon
Gene Clark was the most talented songwriter in the Byrds. The man who wrote and sang "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better", "Tried So Hard", "Train Leaves Here This Morning" (with Bernie Leadon), and "Set You Free This Time". A very sensitive man, he was also extremely