I've read some other books about the Beatles, but certainly nothing this extensive. Over 800 pages long, Bob Spitz spent almost a decade of research pI've read some other books about the Beatles, but certainly nothing this extensive. Over 800 pages long, Bob Spitz spent almost a decade of research putting this book together. Some of the material I knew, much I didn't know. Spitz also presents the material in a logical conversational style that is easy to read. The book includes three sections of black and white photos, and extensive notes on his research materials. I know there are books written by various persons associated with the group, but this is perhaps the most comprehensive book out there. If your a Beatle fanatic, or just want to learn more about the boys from Liverpool you can't go wrong with this one....more
My wife and I saw 'Rocketman' back in 2019. I knew a little of Elton John's life, but was more familiar with his music. Certainly a flamboyant entertaMy wife and I saw 'Rocketman' back in 2019. I knew a little of Elton John's life, but was more familiar with his music. Certainly a flamboyant entertainer and artist, the movie gave a glimpse of what led to make him the person he became, but the book does such a better job. A quick read.
My wife bought the book, and I decided to read it after reading Brian Wilson's book. What a difference in styles! Despite a hard childhood, and disappointing family experiences Elton John makes every bit of this book fun. I don't know how many times I laughed. Sometimes I shook my head reading the incredibly silly names of pubs, villages, or bands. Yes, some of his stories are a bit over the top for stodgy straight folk , including me. But overall the heart, humor and stories shine through. A must read for Elton John fans....more
I finished reading Mike Love's book 'Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy' last month. Decided to read Brian's book to have another viewpoint. WherI finished reading Mike Love's book 'Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy' last month. Decided to read Brian's book to have another viewpoint. Where Mike's book is very positive and upbeat for the most part, a one word description of Brian's book would be melancholy.
If you've seen the movie 'Love & Mercy', the biopic of Brian's life you'll know the reasons why this book comes off this way. Brian Wilson has had serious alcohol, drug and mental issues for a large portion of his adult life. Love and Brian Wilson also have completely different personality types. Brian is a musical genius, but more introverted. Mike Love, the front man for the band is a lyricist, showman and more extroverted. I found the beginning of the book a bit draggy, but by the end really enjoyed Wilson's insights into his musical composition, and his sense of humor. It seems obvious that some things continue to elude him mentally, and that he misses his brother Carl immensely. He certainly doesn't always understand Mike Love, and seems dismissive of his creative efforts in co-writing many of the group's early hits. If you're a Beach Boys fan both books are a must read.
Interesting side note--While I was finishing reading this book, my wife was finishing Jerry Schilling's book 'Me and a Guy Named Elvis'. Schilling was part of Presley's Memphis Mafia, and is currently a talent manager for artists including the Beach Boys. ...more
I bought this book for my wife after we watched the Movie 'Love and Mercy' about Brian Wilson and his struggles with drugs and mental health. I knew aI bought this book for my wife after we watched the Movie 'Love and Mercy' about Brian Wilson and his struggles with drugs and mental health. I knew at the time she wanted Wilson's book 'I Am Brian Wilson', but yet I gave this one to her first. I think at the time it seemed to have a more positive outlook and although it is Mike Love's story, it covered the history of the Beach Boys as well. 'Loved' the book--is that a pun? You decide! The beginning is a little tedious as many bios are with early family life--which can get a little confusing with families as big as the Wilsons and Loves. After that the reader is immersed in Love's journey through his personal life and the Beach Boys. Insights into the development of Beach Boy songs, touring strategies, tragedies with drugs and relationships and a sense of what else was going on in the rest of the music world. I really have a better understanding of the legal proceedings involving Brian, Mike and various recording companies. If you like the Beach Boys--Mike's book is a must read to get a clear picture of the group and it's changes through time. The book includes photos, and an index. Now I'm on to Brian's book 'I Am Brian Wilson'....more
A coffee table size book, full of photos. The history of Laurel Canyon residents from the 1930's through the early 2000's. The book is mostly focused A coffee table size book, full of photos. The history of Laurel Canyon residents from the 1930's through the early 2000's. The book is mostly focused on the music scene of the late 1960's--the glory days of the Canyon and the clubs on Sunset Strip. The proximity of the canyon and clubs existed before this time, and the reader gets a glimpse of the interconnectivity of the Hollywood movie scene, with the mix of the Southern California music world. At times the writer's style seems similar to liner notes, which is for a good reason. Kubernik wrote liner notes for the re-release of Carole King's Tapestry album in 2008, and the re-release of Elvis Presley's '68 Special album in the same year. The last chapter of the book almost seems like a promotional piece for the current Laurel Canyon.
A nicely put together book that is fun look at Laurel Canyon in a slice of history....more
An alternative title could have been: 'It's Complicated'. In my rating system this is a three-and-a-half star book. The actual writing is three worthyAn alternative title could have been: 'It's Complicated'. In my rating system this is a three-and-a-half star book. The actual writing is three worthy, but the interviewing and research is certainly a four. I bought this book for my wife, and since she is obsessed with Elvis at the moment I thought I would divert from my typical reading in a form of rebuttal.
I almost stopped at the introduction. It seemed to wander a bit and was chaotic, but the material seemed so promising. I'm glad I stuck with it. Although the writing style was a bit rambling, it did make sense. Weller approached the representatives of each of the artists asking to interview their closest friends without interviewing the artists themselves. She also used other books, articles and media to verify and add to her information. To sift through all of that material must have been a huge undertaking.
Like most biographies, Weller starts with the childhood of each woman in separate chapters, then proceeds to following two to four year time periods. The reader gets a sense of what is going on through the lives of the three women and corresponding times. Three amazing artists who had such dissimilar childhoods. Joni--growing up in rural Canada. Carole growing up a middle-class kid in New York City, and Carly growing up in a privileged publishing family. Besides their talent, the only common factor in all three lives seems to be James Taylor.
The reason I said it could've been called, 'It's Complicated', is just tracking the personal relationships of each woman can be dizzying. The 1960s through the 1970s was a difficult time when women were just being recognized as creative equals in the music world, and attitudes towards drugs and sex were changing. It did help me as a reader that I am familiar with the three women and their music, but for a neophyte I might suggest something more basic.
One of the things I loved about the book, is the analysis of each album--similar to the quality record reviews I read by people like Robert Hilburn, Timothy Crouse, and Cameron Crowe. There is also plenty of celebrity tell all kind of material. My only real criticism is that I would sometimes lose track of who a particular source was. I would have to look back a few pages to remind myself who this 'insert first name here' was, for example. Plenty of photos, and a great bibliography round out an interesting read. If you're a fan of any of these artists I think this book would be well worth the read....more
I picked this book up a few years ago on a trip to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. At the time the museum was featuring a special display on the LauI picked this book up a few years ago on a trip to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. At the time the museum was featuring a special display on the Laurel Canyon section of Southern California and it's relationship to the Los Angeles music scene. The book starts with the close-knit community of folk and rock artists living there in the sixties. Then transitions to how the music scene and drug culture changed in the seventies, eighties, and to the current day. Side trips are taken to Woodstock, Altamont, and what was happening musically in San Francisco. Of course the West Hollywood clubs such as the Troubador, and Whisky a go go are frequent settings as well.
I would have given the book four stars, but sometimes the writing seems to get a bit jumbled. Walker uses personal interviews with several people living in the area at the time, and who were associated with the clubs as well as living in the canyon. The chapters are written in a way that reminds me of a series of articles that would appear in a magazine such as 'Rolling Stone'. If you are interested in the evolution of music in Los Angeles this book is worth your time....more
The book started off as an article for 'The New Yorker' magazine in 1995 regarding 'The Beatles Anthology' project. The author was granted access to tThe book started off as an article for 'The New Yorker' magazine in 1995 regarding 'The Beatles Anthology' project. The author was granted access to the groups musical archives locked away in a room at Abbey Road Studios in London. This gave Hertzgaard the unique perspective of being able to listen to a song being developed in the studio from the first take to the finished product. This well researched book is part biography and part musical analysis of song and album development. The reader also learns tidbits about particular songs and how members of the group functioned together as they evolved. I would have given it five stars, but I felt that I wanted more time spent on the musical development aspects. After all there are many strictly biographical sources on the group. A quick read, it also includes a listing of Beatles recordings, a bibliography, and quite extensive notes that document sources for each chapter. I also recommend former Beatles sound engineer Geoff Emerick's book 'Here, There, and Everywhere'....more
Just what the title says--a chronicle of Eric Clapton's musical journey from his youth into the 1990s. Many photos, and several posters and concert tiJust what the title says--a chronicle of Eric Clapton's musical journey from his youth into the 1990s. Many photos, and several posters and concert tickets are reproduced. The author can be described as a super-fan and charts his tours, recording sessions, and a complete discography through 1991. The author includes a list of guitars and amps that Clapton used during each of the periods playing in various bands and on his own solo projects. ...more
One of my favorites! Photographer Chuck Holley interviews various guitarists on their favorite guitar. Every story is interesting, some guitarists areOne of my favorites! Photographer Chuck Holley interviews various guitarists on their favorite guitar. Every story is interesting, some guitarists are more well known than others. A wide variety of musical genres are represented. Anyone that loves music, guitars and sentimental stories would love this book as well. ...more
A biography by one of the Beatles main sound engineers. Geoff went on to design the sound studio at Apple, and continues to work with other artists. AA biography by one of the Beatles main sound engineers. Geoff went on to design the sound studio at Apple, and continues to work with other artists. An interesting point of view, starting off as a 19 year old assistant engineer at EMI and becoming a leader in his profession. An interesting mix of describing personalities of the individuals involved, innovations in recording techniques on many of the Beatles albums, and personal recollections and stories. At times it may seem to technical to some, but I enjoyed it overall. I'd really give in a 3 and a half star rating. ...more
I bought this book for my wife a few years ago. She went to high school with Bill, and new some of the people mentioned early on in the book. Now thatI bought this book for my wife a few years ago. She went to high school with Bill, and new some of the people mentioned early on in the book. Now that I'm taking guitar lessons again, thought I'd get this inside look at Captain Beefheart. Written in the first person, it's interesting that Harkleroad's 'voice' changes from the late teen, early 20's guitarist he was at the start, to the mature guitar teacher he is today by the end. Not the most polished prose, but overall interesting. After all Bill is known as a great guitarist, not a writer. I knew he grew up in the A.V., but was surprised to learn that before Beefheart and the band split up, they were residing in Trinidad in Humboldt County. This was a few years before I found my way to Arcata to attend HSU. Most of the book was interesting, but the chapters breaking down each album song by song I found a little tedious. A true Beefheart fan, or a more accomplished musician would probably find these areas much more interesting. A quick read if you're interested in Beefheart, the music scene of the 1960s-70s, or ties to the Antelope Valley at that time....more
I first became aware of Lester Bangs when I saw the movie 'Almost Famous'. The movie was based on the exploits of a young Cameron Crowe when he was a I first became aware of Lester Bangs when I saw the movie 'Almost Famous'. The movie was based on the exploits of a young Cameron Crowe when he was a writer for Rolling Stone magazine in the early 1970s. In college and until a few years ago, I was a Rolling Stone subscriber. Cameron Crowe was a bit before my readership started in the early 8os, but I love the music of that time period. (When Jann Wenner sold Rolling Stone its reinvention by the new owners destroyed an already declining magazine.)
In the movie, Cameron Crowe meets Lester Bangs (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) who was a rock music critic that for a time wrote for Rolling Stone, but primarily was a writer for Creem. (Sad side-note--Hoffman died from a drug overdose at 46. Lester Bangs died of a overdose of medications supposedly while trying to treat a bad case of the flu at 33. However in his concert reviews he often talks of taking his beloved cough syrup with him to get high along with an assortment of just about any pill in existence.) I didn't know much about Creem, or Lester Bangs work, but I love the time period.
Greil Marcus who selected and edited the book is another well known writer and music critic. I know partly why Marcus selected the writings he did was to show Bangs diversity as a writer--which I think he accomplished. Some of the pieces were unpublished notes--while interesting perhaps there were too many of these.
On to my criticisms. I don't know if Bangs didn't use a period in his writing, or the publisher was neglectful. Periods were rare find in the 377 pages of manuscript. Thankfully the practice of using capital letters to begin a sentence was still followed, otherwise much would have been incomprehensible. In any case this certainly made reading more difficult and time consuming.
Content was another disappointment. Much of the music criticism revolved around Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, Iggy and the Stooges, and punk music before it became popular in the 80s. I consider my music tastes to be fairly eclectic, but I have very little interest in this genre. Some of Bangs pieces would start out sensible enough, but digress in what seems like a drug addled, sex obsessed, gibberish rant by the end. Did I mention Lou Reed?
There were a couple of nuggets. One was a book review of Peter Guralnick's 'Lost Highway: Journeys & Arrivals of American Musicians'. A profile of twenty-one influential musicians including Elvis, Merle Haggard, Bobby Bland, Howlin' Wolf, Ernest Tubb, and Hank Williams. I added this book to my reading list, and realized I have other Guralnick books on their as well. A creative piece was a short-story style take on the backstory of Rod Stewart's song 'Maggie May'.
Overall, I'm glad I read the book, but disappointed in the content. If the early punk scene, Lou Reed, CBGBs, and the like is your thing, you'll probably enjoy this book. Oh, did I mention Lou Reed?...more
One of my favorite books of the year! Very conversational, sometimes a bit rambling. You never know what tidbit you might find in the story of his lifOne of my favorite books of the year! Very conversational, sometimes a bit rambling. You never know what tidbit you might find in the story of his life. Whether it's how he tuned his guitar for a particular song, or his recipe for bangers and mash. Clarifies many legends/falsehoods. Some of my favorite parts are his memories growing up, and the start of the Rolling Stones. Keith really puts you there. Highly recommended for any Rolling Stones fan....more
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