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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | <zoogang@cox.net> |
| Subject | Re: Rock/pop books |
| Date | Wed, 7 Feb 2007 11:36:18 -0500 |
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All of this talk about rock books led me to revisit the best one I have read, one that is unfortunately out of print. Even still, I thought this was worth mentioning.
The book is Derek Taylor's Fifty Years Adrift. It was published by Genesis in England back in the eighties, in the company's usual leatherbound style, and it's never been reprinted, and apparently will never be, for whatever reason. I bought it in London at the Beatles Store in Liverpool when it came out. I got number 74 out of 2000 copies printed.
Not only is Taylor's book an in-depth tome on the Beatles and Apple and everything associated with both, it's also a detailed remembrance of all of the other acts Taylor worked with, from Frank Sinatra to those on Warner Brothers. The opening sections, about Taylor's beginnings as a beat reporter, are tremendous.
Taylor apparently never threw anything out, because there are reproductions of postcards (in color) from the Fabs, Apple memorabilia, ticket stubs, etc. throughout the book. Taylor's level of detail is up to the extremely high standards he set for himself. The writing is exquisite, as was always the case with this one-of-a-kind man. Spread throughout the book are editor George Harrison's meaty annotations.
This is a spectacular book, absolutely the best music book I have read. That it includes Taylor and Harrison's autographs (and "Legs" Larry Smith's, too!) is a sweet bonus.
I can't think why this has never been reprinted. Anyone know?
Alan
http://www.purepopradio.com
http://www.buhdge.com
---- Michael Bennett <mrhonorama@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I thought I'd throw my two cents in on a couple of books that some here have
> recommended:
>
> The Jen Trynin book -- I found the book to be lacking compared to Sichter's
> book. I understand why Jen had to change a lot of names to protect the
> innocent, but it somehow detracts from the experience. Also, a chunk of the
> book is devoted to her affair with a band member, which I didn't find
> particularly interesting. Finally, I just didn't think the book was all
> that well written -- I think this book could have used a lot of editorial
> help, at times with the prose itself, and at other times with where things
> could have been beefed up or made clearer, or cut altogether.
>
> Kill Your Idols -- edited by Jim DeRogatis. I think that DeRo is a B+
> reporter and a C- critic, and a few of the contributors share the latter
> weakness. The pieces on Sgt. Pepper (by DeRo) and Pet Sounds are pretty
> lousy pieces of criticism that reveal more about the writer's inadequacies
> then cogent analyses of the albums they set out to trash. That being said,
> there are some great pieces -- especially the break down of Captain
> Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica.
>
> Mike Bennett
>
>
>
> Blog: http://blog.myspace.com/mrhonorama
> Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com
> Find out about Chicago shows:
> http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagopopshowreport/
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Will Harris" <NonStopPop@cox.net>
> >Reply-To: audities@smoe.org
> >To: <audities@smoe.org>
> >Subject: Re: Rock/pop books
> >Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 09:38:05 -0500
> >
> > >I've just finished Jacob Slichter's excellent tome "So You
> > >Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star" (big thanks to whoever mentioned it on the
> > >list!) and aim to get the Jeff Murphy book too. Any other lesser known
> > >books that might appeal to me and others on this list? Just getting my
> > >summer holiday books ready...
> >
> >I know some of these have been mentioned already, but I figured there's no
> >harm in seconding or thirding someone's recommendation...
> >
> >* Jen Trynin, "Everything I'm Cracked Up To Be": at least as good a take -
> >and possibly even better - on the whole
> >having-your-music-career-ruined-by-the-major-label-machine experience.
> >* Neil McCormick, "Killing Bono": the true story of what happens when
> >you're trying to become a famous rock star and your local rival is Bono.
> >* Chuck Klosterman, "Fargo Rock City": I like the guy, but these
> >reminiscences of growing up as an unabashed heavy metal fan in the '80s is
> >the only one of his books I can recommend unreservedly.
> >* Chris Heath, "The Pet Shop Boys, Literally" / "The Pet Shop Boys Versus
> >America": whether you like the Boys or not, these books are an absolutely
> >enthralling read...though it might help the cause if anyone else can second
> >them.
> >* Motley Crue and Neil Strauss, "The Dirt": not for the faint of heart,
> >but,
> >like the PSB books, you don't have to like the Crue to fall in love with
> >their autobiography.
> >* Geoff Emerick, "Here, There, and Everywhere": I'm neither a musician nor
> >a
> >producer, but this autobiography by the Beatles' longtime engineer manages
> >to be educational without ever getting bogged down in technical details.
> >
> >And a non-music book that I bought on the recommendation of Mark
> >"NewsFromMe.com" Evanier and enjoyed thoroughly:
> >
> >* Paul Winchell, "Winch": it's the autobiography of the man who gave voice
> >to Jerry Mahoney, Knucklehead Smith, Tigger, Gargamel, Dick Dastardly,
> >and...to make this very, VERY tangentially pop-related...Fleagle of the
> >Banana Splits, but you may be fascinated to learn that he also worked in
> >hypnotherapy and was the original patent holder on the artificial heart.
> >It's darker than you'd think - Winchell battled psychological issues
> >throughout his life, and he followed the classic scenario of abused
> >children
> >becoming abusers themselves - and you may flinch at some of the passages,
> >but it's a fascinating story nonetheless.
> >
> >Best,
> >
> >WILL
> >
> >
>
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