Routine and shallow
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Ronnie obviously wrote the book himself rather than employing a ghost-writer. That sounds like a good idea for someone who's quite creative: but in my opinion the excessive name-dropping and routine style hamper the book's impact, and this could have been smoothed out by getting a more accomplished writer involved.
There are plenty of anecdotes along the way so it's quite entertaining, but to me it seems a rather shallow affair,just a quick run through a set of diaries, and I didn't feel that I understood Ronnie any better at the end. A lot of the sections come across as boastful: almost every star mentioned is his "great friend", and he can't resist mentioning exactly how his paintings get enthusiastic receptions from celebrities and politicians, and entry into famous galleries. I'm sure they're very good, but it must have occurred to him that it's the signature that really counts when a painting is the work of a member of one of the world's most famous rock bands!
Buy it for the insights into the shady world of rock music and mis-management, but don't expect great literature.
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Disappointing !
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I bought this book on the basis of previous reviews and that I have been a fan of Ronnie Woods since his days with The Faces. However, after just 15 pages I gave up as the memories of his childhood, as a 2-4 year old, were just so implausible. How could a 3-4 year old have the coordination to sit on his drunken fathers bicycle cross-bar (while his father was riding the bike) and steer the bike home because his father was incapable of steering ? He also apparently remembers (from the same incident) the feel of his fathers stubble against his face ! I really wanted to enjoy this book but I'm afraid that after the first 15 pages I just couldn't take any more ridiculous recollections.
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Ronnie Fraud Pt. 2
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I have to agree with the Ronnie Fraud reviewer to a large degree. Much as he comes across a likeable bloke and obviously a good mate the doubts set in for me when he suggested Peter Grant, Plant, Jones and Bonham tried to hire him on guitar instead of Jimmy Page - strange given that Jimmy actually started what became Led Zeppelin himself rather than the other way round! From then on I wasn't sure what was real and imagined. Ron is clearly a pretty decent musician (obviously given who he has played with) but not now or ever a Page, Clapton, Townshend or whoever despite his pretensions to be something special. An amusing and able sideman but no more. The funny stories come across as 'name dropping' and not particularly funny too I'm afraid. It is a quick and easy read but not worth the high praise it has received.
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It's only Rock and Roll but I like it.
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Ronnie Woods, a member of one of the worlds greatest bands, reveals his life story so far. From his gypsy start, to the bands he's played in and his time as an artist. This autobiography is great. I could not put it down once I started reading it. The book is a wonderful read and you can't help but to tell the nearest person some of the stories Ronnie is telling you as you read it. There are many laughs throughout this book, as well as shocks, and by the end of it you'll be wanting to buy yourself a guitar so you can start your own band. Fantastic book.
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Who's Who of Rock and Roll
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Ronnie reads like a "Who's done Who of Rock and Roll excess"! This book is hard to put down just like the man himself. I had so much fun reading this book that it reunited my passion for Rock autobiographies so much that I already have 5 new books on order. I haven't enjoyed a book so much since i read "No One Here Gets Out Alive" about Mr Mojo Rising.
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