Sex and drugs and rock and roll...
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If you're after scandal, excess, squalor, self destruction and a 'no holds barred' account of some of the darkest tales in music history, look no further.
Ghastly, goulish and at times very touching, this book charts and rise and (in somewhat greater detail) fall of some of the most legendary names in rock'n'roll. The author is perhaps the best known groupie of the 60s and 70s, and her connections to so many of the stars in this book allowed her to collect intimate accounts and insider knowledge.
Fascinating, morbid and an excellent read.
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Shocking rocking - music truth stranger than music fiction
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If you like to read biographies of famous - sorry, infamous - musical celebrities, but can't be bothered reading all the stuff for dedicated fans (like shoe size and favourite colour) then this is a can of condensed "juicy bits" ideal for you ! The author describes the rise and then demise of names that will be found amongst the CD collection of any true rock consumer. Without the boring details, here are the fascinating stories of bands being born, touring, self-destructing and dying (usually in a "suspicious" or "substance-related" fashion). These are the names that we all know - but as the book proves, we didn't have a clue what they got up to between songs. As a result of behaviour that caused legitimate parental concern, they defined the music and lifestyle of "rock". There are eye-witness insights, interviews with surviving band members, unashamed gossip, and confirmation of great rock band myths which make you glad not to have ever tried to play guitar. My only criticisms of this book are that 1). not being American (and only just old enough to remember the death of John Bonham), I don't recognise some of the early pioneers of the rock and roll lifestyle; 2) the author appears to have been the girl friend and closest confidant of so many famous musicians who subsequently died, that she is probably not someone to hang around with if you have a recording contract. Did she really "know" so many of these unfortunates ?; 3) it needs a sequel already ! Excellent read for anyone who ever hummed Staiway To Heaven, played air guitar to Hendrix, or sang along badly to Pink Floyd (and even my dog does that).
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