Rock Books

Yes, rock and roll, much like the priesthood, tends to weed out all but the most hardy and dedicated. If you have ever taken a serious whack at the game, then you owe it to yourself to read this book. You'll laugh, you'll cry... Well, okay, you won't cry, but you'll certainly identify with the ups and downs, triumphs, failures, dysfunctions, stresses, joys, and fiascoes that are a part of that life. And if you threw in the towel a long time ago, you might just pat yourself on the back.

There are a lot of books about famous rock bands, but not too many that describe what it's like to be an average working musician, whether in a tribute band or not. The "tribute band" aspect lends an extra degree of absurdity to the whole business, especially today, when rock seems to be going through another one of its periodic death throes. (Believe it or not, a lot of us thought rock died around 1975. Shortly thereafter, disco was declared dead. Then punk also kicked the bucket. Remarkably, they all keep going.)

Among musicians there has always been a divide between the "cover band" types and the "original" types. This is even more pronounced when it comes to "tribute bands." There are those who find the concept repulsive, while others take a pragmatic view: "Hey, if you can play music and make money, why not? Beats digging ditches."

Well, maybe not. Rock and roll is sometimes incredibly hard work. A passage from the book summarizes things: "The members of Sticky Fingers and the Blushing Brides faced near poverty, small crowds, exhausting cross-country drives, and indifference from their peers and the world at large, in exchange for a few dollars and the chance to be onstage for a few hours."

Still, a good gig in front of an enthusiastic (albeit drunk) crowd is one of life's greatest highs, so that keeps these guys going.

Nevertheless, there is something unsettling about middle-aged men putting on wigs and doing impersonations of aging rock stars. A couple buddies and I could have formed a killer Elvis Costello tribute band back in the 1980s, but I'm not sure I'd want to be doing that now. You have to wonder how long the phenomenon will go on. Will it end with the last of the baby-boomers? Or will the nostalgia of the future involve aging hip-hop wannabes doing impersonations of Snoop Dogg? Stay tuned.

In the meantime, all you old school rock 'n' rollers and other aspirants to fame and fortune should get yourself a copy of this book. You're guaranteed to get a kick out of it and maybe even pick up some tips. It's a fast and fun read.

Steven Kurutz is a first class writer who can weave a fascinating tale about a long misunderstood facet of American society: the tribute band. Anyone who has any desire to learn the machinations of this particular pop culture phenomenom would be well served by reading this book!

It has already been noted that the author, Steve Kurutz, has written this book with affection and the thoroughness of an anthropologist. Both of those are true. What made this book a great read for me were the many humorous anecdotes sprinkled throughout- though never at the expense of his subjects. This is the real "Spinal Tap". It just proves the old adage that the truth is always stranger than fiction. A fun, entertaining book- a must read for any rock n'roll fan.

I picked up this book over the weekend and could not put it down until I was finished. Author Steven Kurutz captures "the sights, the sounds, the smells, of a hard-working rock band on the road" to quote "This Is Spinal Tap", with both hilarious and sometimes pathetic outcomes.

In the book, Kurutz travels cross country with two leading Stones trib bands, Sticky Fingers and Blushing Brides, and in documenting the highs and (very) lows, he manages to capture the humanity in what is becoming a dying industry - Live Music.

While reading this book one realizes that both Maurice Raymond and Glen Carroll (the Brides' and Fingers' Micks, respectively) are doing their thing not only because they crave the attention of being a faux Mick Jagger, but because they genuinely love the music of the Rolling Stones, even if it is being played to a handful of people in a dive bar.

And that being said, which is more rock and roll to you: A drunk singer shouting over too loud guitars to 50 sweaty drunks, or 100,000 people at the EnormoDome who paid $300 to watch the Stones on the JumboTron?

I choose the former.

If you're gonna buy one book on rock and roll this year, this is it!

Kurutz loves his rock and roll, and LIKE A ROLLING STONE revels in the good ol' days when rock was king and musicians drank and did drugs like there was no tomorrow. His affection for rock shows through in every line, and before you know it you're right there in the van with Sticky Fingers, the east coast's most popular Stones tribute band. In one way or another it's been around since the 1970s, and its present leader, Glen Carroll, is an irresistible subject, sort of like the Falstaff of the tribute world. Yes, he drinks too much and yes, he's a liar, and no, he's not really a good singer, but Kurutz' writing is so persuasive I wanted the book to come with a DVD so I could see Sticky Fingers in action at one of the rundown nightclubs or frat houses they're booked to entertain in.

Sometimes it's life at the top, but more often Sticky Fingers' erratic financing make for tensions within the band. All of this is really intriguing, but the problem is of course, that it's really not enough material to make a book out of, and one gets the feeling Kurutz did all this research and then halfway through realized he had enough for a great magazine article, but that he was going to have to add more storylines if he wanted to get a book out of it. Thus we go back in time and meet with the original tribute band, the Broadway cast of "Beatlemania." Thus we go on the road with a second Stones tribute band, the damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't Blushing Brides from Canada. Thus we are introduced to other sorts of tribute bands including some with real success stories, Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) which does the Grateful Dead, and ZoSo, the "ultimate Led Zeppelin experience." And in doing so, the focus of the book inevitably shifts away from Glen Collins and it becomes more about hardcore dollars and cents.

The cash nexus is never far from concern, yet what makes these tribute bands so endearing is that these guys aren't in it for the money--no, not really--they're doing something because they love it. And don't let me forget, also because evil life has got them in its sway.

I suppose I was always going to say that, having already been converted myself to Louie Louie as "the only rock and roll song you'll ever need" (collected 60+ versions to date). It's just a fascinating journey with so many unexpected twists and turns but the ever present "duh duh duh". And still amazingly relevant today. And funny!

A new preface by the author graces the pages of Louie Louie: The History & Mythology Of The World's Most Famous Rock N Roll Song. While it's hard to see how any song, however famous, could earn an entire book discussion, once you delve into Dave Marsh's Louie Louie, with its intrigue, high drama, and twists and turns, it's hard to see what took so long for the full tale to come to light - and yes, it earns its own book. This new edition provides a new preface by Marsh as it covers the complexities of a song which involved even the FBI.

Okay--truth be told, I bought this book as a joke. This book is no joke. Dave Marsh, an excellent writer, put together a real page-turner. (...)

By following the fate of one song Marsh gives us an excellent feel for how culture operates at a middle scale, somewhere between the micro-scale of individual performances and listenings and the macroscale of decades-long changes in musical styles. If you're interested in "memetics" but tired of empty bloviation about mind viruses and such, read this book and follow one musical meme on its tour of the memesphere.

Half way through this book I knew more about this rock song then I had ever wanted to know and then it kicked in to the history of Paul Revere and the Raiders. I keep on and she what other obscure trivia is to be revealed.

I love the Stones. They are, to me and you, as the comon man would like to say. Me and my lady freind, who like the stone as well, though that my good friend, Mary Lou Regan, who I know was inspried by page number 420 to 422 was a great story. Reading it back to myself brought a tear to eye and will never forget and also not even once would you know that the stories are true. Rock hard and Live Long Stones!!!!

Wonderful! Mrs. Regan captures the essence of The Rolling Stones in her book. Magical!

Marilou worked on this book for several years, and I think her patience, time, and Tender Loving Care shows in this wonderful piece of work. The book contains stories about the Rolling Stones written by fans from all over the world. To go with these interesting stories are photographs that have never published before, and pictures of memorabilia from some of the biggest Stones collectors in the world. From the Sixties to the present, this book is for every die-hard fan of the Rolling Stones. I cannot tell you how many times I have looked at this book. From what I was told, even the Rolling Stones themselves were impressed with this one. It's a must.

This is just a wonderful book. One that is unique in that it is written by the hard core fans of the Rolling Stones and not by some hired gun writing for the Rock Star of the year.

Have you ever sat around with a bunch of old friends reminiscing about the good ole days? Sure you have! This book is not unlike that. It's packed with one great story after another. Not to mention some killer pictures. If your a Stones Fan, or even just a fan of Rock n Roll you must have this book!

.....the graphics, pictorials, and mirage of color blend into one great reading experience. A standing ovation to the Editor, Designer, and all the fans who contributed their experience in words. "caution....do not attempt to read this book without listening to the stones"

Simple man would have been the greatest addition they could have made but as they allow us to try and emulate them - I'm not going to complain.
great book -bought easily for a good price.
thankyou.

I'm a begginner and this book helped me rock my way to the stage. The tab is perfect. Most correct tab i ever read. I started 2 monthes ago and now we started a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. Our next show is on Jan, 1 at times square New York. See you there.

This is a great tab book. This tablature flows right through the pages into your guitar. Keep up the good work guys!!

This is a damn great guitar tab. Amazin' songs like Free bird and What's your name If you play rock you gotta have it!!

It is a very good book for the guitar beginners that love the Skynyrd music. If you're on the road for a long time, you always can learn something useful with these songs.

A collage and kalidescope of photographs of the one and only Madonna taken over the years. Many looks and messages from the world's biggest icon.

What do you do if you have tons of Madonna pictures?A photo book galore!!!This jewel encompasses her early years,from the wild lion mane,bracelet wearing,Boy Toy,Take it or Leave it era to a more sophisticated,cropped haired,blonde, True Blue til Who's that Girl? incarnations.Photographed in full color,this one's a Fan delight!!!

I bought this book when it first came out in the very early 90's. Madonna looks gorgeous in the photos. All of the photos are beautifully shot and Madonna looks fabulous! I was the biggest Madonna fan back then and loved this book to death. now, pushing 30, I am still in love with this book because the photos are so amazing!

You won't be disappointed! I think the best photo is the one where she's kissing the mirror. Great photographic techniques!

The photographs in this book capture the "glamour" Madonna perfectly. The pictures have a very crisp feel to them, at times verging on remote; Madonna's glamour shots, though largely reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe in this book, do not have the same "inviting" allure that Marilyn had. I suppose this is because it is unmistakable that Madonna is a powerful woman who must always be "in charge" and is in complete control of her career and her image, whereas Marilyn Monroe projected an air of vulnerability for which Madonna is probably without the capacity. But Madonna is still a beautiful and at times "exotic" creature.

Several pictures in this book had previously been published in magazines, the cover shot, for example, was once the cover for Life magazine. Many pictures from that same photo shoot are reproduced here, with the most touching being the "group hug" between Madonna and about seven siblings. A few out-takes from the "Like a Virgin" album cover photo shoot are included in this book as well.

The era of Madonna's career that is covered in this book is somewhat small, considering that she has now been in the public eye for nearly 20 years. All these pictures seem to be from the the years 1984 to 1987.

The book isn't very long and contains very few pages with actual words on it, but I didn't buy it for a story, I bought it for pictures of Madonna. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because it was made near the end of 1987, so it only has pictures and information on Madonna from 1982-87. In the back portion of the book it does however have a short year by year biography on her. The pictures are black and white or colored. Many of them are from her different concerts. The book also includes some information on the earlier movies Madonna starred in such as Who's That Girl? and Shanghi Surprise. There are alot better books on Madonna that you could get, but for the price this is a great book. The pictures are beautiful and it is a welcome addition to my Madonna collection.

.... and by the way, not the only one fiction involving burning man --- you read this and it's pretty much like waqndering for the playa (only that it's actually better to be there for real).

Good book!!!!

This book is SOOOO fun, great descriptions, great insights, I have been savoring it.

I don't know if I would like it as much if I were not a burner but it is very descriptive if someone is looking for a narrative of someone experience rather than an essay about the concept of the event.

2 Thumbs up!!

A wonderful read for a burner who misses home. It really reminds you of all the reasons you fell in love with BRC to begin with and makes you miss it that much more.

Captain Fun (Cortez) does a great job of capturing the flavor of the most unique place on Earth, Black Rock City. As he shows our hero Dex the ropes, we get to see the playa again through the eyes of a virgin. Fun also does a great job of explaining the customs of BRC very well, gifting, participating, leave no trace, and my favorite, safty third!

I loved reading this book because it took me on one more playa adventure while I was decompressing in the default world.

Let this story of murder be a lesson to you all that BRC isn't for everybody. Newbies and virgins think twice before you make the trip to Nowhere...Darth Bunny is out there!

it's Sunday Morning. I woke up at around 9 something, as I have been for months now - even on the Playa. I picked up the book that I've been reading since Thursday on the Playa. A book call 'The Man Burns Tonight" by Donn Cortez... or should I say, Captain Fun. I can say that because I got the book from Captian Fun himself. He gave it to me while chatting on some tower, sharing a smoke, in a drunken haze called SantaCon. Black Rock City had it's SantaCon on Wednesday. It rivaled many of the local LA SantaCons that I've participated in. We bar-hopped many of the best bars in Black Rock City. It was on the top of one of these bars where I met Captain Fun. We chatted about the random excitement and joys that is Burning Man. He then gave me his just published novel & signed it for me. I do remember giving him one of the last of my custom postcards. I might have even placed proper postage on it. I can't remember because it is around that point when it all became a blur.

So i finished the book this morning. I have to say, it was one of the most fun & exciting books I've ever read. I had a couple issues with the plot, you could say there were a few holes in them, but overall it worked itself out. The thing I enjoyed the most were the characters. The story emphasised the true body of Burning Man, the people - The citizens of Black Rock City. Throughout the novel were interviews of various Burners. Although they are supposed to "fictional" they felt very real. They each had their own personal views of what Burning Man is or means to them. I would find it hard to believe that Captain Fun created all those thoughts & feelings himself, unless he's schizophrenic... which is possible. But in all seriousness Captain Fun was down to earth and... Fun. And so was his character in the book, aptly named, Captain Fun.

The story revolves around a virgin Burner by the name of Dexter Edden, or just Dex. In the beginning he witnesses the violent murder of his boss, who dragged him out to the desert against his own better judgement. He runs for his life away from the killer and gets lost in Black Rock City. He eventually meets & becomes friends with various citizens who decide to help him prove his innocence. "...Dex is wanted by the killer... and by the police."

The book is fast paced and full of wonderful characters. I don't know if the characters were genuinely fleshed out with prose or if my own biased Burner mind was able to fill in the blanks. It didn't matter because all the characters felt very real. It felt like I was really there on the playa. I could see the colorful lights and feel the drying wind. I could also taste the playa in my mouth - Or that could be because I was just there and I havent cleared up completely. Mmmm, playa dust.

I really like this cd. It isn't heavy metal. Just good rock music. A nice sing along and dance cd.

The book came promptly and wrapped very nicely. I was pleased with the purchase.

well, pretty good SHABRE umm its got all you need youll know that cd front to back. SHABREE

I bought this book with some hesitance - Hal Leonard's "Recorded Guitar Versions" stamp usually stands for quality tablature, but I was doubtful it could capture the complexity of the harmony and keyboards on Maroon 5's debut disc. I'm not a Maroon 5 fan, but there were a few specific riffs I hoped to learn, and I would be upset if the book omitted them.

I freely admit that I was wrong. I own dozens of sheet music books and, aside from full score books (such as those for Ben Folds Five), this is by far the best book of guitar transcriptions I have ever purchased.

There are a few specific elements that really emphasize the detail of this transcription. It notes every guitar part with very little compositing (e.g. chorus of "She Will Be Loved). It rarely uses a repeat or a DS when a repeated verse has a unique melodic element (a glaring omission is the third verse harmony of "Sunday Morning"). Also, it doesn't OVERUSE figures the way some books do, forcing you to flip back and forth more often than you play.

The guitar arrangements in the book are so authentically transcribed that it would be superfluous to describe them all. There is relatively little rhythm notation relying just on chords - almost everything is indicated exactly by tab. Solos are well done, with occasional editorial notes to aid your playing. Often what sounds like a keyboard or horn part is actually made-by or doubled-by a guitar, which means very few riffs are left out.

Parts played exclusively by keyboard are captured faithfully throughout the book. "Sunday Morning" takes care to notate piano chords with the correct inversions so they sound right while playing along. "Tangled" meticulously notates clavichord for guitar. The only major keyboard parts not transcribed are the lengthy intro and ambient effects on "Secret," and the brief into on "Not Coming Home."

Even the effects notes are detailed, which makes the book great for bands who want to copy the exact sound used by Maroon 5. The whammy notations are varied and specific. A common amount of detail is "Delay set for eight note regeneration w/one repeat." One of the guitars on "Shiver" goes the extra mile, noting "dist. & octaver. Set octaver for one octave below with equal mix of wet and dry signal."

Harmony vocals are notated to perfection. Again, this is so consistent it hardly warrants specific examples. The five-part harmony is intact on "Sunday Morning," as is the four-part on the live "Not Coming Home." In fact, the book often notes harmony vocals I couldn't even hear before owning the book.

Yet another great detail about the book is the fully notated fades. The "This Love" coda does NOT use a "repeat with ad lib" - it transcribes each note of each layer of Adam Levine's vocals down to the last word you can possibly make out before the fades out becomes inaudible. Same for the vocals and guitar solo on "Sweetest Goodbye," and the solo on "The Sun."

The solo guitarist is not left out in the cold, but is occasionally presented with a challenge. In my experience so far some of these songs don't lend themselves to solo acoustic versions without some re-arrangement. On tracks without a primary rhythm guitar part, like "Must Get Out" or "Through With You," the book helps you by providing implied tonality chords, but it doesn't provide their chord frames.

If you plan on mostly performing solo covers from this book you should have a good grasp on how to integrate multiple guitar lines and riffs into a solo arrangement. If that sounds like too tall a task for your skill level, consider buying the piano/guitar/vocal version of this book. (Also, if you are a baritone, consider de-tuning and/or shifting pitch/position with a capo if Adam's vocals are too aerobic for your range.)

I highly recommend this book to vocalists, guitarists, bands, and arrangers (especially for school bands or acappella). You'll be purchasing one of the best Hal Leonard books currently published, especially when it comes to guitars and vocals. The only way it could be improved is if it was reissued as a full score with bass and drum tabs.

I am Intermediate piano player and really like the way the songs are made. These songs can be played solo and still sound really nice and sound like you are the jazz man, but sound just as well in a band or group. I mean, these songs sound great and just like the real version. It all the songs note from note as they are in the cd. It's just a good songbook.

At last a book covering Michael Jackson's early days, both as a solo artist and as the lead singer of The Jackson 5. Not only are Jackson's many recordings with Motown covered, but there is also fascinating account of his humble beginnings from Gary Indiana to Steeltown Records where is first ever recordings were produced. Rounding the main chapters off is a section on The Jacksons, who enjoyed success themselves after leaving Motown in 1975.

Written in an entertaining format, each album is taken individually with an appropriate essay of the period, covering facts, single releases and chart information. All this with additional material on unreleased recordings, a comprehensive discography, chartography, videography and an exclusive Jackson poll.

The last decade or so as seen the media concentrate more on Jackson's eccentricities than his prolific singer/songwriter credits. One glance at Michael Jackson The Early Years reminds everyone that Jackson's career spans a lot further than Off The Wall and Thriller, and if anything puts him up there with all of the universally recognised greats such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Any fan of Jackson or of popular music, interested in what makes a legend should look no further than this book, as it covers the backbone of an industrious career.

Michael Joseph Jackson has made milions smile with his voice, passion and love, but what a lot of people don't know is where his roots of love come from. Michael is a man of soul, way back with the legendary Jackson 5.
With the book MJ The Early Years, it captavates Michael from way before Steeltown, to Steeltown, Motown, Jackson's, and every album and song that help led up to who Michael is today. Many unheard of people are discovered in this amazing book. I urge you to give it a try! You will love it, and most of all: It will place you in a state of shock!

this is really cool a book that covers early MJ&His Career&whatnot.this Book does a Great job of refelcting on the artistic side of MJ&going over His work.also a Great reflection on Jermaine,Tito,Marlon,Jackie&later Randy.it's about time the real reason why people got into MJ is mentioned&showcased fr more here with this book.

Michael Jackson the Early Years: An incredible book! The very first in a long time to tell you just where Michael came from. MJ The Early Years, paints you a picture of the Jackson household, telling you the ever lasting story of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.Remember Dancing Machine, I Want You Back, Ben? Well these are all here with the stories to back them up! You think you know so many things about Michael, and how the J5 started... You don't until reading this book. I dare YOU to try it.

Any fan of Michael of any age is perfect for this book. Full of very rare stories of each album, and photos. Pure heart and soul of one man from a child to growing, but fully grown. Get a view of Michael we don't ever see anymore. From the J5 to solo with his bros, to acting as a man of his own in Epic. A true and beautiful book.

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.

Well written, new information, a DVD with a great clinical consultation as a special bonus.
Paulo Evangelista

This is a rich story and just adds to the deep collection of wonderful stories by and about Milton H. Erickson. The section containing Erickson's diary during his summer river trip as a young man is worth the price of the book alone: what a revealing view into Erickson's process, values and character.
This book would be a bargain and three times the price and includes a nice DVD of an Erickson hypnotherapy session.

I am so glad to first read about Milton Erickson from this book. I am so glad to have a window to the man instead of isolating things the man did. He lived and persevered through some profound experiences, esp. teaching himself to walk again at age of 17. Erickson Brief Therapy is so much more about the presence of Erickson in witnessing where the client was at and "offering the client a big pile of love" as daughter Betty Alice described it at a recent conference that sparked what he said and did with a client. The man was mostly working from a trance place himself and was not about taking power away from someone, rather about empowering someone through provocative thought and experience via hypnosis.
The DVD is quite a treat and quite provocative. Hard to hear (it's from the 40s or 50s!), but wow, to see him talk and gesture and to see the client behavior and demeanor shift through the process is just a profound synergy of human interaction.

I purchased this item believing it would be another in my collection of biographic works about Erickson. In actuality, the insights from his childrren, collegues, and students goes beyond anything else I've read. It really gives a sense of the man, his humanity, and his ability to be present with each person at their level.

This is a must read for anyone on the path of a therapist or hypnotist.

This book is stuffed with detailed information on the Mod culture of the early 60's. The author goes on and on telling whatever he can on what was going on, how they dressed, what they liked, the drugs, the scooters...everything! That's not all of it. That book contians thousands of black and white photographs of the scene (images of the kids danceing, riding and strutin' themselves across the beaches). This book tells the history of mod from it's humble begings to it's sad end in the mid-sixties. I would recomend this book to anyone who is interested in Mod. I would also suggest viewing the movie "Quadrophenia" for more of an idea of what Mod was.

Well, I used to get mad trying to look cute like them, me and my mates spent hours reading it! I translated it into Italian and photocopied my translation handing it out at the mod meetings held in Rimini each easter. Now I'm past those days but sweet memories still keep coming back.
A reportage from the past with fresh and amazing photos, but you'll find that style is not a fashion!
Five stars is my rating, but is not an impartial one!

Richard Barnes has written a fine book about the Mod sub culture of the early 1960's. This book tells all about the different fashions, types of music, scooters, dances and even amphetamines. It is the defifnative book on Mods and every 'face' ought to have it

This book has become the acknowledged starting point for anyone wishing to learn more about the 1960's Mod youth movement. The book is filled with photographs and articles from the time. Thoroughly recommended for Mods or anyone wishing to find out about this most important of subcultures.

An in-depth look at the destinctively British sub-culture commonly known as "Mod". This book takes you there in black and white with remarkable photos and descriptive text. Take a trip back in time; back to the summer of '64 on the beaches of Brighton. See original mods dressed to kill- literally! Mods, in their uniforms of three-button tonik suits and military parkas, fighting Rockers, marching into beachside towns to terrorize small businesses and vacationers, throwing deck chairs, and chanting, "We are the Mods!, We are the Mods!, We are, We are, We are the Mods!" Afterwards, it's off with the mods on their Vespas and Lambrettas, adorned with chrome mirrors and lights to the local night club to pop a few leapers and dance till dawn with that special bird.