Book Review (Gord Downie)

Have had this book for a few months now and finally got around to reading it. It is the Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip coffee table book (190 pages) written by Steve Newton, and published by Sterling Publishing out of New York. This book is an indie release and not authorized by Gord Downie or the Tragically Hip.

The writer of this book Steve Newton is a writer out of Vancouver who writes for the weekly entertainment paper there called Georgia Straight. He's been with the paper since 1982 and first interviewed Gord in 1989. If you are a fan of The Hip you really won't learn anything you don't already know about the band, but it is a good read. The book consists of clips of interviews he has done with Gord and the other members of the band.

There are a lot of great pictures in the book from their earliest days of playing bars in there hometown of Kingston, Ontario and right up to their last gig in Kingston August 20th 2016. Also in the book are pictures of memorabilia like backstage passes, ticket stubs and gig posters.

I was contacted by the senior photography editor Stacey Stambaugh to contribute some pictures of my Tragically Hip memorabilia for the book. Much to my surprise they actually used four of my posters for the book. In return I got a free copy of the book.

This is a must have for any Hip fan. In the back of the book is a list of every show they have played in their career and list of all the albums The Hip and Gord Downie have released.

The book is available at Chapters/Indigo bookstores and am sure many other book stores as well. Check it out, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Book Review (Allman Brothers Band)

Just finished reading this incredible book One Way Out The Inside History of The Allman Brothers Band wrote by Alan Paul.

This is a great book about the history of the Allman Brothers Band. The writer Alan Paul has been the senior editor for Guitar World. This book seems like it wrote its self as each surviving member of the band has their say on the story of the band even the roadies who have been a part of the band crew forever get their say. From their start in Florida when Duane Allman was the leader to after his passing when Dicky Betts seemed to take the leadership role. There is no beating around the bush in this book. With members telling their take on the story. From Dicky being a mean drunk and control freak, to Gregg Allman's battle with substance abuse, to the murder charge a roadie got after confronting a club owner after the band not being paid, where he stabbed the man to death. Gregg being called a narc after a drug bust. And all the ups and downs this band has been through over the years.

It really is a fascinating story and read as this band over the past 45 years have had their share of ups and downs between members dying, line up changes, yet still putting out decent music for the most part.

The book I have is an updated version from the original release, but even since then, the drummer Butch Trucks has committed suicide just this year. So the story of this band never stops. Sad sometimes what has gone on with the Allman Brothers Band but like I say a very interesting story.

If you are a fan of the band this is a must read. Even if your not a fan, this is still a great read and may have you looking and listening to the band great history. Well worth reading. The definitive book on the Allman Brothers Band.

Sebastian Bach - 18 And Life On Skid Row (Book Review)

I recently finished reading the Sebastian Bach book, 18 and Life on Skid Row. Sebastian of course was the lead singer of hair metal band Skid Row between 1987-1996.

This was a very entertaining and easy read. Bach got his start by singing in the church choir, which eventually led him to singing in the band Kid Wikkid in Toronto, his stint in the mega glam band Madam X and then onto Jersey band Skid Row. And after getting the boot out of Skid Row, he went on to acting in a few Broadway plays.

Sebastian tells some great stories about hanging with the likes of Axl Rose of Guns N Roses and the rest of the band, but especially Axl as they have been close friends for years now. Stories of partying with Pantera whom Skid Row took on the road for a tour. My favorite story though was of Bach hanging, recording and partying with his guitar hero Ace Frehley of KISS fame.

From reading this book there is no doubt that he could be an asshole with his drinking and drug taking which in time had him on his own tour bus while touring with Skid Row. There are some great stories here which he tells in great detail about the drugs, drinking, women and sex everything you would expect from a heavy metal singer during the late 80's early 90's.

All and all I enjoyed reading this book, he reminds me of David Lee Roth of Van Halen with his wild stories and how he goes about telling them. A great read.

Book Review (Live at the Commodore)

I recently finished reading a book that my brother had bought me for Christmas. The book is wrote by Aaron Chapman and is called Live at the Commodore, The Story Of Vancouver's Historic Ballroom. And just like the title says, it a story about the history of this famous Vancouver concert venue.

The Commodore has been around since 1929 and is still thriving today in the same location in downtown Vancouver on Granville Street. It did close down for three years 1996-1999. But is again up and running hosting concerts on an almost daily schedule.

This book is well written, and tells many a stories about the early days of being a ballroom hosting dances and such, and of course stories of the many bands that have played shows there, including bands such as Nirvana, KISS, Pearl Jam, U2, James Brown, Ween, Tagically Hip and just about every band you could possibly think of. It's a perfect midsize venue holding about a thousand people.

I myself have only seen a handful of shows there myself, which were Steel Panther, Drive-By Truckers and Ween twice. And I have to say it is one of the best venues I have seen a show at, not that I have seen shows in to many places, but yes, it is a great venue. If your not from Vancouver and have a chance to see a show there, do it.

A great book and well worth picking up. The author Aaron Chapman also has another book out about another great club in Vancouver. That book is called "Liquor, Lust and the Law" which is about the Penthouse Nghtclub which is a great strip bar on Vancouver.

A great surprise for me with this book which I didn't realize until I started reading it, is that its an autographed copy. Thanks Bro!!!

Book Review (Neil Strauss)

Just finished reading the book by journalist Neil Strauss called Everyone Loves You When Your Dead. For those who don't know who Neil Strauss is, he is a very well known journalist and author who has worked for such publications as New York Times, Rolling Stone magazine, has done writing for Esquire magazine.

He as also wrote or helped write many a book such as "The Dirt" the Motley Crue bio, "The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell" the Marilyn Manson bio as well as "How To Make Love Like A Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale" the porn star Jenna Jameson's bio.

The book is a compilation of over 200 interviews he has done over the years. All the interviews are excerpts from interviews he has done for publications, and a lot of excerpts have never been published before. He interviews people like Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dog, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis among many others. Neil finds himself in some weird positions while interviewing his subjects. Being hit on by buddy from The Strokes, going to church with Tom Cruise, drinking with Springsteen, shopping for diapers with Snoop Dog, those are just a few of the adventures Neil Strauss finds himself in.

I found the book to be an easy and fun read.

Vince Neil (Book Review)

Well, I finally got around to reading the Vince Neil of Motley Crue biography Tattoos & Tequila, To Hell and Back of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen. This book came out five years ago in conjunction with his solo album of the same title.

After reading the Neil Strauss book Motley Crue The Dirt, I didn't think there was a whole lot more to learn about the band, but figured it would be interesting to read Vince Neil's side of things. And in all honesty, there really isn't much more to learn here other then Vince really has nothing good to say about his band mates. He slams Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx pretty bad and Mick Mars is just a recluse.

Throughout the book Vince keeps saying things like he doesn't remember all the details of certain events. Seems his days of drinking and drugs didn't do him any favours as his memory for details are terrible.

He does talk about the passing of his daughter Skylar who passed away at the age of four of cancer in detail.

Vince also contradicts himself lots in the book, saying he would never work with the other members of Motley Crue ever again, only later in the book to say he loves them like brothers. I guess when the Crue is your bread and butter, you have to keep going back to them. None of the members of the band have made any money with there other projects. Should be interesting to see what happens now with Motley Crue doing their last ever tour together this year.

Some of the more interesting reads in the book are when his ex-wives talk about Vince. Would have been interesting to read a little more about Vince's plastic surgeries. He doesn't get in to that at all. Vince also talks about how many times he has been to rehab, yet says he is not an alcoholic and how he has quit drinking, only to say, he now only has a few glasses of champagne once in a while, and a shot of tequila as well. Sounds like an alcoholic to me.

What can you say, the book was entertaining to read.

Scott Ian (Book Review)

Well during the holiday season I got around to reading a few books. Another book that I finished, one that I got as an Xmas gift was the book by Scott "Not" Ian of Anthrax called "I'm The Man, The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax".

This was a great read about the history of the band from the start right up to last years release of their album "Worship Music". Lots of great stories, including ones about drinking with the likes of Lemmy, Dimebag and Zakk Wylde, absolutely hilarious. His experiences with smoking weed, in which he later finds out he is allergic to, hence the bad trips he had with it. His story about doing mushrooms is a good one as well.

Also his stories about meeting and hanging with the late great Cliff Burton. Scott has been through a lot of ups and downs in his music career between band line up changes, record label struggles, and tour stories. All these are told with a sense of humour and lots of heart.

Nice to see Anthrax getting back to where they once were with the line up of the Among The Living days minus Spitz. The Big Four tour of a few years ago seemed to bring the band back together and get them back on the right step.

A great read and worth picking up if you are a fan of Anthrax.

In concert news...Anthrax will be playing in Edmonton on Saturday May 2nd at Rexall Place opening for Volbeat.

Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life In Rock - Book Review

Just finished reading the book Sex,Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life In Rock by Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. I was never a fan of the band Ratt when I was a teen during there hey days of the 80's, but figured this would be an interesting read as I love reading about the glam scene of Hollywood's Sunset Strip back in the day.

And as the title suggests, it's all about sex, drugs and rock n' roll. These guys did alright with the sex and rugs that's for sure. Some good stories here about hanging with the guys from Van Halen, Motley Crue, WASP among others. I even learned that Jake E Lee who played with Ozzy for a while had a stint in Ratt before they got big, didn't know that. Also that Stephen had broke both his legs in a skateboard accident when he was hit by a car as a teen. That is when he really started to get into music.

What blows me away about these glam bands of this scene is how they went from playing the Strip to touring the world in first class buses. It wasn't like nowadays where bands tour the country in vans logging many miles playing shit holes waiting for there big break. Seems like back then if you were big in LA, you got signed to a major label and away you went. Lot different these days.

I found the book to be a quick read and entertaining.

Thanks Cuz for lending me this book. I enjoyed it.

Iron Man - Tony Iommi Book Review

I recently finished reading the 2011 Tony Iommi auto-biography Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath. This was a great read, I thought I knew a lot about Black Sabbath, I guess I did, but what I did find interesting was reading about the later years of Sabbath. Everyone has read lots about Black Sabbath and the Ozzy years, but not really much about the years with Ronnie James Dio and all the other singers that have been in and out of Sabbath during 1986 and 1995. I enjoyed reading about the 1983 Black Sabbath album "Born Again" that was done with Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan.

Tony Iommi tells some interesting stories of drugs, groupies, band managers, losing the tips of his fingers while working a factory job as a teen, growing up with little to no money. It is a quick read and told with honesty and a sense of humour. Highly recommended. There is a revised edition out now that tells about his battle with lymphoma (cancer).

In concert news...Black Sabbath will be playing in Edmonton on Tuesday April 22nd at Rexall Place.

KISS Nothin' To Lose (The Making Of KISS 1972-75) Book Review

I just recently finished reading the book Nothin' To Lose, The Making Of KISS 1972-1975 wrote by Ken Sharp and co-authored by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

If you are a fan of KISS, this is a must read. As the title of the book says, it is about KISS between the years of 1972- 1975, before KISS became the brand and were still a band trying to make it.

I found the book to be very interesting, with all kinds of interviews from not only the band members but also from bands that played with KISS back in the day, bands like Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, Bob Seger, Aerosmith, New York Dolls plus managers and road crew. And not all these people always had kind things to say about KISS. Nice to see that they didn't edit those things out. It is an honest read.

KISS weren't an over night success as you will read in this book. It took a lot of touring and recording and help from Neil Bogart of Casablanca Records and their manager Bill Aucoin.

My favorite part of this book is the story of KISS going on their first tour outside of new York. Which was a trip to Canada, playing in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. Me being from Edmonton, it was super cool to read about it.

I would have to say this is my favorite KISS book I have read. And I have read my share. Most of the stories in this book are things I have never read about before, and lots of never before seen pictures in this book as well. This is a book well worth picking up.

Sammy Hagar Book Review

I just finished reading the Sammy Hagar autobiography My Uncensored Life In Rock. While I have never really been a big fan of Hagar or his time in Van Halen, I have to say this was an entertaining and fun read. When he says uncensored he wasn't lying.

He tells stories about his upbringing talking about his drunk father, and some sad stories there indeed, his time with Montrose, his early days of his solo career. And where it really gets interesting is his stories about brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen, he really does give you the dirt on these guys. He also don't have much good to say about David Lee Roth. From their drunkenness, there rudeness to him and many other stories.

Sammy also gives the dirt on himself as well, about cheating on his first wife and stories of being on the road. He has made money from his music career, but what really surprised me is how rich he really is, and not so much from the music, well maybe his days in Van Halen, but how he has made fist fulls of cash from smart business deals. Between the bars that he owns and the tequila he made famous, the man has made a lot of money. To the pint now where he doesn't rely on music to make money but does records with his new band Chickenfoot more for the pleasure of making music more so then money. All and all I thought this was a great read.

Steven Adler Book Review

I just recently finished reading the autobiography by original drummer Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses called "Appetite For Destruction, Sex & Drugs & Guns N' Roses". This book originally came out in 2010, but I found it in the cheap bin at a local bookstore, therefore I finally picked it up. I have now read books by Duff, Slash, Adler and a book about Axl. Try putting all the pieces together about what happened to this once great band is a puzzle in itself. I think from everything I have read, it boils down to Axl Rose being an ego maniac and having a head on his shoulders, and the rest of them having severe drug and alcohol problems. Still doesn't make it right. Cause my god, at one time they were bad ass rock n' roll for us that were growing up as teens in the mid/late eighties.

As I read this book I couldn't help but feel sorry for Steven Adler as he was one of the founding members of the band and had been a friend of Slash's from the teen years. Only to be pushed aside by not only the rest of the band but from his close friend Slash too. That's gotta be hard on anyone. Steven comes across as very low confident kind of guy as he himself even admits and got taken advantage of. I mean getting kicked out of the band GnR for drug use is kinda retarded considering all of them were fucked up for the most part except for Axl, although he wasn't all that clean himself either. Just very eccentric.

Adler also likes to go on about all the women he has been with, ok, we get it, you got lots of pussy. But once he got heavily into the hard drugs, that went to the wayside as all he was worried about was his next fix. It's quite sad that he got to live his dream of being a rock star, but it only happened for a few years before his life started to crumble.

Steven doesn't leave anything out in this tell all book, I found it to be quite interesting, and loved his thoughts on Axl Rose, both good and bad. He desperately would like to see the original Guns N' Roses get back together for a tour, as well all would. But don't see that ever happening. This is a book well worth reading.

Book Review (Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson)

I recently finished reading a book called Blind Owl Blues written by Rebecca Davis Winters. The book is about Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson the guitar and harmonica player of the 60's blues boogie band Canned Heat.

While I didn't know a whole lot about Alan Wilson, I found the book wasn't all that well written. Now, I'm not one to really say, as I am no writer myself, but the book just didn't have a lot of flow, and she repeated herself more then a few times. Just not a good story-teller.

What I did learn though is that Alan Wilson was one very mysterious kind of guy. He was a major blues enthusiast, knowing all the old blues guys stuff inside out and incorporating it into his own style with Canned Heat. Alan also sounded like a guy that always needed encouragement in personal hygiene, as everyone that is interviewed for the book mentions how he was always dirty and needed to be told to wash or change his clothes and such. He was a man of few friends and no luck with the ladies, unlike the rest of the band. Especially when the band started to take off with hits "Going Up The Country" and "On The Road Again", both songs wrote by Alan Wilson. Even with the success of Canned Heat, Alan still preferred to sleep at other peoples places and in the great outdoors amongst the trees and under the stars. He was also way ahead of his times in being a major environmentalist, wanting to save the trees and clean up the ocean and such.

His death in 1970 is still much of a mystery as to whether it was suicide or an overdose as he was found behind lead singer Bob Hite's place on the side of a hill in a sleeping blanket. From reading this book, Alan comes across as a very strange and mysterious character. It was an interesting read, just not very well wrote.

Levon Helm Book Review

I just finished reading the book "This Wheel's On Fire, Levon Helm and the Story of the Band" by Levon Helm with Stephen Davis, this book came out in 1993.

This was a great read about the Band, and how Kevon got his start by playing drums for the legendary Ronnie Hawk, playing mostly in Canada and Arkansa. While playing in the Hawks, Levon and Ronnie met the other four members that made up The Band in Canada, them being Garth Hudson,Robbie Robertson,Rick Danko and Richard Manuel. After some enticing, all these guys would end up with the Hawks only to finally disband and start up their own band, called The Band that got there start in Woodstock, NY. Eventually backing up Bob Dylan for a few years and tours.

Something I learned from the book was how little respect Levon ended up having for guitarist Robbie Robertson. Robbie schmoozed it up with their manager Albert Grossman eventually becoming the leader of the band and getting more royalties and song-writing credits then he deserved. Levon never forgave him for that. As well the last concert The Band played that was billed as The Last Waltz performed at the Fillmore was a show that Levon wanted no part of right from the begining. Levon had no intentin of disbanding, but eventually did do the show, much to his chagrin.

Of course the book also has the stories of the drugs and alcohol battles. Stories of musicians he had met and performed with. All and all an interesting read.

It was just over a year ago that Levon Helm passed away. RIP Levon Helm.

Rod Stewart Book Review

I just finished reading the Rod Stewart autobiography that came out last year. I've never been the biggest fan of Rod Stewart other then his old band The Faces, but was interested in reading about his life. Well, this book was a good quick read, good flow to the book, good writing, and one hell of a story.

After fifty years in the music business Rod tells his story of both on and off the stage. Stories about playing with Long John Baldry who actually gave him his first chance in the business, playing with Jeff Beck, playing with Ronnie Wood in the Faces, and of course his solo career. He also gets into all his affairs with all kinds of women, the guy had a hard time being faithful that's for sure. Gourgeous wives and still doing shit behind their backs. He also has some stories about drugs and booze of course. as in being scared of fuccking up his voice by doing too much cocaine, so him and Ron Wood came to the conclusion of breaking open pill capsules emptying the contents and putting cocaine in them, then shoving it up their asses, as to not hurt there throats, seriously. Rod goes onto say he was never addicted to drugs or spent his own money on them.

Rod also clears up a few myths that an old manager made up to keep him in the tabloids and bring him publicity. One of them is a rumour I remember hearing back when I was a teenager in junior high, about Rod Stewart needing his stomach pumped after blowing a bunch of sailors and having a stomach full of cum, all false so says Rod. Speaking of gay, he has a lot of friends that are gay, Elton John being one of his best friends, Rod says he has never had a gay sexual experience. And why would he with all the beautiful women he has been with.

Rod also goes on about his love for model railroading, and one of his favorite magazine covers ever that he is most proud of was being on the cover of Model Railroader. (I actually have a copy of that mag, thanks to my Dad who is also big into model trains). He also goes on lots about his love for soccer, which is no surprise, him being from England and all, and if you have ever seen Rod Stewart in concert, he is known for kicking soccer balls in to the audience during his shows.

I like that Rod also confesses that one of his biggest songs ever "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" is like having a pink toilet around his neck for the rest of his career. Rod didn't write a lot of his own songs, but he did write that one,lol. It has been a lot of years since Rod has released an album of rock n' roll songs having had a resurgence in his career with the Great American Songbook albums of late, but he says he has recently got his groove back for writing and is working on a new album of originals. That could be interesting, time will tell I guess.

Oh ya, Rod Stewart also had a battle with thyroid cancer in which he beat, but had to go through re-learning how to sing, that can't be easy on a guy who has only done one thing all his life. He also goes on about the HAIR, a whole chapter on that alone.

All and all I enjoyed the book and would recommend it, even to non Stewart fans.

Up And Down With The Rolling Stones - Book Review

I just finished reading the book "Up And Down with the Rolling Stones, My Rollercoaster Ride with Keith Richards" written by Tony Sanchez. The book originaly came out in 1979 I just learned, as the book I bought is the papaerback edition from 2010. When i was done reading this book, i didn't think much of it, thinking this is all rehashed stories that eberyone knows already. But it makes more sense to me now that I realize it came out many years ago. Duh, dumb ass here!!!

Tony Sanchez was a hang around of the Stones and more so with Keith Richards. Eventually he became a paid assistant to Keth Richards, being his gofer, scoring him drugs, driving him around and looking out for him. Tony tells stories from his days with the Rolling Stones between the years of the mid sixties to the mid seventies.

Tony goes into detail of the demise of original Stone Brian Jones and how he was bullied out of the Stones. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger pretty much wanted control of the band, and got it. He also goes into great detail of the love lives of Anita Pallenberg who first dated Brian Jones until Keith Richards ended up with her, which was the start of the demise of Brian Jones, and then Anita eventually ending up with Mick Jagger, while Mick was still with Marianne Faitfull.

The book contains lots of stories of the drug days of the Stones, as well as Tony scoring dope for the likes of John Lennon, Mick Jagger and of course Keith Richards. Along the way Tony himself ended up with a heroin habit along with Keith, Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithfull.

If your looking for another book about the Rolling Stones during the sixties and mid seventies this might interest you. All and all not a bad book.

Peter Criss Book Review

While in Calgary a few weeks ago I picked up the Peter Criss autobiography "Makeup To Breakup" that just recently came out. I had heard that Peter Criss was writing a book, but was suprised to see on the book shelf already. So of course I had to have it.

I have now read books from every member of KISS except Paul Stanley, so I am sure he will have a book coming out soon. Especially if Paul read this book. Peter Criss of course used to be the drummer in the band KISS.

The first few chapters of the book is about Peter's upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. After his stories of his childhood, is when things really get interesting. Peter doesn't hold anything back in this book. Peter slings the dirt on everyone from all the members in KISS and the managers that managed the band through out their career. He goes onto call Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley bullies, to questioning Paul's sexuality, even slamming Ace Frehley, which surprised me. Seems to me Peter has burned all his bridges. My thinking was that Ace and Peter were always tight. But after reading this, that surely isn't true now.

Not to give too much away, this is a book definitely woth reading if you were or are a fan of KISS. Peter doesn't hold anything back, from the glory days of sex, drugs and rock n' roll, to his days of being broke,suicidal, marriages and fighting breast cancer. At times you feel sorry for Peter Criss and then at times he comes across as a whiny little bitch. The only success Peter has ever had was when he has been in KISS all his other music projects have been huge failures. Well I don't ever see that happening again. He would have to be kissing some major ass if he ever expects to get an invite to play in KISS again. In which I am sure he would do. If your looking for a book that actually has some dirt on KISS this is the read for you. It was a quick and easy read and well worth picking up.

Neil Young Book Review

I recently finished reading the Neil Young autobiography Waging Heavy Peace that came out last month. This was a great book and a quick read.
Best part is that I actually learned a few things about Neil that I didn't already know.
The book is written by Neil, no ghost writer or anything. The book doesn't follow a timeline at all, it's actually all over the place, which to me, kept things interesting. Neil definitely has a love for cars, he talks a lot about cars he has owned or previously owned.As well as the electic car he has been working on for years now. I could do without all the car talk, but nonetheless, it's a love of his and who is to argue. he also mentions his other loves, like model railroading, music, making music and of course the love of his kids and his wife Peggy.
I learned that the Crosby,Stills,Nash & Young track "Sea Of Madness" on the original Woodstock soundtrack wasn't actually a recording from the Woodstock Festival, it was recorded a few months after the festival at the Fillmore East. And the 2010 Neil Young album "Le Noise" was named after the man who produced the album Daniel Lanois.
I also learned that Neil Young as probably scrapped more complete albums then a lot of artists have recorded. Neil once was sued by his own record label for putting out albums that didn't sound like Neil Young music. Still didn't stop him from doing whatever the hell he wanted. Would love to hear some of these albums. Which will surely become available through Neil Young's Archives box sets that he has been working on.
Neil also brings up the new digital to analog conversion technology he calls "Pono" he has been pushing. It is a technology that is supposed to make digital recording sound like they first did when they recorded in the studio. Unlike mp3's nowadays that takes away from the actual original recording. Sounds interesting and I am looking forward to hearing this new Pono thing, to see if I notice a difference.
All and all a book well worth picking up.

Freddie Mercury Book Review

I recently finished reading the book Freddie Mercury The Definitive Biography written by rock journalist Lesley-Ann Jones. The book came out in 2011. Not knowing much about Freddie Mercury but hvaing always enjoyed the music of Queen,whom he was the lead singer for, I figured this would be an interesting read. And, I was right.

The author did a lot of research and interviewed pretty much everyone that anything to do with Freddie and the band. Like all biographies the book follows him from his early years in India to moving to London and the highs and lows that Queen went through.

Sounds like Freddie mecury lived his life to the hilt, music wise, drugs and sexually. Freddie never did come out and say he was gay, although pretty much everyone figured he was anyways. Freddie's quote of "I'm not going to be a star,I'm going to be a legend" did come true, because when he was on, there were few vocalists that could match his range and enthusiastic energy.

The Queen comeback show in London for the Live Aid 1985 concert was a big turn around for the band as they were losing popularity in North America. But their performance at Live Aid may be one of the greatest live 25 minutes ever caught on film.



Sadly the music world lost Freddie Mercury to AIDS in 1991.

I found the book to be a very interesting read and would recommend it.

How I wish I could have had the chance to see Queen play live.

SNFU Book Review

I just finished reading the book "SNFU - What No One Else Wanted To Say" written by Chris Walter and published through his own Go Fuck Yerself Press. This is a book about a punk band called SNFU who got there start here in Edmonton back in the early 80's but is now based in Vancouver. I wasn't a fan of the band back in their hey days which was the 80's, as I was more a metal head then a punk rocker. Over the years I have grown to respect the band and the music they put out over the years.

The book is well written and follows the band through the past 30 years. What I found really interesting is all the stuff about lead singer Chi Pig (Ken Chinn), this man has been through a hell of a lot, between traveling the world, and North America many times over, he has also had to fight battles with alcohol and drug abuse, record labels, band members (there has been 22 different members play in SNFU) and also mental health issues. The book isn't just about Chi Pig though, as there is a lot about all the members,especially the Belke Brothers.

If you are interested in learning more about Chi Pig, there is a documentary out about him called "Open Your Mouth And Say...Mr.Chi Pig". It is a great documentary and well worth checking out.

Chris Walter the author of the SNFU book is a Vancouver punk rocker who has wrote at least twenty different books to do with the punk genre and lifestyle. This is the first book I have read by Chris Walter but I will be sure to read more of his books.

Chris Walter will be here in Edmonton at a bar called DV8 Tavern on Friday September 14th promoting the SNFU book "What No One Else Wanted To Say". There will also be three bands playing this night including Zero Cool, The Mange and Rebuild Repair.