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Summary: J C Thompson
Review: As a history teacher, I found this book to be an amazing and very readable history of the music scene in Cleveland, and it answered for me the question as to why the Rock Hall is located in that city. At first I was wary of the book due to some of the reviews on this site, but then I saw that it is published by Kent State University Press. Having known a number of people who have dealt with this publisher, I know how particular they are in confirming facts and information. Glad I didn't pay attention to the "naysayers" as this really is an interesting book.
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Summary: What a fun, entertaining book!!!
Review: Deanna Adams has done her homework! This book is a wonderful chronicle of rock-n-roll in Cleveland over the past 5 decades. Having grown up in Cleveland and being in my late 40's, this book holds so many familiar places, names, sights, songs, faces. Reading this book is like taking a ride through my past. I love this book. Way to go Deanna, you've done a beautiful job. Thank you!
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Summary: It's Worth Every Penny
Review: Deanna Adams should be commended for "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection." It's apparent she spent a herculean amount of time researching and writing this book. I think we all need to remember that even eyewitnesses to accidents have different accounts of what occurred, so how could those of us who witnessed Cleveland's rock scene in these four-plus decades (and many of you were probably smoking funny cigarettes too) remember everything the same. Sure, there are some mistakes, but on the whole, this is a well-researched amazing documentation of the music we grew up with.
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Summary: Excellent book
Review: For anyone involved in the Cleveland music scene, or just a fan of some of the greatest talent ever to (generally) stay in Cleveland, this book is a must-have. Nice work from Deanna Adams.
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Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Had a great time reading this book. Having grown up in Cleveland I listened to a lot of these bands. Getting to hear their stories was great. Sent a copy of the book to a friend in Long Island that has played in bands there for about 30 years. He hasn't been able to put the book down.
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Summary: Cleveland Rocks!
Review: Here's a book for anyone who wondered why the Rock Hall was built in Cleveland. It chronicles the history of rock--the musicians, the clubs, the deejays, and the music media--in the Rock capital of the world. Ms. Adams'enthusiasm about her subject is obvious as is her attention to detail. Her writing style makes this massive tome a pleasure to read.
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Summary: Very Accurate Account!
Review: I couldn't get enough of the info in this book!I was in many bands from the 60's and knew of many of the venues and musicians mentioned. Cleveland is not longer(unfortunately) like that,as is radio or TV anywhere.This book not only captures a great moment in rock and roll's birth,but also a glimpse of a time that Cleveland musicians should embrace!
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Summary: Pretty good, some glaring omissions though
Review: I grew up in Cleveland and played in bands from my high school years until I relocated to another state (1968-1993). There are some errors and fabrications in this book directly due to the fact that the author was at the mercy of those that she interviewed. Considering some musician's inflated egos and/or dead brain cells, I suppose that we can excuse the author for these anomalies.What I don't understand is how the author left out some people/bands that were a vital part of the Cleveland rock 'n' roll scene. For example, how was it that the Baloney Heads (Wally Gunn/Stan Bloch) were not included in the Punk Rock/New Wave chapter? And no mention of Don Kriss?!?! I think the author could have done better research. Did she really grow up in Cleveland or in the general vicinity? Someone that lived in Cleveland during those years certainly had to be aware of the 2 examples that I mentioned. Complaints aside, I did enjoy reading the book and did learn a few things that I didn't know.
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Summary: Soon to be a best-seller in Cleveland!
Review: I grew up in Cleveland, and now reside in Michigan. When I was home for Thanksgiving, my brother showed me his copy of "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection", which I then spent a few hours with.
My first reaction? I quote the amazon.com editorial review of this book: "At 612 pages, the book will lag for readers with no interest in radio."
Somebody nailed that one. I agree; There's too much baloney about one local radio station, which I won't even mention because I personally am tired of hearing about it and don't want to contribute to its notoriety.
Suffice to say that there's a lot that's missing from "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection" mainly because the main thrust of the text evolves around Cleveland radio, and the constant stream of almost endless self-promotion surrounding a few personalities involved in the politics of the Cleveland music scene of the seventies and eighties. This book serves as yet another example of all that.
On a more positive note, the book is fairly well-written and has some nice pictures. While it's probably not a book that anyone will read from cover to cover, "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection" at over 600 pages does cover a lot of territory.
"Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection" will probably appeal to a more conservative mainstream audience who remember the seventies and eighties music scene in Cleveland and wish to wax nostalgic. I'm sure that this book will be very popular in the Cleveland area.
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Summary: Awesome Book!
Review: Just got this book for my birthday and read it in a couple of days (not easy considering it's length). But being a former Clevelander, I was able to relive many great moments in music history-the bands, the deejays, the clubs. What indepth research this author did. All the quotes & the behind- the- scenes stories of all the important musicians & people that made Cleveland such a fun town(honest!) makes it a must have for anyone interested in rock 'n' roll. It's now on my coffee table & friends who have never been to Cleveland pick it up & suddenly we're talking about all the concerts & times we lived through, proving you don't have to be from Ohio to really enjoy this book. And great photo's! Highly recommended. N from Florida
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