Rating: Summary: Fascinating true life story direct from the band, must read. Review: I liked Aerosmith before they were sober, and Dream On is still my favourite song, but when they freed up the whole of their brains to create their music, it took them literally into a league of their own.Like they say in the book, it's unbelieveable that they are still walking and talking lucidly; never mind coming up with some of the most inventive, subtle lyrics and most hooking tunes ever heard. Each time I hear a new album I think it's better than the last one, they simply never let the quality drop off. Anyway, the book. While biographies and even autobiographies are typically full of third hand commentary by a ghost writer, this book is 99% spoken dialogue from the band members and the people close to them - including sacked managers, ex wives and various weapon wielding ex crew members, all of whom I'm amazed are still on speaking terms with the band. Maybe that's a measure of their charisma (or maybe they pay well - I suspect the former). Totally candid! ! , sometimes hilarious, and often really scary (some of the drug stuff will put you off even weak beer) all of the comment is heartfelt and sometimes brutally honest. Their ability to eventually take control of their lives and their creative abilities is amazing in itself, but for it to unmask the unmitigated genius shown on every album from Permanent Vacation to 9 Lives, and outstrip the really talented, million selling albums previous to Vacation, beggars belief. This book tells the whole story, in amazing detail considering the states of their heads for most of the time pre 1986, and gave a 31 year old rocker who's running out of hair and can't fit into tour T-shirts anymore a reminder of what good music is all about and a fascinating insight into a favourite band. A real must for Aero fans and all rock music devotees.
Rating: Summary: All the nitty gritty you want! Review: This is by far the most enjoyable book I have ever read.It gives a complete detailed look at the lives of the greatest rock performers of our time. This book is a must for anyone, and not just music fans.Their story educates people on the dangers of drug use, and life itself.
Rating: Summary: Immensly enjoyable even if one is not an Aerosmith fan. Review: I had pretty much given up on rock bios after reading David Lee Roth's "Crazy From the Heat". My wife said it was a great book and that I would like it. She was right. I read it in three nights and I'm a pretty slow reader! From the start we get an entertaining and revealing insight of the boys, especially Steven. They truly are the Bad Boys from Boston ( their adopted home town). It's amazing to learn of the shady management that ran their lives up until just recently. Of course, the drug and sexual addictions that are all to common of occurences with bands of this stature will leave you whipped and hung-over from reading about it. And just when you think Steven couldn't suprise us any more, he does. It's simple incredible that he and Joe are still walking the earth. The book could have revealed more about Tom, Brad and Joey but I'm sure their stories would have paled in comparison to the Toxic Twins. Thankfully, Stephen Davis barely touches on the Rick Dufay and Jimmy Crespo years (NO ONE could replace Joe). One also believes Leber and Krebs (Aerosmith's first managers) are the antichrist by the end of this book. Criteria for a great (auto)biography: Even if this book had been about a fictional band it would have been extremely entertaining. Davis has also authored "Hammer of the Gods" the well-known Zeppelin bio, so you can imagine he knows how to write about the biggest names in rock. I can promise the reader this: you will not look at or listen to these guys the same way! One Steven Tyler quote sums up the lives of this group: "We believed that anything worth doing was worth overdoing." Bro, you sure did!
Rating: Summary: Repetitive and Desultory Review: Aerosmith's autobiography Walk This Way describes the band's rollercoaster ride through decadence, drugs, rock and roll, fast cars, and fast women. Reading the book, however, gives one a bumpy, desultory ride. The reader gains interesting insight about the band members, but many tangents interrupt the narrative flow in the book. For instance, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry speak out about their life experiences and this follows with details from managers, crew, and friends. Repetitive at times. The information about drug addiction gets old after awhile. Although this will please Aerosmith fans, newcomers might get lost in the sand.
Rating: Summary: All you need to know about Aerosmith Review: If you are a fan of AEROSMITH, one of the biggest Rock and Roll bands of all time, you're going to love this book. EVERYTHING you wanted to know about the band is here. Enjoy it!
Rating: Summary: Rock's Best Rags to Riches to Rags to Riches Story. Review: A great, great read. Alternately insightful, fascinating, depressing, and inspiring. Arguably the all time greatest rock band talks honestly about their sky-high successes and near fatal excesses. After completing this book, the only conclusion you can possibly draw is the good Lord must be a huge Aerosmith fan. There is absolutely no reason S. Tyler, J. Perry, and the LI3 didn't follow in the steps of Hendrix, Bonham, and all the other great talents who let addictions prematurely end their careers. To the benefit of everyone who loves this band (including yours truly), they cleaned themselves up and clawed their way back. This book tells that story with tremendous humour and honest detail. If you are a member of the Blue Army, this is an absolute must read. I recommend Ian Hunter's 'Diary of a Rock Star' if you like the Aerosmith book. However, I also wish you the best of luck trying to find it.
Rating: Summary: This Book Rocks!
Review: When I got hooked on Aerosmith, I got this book. I read it in less than two days; I couldn't put it down! If you like music, this is a must for your collection.
Rating: Summary: More than the music doin' the talkin' Review: This book is a must for any Aerosmith fan. Its a true account of the rise, fall, and rise from the boys from Boston. The story of this band is as amazing as their music. It is also a great story for anyone who has battled any type of addiction and survived.
Rating: Summary: This fuckin rocks!!!! Review: this book is the best book I've ever read and it was so interesting the way they told their story of their 'rockdom' I defenatly would read it again and again. This book is a must- read for the "BLUE ARMY" die hard aerosmith fans
Rating: Summary: IT'S "AMAZING" Review: This is a wonderful book for anyone who loves Aerosmith or anyone who loves rock and roll. We've met Steven, Joe, Joey, Tom, and Brad, and they are really great guys. They've done a great job telling the TRUE story of the rock and roll lifestyle. There are NO secrets here. You should definitely buy this book.
|