What are you currently reading?

[JKL2000]

Anyone here read Bruce Dickinson’s memoir? If so, how was it? Thinking of trying the audiobook, which he narrates. SteveSly, you must have read this! I read Mick Walls’ book about Iron Maiden before I’d even listened to much of the band, and enjoyed it quite a bit.

[Koreabruce]

I read it a few years ago. It's well worth your time! He narrates it, too.

[SteveSly]

Anyone here read Bruce Dickinson’s memoir? If so, how was it? Thinking of trying the audiobook, which he narrates. SteveSly, you must have read this! I read Mick Walls’ book about Iron Maiden before I’d even listened to much of the band, and enjoyed it quite a bit.

Yes, I read it and loved it. Bruce is a true renaissance man. Amazing vocalist and front man of one of the biggest bands on the planet, world class fencer, airline pilot, songwriter and cancer survivor. Talk about a guy who lives a full life. I would highly recommend the book.

[JKL2000]

^ Does he describe the recording of specific Maiden and solo albums?

[Koreabruce]

^ Does he describe the recording of specific Maiden and solo albums?

He does indeed though he doesn't give blow-by-blow details and I cannot recall exactly which albums. It's a truly excellent book (and I strongly recommend the audiobook version). The guy has an incredible drive to do lots of different things: singing in hard rock/metal bands, fencing, flying small (and big) airplanes, etc. The whole story of his approaching a cancer diagnosis with a true fighting spirit and then actually beating that cancer is inspirational.

[SteveSly]

^ Does he describe the recording of specific Maiden and solo albums?

It has been a few years since I have read it, so don't remember specific details, but I recall that he does talk about recording at least some of them.

[JKL2000]

Thanks. Yeah Bruce, he’s a cool guy. I know from the Mick Wall book that he grew up in a somewhat tough background, too.

[SteveSly]

Eagles: Up Ahead In The Distance: The Meteoric Rise Of One Of America’s Most Important Rock Bands (The Eagles Trilogy Book 2): This book is the 2nd in a trilogy on The Eagles and covers the years from their debut album until their breakup after “The Long Run” tour in 1980. There is a previous book called “Before The Band” which I have not read and apparently there will be a third volume as well. Having read other books about The Eagles as well as Don Felder’s excellent memoir I was curious if this book would present anything new. The book is rich in detail and provides a wealth of information not only about The Eagles, but also collaborators and others in the So Cal rock scene in the 70’s like Jackson Browne, JD Southern, Linda Ronstadt and many others that were in and out of The Eagles Universe. Bands like Poco, who eventually provided two Eagles members and Joe Walsh’s previous projects are also covered. My only problem with this book is the way it was edited and written. Several stories are repeated more than once and information is regurgitated multiple times. I think the book could have been written and compartmentalized a bit better. That being said I did enjoy this book and am looking forward to the next volume.

4 out of 5 Stars

[JKL2000]

^Have you read any Joe Walsh biographies? Did he write one?

[mozo-pg]

I'm only a few pages from finishing the 700 page biography on Supertramp, Tramps' Footprints. It's kept my interest throughout. It's so extensively researched with quotes from all band members from start to finish. It covers everything from birth to adult life to of the members and their musical lives detailed account of the band inside and outside of Supertramp. I have more empathy for Roger who comes across as a very kind musician. In my opinion, he has caused himself so much grief with his painful reaction to Supertramp playing his songs. Gabriel didn't fuss and he wrote all of the Lamb. I don't know if the book finishes talking about Rick's health but I'm keen to know how he's now doing. The book has been a page turner, nothing is boring. I rate the book 9/10.

I've seen the band several times, including Breakfast with Roger during the five man line-up.

[SteveSly]

^Have you read any Joe Walsh biographies? Did he write one?

To my knowledge Joe has never written one, but I did read the book his long time girlfriend wrote during the heaviest of his drug using years. Walsh was a complete wild man.

[interbellum]

Just started reading and watching George Orwell's 1984 : The Graphic Novel, adapted & illustrated by Matyáš Namai. I read the original story about 40 years ago, while I read the female view (Julia) recently.

[mozo-pg]

Live Magnetic Air- The Unlikely Saga of the Superlative Max Webster. This is out of print. I grabbed the last copy from the author, Martin Popoff. This author writes at the speed of sound. He's written dozens and dozen of rock biographies. This one is relatively short - 260 pages. I grew up with Max and saw them several times - often backing up Rush. They are a heavy driving band with prog flourishes.

Here's a video clip on the band - https://www.progressiveears.org/foru...ht=max+webster

[JKL2000]

^ The Supertramp book would be interesting. Breakfast in America was one of THE albums when I was my younger son’s current age!

I’m six chapters into the Bruce Dickenson book and he’s talking about how you can clear a room with Pawn Hearts! Lol

[Lou]

Live Magnetic Air- The Unlikely Saga of the Superlative Max Webster. This is out of print. I grabbed the last copy from the author, Martin Popoff. This author writes at the speed of sound. He's written dozens and dozen of rock biographies. This one is relatively short - 260 pages. I grew up with Max and saw them several times - often backing up Rush. They are a heavy driving band with prog flourishes.

Here's a video clip on the band - https://www.progressiveears.org/foru...ht=max+webster

I'm so jealous! I would love to have a copy of this!

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

Now reading: Poul Anderson, Hrolf Kraki's Saga

[Lopez]

One of Grady Hendrix' "paperbacks from Hell," The Auctioneer by Joan Samson. The horror is so incremental, I almost gave up a couple times until I realized this is mighty good.

[interbellum]

Read the first pages of The Best Of Everything : An Introduction To The Life And Music Of Kevin Gilbert by Lorenzo Barbagli. This nice looking small book (146 pages) was published in 2016 Italian and last year in English.

[Trane]

I'm only a few pages from finishing the 700 page biography on Supertramp, Tramps' Footprints. It's kept my interest throughout. It's so extensively researched with quotes from all band members from start to finish. It covers everything from birth to adult life to of the members and their musical lives detailed account of the band inside and outside of Supertramp. I have more empathy for Roger who comes across as a very kind musician. In my opinion, he has caused himself so much grief with his painful reaction to Supertramp playing his songs. Gabriel didn't fuss and he wrote all of the Lamb. I don't know if the book finishes talking about Rick's health but I'm keen to know how he's now doing. The book has been a page turner, nothing is boring. I rate the book 9/10.

Having read the canadian journalist's book of the early 90's and last year's French author's book, I'm not sure I need to read this, no matter how thourough it might be.

As for RD's health, the last I heard was that he's playing reguarly in clubs around LA for the las three years with local buddies and playing old RnR sets.
He'll probably never reactivate Supertramp, because he's never going to recover enough to tour.

Live Magnetic Air- The Unlikely Saga of the Superlative Max Webster. This is out of print. I grabbed the last copy from the author, Martin Popoff. This author writes at the speed of sound. He's written dozens and dozen of rock biographies. This one is relatively short - 260 pages. I grew up with Max and saw them several times - often backing up Rush. They are a heavy driving band with prog flourishes.

If I'd known about Webster's Popoff book, I'd have gi-one for it, cos there probably won't ever be another one.

[Piskie]

Sun Forest Lake - the symphonies and tone poems of Sibelius by David Vernon.