ONE GIANT STAR...Great book, good man, and an excellent musician.
580889
I chose one star because I did not have the option to rate it higher than the five available, and this deserved a Giant gold star, Also, folks generally tend to read the one star reviews first. I've been a fan for years, and after the first read my basic notions were disabused. I read an interview in Esquire a few years earlier, and saw that  KR was a regular sort of dude, talented, but he wasn't some pretentious prig. The media makes him out as less than the sum of all he's-along with the rest of the band-generated for this world over the years, and that Mr. Richard's was less than one of the greats. Keith Richards plays down the fact that he's done more for rock music than the whole lot of artists who've followed the trail he invented. For example, that whole five string sound-striking stuff. His use of an acoustic guitar on cuts that for decades I thought were electric. How he
synchronized the music...I don't want to give too much away. Bottom line is, that for the work, devotion,dedication, and all the people he's helped along the way I think he' been shortchanged ...Read this book, and be mindful that the author's one hell of a decent guy, a loyal friend, and someone up there is lookin' out for him.
3420692
As a musicologist nut, I was pre-sold. The 1st half of the book is compelling, I think, because it is personal and an incredible development of Clive's journey. Being who I am, I enjoyed this book, cover to cover, although I Missed the personal development so interesting in 1st 1/2. Only criticism is it may, or not be accurate, I grew weary of what sounded like self-congratulatory hit-making. And, I love what he as accomplished in music and would recommend this to anyone with similar interests.
1052615
I wish Nick had lived to see the following he has today. I think he was one of the greatest musicians of all time, and I think the book pays tribute to the man he was. This book captures what Nick was, and I think it  is one of the best biographies ever written. I heard Nicks' music a long  time ago, and I learned a lot about him, but there was so much more I  wanted to know, and this book tells everything. I read the book in one  sitting and when I was done I couldn't stop thinking about him. I have  always loved Nick, but after reading the book, I see that there is much  more to him than I ever thought. I wish there were more books on Nick. I  think most people would love his music, and love reading about him. I gave  the book five stars. It is a classic.
315476
Growing up in the 60's, I had a vague awareness of Sinatra.  In fact, I mostly disliked his anthems (e.g., My Way, New York New York, etc).  A few years ago I saw a clip of him doing Luck Be a Lady on a CBS special back in the day.  I was hooked.  The man had a voice and a stage presence that I had never seen.  From there on I started to get into his music.  I watched the live shows on You-Tube, bought several of his albums, etc.  With a big band behind him, no one, I mean no one, could match him.  Without a doubt he was the Chairman!

I read this book to learn more about the man whose performing was so incredible.  As we learn in the book, he was a wreck of a human being for the most part.  How can so many great artists be such terrible human beings?

I really liked the narratives in this book about how his music came to be.  In that respect, Nelson Riddle is the true hero of this book.  The man could put together music like few others!  I find myself listening to the band now to enjoy all the wonderful subtleties that Nelson gave us in Sinatra's music.

The one thing that kept me moving forward in this book was wondering what outrageous behavior would Frank exhibit next.  The Chairman never disappointed in that regard.  Man, nothing humbled this man.  He was an arrogant jerk right to the end.

Sorry, love your voice and stage presence, but I can't stand the person that you were.
1145450
I just finished the book today...I almost wish it were twice as long, I enjoyed about 90% of the book.  This is my review and also a response to other criticisms.

1) name dropping - when you're a man of his stature and worked with countless people, of course your'e going to see more than a few names mentioned.  It's part of the music industry.  He pats himself on the back and criticizes himself.

2) He's basically kind to everyone in the book - there are some criticisms of a number of people in the book, they come across as constructive.  It's not a sleazy or gossipy tell all book.

3) Parts of it are a bit "dry" but that's part of his biography.  He's talking about the music business.  As someone who teaches business (would love to have my students read this book!) there are many lessons in it.

4) He seems to be honest and objective about his personal life regarding his divorces and his upbringing.  The man is self made.  I find it amazing how someone raised in lower middle class Brooklyn became a lawyer and then ran several music businesses.  Some readers think he's an egomaniac.  I'm sure he has a good sized ego (he's entitled as he's had a lot of success).  (Maybe those people that gave the book one star are jealous?)  The man is over 80 and still very sharp.

5) He's a contemporary person, realizing what the trends are and how to harness them.  He's well attuned to what's going on today with the American Idol generation as well as an understanding of the business of music - from the artistry to the production to the marketing.  It is a business.

I highly recommend the book for anyone who wants to know about the music industry over the past 50 years.  I found it very entertaining, informative.  I enjoy detail, others may wish to skim over it.
2949298
This is the Roy Orbison biography that puts previous ones to shame (especially the most recent [2013] one, which contained a number of shameful and defective moments).  It is splendidly written and edited (no irrelevancies, and only a few minor errors that I could see), and the sheer volume and high quality of color and black-and-white photographs are breathtaking.  Also note the book's generous 10.25 by 10.25 inch dimensions, as well as the inclusion of an eight-page discography.

Roy's Boys (his three surviving sons) and co-author Jeff Slate did an exhaustive amount of research, lest anyone think the sons might have settled for some sort of lax or simplistic hagiography of their father.  Besides a ton of insight into the character of this remarkable human being and brilliant one-of-a-kind talent, all the relevant information one could ever want concerning his life and career is here.  The most terrible tragedies imaginable may have befallen him, some record business dealings may have gone awry due to a lack of mindfulness and sophistication (he was too trusting) in such matters, but there was nothing in the way of scandal that ever touched him.  (The error-ridden 2013 putative biography attempted to manufacture one involving his marriage to his mid-teenage first wife, Claudette, which the author disingenuously - and utterly falsely - sought to conflate with the Jerry Lee Lewis marriage scandal.)

Ultimately, this is a story of triumph and tragedy told truthfully.

[My favorite new insight:  Although he sang so dramatically and definitively of loneliness and heartbreak, Roy had a vivid sense of humor and could re-enact from memory entire Monty Python sketches - and he enjoyed parodies of himself, which is one of many testaments to his  humility.]
2929487
I have always been a fan of KISS and especially Peter Criss. His music and KISS's is the best. The book did shock me a little bit, with the details of his out-of-control life, but i loved the book as he was honest about everything the good,bad and the ugly side of stardom. Especially about his deep love for his lovely wife and extended family. He has turned his life around and i can't wait to buy some more of his albums. Thank You Amazon.
2676720
I had the pleasure of seeing Andy in a bass workshop when he came to Hobart in May 2014 and so I heard a couple of the stories Andy tells in his book at that clinic. In the flesh, he is exactly as the revered musicians who write in his foreword describe him; funny, passionate, a great bass player and committed to his music.

Indeed, the foreword is written by a veritable whos who of the bass playing world. Also, Andy endorses Warwick basses and as such references to the products are littered through the book - but having said that, this book isn't a sales pitch - I think it represents the appreciation Andy has for his bass gear. Ill be honest, I don't know a single bass player who doesnt love his (or her) gear.

In his book Andy talks about the ups and downs of his life experiences that empowered him to grow and develop into who he is today. He discusses key life events including his first bass (if I remember from the clinic I went to - the same as me - a Hondo Precision Bass copy!). He also talks about his life growing up in a rural area and his love of the great outdoors.

Like me, Andy is an Iron Maiden fan. Unlike me, he loves jazz. Andy gives an excellent insight on meeting his bass playing heroes and how those meetings influenced his life; how gracious and generous these mega-stars were with their time to a young impressionable bass player. The most important message in Andys book (thats missing from many musician biography bios) is the importance of the bass players rhythm and groove; to support the song you're playing.

I think Passion and Action is a great book for musicians, bass players and anyone who likes a good, honest account of a working musicians life.

Pete Diggins
27 July 2014
1129446
The book is excellent. Great writing and research. A sad read, but it flows. Well worth buying if you like biography and show business nonfiction.

Sammy Davis was a terrific entertainer for sure. Apparently he didn't have any energy leftover for solid relationships. His wives and kids got a raw deal.

Altovise certainly doesn't come across as likeable, but I feel sorry for her. Like another reviewer mentioned, a real life Norma Desmond. Spooky.

Sonny Murray sure did a yeoman's job untangling the mess. I hope his life is calmer now, and he's getting paid for his work! $800,000 in unpaid labor must've hurt a heck of a lot.

It would be interesting to get an update on the estate situation. I know Altovise died and  Manny inherited her share of things. I haven't seen any upsurge of activity to revive Sammy's legacy. I wonder if it's permanently stalled.
1674702
I love a good read about musicians and entertainers. When reading this book, you find one thing sets Johnny Winter apart from most other musicians  - his almost desperate need to self-implode. You can't help but get the feeling that he does not mean to make life hard for himself, but somehow he did. The constant refrain is that he is the entertainer that "could have been". Well, as far as I am concerned, the greatest talents are sometimes the ones that are ignored. And unfortunately, through a LOT of bad choices, Johnny Winter became the bridesmaid but never the bride. As a musician, I believe he stands head and shoulders above many of his contemporaries. But his story will leave you understanding why many people ask: "Johnny who...?"
1538916
What a good book!  He has a very deep history and I love the fact that he was not at all trying to brag about being rough when he was young (help him with a"ganster rap" image) or by how big he has become.  He is a very REAL human- down to earth.  You feel it in his music, but really get to learn through this book.  Just a great guy!
4620513
finished last week, and it's a fabulous book, where the stars are not really the stars!  it's about the business men behind the great music stars, the money that runs among them and it's an excellent reading, the author keeps a humorous view through the events! I'm from brazil, please forgive any mispellings or wrong words!
338540
I enjoyed this book, as it really is a history of the big band period in American music, and Harry James role as one of top musicians of this period. I am a little surprised that some reviewers found the book too negative. Actually the author is very emphatic about Harry's incredible talent, and points out the almost overwhelming consensus among musicians of that period of Harry's trumpet playing skills.

James' life from his childhood in the circus through his breakthrough with the Goodman band, and later success as a bandleader, are all detailed, with litanies of concert events and recording dates. Despite the decline of the big bands in the late 1940s and 1950s, James continued working almost non-stop ( until his death in 1983), and had a financially very successful period in Las Vegas in the early 1960s. There are extensive quotes throughout the book from bandmembers, and countless other contemporaries from all stages of Harry's career that corroborate the main themes of the book.

The author is also quite blunt about Harry's problems with alcohol, gambling, and womanizing. I had read of James womanizing in other books, but in this book several contemporaries were quoted in detailing the extent of the "skirt-chasing" and it really bordered on obsessive behavior, probably as bad as his gambling. We tend to think of these tales of addiction as modern problems, and forget that personality flaws of this sort have been around forever. Certainly, this side of James is not attractive, but it does not detract from  the theme of Harry's stature as one of the leading men of music in this era.

Of course, no book about James could be written without talking about his first wife, Luise Tobin and even more prominently his second wife, Betty Grable.  There are innumerable references to both, but particularly to Miss Grable. Miss Tobin was interviewed by the author for this book, and Miss Grable died in 1973, but a few of her survivng close friends were interviewed. Apparently, the author was able to even talk to Betty and Harry's two daughter's who have generally declined interviews in regards to their famous parents.

While both marriages ended badly, and Mr James acted like a real louse in both cases, I find the Grable union the most "tragic" part of Harry's personal life. What is most surprising is that after 22 years of a pretty chaotic marriage, Miss Grable continued to be a friend and a supporter after the divorce. It is not pleasant to read some of these details, but it certainly gives us a full picture of James' personal life, and insight into the lifestyle of the entertainment figures of that time.

I found some of the endless accounts of concert dates and recording details a little tedious, but otherwise the book is a well-researched and well-written biography. It gives a great look into the big band era, the musicians, their lifestyles and the entertainment business of that period in general.  I highly recommend at 4 1/2 stars.
1269948
Great book about a great person. Much more complex than people thought at the time.

A really good person.
878860
Good writer, GREAT man (with his quirks, like the rest of us), good book. Recommended.
3352766
Good book.  Nice guy.  Funny guy.  A regular guy becomes a star.  I'm not sure what I would call the overall theme of this book, other than it is clear that Tim Conway lives for the moment and lives for the laugh.  If you are not familiar with Tim's TV and movie roles, I don't think this book will quite convey what's so funny.  I've seen just enough of him to know that he can be funny without even saying a word.  A friend of mine and I only saw like 2 episodes of The Tim Conway Show (early 80's version - cancelled after . .  2 episodes) and thought it was the funniest thing ever.

But it's not always easy to convey what's so funny - I think especially going from motion picture to biography format (even a light bio like this).  Not saying I didn't enjoy the book.  I did.  I also appreciate the "old school" comedian ethic of pretty much being nice to everybody and not wanting to hurt anybody, both on stage and in print.  But for his next book, I think Tim should get with a comedy writer.  Or better yet give him another show . . . we could all use some more laughs.
706333
No matter if you hate the man, love him or whatever....Truth is Michael was Michael from the time he was here and time he left this earth. A shame its been 5 years since the late great King of Pop left too soon so tragically as we all know. This brother in music was a brilliant man, a genius, a good father, a dear brother and friend to us all.

There been a number of things that been said about how this man was (good or bad, plus the downfall and everything) especially things within the family, his kids, his workers, support team and everything. We already know the real deal what went down and why? That's I'm very openminded to what's out there and those that love him, need to hear the truth.

When I was hearing an audiobook version of it, i was a little glimpse what the narrator saying from the book. There's no garbage nor B.S. i can consider as you carefully read it for yourself, I guaranteed you never feel hurt or dissappointed. As you read the book and carefully do your research, you will feel some things that might hurt, shock and scare you a bit . This book is no modern classic, this book speaks about the open dark side that destroyed Michael's career in the end. Since Michael no longer with us on earth, he forever lives thru his music, his videos, his movie, his appearances and stuff. Big prop to Mr. Sullivan for writing a very biography that is straight up.

Do me a favor, before you read this book, pickup a Michael Jackson album, watch a certain performance or piece of his he done. It'll greatly help. The first book from Randall I read was LABrynth