April 2000 Music Book Reviews


© Chad Bowar
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I'm happy to introduce a new regular feature: music book reviews. There are tons of great music books released every year, and not very many of them hit the top of the best seller lists. These reviews will give you a chance to discover some of these well written music books. Music book reviews will appear periodically. If you are an author, publisher or publicist and would like to send your music related books for review, email me at the following address for more info: cbowar@suite101.com

You can purchase the books reviewed in this article at most online bookstores, including http://www.amazon.com, http://www.borders.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Here are the first group of recommended music books:

Three Dog Nightmare - Chuck Negron
(Renaissance Books, 1999)


Chuck Negron was one of the lead singers in the hugely popular seventies band Three Dog Night. The group had 21 consecutive Billboard Top 40 hits from 1969-1975. But during the group's success and after, Negron had a huge drug problem.

Three Dog Nightmare is a compelling story of Negron's rise to success and subsequent crash. It is a miracle he is even alive today with all of his near death experiences. The book chronicles his suicide attempt, more than three dozen rehab failures, the breakup of two marriages, and over 100 drug related arrests during his 20 years of drug addiction.

This book appeals to both fans and non fans of Three Dog Night. I'm not much of a fan of the group, but I found myself riveted to Negron's story. He's led an amazing life of ups and downs, and they're all chronicled in the book. His 20 year struggle with drugs, and consequent redemption, make for a great read. The book reads like a novel, because it's hard to believe one person can go through so much and still survive. In addition to being an entertaining read, the book hopefully will serve as a warning to those involved in or thinking about getting involved in drugs.

Guardian of the Gods: An Inside Look at the Dangerous Business of Music - Mark Rodgers
(Monkey Boy Media, 1999)


This book is the story of Andre Augustine, a rock music security director. It's a real, behind the scenes look at what happens on tour. Augustine has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Aerosmith, Prince, Kiss, Public Enemy and NWA.

Guardian of the Gods is a really informative look at the music business. It's amazing what it takes to put together a tour, and what it takes to keep the musicians safe. Mark Rodgers does an excellent job of telling Augustine's story. There are lots of interesting anecdotes of what goes on behind the scenes on tour, but it's not written in a tabloid, exploitive way. You get to know what some of the biggest rock stars such as Steven Tyler, Jon Bon Jovi, Ice Cube, Chuck D and others are like off stage. The book also features some rare photos from Augustine's personal collection. This book is a must read for any music fan that wants to know what actually happens behind the scenes at a concert and on tour. For more information, visit http://www.guardianofthegods.com

 

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