Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards by Al Kooper
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Book Reviews of Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards
Book Review: A must read if you love Rock 'n Roll!
Summary: 5 Stars
The reviewer that tagged Al Kooper as the rock 'n roll version of Forrest Gump hit the nail on the head. It's the exact thought I had as I finished the book. He had an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time. Al Kooper was there whenever something monumental was happening in rock music - whether it was Bob Dylan, Monterey Pop, the Rolling Stones, the Tubes, Lynyrd Skynryd and so on. His discography is STUNNING! He has played on records by and/or produced a tremendous number of musicians - and not "nobodys", people like Dylan, the Rolling Stones, BB King, Skynyrd, Rick Nelson, Gene Pitney, Judy Collins, The Who, Taj Mahal, George Harrison, Tom Petty etc... I can't think of ANYONE who has this kind of discography! This book is entertaining, informative and well-written. It has to be in the all time top 5 of books written about Rock 'n Roll. It's also inspirational. Al Kooper makes no bones about not being the most talented player on the block - he had to "fake it till he could make it."
This book was fetching upwards of $300 when it was out of print, so I was thrilled to see it revised and back in print. It's all here - inter and intra band conflicts, stories of the road - both the "glamour" (not much) and the boredom (plenty), drugs, women, the music industry, club owners etc... It's clear to me that Al Kooper must have a strong personality - he has some good musical vision (e.g. the horn band Blood Sweat and Tears was his concept). He also clearly rubs a lot of people the wrong way, and had numerous falling outs with bandmates, women and business people. This probably cost him a lot - both in reputation and money/success. I would love to see a book detailing other people's opinions of Al - I have read articles/interviews in Goldmine Magazine and Al was definitely controversial. In his autobiography Al comes across as honest and a good guy, but it's clear to me that he, like many rock 'n rollers was very self-absorbed and probably couldn't see himself objectively in many situations. Either way - get this book, it's a must read!
Book Review: Not bad, Al, not bad at all!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first discovered Al Kooper in 1966 at a local record store in rural northern Maine. I think it was the Jaquar (or was it a Jazzmaster) Steve Katz was holding on the album cover which drew me to it. Whatever...but, it was the crazy schizo guitar of Danny Kalb and keyboards of Al Kooper which really impacted on me. Later, I recognized this guy "Al Kooper's" name on Dylan albums, his face on the debut album of the first Jazz rock band (with horns, no less)and then his work with guitar virtuoso Mike Bloomfield. Decades later I actually met Mr. Kooper briefly (not that he would remember me)at the Redding Roadhouse in Connecticut and was releived that he was a gracious nice guy, more tolerant than most with fans. Enough about my experiences.
Al Kooper is a musician's musician. His experience spans the history of good popular music from the late '50s to the present. It is intriging to figuratively be a "fly on the wall" as Al relates his experiences with the Blues Project, Dylan, BS&T, Bloomfield, Skynrd, Jimmy Vivino, the Beatles, Stones...shall I go on? His wit, objectivity about himself and down to earth perspective on events which (although many of us see in mythic proportions - Dylan's Highway '61, for instance)he actually lived, make this book a uniqely honest portrayal of the period. If you are a guitar player who grew up during the mid-late '60s in America, you probably were either a Bloomfield or Kalb fan. Well, Al played with both of them. If you are a Hammond B3 player who grew up during the same period, well, you must be aware of Al's work. For you other people who may not know about Mr. Kooper's contributions,you you are in for a surprise, a big one!! Mr. Kooper, as a working musician, provides inside details of events only someone with his experience could. This book is highly recommended for anyone who has even a passing interest in rock, blues, culture or just likes a good read. "Dr." Kooper is one of the good guys and really delivers with this one!!
Book Review: A Truly Enjoyable Ride
Summary: 5 Stars
Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards: Memoirs of a Rock 'N' Roll Survivor
Anyone who grew up with sixties Rock 'n Roll should find this funny yet
incisive retrospective highly entertaining.
Al Kooper, a man with 50 years in the music business as back-up, and a
Magna Cum Laude graduate of the School of Hard Knocks, manages to relate
his memoirs in an easygoing, good-natured and often hilarious manner. And,
despite the title and events behind it, he hardly has a bad word to say about anyone (which would seem somewhat incredible). As a bonus, he's a pretty good writer.
Here is a man who, for a half century, has been ubiquitous in the Rock business, mostly in the background but never from the sidelines, yet is largely
unknown outside of the music industry fraternity. And while it appears that credit for his enormous contribution to the medium has been difficult
to come by, he has to a large extent gained the RESPECT he so rightly deserves. Perhaps this is because he comes across as a real
person and not some untouchable Rock legend. You'll like him.
I had a great time reading this book and recommend it highly.
Book Review: Black Coffee & White Chocolate: A Winning Combination
Summary: 5 Stars
As a 50 year-old musician who was born and raised in Greenwich Village (Al's old stomping ground at one point in his life), I've read alot of biographies and autobiographies by musicians over the years, and I can honestly say that Al Kooper's book is without a doubt the best I have ever read. Period.
Al's writing style is remarkably conversational in tone, like you're kicking back with an old friend who is regaling you with stories and anecdotes from an extrordinary career in the music biz.
To his credit, Al doesn't just give you the the stuff that makes him look good, he gives you the bad and the ugly too. You get the whole enchilada: the sex, the drugs, AND the Rock n' Roll.
In sum, you get a fascinating glimpse into the life of a sucessful musician, composer, arranger, and producer who had the uncanny good fortune of being in the right place at the right time, and made the most of each opportunity. I cannot recommend this book too highly -- buy it, read it, digg it.
Book Review: Rock Entrepeneur
Summary: 5 Stars
I first became aware of Al Kooper in college in '68 and wore out a copy of 'Super Session' honing my blues bass chops while listening to Harvey Brooks. After 1968's 'Live Adventures" LP, I kind of lost track of him so when I saw this book, I was hooked.
What a remarkable life! Starting out in New York, co-writing "This Diamond Ring", playing with Dylan, playing in the Blues Project, starting Blood, Sweat & Tears, switching to producing, discovering Lynard Skynard, it goes on and on. This guy had to be one of the best connected guys in pop music.
It's a fascinating story about one of my old heros from the '60's so if you like 60's and 70's popular music, read this. Great insights!