Anybody with even a passing interest in The Beatles must have this book. Set out in a diary format it gives details of all recording sessions by the group. Sometimes it gets fairly technical with details about recording equipment, overdubs, etc but it is still essential information. One criticism, if you can call it that - most Beatles songs have gained legendary status and it can be quite disconcerting at times to have them clinically dissected in this fashion. But that is a small criticism. The fact that the book is apparently out of print is deplorable. It would be good if it were issued free whenever anybody buys their first Beatles CD, it is that important. It isn't a book, it's a rite of passage.

I have been a dedicated Beatles fan for many years. The Beatles have been with me for years and have inspired many of my own works. Listening to the albums and watching the Beatles' movies has been a very important part in my life, and owning this book is the ultimate experience. I'm twenty-two and unlike my mother and father who were actually around to experience The Beatles, I have grown up only listening and watching everything about them. If you have ever wondered about the background of a certain song or the reasons behind certain lyrics, you need only turn this book. I bought this at a flea market when I was about twelve and I continue to pick it up and read or find about a certain song or recording day in the life of the amazing group that we call The Beatles. This book is a must have for the Beatles collector, and will be more valuable beyond its price.

Almost ten years ago I bought this book --hardcover-- in Mexico City, noy quite knowing its content. As a growing Beatles fan myself, I found it as a perfect guide to the group's development into studio techniques. If one wants to know how the Beatles turned the recording studio into an instrument in itself, one just has to read in detail: the 1962-1966 period (when the simplest, most straightforward music was composed) has only 60 pages, whereas the complex 1966-1970 period accumulates 120. One can know the origin of the backwards tapes, the tape edition (ie, at the end of "...Mr Kite!"), the outside musicians, the psdychedelic "sonic textures", the fundamental roles of producer George Martin and engineers Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick. One can even know the names of the orchestra performers. One can know the problematic "Get Back" sessions held in January 1969. This book opens a window to the landscape of the big experiments going on in Abbey Road studio two where the history of popular music changed. It's no surprise Paul McCartney calls this book "the bible".

As summer season is approaching in the northern hemisphere; many mountaineers are getting ready to climb again.
Whether you are just starting out with hillwalking or you sharpen your icetools weekly, this is the one book that rightly is known as 'the bible of mountaineering'.

You will never know too much about the versatility of mountaineering and I recommend this book for every climber, hiker or armchair mountaineer.
Over 500 pages filled with clear drawings of techniques and knowledge.

Everything from building a snowcave to using a 'Texan prusik' and rockclimbing technique is covered.
Mountaineering is not just one of these disciplines, it's always a mixture of everything and therefore it is good to have knowledge on all aspects before you head out into the wild, whether it's Denali or that big boulder in the park.

This is the only book around truly covering 'Mountaineering'; it's a classic and if all great mountaineers own a copy and still read it, why shouldn't you?

This is the book to have once you're ready to depart from the established trail.

I've been reading "Freedom" since its early editions; in addition to being an excellent and entertaining course in general mountaineering, it's also a fabulous ready-reference. I've lost track of how many times I've looked up a particular knot, rappel technique, belay menthod, etc.etc.etc. Excellent sections on rock, ice, snow, and just about everything else. I can't imagine any mountaineering library being without it.

You might want to pick up two copies; one is bound to be covered with dirt and water from use in the field!

If you love the outdoors and like to camp, climb, snow travel, etc... then this is a must have.

This book has served me well for over a decade now and the importance it stresses on SAFETY and good common sense when going out into nature is a much needed resource in todays world. Many people today have this romantic portrait of nature and forget that it is perhaps the most fickle of all 'lovers'.

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced outdoorsman this book has and will always have something of relevance to almost any situation one may encounter. From camping, bouldering, big-wall climbing, or winter mountaineering this book has it all. Including references to equipment, posture, simple to advanced first-aid and rescue techniques this single-volume resource has it all. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in the outdoors.

I really enjoyed this book. Jon really understands what the blues, and particularly what blues harp is all about and knows how to explain it to you in an exciting and interesting way. Much of the essence of the book seems to be that blues is about creating and resolving tension by knowing which draw notes to accent- (particularly in 2nd position.) I realize that he isn't the first to "define" blues in such a manner, but rather the first author to clearly show you how each note can be used to effectivly create and resolve tension so essential in this style of playing. I also liked the emphasis on good tone. Clear tone after all, can make the difference between mediocre playing and excellent playing. Finally, what I really enjoyed was the CD that comes with the package, which allows you to shut off the instruction and jam with the band (or shut off the band and listen to the instruction). Jon has a really exciting-somewhat offbeat teaching style that really makes it fun to learn from. This book is not big on theory-though he generally teaches you enough to get by. ( for more a great introduction to this very important subject I highly reccomend reading "Music Theory Made Simple", by David Harp. I would have liked to have seen some more information of position play..particularly third position. (..sorry...I just can't seem to get enough of those minor blues!)For those serious about learning blues harmonica this is no doubt the book to get. Highly, highly reccomended.

Jon Gindick is nothing short of genius. I've suffered through several books on blues harp without much success. Gindick had me blowing acceptable harp after 2 days. Gindick is an expert. That is not unusual. His ability to convey what he does and how he does it is rare. He shows you the technique was well as what will and what won't work. Gindick maps out the harmonica in such a way that you can play along with any 12 bar blues and not make a mistake. The easy to understand music theory was the key that unlocked the door for me.

Gindick guides you from the basics to the intricate in an easy and enjoyable pace. One of the first tunes he teaches is a bluesy rendition of "Amazing Grace" which sounds great from the moment you first practice it.

If your goal is to be able to play harmonica that sounds great in a very short period of time, Rock n' Blues Harmonica essential. I only regret that I didn't stumble across this book first.

After having played chromatic harmonica for years, I thought I'd try and play around with this "Micky Mouse diatonic harp". Got a Hohner Pro-harp and Jon's book, and discovered a whole new world out there. If you want to learn Blues Harmonica in theory and practice in a really fun, but no-nonsense way, this is the best I've seen. The book covers all the basics - a bit of music theory, diatonic harmonica theory, riffs, bends, hand effects - all you need to know. But best of all is the companion CD, which Jon talks and plays you through. You'll just want to listen to this for fun. But you WILL learn. Jon has a unique style of teaching that really works, and speaks volumes for his ability, knowledge, and desire to teach you. I want to ultimately get more of his follow-up books and CD's. He's a great teacher, and you'll love it.

I became a Beatles' fan on that 1st night of Ed Sullivan in February 1964. I was mesmerized by the music which became a driving force in my life-to this day. Naturally I had to pick up a guitar and try it for myself. Over the years I stared at pictures of the boys with their various pieces of equipment. As a musician and a fan I had to know every instrument they played. This book is a diehard Beatle fan's dream. In fact I wish that the book was longer. It tells the story of practically every instrument the boys played-what make/model, where it came from, what happened to it---you get the picture. Couple this book with Mark Lewisohn's Recording Sessions and you get an almost complete picture of the Beatles in the studio and on stage. As John said, "Ya shoulda been there!" Well, with this book, I am a little closer. Thank you, Andy.
(P.S. I am writing this in the shadow of my Epiphone Casino, my Beatle bass, and my Fender Twin Reverb Amplifier.)

I love guitars. And that's putting it mildly. I worship guitars. I eat, sleep, and breath guitars... if that makes sense. And, in fact, my dream guitar would be the 1964 black Rickenbacker 325 which John Lennon bought and was his favorite guitar for nearly three years.

So, when I found this book, I absolutely had to have it. I spent weeks reading it (it's very large, long, and in-depth), but I loved every minute of it. The instruments are so amazing, from the famours Hofner bass, to the little known electric sitars presented to John and George way back when. This book even turned me on to recording equipment and amplifiers, which I had previously considered the lesser parts of making music. I was wrong. They are just as fascinating and important as guitars and drums.

Of course, in order to enjoy this book, you really need to like what you're reading about. I wouldn't reccomend this for people who want to learn about the Beatles themselves. This book is about Beatle equipment and how they used it, not about the Beatles personal lives, although one could hardly mistake the subject of this book from the title and cover.

A wonderful, detailed book with beautiful glossy photos and more information than you could wish for on everything from guitar volume knobs to bass drum pedals. A must for every rock music fanatic.

There have been Beatles books written by nearly everyone who ever came within a mile of the group. And many have been written by people who never even came that close!

However, Beatles Gear fills a void that previous books rarely touched on: the instruments the Beatles used. While this subject may only appeal to instrument enthusiasts and the most fervent Beatles fan, it does add something valuable to the history of the group. One feels Andy Babiuk really did his research and made an attempt to fully cover every instrument the band owned or played.

This book makes a nice suppliment to the "bible" that is Lewisohn's "Recording Sessions." The pictures are (mostly) beautifully rendered and many have not been seen before.

While this book is not for everyone, it makes the distinction of being a rare Beatles book that adds to wealth of knowledge already out there.

Definitely if you're a Rolling Stones fan, it is essential to read this book. As someone who has read quite a few supposed "biographies" of the Stones, I can tell you that I have not yet found one as genuine, funny, heart-warming and well-written as the story James Phelge relates of those early struggles at Edith Grove.

If you're not a Stones fan, read this book anyway. Because not too far into this book you soon forget that this is about the early years of men who are now known as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World". This book is simply about four guys sharing a flat in London in the 60's, and the fun and hardships involved in their lives at that time. This is the story of a struggling band, of young men, of lives money poor, but rich in friendship. It is the story of men who follow their hearts. You will laugh out loud, and perhaps even find a tear in your eye.

I only wish I could give this book an extra star.

I read this book last year, when it was called Phelge's Stones (the front cover was a little bit more otrageous, but I liked it) and I had most fun and informations from it than from all the books about the Rolling Stones that I read. Here you can find all the little things that made the Stones so great. It's a real book written by a real person, who lived with them in that dirty flat in Edith Grove, 102 ... and when you read it, you can smell it. I felt like being there with those guys ... what a story! Thank you Phelge for all the fun and other things you shared with the world.

If you're looking for saucy gossip about groupies and drugs, this is not the book for you. If you want to learn about five teenagers from London who had a dream, buy this book. James Phelge, forever known as "Roommate of the Stones," offers priceless insights and hilarious shenanigans of a struggling, unknown band named after a Muddy Waters blues song. After the Stones start touring America, the story seems to drag a bit by focusing on some of the "Swinging London" scene, but it is merely a set-up for the shocking ending -- Phelge walks away from it all and chooses to live a normal life! The crazy man of Edith Grove turns out to be the sanest of them all. A must read for EVERY Stones fan.

Yes, this is an odd book. Some of the entries were very funny, some very odd, and some were really quite disturbing. However, despite being put off by some of the stories, I did thoroughly enjoy the way Lennon wrote. The play on words were especially humurous if very hard to interpret at times.

This book may not be for those who enjoy traditional comedy, but it's certainly worth a read if you're looking for something new. The complete randomness and, well, weirdness of Lennon's style (and, perhaps, mind) are very intriguing, whether you find it funny or not.

The introduction by Yoko Ono is also worth a look at (it's a little suprising, but oddly thought-provoking).

One of the best books I read in a while. John lennon puts all his wit/humor that is his whole aura of his famous personality. I also enjoyed his little pictures though out the book. So even if your not a fan of his music you'll be a fan of his writing and maybe get to appreciate a little more by venturing in his mind a bit.

I love The Beatles and I love nonsense so this was a perfect match. When you feel you've been thinking too much for one day this is the book to read it is just pure fun. The little short stories just make you giggle even if you're one of those people who never laughs when reading. This book also makes John Lennon seem more human since he has become this legend you get to see this silly but still genius side to him. Just a warning don't try making sense of this book it will just give you a headache just read it for kicks. To quote dear Mr.Lennon "this correction of short writty is the most wonderfoul larf I've ever ready."

It's not a little ironic that Lester Bangs died in 1982, the year of the final (real) Clash album. Did passion in rock die the same year as passion in rock criticism?

The great thing about Bangs - much like the Clash - is that it's blatantly apparent in everything he does that he cares deeply and fundamentally about the power of music. He's not just doing this for the paycheck; he's doing it because even though he knows it's totally irrational, it really does matter to him. So you've got politics, humanity, compassion, wit, and some damn fine writing masquerading as "mere" rock n' roll reviews. There are loads of revelatory, eye-opening passages in here: the brilliant dissection of why the Stooges were an important rock band, the hilarious review of Lou Reed's unlistenable Metal Machine Music, the touching reflection on racism in punk, and of course, the 40 pages about the magic of touring England with the Clash. Only about half of the article is really about the Clash, but it doesn't matter. The other half is a sad and telling commentary on the very society bands like the Clash were supposedly raging against. Fantastic stuff, a real page-turner. You'll nearly be convinced that Count Five were a better band than Led Zeppelin.

Everyone who writes music reviews for a living should be required to read this. It's a shame he's not still with us, it would have been fascinating to hear his thoughts on rock in the 90's. Has this decade been another hideous rock drought akin to the one he condemns in the early and mid-70's?

This book is the chronicle of a great writer who never wrote a great book. Instead, Lester Bangs spent his unfortunately short life writing about rock music for magazines like Rolling Stone and Creem. He wasn't your average record reviewer, nor even your rarer thoughtful, analytical critic. He was a genius; he invented a new style of criticism, or at least brought it to its highest, most inimitable form. Casual, even sloppy; ragged, full of weird slang and weird mood swings, some obviously drug-inspired rambling, and some of the sharpest commentary any music critic has ever written. This book collects some of his work - a very small part of it - into something that may, perhaps, give us an idea of what kind of writer Bangs was, and why he mattered so much. He was one of the first rock critics to really delve into noise-rock, the art of not playing your instrument well. Bangs followed the underground (velvet) movement all through the Seventies, listening to old garage bands, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, the Ramones, free jazz, the New York Dolls, and everything else noisy and free and wonderful, while everyone else was snoozing to James Taylor and wondering when the next Beatles would come along. In 1977 the Sex Pistols tore apart the rock scene and Bangs was vindicated; but they left it in ruins and heading, inexorably, for the emptiness of New Wave and the decade-long winter of the Eighties. Lester Bangs, dead in 1982, is alive and well in this book, which opens with the title essay and his 'Stranded' review of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, two of the greatest pieces ever written about rock. It goes on through such memorable landmarks as "James Taylor Marked For Death" and that infamous, endless 'interview' with Lou Reed - actually, a whole section on Reed, including cryptically rambling notes and the hilarious 'The Greatest Album Ever Made', Bangs' review of Reed's Metal Machine Music - a double album of feedback noise - before getting to the really unforgettable, emotional stuff: a long, brilliant piece on the Clash, "Where Were You When Elvis Died?" and "Thinking The Unthinkable About John Lennon" for the two most famous deaths in rock history; "The White Noise Supremacists", a stunning attack on racism in rock; and finally the Unpublishable stuff: Lester has this bizarre fantasy about becoming the dead Elvis and rotting away in his Vegas hotel room, and then there's a fine short story based on Rod Stewart's "Maggie May." All in all, it's essential reading for anyone at all interested in rock as something beyond elevator music, something that reaches out and grabs you. Once it catches you, Lester Bangs knew all too well, it never lets go.

that this tome gets five stars from everyone. Lester Bangs turned rock writing into a respectable craft. Critic, philosopher and party animal Bangs praises his heroes to the skies-The Velvet Underground, Iggy and The Stooges, The Troggs(!)- in gargantuan essays with the glee of Kerouac, and vilifies the artists who he feels are wrecking rock and roll with incisive precision, slaughtering sacred cows like Elvis, Elton John, James Taylor and John Lennon. Bangs clamors for the reckless spirit of rock to save humanity, who is sinking in a muck of pretentious hucksters and egotistical carnies masquerading as rockers. Lovingly compiled by Greil Marcus, we get to see some of Lester's more personal essays where he reveals much about his own troubled psyche and his attitude towrds what he did. The guy got banned from Rolling Stone for "disrespect to musicians"-how cool is that, to expose a so-called rock/revolution magazine for the establishment pig it truly is? All fans of noise and fire and unpredictablity in music need to read this onomatopoeia of the sound of rock and roll.

I liked this book alot. It had good information and the pictures were great. The only thing was that some of the pictures were backwards. David's tattoo was on the wrong side in one pic and a picture of the whole band playing live is backwards too, Head and Munky are on the wrong sides and are playing with the wrong hands. There are two other pics of Head playing with the wrong hand. One pic has Jon playing the bagpipes backwards too, his HIV tattoo is supposed to be on his left arm, not the clown tearing up his skin. Other than that tiny mistake, i think the book was good and I recomend it to other Korn fans.

i was so excited when ifound this book. it is very cool. almost everything you need or want to know in one book. the pictures kicked butt. i am a BIG KoRn fan and you had pics I have never seen...thats doing good. Well written ...the author sure can pick good subjects =)

Though a small book only written from the information for magazine aritces and KoRn's home video "Who Then Now?", A very good book telling the story of KoRn their small Bakersfield roots to the Release of "Follow The Leader". If I wrote a book about KoRn, this would be the way i would write it. =->

This exhaustively researched book gives a full picture of the band during their peak. The word tragic shows up in descriptions of Badfinger quite a bit, but it doesn't detract from the wonderful musical legacy of the band.

Nevertheless, the inside look at the manipulators and sharks in the music business is a very good cautionary tale for modern musicians.

Matovina does a terrific job of drawing a full picture of Pete Ham the most talented singer/songwriter in the band. Ham is a complex figure who, when under emotional distress, habitually puts out cigarettes on his hands. Ham commuicates his emotions through his songs, and is a good friends to everybody but, unfortunately, no one is able to get close to Ham and help him with the enormous burden of trying to keep Badfinger together.

A highly recommended book.

The story of a rock band with the means and talent to gain superstardom. What happens when shady management and internal squabbling destroy perhaps one of the most talented groups of all time? This book covers it all in captivating detail, from the innocent beginnings to the sad and tragic end. This book is a must read for anybody thinking of a career in the music businsess or anyone interested in the inner workings of a Rock and Roll band.

These talented musicians show what can happen by placing their faith in others rather than learning the business end of the music business. Badfinger released four hugely successful singles (Come and Get It, No Matter What, Day After Day and Baby Blue). Songwriters Pete Ham and Tom Evans' Without You was a number one hit for Harry Nilsson and a huge hit for Mariah Carey. Despite this, bad management decisions and non-existent promotion from their record companies brought the group little income and eventually led to the suicides of Ham and Evans.

The group's music lives as a testament to Badfinger's talent, and this book brings forth the dark pitfalls of the recording industry. Very possibly the best biography ever written on a musical act and an informative look at the hazards of the industry.

Ken Phillips

Author Dan Matovina cuts no corners in WITHOUT YOU: THE TRAGIC STORY OF BADFINGER, which details the rise and fall of Badfinger, the pop band whose career spanned from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. You may find yourself staying up late as you turn every compelling page.

And your heart will break as you learn about the trust Badfinger musicians Pete Ham, Mike Gibbins, Tom Evans and Joey Molland put in several con artists who stole almost all the band's earnings. After Ham's resulting 1975 suicide, at times surviving band members end up working against each other for what's left of the money and glory. Instead of standing together, they let the show business parasites continue to divide and conquer.

Even the 1983 suicide of Tom Evans does not inspire enough people to do the right thing. WITHOUT YOU ends on the sad note of certain individuals standing on a bizarre technicality to take songwriting credit for the Pete Ham/Tom Evans standard, "Without You."

At least nothing will change the superb quality of Badfinger's music. Was there any other band where every member composed and sang on every album? Not even the Beatles can say that. In recent years Badfinger's records have been reissued. Get them while you can.

In the way the Securities and Exchange Commission protects investors from swindlers, there ought to be a "Badfinger Commission" to protect young artists from sleazy management. For now, read WITHOUT YOU: THE TRAGIC STORY OF BADFINGER.

Well Like I Never Read The Book Before? I Never Even Saw It In Person?... The Reason Why I Gave The Book 5 Stars Without Even Reading It, Is Because The Spice Girls Are Great! And Anything Thats Offical Merchandice Of Theres IS GREAT! They Have Great Work Ahead Of Them And When You Ever Get The Book Back In Stock Please! Someone Anyone Mail Me!

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING AND IS FULL OF VALUABLE INTERESTING INFORMATION THAT ANYTRUE SPICE FAN WILL WANNA KNOW!! IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT YOU WANT IT IT'S GREAT BOOK YOU WONT WANNA MISS

It was a great wonderful book and they should print more because it would be a big seller! I love the Spice Girls especially Emma!