Book Review: Straight Whisky

So I finally read Straight Whisky: A Living History of Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N Roll on the Sunset Strip by Erik Quisling and Austin Williams (Bonus Books, 2003). The book is about the history of the Whisky A Go-Go, The Rainbow Bar and Grill and the Roxy Theatre. Sadly, I was a little disappointed by the time I'd turned the last page on my hardcover edition.

Straight Whisky attempts to tell to the story of rock n' roll on the Sunset Strip over the past four decades. Some stories are interesting and others leave a lot to be desired. The book spends a ton of time on Johnny Rivers - explaining how he and the Whisky eventually became intertwined. That's fine - but no other artist gets nearly as much treatment in the book, save for maybe Led Zeppelin.

The stories about Led Zeppelin are probably my favorite part of the book. It's pretty cool hearing how the biggest rock band in the world traveled all the way from Europe just for a night of food and debauchery courtesy of the Whisky and the Rainbow.

There are factual errors and I don't really like the photos selected for the book either. There are many photos to be sure, but none of them are in color! I know color costs a little more when printing, but these are details that actually sell books.

The authors of Straight Whisky don't spend enough time on the 80s Glam scene. Of the decades of rock, 80s Metal is probably most synonymous with the Whisky A Go-Go, so the extra short chapter on this time period leaves me baffled. Sure, Poison is mentioned and Bret Michaels is quoted...but that's about it. There is one page on Motley Crue and about one sentence on Van Halen! Anyone who knows anything about 80s Metal knows that the Strip was the place to be seen - and be made. I would have loved a few more stories of bands getting discovered and signed in their natural habitat.

Maybe I'm too picky, but I have a lot of high hopes when it comes to books about sleazy rock n' roll.  This book didn't quench my thirst for rock history.

Another note: there is a giant historical inaccuracy surrounding Charles Manson and the Tate/LaBianca murders. I read Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi when I was in high school. I'm pretty sure Bugliosi - who prosecuted Manson and the rest of the Family - knows the facts surrounding the case. Straight Whisky describes an inaccurate timeline involving a confrontation between Mario Maglieri (Whisky owner) and Charles Manson. This is a large portion of the book - so I think a little fact checking is in order.

Despite the flaws, I appreciate the efforts of  Erik Quisling and Austin Williams. We need more books about rock n' roll on the Sunset Strip.

Someday I just might write a rock history myself.

Thank You!

A heartfelt thank you for making March 2008 the most successful month in Bring Back Glam! history. I don't check my traffic data every day - but when I logged on to look at my end of month data, I was stunned. I think we're making real progress here.  If we keep up this community building, someone - somewhere - will surely take notice. You've made it pretty clear what type of music you love - let's keep the momentum going!

Also, a personal thank-you to all of you who email with tips, ideas, stories and more. I love getting your messages. Friendship is a surprising benefit of this website. 

Tell your friends. All we need is a little buzz to Bring Back Glam!

Ticket Stress

Scoring concert tickets can be very serious business - especially considering the outrageous prices, fees and usually (illegal) seating system.

This morning, I will attempt to buy presale seats for George Michael's first North American tour in 17 years. I predict hysteria when I log on to Ticketmaster. Sadly, my dear George isn't coming anywhere near Ohio - and when he does make his one Midwestern stop to Chicago I'll be en-route to Rocklahoma. This means planning an entire trip around a concert with tickets already priced in the hundreds of dollars.

Glam fans I am stressed. I think it sucks that seeing George is going to cost me an arm and a leg. It's bad enough paying for a plane ticket these days. The concert itself will break me. Still, I don't want to miss the opportunity to see George Michael perform "Freedom" live. You see, George has always been on my list of artists to see before I (they) die. I figure every die hard music fan has such a list. Other artists on my list include SIXX:AM and Eric Clapton. I recently crossed Van Halen with David Lee Roth off my list - and I'll be seeing them for the second time next month right here in Ohio.

So back to George and this trip planning. The fan club onsale is in a few hours. I still don't know which city I am going to, nor do I have a flight or hotel selected after I get the tickets. I'm appalled at how much everything costs these days. I mean, a can of soup is nearly two dollars! Milk and gas are nearly four dollars a gallon respectively. It's all becoming too much. I've complained about high ticket prices before - but something has to give. Festivals like Rocklahoma and South Texas are cheap compared to single act "big draw" shows. If you think about it - I'm getting four days of entertainment at Rocklahoma for the same price as spending two hours with George Michael! 

I suppose I can preach all day long. Ticket prices won't drop and I'll still go to shows and buy merchandise because I support artists.

I apologize for the rant but I am plain exhausted and a little stressed on this Monday morning. Please, share with me your "must-see in concert" list.

Update on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 12:49PM by Allyson B. Crawford

Here's an update: I got my tickets! I'll be seeing George Michael from the 5th row in Philadelphia. I may need to sell a kidney to pay for this once in a lifetime experience...but whatever. You only live once.

Oh yes: the fan club presale sold out in just minutes. I count myself very lucky.  

Heavy MTL

Well, there's another rock festival taking shape - and it sounds like it's going to be plain awesome.

Heavy MTL is set for June 21 and 22 in Montreal, Canada. As the name would suggest, this is a festival celebrating heavier bands. Apparently, Iron Maiden is a headliner and other bands rumored on the bill are Overkill and Symphony X.

Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine (BW&BK) is sponsoring the event.

There isn't much information yet about this potential mega-event. You can click here to sign-up for more information. My assumption is ticket prices will be on par with Rocklahoma and South Texas Rock Fest - just remember Heavy MTL is only two days.

Rising Force?

Are you a fan of Yngwie Malmsteen? His guitar playing is unmatched - but I've always been on the fence about his music. Again, I appreciate his talent - but I've never really been drawn to any of his songs.

Actually, I find many of them quite boring.

It's possible I'll be seeing Malmsteen live - he and his band are rumored for the final day of Rocklahoma. Tim "Ripper" Owens is apparently signing for Malmsteen these days. I guess if this happens, I'll be excited. At least it would be a chance to see someone different - because I'm pretty sure I'd never deliberately buy a ticket to see Malmsteen live.

Is it me? Am I missing something? Remember: I am a huge fan of guitar heavy albums. I love just about everything from Van Halen to Avenged Sevenfold when it comes to complex riffs. With Malmsteen - I turn my nose.

Here are some videos featuring Malmsteen and his Rising Force. Maybe I'll learn to love it. Do you?

Here is "Heaven Tonight."

Here is "You Don't Remember."

I feel like I've just revealed a dirty secret: I don't really like Yngwie Malmsteen. Scandal!

Giant: Underrated Band

Do you remember the band Giant? Their most successful album is Last of the Runaways. I was listening to the single "I'm a Believer" last night while driving home.

Giant was a great band of true musicians. In fact, I wish they were still together today. When I say "true" musicians - I am not exaggerating. The quartet was not your average band of long-haired dreamers. No, these were seasoned session men. Most played with very famous bands. It's natural they wanted their share of the limelight.

Dann Huff sang and played guitar while Mike Brigadello played bass and David Huff played drums. Like any good AOR band, the group had a keyboard player. That person was Alan Pasqua. Giant landed a deal with A&M and then recorded Last of the Runaways in 1989.

I think the band got back together not so long ago - but that didn't last too long. Still, I think it would be cool to hear Dann Huff perform live. That man can sing!

Here is the video for "I'm a Believer."

Now, watch this clip of "Innocent Days."

Tell me: were you lucky enough to see Giant perform live? If so, where and when?

Rikki Rockett Rape Allegation?

Say it isn't so! One of my favorite drummers...busted on a strong arm rape charge out of Mississippi? According to my west coast mole Gerry Gittelson...the bust went down yesterday at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport).

The report is already on some other websites. Apparently my dear Rikki Rockett (Poison) was booked into Los Angeles County Jail - it seems he might already be out of the clink.

I hope he still has some of the Flesh & Blood money to hire a good attorney.  Remember - it's innocent until proven guilty in this country.  We'll see how these rape allegations pan out. Sigh.

Read the booking info here.