The Grateful Dead are perhaps the most legendary American rock band of all time. For thirty years; beginning in the hippie scene of San Francisco in 1965; they were a musical institution; the original jam band that broke new ground in so many ways. From the music to their live concert sound systems and fan recordings; they were forward-thinking champions of artistic control and outlaw artists who marched to the beat of their own drums.In Deal; Bill Kreutzmann; one of their founding members and drummer for every one of their over 2;300 concerts has written an unflinching and wild account of playing in the greatest improvisational band of all time. Everything a rock music fan would expect is here; but what sets this apart is Bills incredible life of adventure that was at the heart of the Grateful Dead experience. This was a band that knew no limits and Bill lived life to the fullest; pushing the boundaries of drugs; drums and high times; through devastating tragedy and remarkable triumph.But at this books beating heart is the music--theirs and others. Some of the greatest musicians and concerts were a part of the Grateful Deads career; from sharing the stage with Janis Joplin; Bob Dylan; and The Who; to playing in the Acid Tests; The Monterey Pop Festival; Woodstock and Altamont. Bills life is a chronicle of American music and pop culture history and his epic personal journey is one of sonic discovery and thrilling experiences.
#508663 in eBooks 2015-03-10 2015-03-10File Name: B00OFI5KEO
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Entertaining Read; Should Be A MovieBy MicroCapClubIve always been drawn to businessmen that have come from rather humble beginnings to being the best of the best. How did they get there? What was the tipping point in their careers? The Last Sultan; his real name Ahmet Ertegun; grew up the son of a high-ranking Turkish diplomat; would end up changing the record business forever through his record label Atlantic Records.When he first moved to the US he used to sneak out and listen to black-roots music in the local clubs when no white record exec would dare do so. He ended up falling in love with this music and would later start a record label to bring it to the masses. Over the next five decades as different genres faded and others took shape; Ahmet was usually the visionary leading the charge. He signed some of the biggest music legends in history including: Big Joe Turner; Ray Charles; Bobby Darin; Sonny and Cher; Nash Young; Led Zeppelin; The Rolling Stones; Bette Midler; and Kid Rock.The most interesting theme of the book were the comments artists had about Ahmet Ertegun. Even early on in his career before he was a legend; artists had a deep respect for Ahmets innate ability to hear; modify; and help create #1 records. Because of Ahmets active social lifestyle; he found it very easy to connect with artists on multiple levels. Both the The Rolling Stones and Kid Rock were amazed that Ahmet could out drink and out socialize even them; not get any sleep; and be alert; well dressed; and well versed for a business meeting hours later. And Ahmet was always the best-dressed person in the room.Ahmet Erteguns life was one part music visionary; one part businessman; and two parts the show "Mad Men". And this is exactly why several major tv networks have tried to produce a series around Ahmets life. The book is also a rock and roll history lesson that takes you from the late 1940s through present day. I enjoyed the book and you will to; although I guarantee your life will seem very boring after you read about "The Last Sultan".1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Ahmet; I barely knew yeBy pavsiThis post-humous tale reads like it was cribbed from other publications well known industry stories. Having heard the stories myself; I was looking foward to finding out exactly why and how Ahmet was so legendarily cool. Alas; I still dont get it. Yes; he hung with royalty; made a ton of money on his artists was a notorious playboy . . . so? How different this book is from Greenfields excellent biography of Bill Graham; with its exclusive interviews of a hardworking man who gave everything he had to bring counterculture music to the masses. In that bio; you really got to know Graham as a man. In Ahmets case; Im afraid well never know.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Life of Ahemt ErtugenBy Ronald MeersandA great read about one of my favorite Record Label ExecutivesI even got to Work With Tom Dowd the Engineer from Atlantic. He was a really great man! I was very fortunate to work in the real recording industry in the Late 80s and 90s up until the music business fell apart from the computer age. These old guys did not understand the computer age and they died before it was what it has become today.If Ahmet was alive today he would have had a better set up then itunes you would have downloaded direct from the labels this computer company selling records is horses***!
