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Product Description
Product Description
Here is a hard rock memoir - essentially an authorised bio on the endearing British rock band Humble Pie - as told from the drum throne and backstage hallways during the emerging days of the seventies classic rock era. In 1969, Jerry Shirley was chosen to drum in a new band led by Steve Marriot and Peter Frampton. He had just turned 17. Along with bassist Greg Ridley, and manager Dee Anthony, the Pie started a 6-year journey that stormed the US and defined Arena Rock - bigger sound, bigger contracts, and bigger parties. Along the way Jerry meets with future legends that make for a star-studded bio and rare glimpse into the rock music industry. Written in his own voice and with a wicked musician sense of humor, Jerry details the vibrant scene that created the explosive sound of heavy rock. He explains how sessions were conducted by iconic engineers like Glyn Johns and Eddie Kramer, describes his session work with Syd Barrett and George Harrison and tells amusing tales like drum shopping with the Who's Keith Moon. What was it like to perform a sold-out show at Shea Stadium, play for 250,000 in Hyde Park, charter a private jet for tour, record the trend-setting live record at the Fillmore East (that spawned the FM radio staple I Don't need No Doctor), get hyped for the stage by Dee Anthony, and deal with the drugs and excesses of this inhibitive era of rock? This book definitely answers those question as well as What was it like to meet, play, record, tour, party, and fight with cult hero Steve Marriott. No other book can cover it like this.
About the Author
Author: Jerry Shirley (London) was Humble Pie's drummer throughout the group's entire career. From 1969 to 1975, the band had 3 gold records and played hundreds of tour dates. From 1986 to 1999 Shirley fronted a reformed Humble Pie in the US and also worked as a radio DJ in Cleveland, Ohio. Jerry stills plays out and currently performs with the Deborah Bonham Band.Editor: Jon Cohan (Boston) is a drummer, studio drum tech (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dropkick Murphys, Fall Out Boy), author (Zildjian: A History Of The Legendary Cymbal Makers, Star Sets, A Drummer's Almanac), magazine writer (DRUM!, Traps, Rhythm), drum consultant, and recovering drum maker. He writes a daily blog called All Things Loud.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I cried with laughter at several bits in this book! Funny, poignant, and a good record of the times. Jerry has also given the readers a remarkable insight into the character of Steve Marriott - probably the most accurate picture ever! All in all, a very honest account of those wild years that some of us were fortunate to live through and experience first-hand. Told in language we can all understand. One can only hope that he writes another book for the years 1976-to the present day.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Best Seat in the House By Jerry Shirley
Being a child of the sixties and seventies, Even if I wasn't a Humble Pie fan, this book takes you back to the bad ole days of Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll. There are so many memories in this book.
It is a very quick read with many humorous, sad and interesting tidbits.
Mr. Shirley writes with a honest approach to himself and his life, almost "HUMBLE".
Jerry and his team did an excellent job.
Good Luck.
Jill , FF, past , present and future.
Being a child of the sixties and seventies, Even if I wasn't a Humble Pie fan, this book takes you back to the bad ole days of Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll. There are so many memories in this book.
It is a very quick read with many humorous, sad and interesting tidbits.
Mr. Shirley writes with a honest approach to himself and his life, almost "HUMBLE".
Jerry and his team did an excellent job.
Good Luck.
Jill , FF, past , present and future.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Road Warrior's of the '70's
2 Nov 2011
Format:Paperback
A credible book by someone who's lived it. Jerry Shirley tells it like it is during the boom times of the '70's British invasion of the 1970's--from his unique perspective, Shirley tells a story of becoming a Rock legend at the young age of 16. Jerry tells of his joining a band with Peter Frampton and the often mercurial Steve Marriott--from playing to 250,000 people in Hyde Park to a sold out Shea Stadium and Madison Square Garden. Humble Pie epitomized what has come to be known as Stadium Rock--touring constantly and signing one of the first multi-million dollar record deals. Humble Pie helped write the model for what became the standard party-central routine that defined an era--Humble Pie earned a fortune--they spent a fortune. To quote Jerry Shirley, "We ended up with some brilliant memories of the greatest times of our lives." This is the story of those times--a great read with a lot of insight from someone who experienced what some may call, "The Greatest Age of Rock 'n Roll."
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Great stories about Humble Pie & Steve Marriott
8 Dec 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wonderful stories of the great rock band Humble Pie and the late Steve Marriott! Humble Pie played the Spectrum in Philly a number of times but for me the best was at the Electric Factory in 1970 for their 1st Philly performance. Hats off to Jerry for his witty & candid memories of being on the road with the magical & best white British soul singer, Steve Marriott. Had the pleasure to meet the band backstage at the Spectrum in Philly-1973 via my good friend, Bob Kelly. Steve gave me a red guitar pick with Humble Pie - Steve printed in white... still have that in my collection. Thanks mate!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
l'Humble tarte
14 Feb 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Over all, Jerry Shirley's Best Seat in the House, is an exhaustive look at a band he played drums for in the early 1970's, Humble Pie, (or, translated into French: l'Humble tarte) In fact, it is addressed to musicians interested in this great English blues band, and it kinda feels like there is too much information for the rest of us. Shirley is a very generous man, and cannot leave anyone out of his antidotes. Or, so it would seem. He probably had to chop the manuscript in half as it was. Even the roadies are thanked for their long suffering, and stunning, jobs at putting a huge stadium band together for five years out of one truck. One truck. Their pictures appear in the book's intimate gallery of small portraits.
But let's meet the Band. Shirley , a 17 year old drummer who was hand picked from the kids on the scene, Peter Frampton: need we say more? Greg Ridley, whose experienced bass line fell right into place with Shirley's drumming. And later, "Clem" Clemson took over lead guitar and was found from listening to one record. Was there any other member's of the band of straight up pros, and great musicians? Well, oh, were being naughty here. We are forgetting someone important. Who is it?
It is l'Humble tatre himself: the 5"4', redhead with no freckles and "trouble making Chinese eyes", a broad Cockney accent, smoked more cigarettes than used swear words - or vice versa. He had a singing voice you could hear up and over the shattering guitars, a voice never, never to be duplicated. The Man looked like an ordinary guy walking down the street, but in those same street clothes he could find his way on stage with his guitar, lean into the microphone, and there you had it: all his star power would bust out, and, well, where was that glamour hidden off the stage? He didn't need makeup, fancy clothes, or tattoos, or jewelry to tell you was a rock star. He just had to play. It was Steve Marriott (1947 - 1991)
Steve, brilliant, singer, guitar player, blues harp player, front man, bossy boss. He was either the grooviest cat around, or in his other mood, trouble making, stern as an Austrian music master, stubborn, and all around juvi f- - -.
Steve drives the story because Jerry is a particular protege of his from the beginning. And as Steve's and the Pie's uber talent skyrocketed, Steve became mired in cocaine, alcohol, and all the vices that work in the moment to get the band going all through the night. To this end, the stars fell out of Jerry's eyes, and band AWOL on each other. The pieces were never picked up.
Well, Steve was difficult, yes. {But sometimes I feel Jerry is simply gaslighting Steve.} But that's our Steve, that's the way he was, and the way we loved him. RIP l'Humble tarte.
"It's too late,
there's no one left that I even wanna imitate
you see, you just don't know
I'm here to give you my heart
and you want some fashion show
but it ain't no contribution
to rely on an institution
to validate your chosen art
and to sanction your boredom
and let you play out your part"
- "It's Too Late" Jim Carroll Band
But let's meet the Band. Shirley , a 17 year old drummer who was hand picked from the kids on the scene, Peter Frampton: need we say more? Greg Ridley, whose experienced bass line fell right into place with Shirley's drumming. And later, "Clem" Clemson took over lead guitar and was found from listening to one record. Was there any other member's of the band of straight up pros, and great musicians? Well, oh, were being naughty here. We are forgetting someone important. Who is it?
It is l'Humble tatre himself: the 5"4', redhead with no freckles and "trouble making Chinese eyes", a broad Cockney accent, smoked more cigarettes than used swear words - or vice versa. He had a singing voice you could hear up and over the shattering guitars, a voice never, never to be duplicated. The Man looked like an ordinary guy walking down the street, but in those same street clothes he could find his way on stage with his guitar, lean into the microphone, and there you had it: all his star power would bust out, and, well, where was that glamour hidden off the stage? He didn't need makeup, fancy clothes, or tattoos, or jewelry to tell you was a rock star. He just had to play. It was Steve Marriott (1947 - 1991)
Steve, brilliant, singer, guitar player, blues harp player, front man, bossy boss. He was either the grooviest cat around, or in his other mood, trouble making, stern as an Austrian music master, stubborn, and all around juvi f- - -.
Steve drives the story because Jerry is a particular protege of his from the beginning. And as Steve's and the Pie's uber talent skyrocketed, Steve became mired in cocaine, alcohol, and all the vices that work in the moment to get the band going all through the night. To this end, the stars fell out of Jerry's eyes, and band AWOL on each other. The pieces were never picked up.
Well, Steve was difficult, yes. {But sometimes I feel Jerry is simply gaslighting Steve.} But that's our Steve, that's the way he was, and the way we loved him. RIP l'Humble tarte.
"It's too late,
there's no one left that I even wanna imitate
you see, you just don't know
I'm here to give you my heart
and you want some fashion show
but it ain't no contribution
to rely on an institution
to validate your chosen art
and to sanction your boredom
and let you play out your part"
- "It's Too Late" Jim Carroll Band
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