- Paperback: 269 pages
- Publisher: Greystone Books,Canada (30 Sep 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1553652002
- ISBN-13: 978-1553652007
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.1 x 1.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 829,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
It Ain't Easy
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Product Description
Product Description
Long John Baldry is considered the father of the '60s British blues movement. Drawing on intimate anecdotes from Baldry's legendary friends, lovers, and peers, author Paul Myers uncovers the man behind the mythic persona. An entire generation of British rock legends flourished under Baldry's tutelage, and "It Ain't Easy" features exclusive personal recollections from artists such as Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Sir Paul McCartney, John Mayall, and Mick Fleetwood, as well as interviews with renowned music industry insiders like songwriter/producer Tony Macaulay, Yardbirds manager Giorgio Gomelsky, ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, filmmaker Cameron Crowe, and others. Extensively researched, "It Ain't Easy" traces Baldry's extraordinary life from his birth during the London Blitz, to his discovery of black American music, to the sexual revolution, to the musical and social upheaval of the 1960s and '70s, and to his eventual happy retreat to the tranquility of Canada's Pacific Coast.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ouch! Within the first 13 pages I had found so many errors that I was getting a bit uptight! Examples: page 5. "she set off for North Hamptonshire". It was then that I realized that the author was American. Please, it's Northamptonshire! I won't dwell on the fact that Mrs. Baldry, when the bombing got too close, would flee, with family, to her sister's place in Somerset (page 6). Kingsbury to Somerset? Over 150 miles! "Quick, there's an Air Raid, get packed and start walking". Moved to Liverpool in '45 but this wasn't safe. Although the Luftwaffe were finished there were those damn V1s and V2s (page 7). Not in Liverpool there weren't! Their range didn't extend to the North West of England. All of Britain rejoiced when the war ended on September 2nd. 1945 (page 8). Britain actually rejoiced on VE Day, 8th. May 1945. The War may have carried on and Japan finally signed the surrender on 2nd. September but, to the majority of Britons, Victory was in May. "While attending Harrow School (page 12) - which, as he liked to point out - Sir Winston Churchill had also attended". Harrow is a Public School which Sir Winston attended. John may have attended a School in Harrow but it wasn't THE Harrow School. O.K. I may be getting a bit picky but I, a Brit, knew without checking that these were not "facts". A bit more research from the author would have helped. John (who, by the way, I was a great fan of) was obviously a bit economical with the truth. Later on (page 48) John is telling Nick Orchard (apparently a Vancouver based Film Maker) that Howling Wolf (Smokestack Lightning) had got in the top 5 and Sonny Boy Williamson (Help Me) reached number 1. I had, for another reason, been checking the hit records in Britain, of Blues stars, the previous night (sad but true). I knew that Howling Wolf had made the top 50 (in fact he made #42 in 1964) and that Sonny Boy had NEVER had a hit, let alone a #1! Long John may say these things but PLEASE CHECK.
Having said all that the book is not all bad! I am enjoying it (as a fan of Long John) and, once it gets into the more documented history of music, it's OK.
One more thing. On page 48 "Singer Big Jim Sullivan" appeared on R & B at the Marquee. Now, I'm not an expert but I do know that Big Jim Sullivan was a TOP session guitarist, could he also be a singer? According to Wikipedia Sullivan is credited with "vocal chorus" on this LP. I would have checked this before I wrote the book (but I'm a Brit and know, instinctively, that this is wrong).
If you're a Long John fan buy it otherwise .....
Having said all that the book is not all bad! I am enjoying it (as a fan of Long John) and, once it gets into the more documented history of music, it's OK.
One more thing. On page 48 "Singer Big Jim Sullivan" appeared on R & B at the Marquee. Now, I'm not an expert but I do know that Big Jim Sullivan was a TOP session guitarist, could he also be a singer? According to Wikipedia Sullivan is credited with "vocal chorus" on this LP. I would have checked this before I wrote the book (but I'm a Brit and know, instinctively, that this is wrong).
If you're a Long John fan buy it otherwise .....
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A book I've been waiting for!
12 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a fan of Long John Baldry's music since the 1970's and have always wanted to know more about him. The small amount of information available from CD inserts only made him more intriguing. Baldry had a posh accent but could growl the blues with the passion of Leadbelly, and seemed to be at the epicenter of the British Blues movement. He was not only one of the most versatile singers ever, but he gave Rod Stewart and Elton John their start, and they returned the favor by producing and performing on several Baldry albums.
The author, Paul Myers, obviously understands and has a great love for music and a deep knowledge of how it all connects. He captures Baldry's fascinating story in an engaging and compelling way with an economy of words--no sycophantic slobbering or speculation--and a very visual sense. I would love to see the documentary by Nick Orchard which is mentioned in the book (Myers wrote the documentary too, obviously a perfect choice!) because growing up in the states, I was never able to see Baldry's amazing tv performances other than via Youtube clips. I hope the documentary will be released at some point, but until then, this book more than fits the bill.
You don't even need to know Long John Baldry's music to enjoy this book, although after you read it you will be seeking out his songs. People are still discovering what a great artist he was!
The author, Paul Myers, obviously understands and has a great love for music and a deep knowledge of how it all connects. He captures Baldry's fascinating story in an engaging and compelling way with an economy of words--no sycophantic slobbering or speculation--and a very visual sense. I would love to see the documentary by Nick Orchard which is mentioned in the book (Myers wrote the documentary too, obviously a perfect choice!) because growing up in the states, I was never able to see Baldry's amazing tv performances other than via Youtube clips. I hope the documentary will be released at some point, but until then, this book more than fits the bill.
You don't even need to know Long John Baldry's music to enjoy this book, although after you read it you will be seeking out his songs. People are still discovering what a great artist he was!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Long John Baldry And the Development of British Blues
30 Aug 2011
Format:Paperback
This is not only a biography of Long John Baldry but a really good history of the development of British blues and the British music scene in the 1960s and early 1970s.
I found this book really interesting and entertaining.
I found this book really interesting and entertaining.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
An original R&B man...
26 April 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great read! After seeing John in the late '70s at the Bottom Line in NYC, this filled in the backstory of his life. A must read for rock historians...
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