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Review
A thoroughly enjoyable ride through the American musical wilderness. It brings out the inner geek in every rock 'n' roll dreamer. (Zane Lowe, BBC Radio 1 )
A book that shows how your obsessions can shape and change your life... Excellent. (James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers )
A road trip like no other, inspired by rock 'n' roll and hugely entertaining. (Huw Stephens, Radio 1 )
'I howled myself silly. But like me, readers of Live Fast, Die Young will find their aching sides soothed by the heart-warming rhythms of mutual and musical harmony pulsing from two human hearts at their best.' Diann Blakely, National Book Critics Circle, Nashville Scene, Swampland
Among those rare volumes which are not only a joy sui generis, but also - and better yet - a joy to be shared by reading aloud. Mere satire is cheap, the blood in these pages is more authentic than any Nashville approximation of Americana.' Stanley Booth, The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones
A book that shows how your obsessions can shape and change your life... Excellent. (James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers )
A road trip like no other, inspired by rock 'n' roll and hugely entertaining. (Huw Stephens, Radio 1 )
'I howled myself silly. But like me, readers of Live Fast, Die Young will find their aching sides soothed by the heart-warming rhythms of mutual and musical harmony pulsing from two human hearts at their best.' Diann Blakely, National Book Critics Circle, Nashville Scene, Swampland
Among those rare volumes which are not only a joy sui generis, but also - and better yet - a joy to be shared by reading aloud. Mere satire is cheap, the blood in these pages is more authentic than any Nashville approximation of Americana.' Stanley Booth, The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones
Product Description
Disappointed to learn that Hotel California isn’t actually in the phone book, radio producers Chris and Joe resolve to seek out the true spirit of rock and roll America. Roof down and stereo up, they drive coast to coast on a mission to ‘live the music’. They will sell their souls to the devil on the same crossroads as Robert Johnson, taste the loneliness of the ‘Wichita Lineman’ (and the fried peanut butter sandwich that finished off The King), hang out with the spirit of Johnny Cash in his own front room and, sitting on a jetty by an alligator-infested lake, sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to country-rock musician Gram Parsons. But first they must learn the ukulele, grow preposterous facial hair and fail to get into the Chateau Marmont with a rising popstar – and that’s just day one. It’s a tale of friendship tested to the limit, great melodies, perfect lyrics and noble myths.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I came to this book as a wary reader; as a 'rock 'n' roll innocent would I even understand what these two musical geeks were on about and thus be forced to abandon all hope of a good read? Well, far from it; more than pleasantly surprised and quickly hooked on finding out how the two were going to get along under the inevitable 'pressure cooker' environment of a road trip. The journey was so much more than the music, at times laugh out loud funny, at other times coming up with exquisite visual imagery, be it the Clarksdale Crossroads or the languid beauty of the quintessential southern city of Charleston. Read and, I defy you not to, enjoy.
Format:Paperback
I picked this up at the library because it seemed like a good read from the cover, and I'm loving it! Feel like I'm on the road trip with them, it never gets boring.
Format:Paperback
Road trip document, rock n roll dream diary and a testament to a friendship forged in music but fed by so much more, Live Fast, Die Young... is the kind of book you devour in a sitting or two. It beautifully captures that feeling of wanting so much for someone you care about to connect with something that moves you, and the lengths two friends will go to share / translate the joy that their two very different musical vocabularies bring them. In the same way as Bill Bryson does, Chris and Joe make their journey seem magical, with their sense of wonder tempered by a very English sense of humour... and where much rock and roll writing can be either bewilderingly specific or a little little non-inclusive to the casual reader, the authors spread their net wide and talk about songs we all know (Wichita Lineman), artists we might not, but maybe should (Gram Parsons) and bands we couldn't avoid if we wanted to (Red Hot Chili Peppers), all without condescension or assuming prior knowledge.
It made me laugh out loud and want to listen to music; to jump in a car and just drive; to subsist on a carbs-only diet. And it moved me, too. If there'd just been some sex scenes, it would've been perfect. Actually, strike that... It was perfect reading for anyone interested in music and what it does to the heart and soul... Inspires a rather beautiful and very engaging madness, apparently. READ !
It made me laugh out loud and want to listen to music; to jump in a car and just drive; to subsist on a carbs-only diet. And it moved me, too. If there'd just been some sex scenes, it would've been perfect. Actually, strike that... It was perfect reading for anyone interested in music and what it does to the heart and soul... Inspires a rather beautiful and very engaging madness, apparently. READ !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Felt Like I Was Along for the Ride
What a fun book. I'm a total music freak and thoroughly enjoyed this rock and roll journey across America. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Hugo R. Traeger
A review of the utterly fabulous and un-put-downable book Live Fast,...
First of all, there's a little story that goes with this book. The two chappies who wrote this book have a blog titled Missing Parsons, dedicated to their love of music. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Nanner
Gram - he ain't heavy...
"Live Fast, Die Young - Misadventures in Rock and Roll America" is a square book with a round title. Read more
Published 20 months ago by thomas e
Rock 'n Roll Bromance
Packed with a trunkload full of Bryson-esque self-deprecating wit, two music-obsessed Brits take their own shot at one of life's great male-bonding roadtrips; The USA... Read more
Published 21 months ago by The Good Lord
Couldn't put it down!!!!
A wonderfully written, laugh out loud adventure in music, popular culture, obsession, the US and above all, friendship. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. Mortali
Still smiling..
It's not often I finish a book and feel compelled to go back to the beginning and read the whole thing again but since turning the last page.. I'm still smiling!. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ms. Meleri W. Thomas
Go WestYoung Men
A splendid 'on the road' book which evokes all the magic and discovery that only a leisurely trip across a large and culturally diverse country can provide. Read more
Published 24 months ago by K. J. Harland
Read Fast, Die Laughing...
Live Fast, Die Young: Misadventures in Rock & Roll America
File under music.
File under travelog.
File under relationships.
File under ACE! Read more
File under music.
File under travelog.
File under relationships.
File under ACE! Read more
Published on 26 May 2010 by Felipe Filop
Touching, funny & entertaining
This is a good book about friendship. It's also a good US road trip book...and a good rock'nroll history book with some movies thrown in too for good measure. Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by R. A. Leaman
does what it says on the tin!
Thoroughly enjoyable book written by two guys who know a thing or two about spinning a good yarn. I found myself 'google-ing & wikipedia-ing' lots of people, songs, places so it... Read more
Published on 13 May 2010 by Katie Kelly
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