- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Firefly Publishing; 1st ed. edition (17 May 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0946719306
- ISBN-13: 978-0946719303
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,195,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
For thirty years, Genesis have been a major force in popular music: from early mini-opuses like Foxtrot and lavish theatrical productions such as The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, through more mainstream prog rock landmarks such as And Then There Were Three, and on to the phenomenally successful melodic pop of Abacab. Compiled by the editor of The Waiting Room, the definitive Genesis magazine, Opening The Musical Box, is a highly detailed and informative chronicle of the band's career - from early beginnings at Charterhouse school through to worldwide stardom. It is also the first book to document in detail the solo recording careers and offshoot bands of Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett, Mike and The Mechanics, Anthony Phillips and Tony Banks. Drawing on hours of new interviews, packed with insights, anecdotes and trivia, and featuring the definitive discography, gigography and a guide to collectables, this is the ultimate compendium to one of the most successful and inventive bands of the modern rock era.
From the Author
This book is intended as a work of reference NOT biography
It seems to me that most reviewers of this book seem to have missed the entire point of this project. The book was intended as asource of reference for the fans who has asked just such questions as "did the band play a gig on such and such a date?" or "what was the B side of that single?" A such this project should be viewed more as an anorak's "bible" than as a biography and if you treat it that way I am sure you will find it a useful (if not exhaustive)source of reference. As for any errors well- the author is only human; sadly!
It seems to me that most reviewers of this book seem to have missed the entire point of this project. The book was intended as asource of reference for the fans who has asked just such questions as "did the band play a gig on such and such a date?" or "what was the B side of that single?" A such this project should be viewed more as an anorak's "bible" than as a biography and if you treat it that way I am sure you will find it a useful (if not exhaustive)source of reference. As for any errors well- the author is only human; sadly!
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of money,
By psychiatrist_1999@yahoo.com (Stoke, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Opening the Musical Box: A Genesis Chronicle (Paperback)
Whilst this book is stuffed with Gig Guides and TV guides (who's interested in the fact that, for example, Genesis appeared on Midlands News on 26/2/84?!?) it fails to compete with other, much better researched biographies, such as "Genesis - A Biography" by Dave Bowler and Bryan Dray... Dray's and Bowler's book actually gives a detailed account of the history and turns every Genesis-novice into an expert. Whilst Genesis collectors MIGHT have some use for Opening The Musical Box, readers seeking a good biography should not waste their money by purchasing this book. No interesting interviews and too brief in its account of the many twists and turns of Genesis' history.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Find For the Faithful Genesis Fan,
By A Customer
This review is from: Opening the Musical Box: A Genesis Chronicle (Paperback)
This book accomplishes a rare feat. It is difficult to find anything new these days about Genesis. The popularity of the band in the last 15 years has inspired numerous books, none of which truly provide anything new or newsworthy to the dedicated Genesis fan. The definitive book on Genesis was written by Armando Gallo. Gallo's "I Know What I Like" is acknowledged by all Genesis fans as THE Book on Genesis. Gallo's book, however, stops at 1980, just before the band was about to breakthrough to their highest levels of popularity. Others have attempted to write about this popular era of Genesis but have missed the boat, simply covering the obvious elements of their success. The real story of Genesis lies in the details, and in their history. Hewitt's "Opening the Musical Box" does something that no book on Genesis has attempted to do....it covers the smaller details of the band's history that are left untouched by other authors. It offers a comprehensive gigography, something never attempted in print before, and a monumental undertaking for a band that has been playing live shows for four decades. And as if that wasn't enough, Hewitt also manages to provide complete gig listings for all solo tours of Genesis members, past and present. The author covers the history of the band in a way that gives the reader a good overview of their past, but without getting bogged down in the obvious. And every era of the band's history is given equal treatment - a rarity among most books on Genesis which inevitably concentrate on the 1980s and 1990s. Plus within the text of each era, tidbits of new information can be found, and this exercise is carried into the chapters that focus on each of the individual members of the group. Even the most knowledgeable Genesis fan will learn something by reading "Opening the Musical Box". A must have for anyone serious about learning about Genesis.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing !,
By A Customer
This review is from: Opening the Musical Box: A Genesis Chronicle (Paperback)
Persuaded to buy the book by a favourable review I was surprised to find the book did not in any way live up to its original billing. Making the boast of being " by a fan for the fans" it contained far too many inaccuracies to be anything other than an amateurish attempt. Chart placings were incorrect and according to the writers Peter Gabriel realised Moribund the Burgermeister as a single and not Solsbury Hill! On the plus side the picture on the front jacket was excellent and the summary of each of the groups solo career was generally speaking quite interesting. Having said that is there really any need to list all the concerts everyone in Genesis was involved in ? Other trainspotter excess included a list of fan websites, a chapter on collectible items for Genesis magpies, a list of all the music output by all past/present members of the group, a thorough (and pointless) appendix and information on fan clubs. My advice to you would be "don't open up the musical box!"
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews |
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
