- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Penguin (30 Jun 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0141013060
- ISBN-13: 978-0141013060
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 356,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
Honest, and always hilarious (Daily Telegraph )
The best book I have ever read about trying to make it in the music business (Elton John )
The best book I have ever read about trying to make it in the music business (Elton John )
Daily Mail
A great cautionary tale for all those who aspire to celebrity.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I did have a life before U2. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I did have a life before U2. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
McCormick's memoir is a wry, witty look at how he and his school pal Paul Hewson set off in the late 1970s in search of stardom with a bible and a microphone. He explores where he went wrong while wondering what Hewson did right. The bulk of the book is concerned with McCormick's struggles to make his name in the music industry. While he recounts stories of how he and his father lug his band's gear around trying to find what they're looking for, Hewson periodically swings by, his career offering a counterpoint to McCormick's. Hewson goes on to become the lead vocalist of such bands as the Hype and Feedback and eventually settles down with a band from the north side of Dublin. There are some `long dark night of the soul' moments but McCormick's tone is never bitter despite Hewson's continued good fortune. Neither does McCormick harbour any deep resentment towards him. McCormick's book just goes to show that you have to dream out loud and stardom has to be believed to be seen. So how does the story end? McCormick writes for the Telegraph while Hewson and his band are still touring.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Congratulations to Neil for writing a highly entertaining account of his relentless attempt to crack it in the music industry. The reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the author, remaining brutally honest and forthright throughout, describes with humour and downright disbelief, his oh so nearly entry into the rock and roll hall of fame. The book is scattered with some great and previously unheard of U2 and Bono anecdotes which glue the sections of the book together perfectly. Full marks to the author for not milking his U2 association in real life or indeed in print - it would have been very easy to rely on the U2/Bono angle to act as the main guts of the narrative to keep the reader(especially U2 fans) hooked, but in fairness, the story would hold up incredibly well without any reference to his Irish rock star mates. A great read for anyone interested in music, U2, yer man Bono, forming a band, the pitfalls and injustices of winning a record deal - or indeed a combination of all five! An old cliche I know, but one started, I genuinely found this book hard to put down. Nice one Neil - you shoulda been a contender!
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Congratulations to Neil for writing a superb account of his rollercoaster ride experienced whilst trying (and boy did he try) to make it into the music business. A frank and honest delivery is given at all times and you come away at the end feeling a number of emotions for him and his fellow band mates - sorrow, pity, frustration, admiration,jubilation, revelation(apologies Bono). What struck me most about the book was how Neil has cleverly avoided using his association with U2 and particularly Bono to hold the story together. The fact that Bono appears every so often merely enhances the tale and it is to his credit that the book would be more than readable minus the U2 connection. For U2 fans, (I've been one since Boy was released) there are also some great insights into early U2 performances, the late 70's/early 80's Irish music scene, together with some fantastic accounts of the authors 'one to ones' with the man himself. Whether you're into U2 or not, I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who has the slightest interest in music(although any up and coming bands may instantly consider jacking it all in given the sheer hard luck and frustration suffered by the author and his various bands). A great read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Even Better Than the Real Thing
I saw the film based on this work before I'd read the book. That's usually a mistake but in this case it makes no difference. Each is as highly recommended as the other. Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. J. McDONALD
Better than expected
Bought this because I had heard about the film. About halfway through now. Different to my normal reading material but interesting none the less.
Published 12 months ago by gadgetgirl
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