Grumpy Old Rock Star by Rick Wakeman

Full title: Grumpy Old Rock Star: and Other Wondrous Stories by Rick Wakeman.

I borrowed this book from the local library.

This book is a collection of very funny anecdotes from the life of the Strawbs/Yes/solo artist Rick Wakeman. The horrors of travelling behind the Iron Curtain and setting up Henry VIII on ice is told here. Very much to my rapterous laughter. This is very much a laughing out loud book from one of the funniest men in England. Because being grumpy and funny is what Rick Wakeman is these days. And he is excellent at it. He is the voice of the prog rock movement. He is laughing at himself and indirectly; at my interest for prog rock. Which is fine for me. I know my taste in music is stupid. The stories and anecdotes is very funny. In particular the Henry VIII on ice debacle. 

This book is not a full biography like the excellent Keith Emerson book is. That is my main gripe with it. This book is also one of two....... and probably a new series of "Old and grumpy" books from Wakeman. He is an excellent storyteller and I am sure he has stuff for five more books. I am looking forward to those and I will now seek out the second book at the library. I will not buy it though because I do not regard them worthy a purchase.

As collections of good stories; this book is excellent. If you want to laugh yourself into oblivion; this book is an excellent choice. That's it.

3 stars 

 

Yes have read that book and totally agree its a wonderfull conceptual double album of sn****rs.  He is a V funny man  I had the pleasure of meeting him once and he is utterly charming and V self depreciating  but as my old man used to say  if you cant laugh at yourself!!!!

Does anyone listen to his radio show?

Snow Dog wrote: Does anyone listen to his radio show?

I'd love to, but its on Planet Rock radio, and thats based out of the US, so if you stream the show, it comes on at crazy hours




This is a great book, and it was a pleasure to read - My dad bought it for himself and told me I should read it, and I went in expecting nothing other than a biography with the occasional joke... But it was genuinely great, and worth every minute I spent reading it!

progkidjoel wrote: Snow Dog wrote: Does anyone listen to his radio show? I'd love to, but its on Planet Rock radio, and thats based out of the US, so if you stream the show, it comes on at crazy hours This is a great book, and it was a pleasure to read - My dad bought it for himself and told me I should read it, and I went in expecting nothing other than a biography with the occasional joke... But it was genuinely great, and worth every minute I spent reading it!

progkidjoel wrote: Snow Dog wrote: progkidjoel wrote: Snow Dog wrote: Does anyone listen to his radio show? I'd love to, but its on Planet Rock radio, and thats based out of the US, so if you stream the show, it comes on at crazy hours This is a great book, and it was a pleasure to read - My dad bought it for himself and told me I should read it, and I went in expecting nothing other than a biography with the occasional joke... But it was genuinely great, and worth every minute I spent reading it! As far as I know the shows are stored for a week to listen to at any time. Really?! Thanks - I'm checking it out now