Two books that might be of interest to NBT readers are
Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll by David A. Carson (University of Michigan Press) and
Sin-A-Rama (Feral House). The first offers a very detailed history of rock 'n roll in Detroit, startin' off with the likes of John Lee Hooker and Hank Ballard via Fortune records, Del Shannon, Jack Scott, Motown, Gino Washington and Hideout records to the main focus on the MC 5, Stooges, Detroit Wheels, Alice Cooper etc.
It rounds up an incredible amount of information, so much so that at times it clashes somewhat with the actual "flow" of the story. But hey, the subject bein' what it is, I can't think of any reason you folks out there would not want to dig into this. The story ends in the early 70s so there's plenty of room for a second volume on stuff like the New Order, Sonic's Rendevouz band, Gories and,
yes, Detroit's Acid House scene. The second is an equally (maybe even more so) well-researched history of sleaze sex paperbacks of the sixties. Co-edited by Miriam Linna, this set rounds up all kindsa arcane knowledge on writers, publishers and cover artists. Not to mention the incredible selection of reprints of original cover artwork that'll keep your peepers busy for hours on end. Both books get the thumbs up, no two ways about it. And yep, seein' the picture of the Pleasure Seekers in the former, I figure it could have once inspired a story easily suited for the latter...
Two books that might be of interest to NBT readers are Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll by David A. Carson (University of Michigan Press) and Sin-A-Rama (Feral House). The first offers a very detailed history of rock 'n roll in Detroit, startin' off with the likes of John Lee Hooker and Hank Ballard via Fortune records, Del Shannon, Jack Scott, Motown, Gino Washington and Hideout records to the main focus on the MC 5, Stooges, Detroit Wheels, Alice Cooper etc. 
It rounds up an incredible amount of information, so much so that at times it clashes somewhat with the actual "flow" of the story. But hey, the subject bein' what it is, I can't think of any reason you folks out there would not want to dig into this. The story ends in the early 70s so there's plenty of room for a second volume on stuff like the New Order, Sonic's Rendevouz band, Gories and, yes, Detroit's Acid House scene. The second is an equally (maybe even more so) well-researched history of sleaze sex paperbacks of the sixties. Co-edited by Miriam Linna, this set rounds up all kindsa arcane knowledge on writers, publishers and cover artists. Not to mention the incredible selection of reprints of original cover artwork that'll keep your peepers busy for hours on end. Both books get the thumbs up, no two ways about it. And yep, seein' the picture of the Pleasure Seekers in the former, I figure it could have once inspired a story easily suited for the latter...
9 comments:
David Carson's book sucks. You left out a key mention: he manages, via his wooden renditions of one quote/paraphrase after another, to drain any and all of the wonderful grit, noise and revolution that make Detroit worth writing about in the first place.
Furthermore, the many madmen, crazy women, drug fiends, revolutionaries and psychedelic grifters, ever one of them rich in insight and intensity and rock and roll pizazz, are reduced to so many stick figures.
Very, very, VERY bad book. VERY bad. Did I mention bad?
Like I said, it's fact filled, and that interferes with the actual "flow" of the story, but I think it works on the level of overview and/or reference guide.
But I get what you're sayin', few can write about rock and roll like Toshes or Linna. Most rock books come off like the liner-notes on blues re-issues, well researhed, scolarly, but the grit can only be found in the grooves. And judging 'm from that point of view I can deal with 'em. 99% of those who write books on rock are fans with a bookkeeper mentality.
The book "works well" at the level of some guy w/ average intelligence and no writing ability going to his local library, finding everything he can about Det. R&B & rock, gathering some personal memories and stringing them together w/ no rhyme or reason and an absolute tin ear and cement hand when it comes to the written word.
There are many cool pix in the book, but sticking a rare photo of this guy or that gal in between two pieces of card stock does not = a book.
I could share the book's many factual mistakes w/ you as well--at least the dozens I saw up 'til page 50-something which is all I could handle, writing in the linear sense here--but that's more trouble than it's worth.
The research is adequate minus at best and the overview is the same one you'd get of New Orleans rich musical history if you were flying over the city right now.
So you're from Detroit?
OK, my final note on this. From my personal perspective (ie: from the other side of the globe), this is a welcome book. All I've read on the subject so far are Iggy and Hooker bios plus a piece on Detroit's 60s scene in an age old issue of Bomp magazine. Now that ain't much to go on. I'd be happy to fork over the cash for your side of the story, just send me the apropriate Amazon.com link when it's available...
Ah, the old "write your own book" ploy (usually invoked when all forms of reasonable debate have failed). I'm not from Detroit and I don't know enough to write a book about the city's musical history. But neither does Carson.
And if I ever did write a book you can bet the crooks at amazon.com wouldn't have it to sell.
Bugger, I've just ordered the fucker! Oh well, it CAN'T be as bad as the Faces tome that came out a coupla years back, or the ENTIRE output of 'Holy' Greil Marcus, who should be strung up, and beaten with old issues of Bomp ...
Joss
I am a regular reader of NBT & feel that Jeroen is usally right on w/ his recommendations, etc. which is why I felt it was important to leave a comment re. this atrocity. If, like him, you don't have much of a background of Det. in the '60s-'70s you'll get one from GRIT, but it's skewed. And BORING. I sent Hutton a good link for Detroit info, that I don't feel like digging around for now.
The link Steve H. provided is here.
And Steve, havin' read your Toxic Waste Dump reviews way back when, I (likewise) think you're generally on the ball tastewise. Maybe you were expecting a different book than I was. Who knows. I maintain that (dry as it may be) I'm happy to have a book on the shelves in which I can look up details on the Pleasure Seekers, Unrelated Segments, Rationals and Fortune Records (forget about the Flock). Agree to disagree on this one?
Sorry, I don't agree to disagree Jeroen. It's not so much that I was expectiing a different book than you were, I was expecting A book, not a list of quotes and paraphrases from various scenesters cobbled together in slipshod fashion.
I've also neglected to mention that Carson also exhibits very little skill as an interviewer.
The link I provided--if you dig around enough--provides info on all the bands you mentioned in a much more enjyoable, energetic, LOVING fashion.
Nick L. - that Edmonds book has been "on the horizon" since sometime in the '80s I think. At the link Jeroen has provided in this thread is a citation for Edmonds' "preliminary" essay on the subject. Don't know if it's online.
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