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Bassist Biography worth reading - suggestions please

#22
Wilmingtonian said:
Geddy's Big Beautiful Book of Bass is not a biography but, as you may know, based on his ginormous collection of basses and is first a photobook of that collection. BUT there numerous sidebars where he visits with various bassists and discusses their faves, too. You don't have to be a Ged fan to enjoy it, just a fan of basses mostly associated with R&R.
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This book is awesome.
I recommend against it for travel.
 
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#24
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#26
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#28
Wilmingtonian said:
Geddy's Big Beautiful Book of Bass is not a biography but, as you may know, based on his ginormous collection of basses and is first a photobook of that collection. BUT there numerous sidebars where he visits with various bassists and discusses their faves, too. You don't have to be a Ged fan to enjoy it, just a fan of basses mostly associated with R&R.
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Tough travel book tho. :smug:
 
#34
I've been wanting to read this (Bob Dailey - For Facts Sake) for a while now:

https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Sake-Bob-Daisley/dp/0992276004

'Written entirely by acclaimed bassist, songwriter and lyricist Bob Daisley, 'For Facts Sake' is a fascinating account of a journey that led him to work with some of the biggest names in Rock. Those featured in the story include Ritchie Blackmore, Randy Rhoads, Gary Moore, Tony Iommi, Ronnie Dio, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Bon Scott, John Bonham, George Harrison, Jon Lord, and the notorious Don Arden, among many others. Reading through every chapter, with the hundreds of corresponding photographs, is like accompanying Bob on his journey. This book is the culmination of decades of an extraordinary life spent in music and Bob Daisley recalls it all with candour and a quirky wit that is as unique as the man himself... The title says it all.'
 
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#35
lfmn16 said:
Not a biography, but if you haven't read Wooten's book it's a fun read. Definitely taken with a grain of salt.

https://smile.amazon.com/Music-Lesson-Spiritual-Search-Through/dp/0425220931/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XATFXEG95ZLG&dchild=1&keywords=victor+wooten+the+music+lesson&qid=1625592845&sprefix=victor+wooten+th,aps,158&sr=8-1
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I had trouble getting completely through it. The idea of the mysterious visitor appearing out of the blue with wisdom share was enjoyable enough. It’s a charming, and well tested literary conceit that goes back to the earliest Zen stories and Chinese fairy tales. But it got tiring for me after awhile. Maybe it’s because I already figured out where he was going with a given section after a few paragraphs, and then had to slog through a thousand additional words before the big reveal took place. So while the actual information Mr. Wooten presented was solid, I found myself starting to skim ahead because I was getting bored with the framing storyline. Maybe in the hands of a better storyteller I might have liked his narrative approach a little better.
 
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#39
mellowgerman said:
Phil Lesh's "Searching for the Sound" is a super well written book. Even if you're maybe not a huge Grateful Dead fan, he kept extensive, detailed diaries over the years so it's super rich in detail. Very articulate fella too. Plus when he mentions specific tour dates, you can search the dates online and listen/watch for little things he mentions in videos and audio recordings that are usually available for free.
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I just finished Searching For The Sound and was very impressed with it.

The first thing I noticed was how “normal” it was in tone and voicing. Not like Fleas’s book, which I loved because of the non-linear chapters and poetry, it captured Flea’s persona because it was a work of art by Flea.

But Phil’s book is very well-written, polished and professional. Phil is a very thoughtful guy, and he did have an interesting relationship with Jerry Garcia. And the history is top-notch.

The Dead are, like them or not, one of the most influential bands of all time. And I feel an all-American original. Phil’s story of how they did it is fascinating.
 
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