Paul Brannigan

This Is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl, is an in-depth, definitive biography that delves into the remarkable career of Dave Grohl, renowned for his involvement in Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Them Crooked Vultures. The material is drawn from ten years of original, exclusive interviews with Dave Grohl himself and industry people, including Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age frontman), Ian MacKaye (DC punk legend), and Butch Vig (producer of Nirvana’s “Nevermind”). It’s a candid conversation about Kurt Cobain, the internal conflicts within Nirvana, the challenges faced by Foo Fighters, and the moments that nearly led Grohl to quit music altogether. He’s a brilliant musician and a man of great character, both of which have brought about his being one of the most recognizable and respected musicians globally. I believe this makes him a true hero of the American underground music scene and an excellent role model for young people pursuing music today.… (mer)

Eddie Van Halen lead a unique life. He was a Dutch immigrant from a musical family. He and his brother created a unique sound from influences like the Beatles and Cream. Eddie also created some amazing guitar rifts and music. He was one of rock’s greatest musical talents.

Being an 80’s girl, I absolutely loved this! This brought back my past and many memories! The songs, the rockers and the history compiled in this biography is wonderful. There is so much I did not know about Eddie Van Halen. This book encompasses so much! He was such a huge talent and he lived a life full of addiction, success and strife.

The narrator, Mike Lenz did a superb job. He definitely hit the right tone!

Need a good biography about one talented individual…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.… (mer)

Gotta say, I quite enjoyed this one. I think all those complaining their isn't enough Dave Grohl in it are completely missing part of the title: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl.

So, don't go in expecting a straight biography of Grohl. This ain't that. However, if you want a really good overview of the punk movement, along with the major players, as well as some side trips into the entire Nirvana phenomenon, including brief but informative bios of both Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, then you'll dig this.

Personally, I enjoyed this, and it helped me create a list of some music to investigate.

However, the majority of the book is focused on Grohl, which is great, because goddamn, this foul-mouthed guy is just fascinating. He's both the Ringo Starr and the George Harrison of the Nineties.

Seriously. Brought in as a very last minute replacement for drummer Chad Channing on the Nevermind sessions, he's very much the Ringo who replaced Pete Best last minute, just before the band hit, and hit huge.

But at the same time, while always acknowledged as a master of drumming, he was very much overshadowed by the black hole of attention that Kurt Cobain was—whether he wanted to be or not. After the end of his massively popular band, Grohl took some time, and found his own voice and carved his own path with his own songs. Very much like George did once he broke free of the shadow of Lennon and McCartney.

That is, however, where the comparisons end. Grohl seems, by all accounts, to be a gregarious, high energy, creative guy who seems to have genuinely earned the title of the nicest guy in rock. Reading this book, Grohl comes across as that guy that you know would be your best friend and the guy most fun to hang out with, because he's up for anything.

He's obviously, aside from now becoming one of those dreaded Elder Statesmen of Rock, a massive fan of all those who came before him. He's Tom Petty, a decade or so later.

And to be honest, that's what drew me to even take a look at this book. I was the guy that didn't really care much for Nirvana when Smells Like Teen Spirit first broke, but the song became ubiquitous, and everyone I hung out with demanded that I give the album a listen. While initially underwhelmed, something kept bringing me back, to the point where it became a regular in my car and home stereos. And I picked up In Utero the day it was released.

So, while I picked up the Foo Fighters first album, it didn't blow me away, and I promptly forgot about them for the next twenty years. It wasn't until Grohl fell off the stage, then finished the concert while getting attended to, that he caught my attention again. Then came the Game of Thrones-like chair. Then came all the awesome YouTube videos. Then came the guests to the stage, both audience members, and others, like Jewel singing Led Zeppelin, and Rick fucking Astley singing Never Gonna Give You Up over the Foos playing Smells Like Teen Spirit.

And I thought, damn, these guys are fun. He had my attention again.

So, I now own all the Foo's albums, and I wanted to know more about this guy. And this book, with its side-trips into all those that influenced Grohl (many of whom he repays through the years in any way he can), is a fascinating look into both the life, and yes, the times, of Dave Grohl.

Good book.… (mer)