- Paperback: 384 pages
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0743482484
- ISBN-13: 978-0743482486
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.2 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,783,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I did have a life before U2. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I did have a life before U2. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Music Book of 2004, Nov 23 2004
By D. Sean Brickell - Published on Amazon.com
Let's get something straight from the get-go: this is the best book on music for 2004. Darn-sure qualifies as one of the Top 5 of all time, for that matter. And speaking of the matter, this is the most painfully pleasant description of the music biz's sorry-ass state ever put on paper.
Anyone who ever has even remotely dreamed of making it in a band (HELLO-OOO all you folks) must read this book. Mr. McCormick pulls no punches. He shovels the blame on incompetentcy, including his own. He documents the rise from gymnasium cover band to the most exhaulted level stardom by his school chums in U2, particularly Bono to whom he remains close.
The comparison and contrast could not delineate a clearer gap.
The writing reads as rapidly as a Ramones song: "onetotreefo" so you never get the slightest bit bored or anxious over the author's misguided efforts and tragicomic outcomes. How many ways can a band win in the music biz? Well, there's only one way things work when you're successful. How many ways can things get screwed up? Incalculable.
A modern classic is what we got with this. Sadly, I don't know if the ol' boy has anything left for a follow-up of substance. But he certainly did provide plenty of insight in this book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mr. McCormick - you are certainly not a loser, April 12 2005
By Robert - Published on Amazon.com
This book succeeds on three levels
1) A vivid portrait of growing up a rock fan in Ireland in the 70's and coming of age as a struggling rock musician in the 80's
2) An excellent portrait of the makings of a supergroup and rock icon written from a fascinating perspective- a long time friend who is STILL a friend.
3) A great autobiographical rumination on letting go of your dreams while building new ones and embracing the person you are.
As a U2 fan, I loved the captions with Bono. It's refreshing when a famous person who seems to be a nice person in the glare of celebrity actually turns out to be a nice person behind the scenes. Bono comes across as a good guy and genuine person.
I like that the two are still friends nearly thirty years later despite their different experiences. It's as if Paul McCartney had still shared a pint and chewed the fat with Pete Best on occasion....
A wonderful aspect of the book is that confirms that you never outgrow your true friends (and shouldn't)and that you shouldn't forget where you came from....
Mr. McCormick- please write another book! You are a fine talent and more importantly- a fine human being....
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why do some rise and some fall?, July 12 2006
By Bookenator - Published on Amazon.com
First the basics. McCormick grew up with this guy named Paul. They both formed bands and played the circuits, making connections with the music industry big wigs and recording their songs. Paul is now better known as Bono. McCormick is now better known as the music critic for the Telegraph. So what happened? What makes one person become a star and another fail to break through the maze of the music industry? Talent? Fate? Luck? This book takes you on the whole journey, sometimes funny, sometimes painful, but always interesting. I blazed through its 384 pages in four days, and wish there were still more of it to read. Along the way I was treated to deep discussions of fame, fortune, misfortune, music, the music industry, religion, and life in general. McCormick weaves together several themes and keeps them all relevant and alive. If you've ever dreamed of being a rock star, read this book.
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