How detailed is DLR's autobiography on VH music?

[Darkness]

What I'm asking is does the book go into details about how he and Eddie wrote specific VH songs, or does it skim over that kind of thing? Are there any good band bios that go into the stories behind most songs?

[CaboChris]

I'm guessing the only one that comes close would be the Ted Templeman one.

[Sam Vs. Dave]

You're probably better off with old magazine articles and interviews if you're looking for those kinds of details.

[DFVH5150]

What I'm asking is does the book go into details about how he and Eddie wrote specific VH songs, or does it skim over that kind of thing? Are there any good band bios that go into the stories behind most songs?

No, very little from what I recall.

[jimmy812]

What I'm asking is does the book go into details about how he and Eddie wrote specific VH songs, or does it skim over that kind of thing? Are there any good band bios that go into the stories behind most songs?

It's quite disappointing in that regard.

It would be so great if someone from the band wrote a true biography. It would never happen but a "Dirt" style VH book would be incredible. I guess the closest we have is the Templeman book.

[japeape]

Yeah, his book was disappointing in that regard.

Ted's book is much more telling & interesting.

[Dave's Dreidel]

Dave and Sam both in my opinion didn't deliver in that department, even getting basic things like the years albums came out and tours happened wrong.

At this point in my life, I would be much more interested in hearing why songs were left off albums, why ones were added, how songs were created, etc., over hearing about strippers, porn stars and banging the Go Go's in a MTV bathroom.

[jimmy812]

Dave and Sam both in my opinion didn't deliver in that department, even getting basic things like the years albums came out and tours happened wrong.

At this point in my life, I would be much more interested in hearing why songs were left off albums, why ones were added, how songs were created, etc., over hearing about strippers, porn stars and banging the Go Go's in a MTV bathroom.

Yes, the music should be the main focus since that's what made them successful and what appealed to us, the fans. So many biographies by musicians don't go far enough into the music. Slash's book was really good. And so was Phil Collins' book. The biggest disappointment for me was Bruce Dickinson's book. We get it you can fly a fuckin' plane, how about getting back to the music!
An editor should remember that most people care about the art that made these people famous. But, still, don't forget to at least pepper in some strippers and porn star stories.

[japeape]

Stephen Pearcys book was good.
Tons of early EVH stories, even one where Robbin buys a guitar from him.
Ed’s mom lets him in and says, you can wait in his room, he’s not here.

[DRFC]

But the MTV bathroom sex is what sells books, so they won't spend all that time writing a book to appease such a small audience (based on the fact they don't do that for us with things that could take much less time like releasing old material).

Maybe the best we could ever hope for is something like a half hour interview on zoom with Ed and Dave talking specifically on the subject of song creation. Like the downtown sessions. Those were awesome. Yeah I know it won't happen but more likely than a book! 🙃