British Beat Groups of the 1960s
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Book Review: Hope I Die Before I Get Old by Dave Marsh |
February 2000 |
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This could be the definitive Who biography. At least it was when it was
published in 1983. Clearly, that was some time ago and the Who is still going.
The book really does need an update to bring it up to date. In terms of years,
it covers only about half of the Who's career. However, it can also be argued
strongly that it covers the most important part.
In many ways this book finishes with the death of Keith Moon. Maybe the author believes that this marked the end of the Who. The release of the films The Kids are Alright and Quadrophenia as well as the two albums Faces Dances and It's Hard barely get a mention. However, the important time are covered in extensive detail from pre-Goldhawk Club days through the High Numbers phase and Pete Meaden to Tommy and the first of the farewell tours. It tries to uncover the relationships between the band members especially between Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry where "discussions" frequently ended up as fist fights. Both were very forthright, Daltry believing that he was losing control of his group to Townshend. The rift never appeared to heal. Unfortunately for Townshend, Roger Daltry was a born street fighter and would always come out top when things degenerated to this level. It is hardly surprising that Pete Townshend receives more attention that the other band members. As the creative genius and driving force behind the band, he was responsible for the vast majority of the original material. Therefore the insight into his thoughts and personal development is crucial to the general understanding of the Who. He is a troubled person, having dabbled in drugs and more than dabbled in alcohol. These troubles come over in many of the later songs, especially on The Who by Numbers. Another strong influence on Townshend was Meher Baba who comes across in many songs including Baba O'Reilly and Who Came First, an album initially intended to support Meher Baba. There is less insight into Roger, John Entwhistle and Keith Moon and scarcely a mention of Kenney Jones. Keith is covered in a wealth of detail in Tony Fletcher's excellent Dear Boy, the subject of an earlier Making Time book review. However, the Who's sound was made up of the contributions of all four to, in most cases, Pete Townshend's songs. Moon, in particular, made the Who sound unique, so much so that his musical contribution outside the band hardly exists. The Who was his life and hence the spiraling decline when the group was touring and recording less. In conclusion, the is the essential Who biography, in need of an update, but with essential and detailed coverage of the most important times. mp, January 2000 |
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Details |
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Published in 1983 by St Martin's Press ISBN: 0-312-07155-8 |
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Last Updated: 31 January 2000
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