This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gary Shea will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
An outstanding account of the music business, A riveting story of determination and focus, Musical teenage dream come true, Against all odds musical ups and downs, Defying logic following your heart, Climbing the musical ladder of success, Fearless journey on the road to stardom, (You won’t read about the heads of chickens being bitten off or mounds of drugs being snorted from the naked bodies of sweaty groupies. No, what you will read about on these pages is the deep and intense journey into the very heart of rock and roll and what it takes to come out the other side. Gary Shea took that ride and has survived to tell his thrilling tale and there is no need for embellishment nor hyperbole—the truth is more unbelievable than fiction.
4 stars
What an unexpectedly fun and interesting story!
I really enjoy reading entertainment memoirs, so I picked this up even though I'd never heard of the man, the music or the band. The author writes so effectively, it feels as if we're living his life right along with him.
This book is truly just a memoir of his life in music. We start when he first decided that he wanted to follow the musical path and shares how he chose his first guitar, how he moved to playing bass and why, and even more inspiring is how he sticks to his decision through both good and bad times. His journey wasn't easy, but it was colorful. He doesn't downplay the hard times, nor glorify the good. It's all very matter of fact, "this is what happened" and shows his joy in music and determination to live his life on his own terms.
I genuinely enjoyed following Mr. Shea on his journey. I might have wished for a little more insight into his personal life, and not just the musical one, but this book was still fun and interesting to read and I would recommend it especially for youngsters looking to get into music as the author doesn't pull punches on how hard it can be.
The great bass player Jaco Pastorious had just released his solo album that set the bass playing world on its ear with his amazing technique. Greg, more than anyone else I knew, truly flipped-out and decided that he had to have a bass player that played in this new, jazzy, funky style. I'll be the first to admit that ain’t me. This added to Greg's frustrations, and it continues to this day in his endless search for new musicians. I knew that although we were, and still remain good friends, I was not destined for Greg's creativity.
I was new in town and getting used to seeing people like Dick Van Dyke at the gas station pumping his own gas. It was time to branch out and seek new opportunities in Los Angeles. Other than my East Coast friends I had a hard time finding a local heavy rock band to join that played the music I heard in my heart. Most of the music was more laid back, and in a more acoustic guitar vein like Poco or The Eagles. At The Starwood I watched Quiet Riot. They were doing very well for themselves with Randy Rhodes on guitar. Van Halen had yet to be discovered and sign a record deal. It was very frustrating trying to find the kind of music I had made with Target in the land of the sun, surf, and beach boys. I saw my good friend Ted McKenna play at The Starwood. He had left the Alex Harvey band and was on tour playing drums with the great Rory Gallagher.
A few of my friends from the band Angel and I went to lunch one day at the trendy Hamburger Hamlet in Century City. It was located on Century Park East among the towers of movie and music business offices and was a great place for lunch. We were sitting in the lobby waiting for a table and someone sat down next to me. I was mildly surprised that it was Sally Struthers from the television show, All In The Family. We sat and watched the parade of people go by. An attractive blonde woman in a white business suit, carrying a briefcase, came up to me. She told me I looked interesting to her and introduced herself as the editor of Playgirl Magazine. My friends couldn't believe it. Neither could I. She said she would like to put me in the magazine and explained the different payments for the three features. The full spread would pay the rent for a long time. To say I wasn't flattered wouldn't be true. The best part was that my friends' egos were on the floor. She gave me her card telling me to send in some nude photos of myself and that selection was done by a panel of Playgirl Magazine executives. In the world of today’s mores I would be considered a hero, but back then the world was much more conservative. I didn't want to jeopardize any future musical situations, and most of all I didn’t want my mother to endure any repercussions. I thought about it for a week and decided to decline the offer. I still have the white embossed business card she gave me.
Gary is the bassist and co-founder of New England and Alcatrazz, two bands that burned very brightly during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Along the way, Shea walked amongst giants including Steve Vai, Paul Stanley, Todd Rundgren, Yngwie Malmsteen and a slew of others. He guides us through the machinations, madness and magic of the music world, beginning with his early fascination for bass players and rock and running all the way through to standing on big stages in big arenas in front of big crowds. For every step forward, the industry took two bites of his soul but owing to perseverance, passion and no little amount of pigheadedness, he endured and now reveals all his secrets.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22472630.Gary_Shea
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/No-Bass-Party-Gary-Shea-ebook/dp/B0F1L8D5WZ/ref=sr_1_1
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ReplyDeleteGreat cover love it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds fascinating. I love the genre!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteA great book.
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