Yeah, Spector's always loved playing with guns - and not in a good way.
From the trial coverage I taped, I got to see the testimony of a woman who was his girlfriend a few years ago. One morning, after spending the night as his place, she casually mentioned that she was ready to go home. He freaked out and started threatening her with a gun. She managed to make it to her car, but had to crouch down as she steered it down the driveway - because Spector was taking shots at her.
He may be a brilliant producer, the original "Wall of Sound" guy, and a legendary star-maker, but he's definitely a disturbed boy.
His judgement calls as a producer haven't always pleased his clients either. Remember the Beatles song, "The Long and Winding Road?" Paul McCartney had intended for that song to be done with a simple acoustic guitar. He was shocked and appalled when he heard the elaborate, schmaltzy orchestral background that Spector put in - complete with a choir. McCartney tried everything to change it, but it was too late - the record was already being pressed. Heh.
Roberta wrote:The best rock bio I ever read was "No One Here Gets Out Alive." About the Doors.
I also read that. I don't remember many details from it, since it was probably twenty years ago when I read it, but I remember liking it.
Also, for sheer rock star excess, "Hammer of The Gods" (The Led Zeppelin story) is really entertaining. That band and it's roadies had some seriously outrageous stories.
I'll have to check out that book about The Doors. Everyone seems to have liked it.
I remember reading "No one here gets out alive" and enjoying it. I also remember that, in the introduction, Sugarman said he made no apology for considering Jim Morrison to be "a god". And not in that "celebrity" way, but a bona fide other-worldly god!
Nurse!
I wanna read the Motley Crue one.
I've read quite a few Prince one's but my favorite (not saying it's the best or most detailed) is Slave to the Rhythm by Liz Jones.
I heard that His Way by Kitty Kelly about Frank Sinatra is fantastic. I must get round to reading that soon.
