pinkjimiphoton Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 I just finished reading Maestro Dick Wagner's autobiography, "Not Only Women Bleed" today...I took my time and really savored it, rather than just rushing thru as I so often do with most books, kind of skimming from point to point and being done with it. But not in this case...when I say savored, I'm not kidding. It took me about 2 weeks to go thru it, and I've gotta tell you "Only Women Bleed" is not your usual amblyopic rock and roll book, shadow written by third parties to convince you how "great" the subject is...not even close. This is more like an intimate conversation with the man himself, its almost like you're sitting in the same room, with a smile on your face, listening to the MOST amazing tales...Dick has a real knack for staying real, and conveying very visual descriptions of his life..which is pretty much a chronicle of the history of rock and roll in Michigan, where he grew up, but also the entire scene as it unfolded...tales of meeting his heroes, tales of some of the biggest tours in the history of rock, the triumphs, the tragedys, the addictions, the wins, the losses, the pleasures, the pain...all in his unique style, sucking you in. The man's soul and sense of humor are very evident thru out the entire book...my only criticism is that it should be much longer, but like all great bluesmen (which i believe Dick qualifies as, as a bluesman is someone that tells stories and sings about his life) he always has a new tale to tell, the next time you meet him. His story is compelling, amazing, and real...I can relate to most of it, having lived thru many of the same excesses he fell prey to myself, even tho I'm a decade or so younger...I can remember it all...well most of it. This is DEFINITELY a "MUST READ" for all "Rock" guitarists!! From the first time I heard the man, WAILING some of the most primal and intense blues rock lead guitar with his long brown hair and top hat on the "Welcome to my Nightmare" tour with the legendary Alice Cooper, I knew he was something special...when i was a kid, becoming a musician, he was an inspirtation...I grew my hair, and lusted after the mighty Gibson Les Paul and Marshall Stack I saw him play thru...I wanted to be just like him...how could anyone be any cooler? I mean,,,C'mon!!! The EPITOME of ROCK STAR...and the uncredited guitar on more songs than you'd believe on songs you THOUGHT were someone else! I don't wanna spoil the story...you've gotta read it! I've been blessed to get to know him a little on the internet, and the amazing thing is the same man that wrote "Not Only Women Bleed" is obviously the same man I've gotten to know...witty, insightful, honest, charming, and one of the funniest guys you could meet, with a rock and roll heart that i hope never stops beating again.. This is HIS story, a history of rock and roll thru the eyes of someone who made it happen...his storytelling is as unique and powerful as his songwriting and guitar playing, and charting his personal history thru his own words is a fascinating and compelling trip that will draw you, the reader, into the crazy world of a pro touring rock star, from his earliest days to now...an amazing trip that encompasses so much ...for lack of a better term..."being human". He tells of touring, women, drugs, song writing solo and with partners, his amazing working and other relationships, even his own death...and his recovery from his addictions, finding love long thought lost and finding the inner strength to heal and return to the stage even after a devastating stroke that left his left arm...the most important one, for us guitar players...paralyzed. Proof you can't keep a good man down, let alone a force of nature like this gentleman. Whether profane or profound, his story is absolutely amazing. Warm. Real. True. Fascinating. He recovered from the events of his life, and living again free from addictions that plagued him for so long before his death and rebirth he again rose from what could have been his ashes, and has spread his wings again, giving us all the gift of his talents, his friendship, and his return to the world he's already given so much to...really, he's given us his all, all his life. I am hoping his Tour this year comes close enough so i can attend a show...it's been a long time since i was bathed in his magick guitar work live. To me, and many others, this man is an international treasure. That's a heck of a statement, I realize, but it's true...from his earliest days thru the 60's with the epic band The Frost, to touring the world with Lou Reed, Tim Curry, and especially Alice Cooper...(to name just a few of his better known collaborators) he's given us his all, what more can you ask of another human? A great musician can elicit emotions from his listeners ( I dare you to listen to "Remember The Child" and not be touched...it left big-ol tough guy me blubbering)...a great author can do the same, make you smile, laugh out loud, even cry...and Dick Wagner has opened his soul, and become an author, and a great one. You feel like you've known him your whole life... I cannot recommend this book highly enough...it will intrigue you, stimulate you, educate you, and delight you if you're a fan of rocknroll...even if you've never heard of the man (as impossible to my guitar playing self as that seems). Don't buy just one copy...buy yourself one, and buy a copy for your friends. It is THAT good. Dick Wagner's "Not Only Women Bleed" is a literary tour de force, much like the man who wrote it. Thanks to Dick and all who contributed to his amazing story and life..I feel much richer, for having read this. I have a feeling you will not be disappointed. I just wish it were longer. There is a reason he is called the Maestro of Rock...there is only ONE Dick Wagner. Namaste, pink jimi photon http://www.sweetrelief.org/ https://www.wepay.com/donations/memorial-stone-for-juliane-pocius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 DW is the real deal, a lot of the people we knew here locally are gone now, I am so glad DW is still ok... I will read this book! good review and thanks... http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkjimiphoton Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 thanks doc, it's a cool book, i think you'll really dig it! http://www.sweetrelief.org/ https://www.wepay.com/donations/memorial-stone-for-juliane-pocius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitefang Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Pink, been an admirer of Wagner since Frost, and seeing them at a festival of sorts featuring mostly local artists at the long gone Olympia Stadium. He was spoting a 335 then, and doing some pretty amazing stuff. I'm certainly going to have to get that book. Whitefang I started out with NOTHING...and I still have most of it left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 He & Steve Hunter gangstered their way into legendary status with the intro to Sweet Jane on Lou Reed's Rock 'n Roll Animal album. It's a guitar masterpiece, one of my favorite live recordings of all time. I've got that around here somewhere... Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkjimiphoton Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Pink, been an admirer of Wagner since Frost, and seeing them at a festival of sorts featuring mostly local artists at the long gone Olympia Stadium. He was spoting a 335 then, and doing some pretty amazing stuff. I'm certainly going to have to get that book. Whitefang fang, if you're on facebook, search for dickheads or dick wagner, maestro of rock groups. he is touring this summer with i believe some of the members of the frost and the cherry slush among others. http://www.sweetrelief.org/ https://www.wepay.com/donations/memorial-stone-for-juliane-pocius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkjimiphoton Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 that is, in my opinion, THE baddest ass intro guitar duo shit ever played. EVER. period, anno-omega. http://www.sweetrelief.org/ https://www.wepay.com/donations/memorial-stone-for-juliane-pocius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NScottRobinson Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 The Peter Banks book is also a telling read about life as a rock guitarist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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