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Journey's story is really a series of stories spanning the
post-hippie San Francisco scene of the early 1970s and a new global
youth audience addicted to the hit tv series glee. The original
Journey was a hastily-assembled West Coast band that progressed
from jazz fusion to arena-oriented rock, becoming hugely successful
in the process. That shift of direction, as well as the passing of
the years, brought about many line-up changes and this first-ever
biography traces every twist and turn of the saga, notably
Journey's early 80s heyday when front man Steve Perry replaced
Robert Fleischman who had himself been hired to supplement keyboard
player Gregg Rolie on vocals. More than forty years on, the various
shifts of direction and line-up may look daunting, but author Neil
Daniel's original interviews and rigorous research have made this
biography the definitive account of a wildly successful band with a
lot of history. It is perhaps fitting that Journey's optimistic
1981 hit 'Don't Stop Believin', would eventually become the most
downloaded track on iTunes.
Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the
multi-million selling British metal band Judas Priest. But where
and when did it all begin? During the sixties when the highly
lauded Brum Beat era produced bands such as The Move, Atkins played
in various semi-pro outfits. It was in 1969 that Atkins decided to
have a go at forming yet another band with his childhood friend
Bruno Stapenhill. The band in question was JUDAS PRIEST. Priest
quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live
act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned
by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Atkins even
recorded the very first Judas Priest demo: "Good Time Woman" and
"We'll Stay Together". Unfortunately, Immediate folded and so did
Priest. Undeterred, Atkins resurrected Priest with another line-up
in 1970 with guitarist K K Downing and bassist Ian Hill. In '71
they made a 7" single acetate: "Holy is the Man" and "Mind
Conception". Through the early seventies Priest supported many
bands including Slade, Status Quo and Black Sabbath. A revolving
line-up continued until May 1973 when Atkins finally decided to
call it a day. His memoirs contain very rare archive photos and
memorabilia from Judas Priest's past circa 1969-1973. Also included
are interviews with various members of Priest's history. Atkins is
the co-writer of several Priest songs which are included on the
band's first two albums "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings of Destiny"
both of which eventually went Gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy
metal classic "Victim of Changes". With a foreword by Judas Priest
bassist Ian Hill, "Dawn of the Metal Gods" is not just a book for
Judas Priest fans but a bible for all those wishing to form a band
in the tumultuous world of heavy metal.
Iron Maiden first appeared at the Reading Rock Festival in 1980
when Paul Di'Anno was fronting the band and Dennis Stratton was on
guitar. They appeared second on the bill to UFO on the second
night. Undoubtedly for Maiden's Steve Harris there was nothing but
respect for the headliners with UFO's Pete Way being one of
Harris's biggest bass guitar influences. Also on the bill that day
were two future Iron Maiden members - Bruce Dickinson, then the
lead singer with Samson, and guitarist Janick Gers of White Spirit,
who were brought in as a replacement band. By 1982 when Maiden
returned to Reading it was naturally as the headlining act on the
Saturday evening. The band had gone through significant changes to
the line-up, most notably with Bruce Dickinson now fronting them,
which coincided with their rise in popularity. Incredibly it would
be another twenty-three years before Maiden returned to Reading, by
which time they were in their third decade and had become the
undisputed giants of metal. Their longevity also stood out as most
of the other major acts that performed over the three days had only
appeared on the scene over the previous few years and none could
boast a back catalogue quite like Maiden's. With a large collection
of photos by Alan Perry and memorabilia from the gigs plus
narrative from Iron Maiden biographer Neil Daniels, this book is a
wonderful celebration of Maiden's unforgettable appearances at this
British institution.
Get Your Rock On - Melodic Rock Shots is another juicy collection
of AOR and melodic rock reviews for die-hard rockers from the
author of the acclaimed Don't Stop Believin' - The Untold Story Of
Journey. In his latest bumper sized collection, seasoned rock
writer Neil Daniels has packed together literally dozens of album
reviews that date back many years. Daniels covers the full breadth
of the genre from the legendary Whitesnake to Europe, Aerosmith,
KISS and Journey via LA Guns, April Wine, Lillian Axe, MSG, Frank
Marino, Meat Loaf and Queen plus Thin Lizzy, Telsa and Jim
Steinman, amongst lots of other artists in the glorious pomp filled
world of AOR and melodic rock. It is a treasure trove of reviews
and a grand celebration of rock 'n' roll. Get Your Rock On is a 5x8
312 page paperback and eBook.
Rock Scribes On The Rock Press, Rock Music & Rock Stars... "In
this book, Neil Daniels turns the tables and asks us some searching
questions for once. Not because we are failed rock stars, but
because we are successful rock journalists. So is the pen actually
mightier than the guitar? Possibly not." -Mick Wall from his
foreword Rock 'N' Roll Sinners is the second chapter in a trilogy
of books featuring insightful and highly entertaining interviews
with some of the world's most successful and respected rock and
metal scribes. Ever wondered what it takes to be a rock journalist?
In this extensive collection of interviews, seasoned rock author
Neil Daniels has interviewed 68 rock and metal journalists from
around the world. With a foreword by the revered British author and
journalist Mick Wall, Rock 'N' Roll Sinners - Volume II is a worthy
historical document for the serious enthusiast and can be used as a
handy reference guide for the aspiring rock and metal writer. This
hefty collection, which was previously published as the critically
acclaimed All Pens Blazing - Volume II, makes essential reading for
rock and metal heads the world over. Volume II features interviews
with Phil Alexander, Mick Wall, Dave Thompson, Jaan Uhelszki and
Bernard Doe et al. Volume I features interviews with Dave Ling,
Malcolm Dome, Dave Reynolds, Derek Oliver, Mark Day, Geoff Barton
and Dave Dickson et al.
Neal Schon is undoubtedly one of rock music's most versatile yet
infuriatingly underrated guitarists. His work in the legendary
multi-million selling AOR band Journey is universally known but
what about his excellent solo albums and his other projects such as
Bad English, HSAS, Hardline and Soul SirkUs, and not forgetting his
many collaborations with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Paul Rodgers and
Jan Hammer? From the author of the acclaimed Don't Stop Believin' -
The Untold Story Of Journey, Electric World - A Casual Guide To The
Music Of Journey's Neal Schon is the first book to exclusively
explore the music of the longest running member of one of the most
successful American AOR bands of all time Electric World includes a
foreword by Robert Fleischman, the original frontman of Journey,
and exclusive interviews with such melodic rock heroes as Marco
Mendoza, Jeff Scott Soto, Danny Vaughn, Glen Burtnik, Jimi Jamison
and Ricky Phillips as well as a number of highly revered producers
who have worked with Neal Schon such as Richie Zito and Mike
Fraser. Also included are previously unpublished photos. Electric
World is essential reading for Journey fans and AOR enthusiasts.
Electric World - A Casual Guide To The Music Of Journey's Neal
Schon is a 6x9 344 page paperback and eBook.
Hard Rock Rebels - Talking With Rock Stars is a bumper sized
collection of dozens of interviews author Neil Daniels has
conducted over a decade's worth of rock writing. This 400+ page
book features interviews with current and former members of Iron
Maiden, Guns N' Roses, Foreigner, Journey, Europe, Saxon, Judas
Priest, Thunder, Slade, The Darkness, Scorpions, Queensryche and
Motley Crue, amongst others. Hard Rock Rebels was previously
published as Rock 'N' Roll Mercenaries Volumes I & II (both out
of print) and contains bonus material. "UK classic rock expert Neil
Daniels has been quickly, methodically making a name for himself as
one of the most prolific and academic of rock biog penners..."
-Martin Popoff, Author "Daniels really gets under the skin of the
rock 'n' roll industry..." -Joel McIver, Author ..".this man
obviously takes his rock 'n' roll very seriously " - Greg Prato,
Author "Neil Daniels is a rock and roll warrior who writes from the
heart. He is one of the few and mighty who are daring to keep music
that matters in the limelight " -Jeb Wright, Classic Rock Revisited
" Daniels gives] an insight into the minds of some of rock 'n'
roll's greatest characters..." -Malcolm Dome, Total Rock Radio
"Neil Daniels is fast gaining a reputation as one of the leading
rock scribes around." -Mick Burgess, Metal Express Radio
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