Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga by Stephen Davis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga
Book Review: Almost certainly more fiction than fact
Summary: 3 Stars
Entertaining and in places reads almost like a novel. A bit sprawling and probably needed some brutal editing. Contributes to the cult of band on the edge in place of hard facts and reality. Entertaining and would have made good Oliver Stone film if he hadn't gone the Doors route.Book Review: A Wonderful Read
Summary: 4 Stars
Having been a Zep Fan since hearing Kasmir played to me back in the Early 70's, i found this book a wonderful in sight into the GREATEST Rock Band we'll probably see. From facinating back ground of each individual member of the band and how they came together, the classic albums they made, the records sales, the money, the drugs, the groupies, the lack of appreciation form the British and the Amercian music press, to the links with Black Magic. The death of Robert Plants son and the Lengendary John Bonham, brings a lump to your throat. A facinating, humourous and in places very sad insight into this legendary Band.Book Review: Hammer of the Rock Hack
Summary: 3 Stars
Stephen Davis wrote his version of the LZ Saga first, but his has the questionable glory of being also the worst. Compared to the biogrs of the band's inner-circle aficionado and its road manager, "Hammer of the Gods" spills far fewer beans about the band, as a matter of fact. If it has one redeeming virtue, it is that it delivers carefully worded descriptions about how Zeppelin Felt in its prime, on stage. But this can be gained from the band's DVD too for a higher price, but also the kick.Hammer of the Gods is OK, at least better than "Dirt" about Mötley Crue if the nephew has to be initiated into Hard Rock, but listening to "Rover" from "Physical Graffiti" on double vinyl and sporting a scarf outdoes both.
Book Review: Hammering the point home, again and again...
Summary: 3 Stars
I am nearly at the end of this book, which was recommended many years ago. I hope that I don't come across as intellectually overbearing about it, but it has been a bit of a disappointment. The quality of writing veers, quite often, into fanzine over-excitment; and the grammar, syntax and general style falls apart after the first two chapters. It is a fun and fast read (I don't always want an academic plod through rock journalism swamplands), and the first two chapters offer some very interesting insights into the band's genenesis, as well as the 60s music scene. After that, however, the howlers come thick and fast. I won't bore you with a list of "how not to write a bad bio." But one example that remains in mind are the tedious accounts of "Dazed And Confused." How many times can a writer bang on about Pages's bowing technique? Like the accounts of the song's increasing length, with each successive tour, the descriptions become irritatingly repetitive. And using the title as a weak pun twice, within the space of two pages, at on point, pushes the envelope off the table. Relief (albeit dubious!) comes when "Whole Lotta Love" becomes the next fixation. Plant faking orgasms as an accompaniment made me feel that it was no regret to miss them as a live act. Then it switches to (sorry; but I often skip this track!): "Stairway..." I saw one of the very good "Unledded" shows, and was relieved that it was omitted. Plant mentioned feeling almost embarrassed about this blast of bombast (Page disagreed, however), and it seems that the author is absurdly enamoured with this chestnut.An account of a riotous Italian show is, er, interesting. The carabinieri metamorphose into the gendarmarie within the space of a few pages!
Page's occult interests are lazily brushed aside as rumour at one point. I would like to know more about this, but the author doesn't really tackle it with any rigour.
Peter Grant seems (Bonham, as well) to be too misrepresented as a loveable rogue.
In all, it isn't THAT bad, but "definitive" is really wide of the mark.
I am at the point where John Paul Jones appears to be the only one left intact. I would be interested in a book of it all by him. He is the only one who has gone on to pursue interesting projects (e.g. his collaboration with Diamanda Galas); the others are at a loose end. The funniest part is Bob Dylan's sardonic response to Grant's blustering self-introduction.
Book Review: Riveting read!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great read, one for all long-time Zeppelin fans and new fans of the band who want to find out more about their beginnings, life on the road and the truth behind the myths that led to their 'hellraisers' label. Unlike many biographies which can get bogged down in too much detail and be boring to read, this combines detail with interesting facts and is a real page-turner. Well recommended!