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Best Seat in the House: Drumming in the '70s with Marriott, Frampton, and Humble Pie
Best Seat in the House Drumming in the '70s with Marriott Frampton and Humble Pie Author:Jerry Shirley Here is a hard rock memoir - essentially an authorized bio on the endearing British rock band Humble Pie - as told from the drum throne and backstage hallways during the emerging days of the Seventies classic rock era. In 1969, Jerry Shirley was chosen to drum in a new band led by Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton. He had just turned 17. Along w... more »ith bassist Greg Ridley, and manager Dee Anthony, the Pie started a 6-year journey that stormed the US and defined Arena Rock - bigger sound, bigger contracts, and bigger parties. Along the way Jerry meets with future legends that make for a star-studded bio and rare glimpse into the rock music industry. Written in his own voice and with a wicked musician sense of humor, Jerry details the vibrant scene that created the explosive sound of heavy rock. He explains how sessions were conducted by iconic engineers like Glyn Johns and Eddie Kramer, describes his session work with Syd Barrett and George Harrison and tells amusing tales like drum shopping with the Who's Keith Moon. What was it like to perform a sold-out show at Shea Stadium, play for 250,000 in Hyde Park, charter a private jet for tour, record the trend-setting live record at the Fillmore East (that spawned the FM radio staple "I Don't Need No Doctor"), get hyped for the stage by Dee Anthony, and deal with the drugs and excesses of this inhibitive era of rock? This book definitely answers those question as well as "What was it like to meet, play, record, tour, party, and fight with cult hero Steve Marriott?" No other book can cover it like this. Foreword (unedited foreword by Peter Frampton for Best Seat in the House My Life Drumming in the 70s with Marriott, Frampton, and Humble Pie by Jerry Shirley, 9781888408133, May, Rebeats Press, $24.95) When Humble Pie first started touring, I used to share a hotel room with Jerry. I had a girlfriend, later to become my wife but Jerry was still testing out prospective "ex-wives". So I used to feel a bit like Jack Lemon in the film, "The Apartment". I think I spent more time waiting outside our room than actually in it! Jerry has always been a wonderful and uniquely talented drummer but more than that he's a charmer! As we say in England, "the salt of the earth", and one of the very few true friends I have had in my life. Being a part of such a unique band as Humble Pie will always be one of the best times in my life. Steve Marriott coaxing me to form my own band, later to become Humble Pie, then introducing me to Jerry, was just the beginning of a period of five albums worth of fiery creativity. My dream had always been to join the Small Faces. Steve exuded such soul-dripping talent. And as I was to find out, there is nothing more, "adrenalizing", than singing on the same microphone as Steve. Nothing! The day after Steve left the Faces and we had already started planning the Pie, Ronnie, Mac and Kenny came over to my dingy, basement flat in Hammersmith and asked me to join the Small Faces. I thought, "How could anyone, "replace" Steve?!" I was very flattered but it was too late. Our first rehearsal in Jerry's parents front room, jamming on songs from the Band's, "Music from Big Pink", was truly a eureka moment for me! It was the best possible band I could ever have been in to this day! We were young and infallible and nothing could stop us doing what we were about to do. Jerry has a way of telling his story with the same excitement as when he lived it! This is the way it happened - faults and all! Hey, I was there ...Thanks Jerry for putting it straight once and for all. Love you brother.« less