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[radikal]

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=79451

August 24 marks the official release date for "Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga" by Ian Christe. Published in hardcover by John Wiley & Sons and years in the making, this is the first definitive biography of the ultimate American rock band.

Download an excerpt containing chapter one of the book at http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/08/04700391/0470039108.pdf (PDF file).

With over 75 million albums sold to date and a reunion tour making headlines, VAN HALEN remains among the most wild success stories in rock music, full of larger-than-life characters and musical milestones. For the first time, Ian Christe presents VAN HALEN's complete uncensored story, detailing the misfit childhoods, sibling rivalries, tour exploits, tabloid snoops, divorces, bitter band break ups, long-term substance abuse, and harrowing brushes with cancer. This book brings the saga of VAN HALEN from young lions to troubled monarchs in all of its exuberant, decadent, vulnerable, and awesome dimensions.

Ian Christe (Brooklyn, NY) is the author of "Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal", the definitive "bible" of heavy metal music and culture. He has written for many publications and appears frequently on VH1, VH1 Classic, and MTV2. Since 2004, his "Bloody Roots" show has appeared weekly on Sirius Satellite Radio

[thereadog]

Just got my copy. Came in the mail....pre-ordered from Amazon.com. Going to read it on the plane out to San Diego next week.

[Mink]

I can't wait to read this. I won't get my copy for a few weeks. My wife is giving it to me as a birthday present.

[thechefs2003]

So has anybody read this yet? Is there anything in this that most VH fans wouldn't already know?

[ron]

I got my copy today and thumbed through it. I'm looking forward to reading it.

[liquid_steel_az]

Still waiting for mine.....should be here this week, I hope...... :( :D

[GGirl]

I guess i need to order it. If it is written as well as Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal I'm sure it will be a great read. I ripped through that one in a day and a half.

Thanks for the heads up... I didn't even know about the book.

[Vince G.]

I don't have my copy...yet, but I did read elsewhere that the author apparently makes it very clear that he's Roth fan, and doesn't hold back when voicing his displeasure about the Hagar years.

That's something I really don't like hearing before I read a book like this. I mean, if the author was going to do something along those lines, then he should have ended the book in 1985 as Dave exited the band, and not even bothered with writing anything about Sammy's role in Van Halen.

This a quick review of the book that I read at another board:

"IMO, it's a decent book and gives a pretty straightforward, chronological history of the band culled from fairly common sources. Obviously, the author didn't actually interview anyone even remotely connected with the band so it's written entirely from an outsider's viewpoint.

The author has a healthy disrespect for whatever talents Sammy Hagar may have which is alright by me but there's some considerable critisism of Roth and the brothers when appropriate as well. Despite the author's clear disdain for Sammy, otherwise he gives a fairly objective history of the band up to the disasterous HoF induction.

The color and b/w photos are decent if a bit dark as if some are scanned from other sources. I can't say there's any deep revelations here that would shock or surprise any hardcore Van Halen fan though and it's a bit pricey at $25+. Still, considering there's actually very few even moderately complete histories of the band in print, it's worth checking out."

[thereadog]

Vince G. wrote: I don't have my copy...yet, but I did read elsewhere that the author apparently makes it very clear that he's Roth fan, and doesn't hold back when voicing his displeasure about the Hagar years.

That's something I really don't like hearing before I read a book like this. I mean, if the author was going to do something along those lines, then he should have ended the book in 1985 as Dave exited the band, and not even bothered with writing anything about Sammy's role in Van Halen.


I agree with you Vince...why bother adding the Sammy years in if he makes it clear that he wasn't happy about it. Oh well, I will see what he has to say soon enough...

[ks34vh]

Where is the best place to buy this. Amazon ? VH Store? or just go to barnes and noble?

ks

[liquid_steel_az]

17 bucks at Amazon. :thumb:

[thechefs2003]

For those that have read it - So what's the verdict on this book? Is it worth getting?

[thereadog]

thechefs2003 wrote: For those that have read it - So what's the verdict on this book? Is it worth getting?

I've gotten through a good amount of it so far (right around 1985 when Dave left). So far I am enjoying it. I'd say its worth it but it depends what you are looking for. I paid $17 off Amazon looking for something to read while I travel for work. This is enjoyable. Nothing in here that is earth shattering but if you are looking for an interesting read about Van Halen - give it a shot.

[tone1963]

I just finished it and I enjoyed it very much! :thumb:

[guitard]

book review wrote: Obviously, the author didn't actually interview anyone even remotely connected with the band...
I think I'll pass on this one.