Running with the Devil: A Backstage Pass to the Wild Times, Loud Rock, and the..

KISSMAD: Would I enjoy this book if the only other VH book I’ve read was Van Halen Rising?

I’m critical of the book, but still say it’s a must read for VH nuts, just taken with a grain of salt. Noel was there in the trenches with VH for the whole 7 years. I just question some of the writing and a couple minor factual errors. And mostly it’s 99% negative stories. I wish it was more balanced w positive tidbits. The 1983 S. America Tour chapter is positive.

If you already know Ed was a musical genius, but a coked out shitty human at times and Dave had an enormous ego and Alex was an alcoholic ass…. which led to total implosion 1985…. you should be fine

KISSMAD: Would I enjoy this book if the only other VH book I’ve read was Van Halen Rising?

Not if you actually liked the band. And not if you are a thinking person. This is about exacting revenge pure and simple. If you can pick it up knowing that, and somehow think you’re getting a balanced account in any way, shape, or form, then I don’t know what else to say. But I’ll try…

Going back to his second promise… Noel’s account is not about the making of VH; it’s about the breaking of VH. He portrays everyone associated with the band in a bad light, except for himself. His characterizations of others are not just factual recountings, they’re opinion pieces designed for maximum damage to the reputations of those he’s talking about. And let’s be clear – even Michael Anthony does not escape this treatment. Noel portrays Mike as a serviceable bass player with no real talent who never had a bass in his hand when he wasn’t on stage. He does say that Mike was a nice guy, and tries to align himself with Mike as a casualty, but I would not say that his portrait was flattering.

Furthermore, he talks about the ship going down and totally denies any responsibility which strains credulity – he was the captain according to his own account. For example, he openly admits to not doing anything to get help for his addicted bandmates (as he saw them). He blamed Ed and Alex’s drinking on their crazy parents and was happy that Ed found a dealer he trusted to fly all over the world and keep him in a “pigpen”-like state.

Noel wants credit for doing his job. Ok great. He was no Colonel Parker/Brian Epstein/Peter Grant though. Maybe he should have gotten that memo when the band never gave him a long term contract, but he didn’t. He believed that he was a bigger part of the band’s success than he was, and does not take any responsibility for the band’s failure to deal with its issues. The whole premise that he was so important to the band but had no power to do anything about the band’s problems is a glaring issue with his account. I guess if you don’t mind taking part in his character assassinations, then have at it. But don’t say that you were not warned….

How old is Noel Monk ?

Ok thanks..

I haven’t read Dave’s book, is it still in print? I may have to hit Amazon and pick it up. Im a huge fan of Autobiographies from the musicians I love. I think Graham Nash’s book was astounding. If you haven’t read it, it’s a brilliant read. Mick Fleetwood’s book is okay, some great stories though.

Revo11: This was a good book, very entertaining.I don’t think he was overly harsh on anyone, I’m guessing 95% of what he said is true.Some really good behind the scenes stuff, definitely worth the download cost on Amazon.Ed liked his krell, Alex liked his alcohol, David loved everything David, and Mikey was glad to be there.I really didn’t read anything that sounded out of line at all.Your mileage may vary.

Really? Ok…..

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/08/17/van-halens-ex-manager-tells-all-in-new-memoir.html

Van Halen’s ex-manager tells all in new memoir
By Stephanie Nolasco
Published August 17, 2017

Noel Monk didn’t need much convincing to manage a new rock band from California called Van Halen. He’d previously befriended The Grateful Dead, hit the road with the Sex Pistols, and even poured Southern Comfort for Janis Joplin, and he realized the group was different right away.

“I loved their music. They were special,” Monk told Fox News. “Ed’s [Van Halen] guitar playing was quite unbelievable. I mean really, really incredible. And David [Lee Roth] was an absolute great frontman, and he could do things that I’ve never seen done before. Jumping up, doing a full split. I mean, Dave and Ed were Van Halen. It could never be anyone else.”

Monk has recently published a memoir, titled “Runnin’ with the Devil,” which chronicles his time on the road with Van Halen from 1978 until 1985. And at first, it was smooth sailing for everyone involved, easily garnering fame with their chart-topping party anthems. Monk insisted Van Halen were determined to succeed and “didn’t want to mess it up.”

[click the link to read more]