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lordslaw's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant writing. Hammer Of The Gods tells the tale of the ascension of Led Zeppelin, their music, their influences, their personalities, their scandals and salacious, sometimes Satanic, reputation. One of the best rock-band bios I've ever read.
zeliontrope9's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
eafinct's review against another edition
4.0
History of one of rock's true originals - and an awful chronicle of the way that these musicians were corrupted by money and fame. The treatment of groupies and the abuse of drugs and alcohol is jaw-dropping, and the violence and hotel-room trashing is endless.
Nevertheless, there is good information here about the very small, tight world of British rock musicians in the 1960's and 1970's, and how they swapped bandmates, wives, mistresses and managers. I was also struck by the contrast between the small cozy world of English performance spaces, and the stadium-rock insanity in America, where Led Zepplin made the money that fueled their excessive lifestyles. All in all, a fascinating if appalling read. I'm glad I knew the music first.
Nevertheless, there is good information here about the very small, tight world of British rock musicians in the 1960's and 1970's, and how they swapped bandmates, wives, mistresses and managers. I was also struck by the contrast between the small cozy world of English performance spaces, and the stadium-rock insanity in America, where Led Zepplin made the money that fueled their excessive lifestyles. All in all, a fascinating if appalling read. I'm glad I knew the music first.
bomboloni's review against another edition
3.0
For Zeppelin fans, this book provides some interesting insight behind the scenes to the band.
vznsofjohanna's review against another edition
2.0
This feels like a Led Zeppelin textbook. The author can’t seem to dislodge Jimmy Page’s shaft from his throat at any given point to realize that there is an ocean of nuance flowing beneath the surface for him to tap into. The mystique of Zeppelin is tepidly interesting but is nothing in comparison to the story of four musicians who suddenly found themselves gods amongst mere men, and how they each as individuals coped with that title and the many turmoils that followed it. Some moments of genuine humanity manage to glimpse through yet the majority of it remains unexplored.
My only real takeaways is that John Bonham unfortunately joins my pantheon of terrible, monstrous people who unfortunately happen to also be some of the best musicians to ever walk the face of the earth, and that JPJ is an absolute gigachad. Showed up, ripped the fuck out of his bass, didn’t fuck teenagers, and then left. What a legend.
My only real takeaways is that John Bonham unfortunately joins my pantheon of terrible, monstrous people who unfortunately happen to also be some of the best musicians to ever walk the face of the earth, and that JPJ is an absolute gigachad. Showed up, ripped the fuck out of his bass, didn’t fuck teenagers, and then left. What a legend.
linds0110's review against another edition
4.0
The quintessential Zepplin book. A must read for all classic rock fans.