The Big Wheel [Paperback]

Bruce Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Thomas was bassist with Elvis Costello and The Attractions at the height of the band’s success with hits like "Oliver’s Army" and "Accidents Will Happen." Though names are never mentioned, The Big Wheel paints a vivid and hilarious picture of exactly what it is like touring the US and the rest of the world with Costello and Company, sharing your life 24 hours a day with a moody egotistical singer, a crazed drummer and a host of hangers-on.

Originally published by Viking in 1990, The Big Wheel was nominated for the Ralph J. Gleason award for music writing. Less impressed, Costello sacked Thomas for writing it. This is one of the great music books, and probably the funniest.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Imagine a rock 'n' roll star with shades of Marcel Proust's introspection, Hunter Thompson's sensibility and William Least Heat-Moon's ability to relate atmosphere. Such is Thomas's account of his experiences as the bass player for Elvis Costello and the Attractions, in which he details the absurdities of rock 'n' roll life. There are childish pranks: Cutting off a fellow drinker's awful tie and then drinking beer out of his wife's shoe as an apology, only to discover it's impossible with an open-toe shoe. There are absurdist moments: getting chased in Disney World after a minor indiscretion and watching the flashing light illuminate the mouse ears atop the police car's roof. Just below the surface, however, lurk hours of boredom breeding alienation: "Having no sense of place was beginning to unravel just a little sense of self." There are always too many miles to go with too much alcohol as company. Thomas's discovery of the trivial forces and common failings of life form the dark undercurrent of the book. Thomas is an honest storyteller of the first rank. He's not always likeable, as when his disaffection makes him belittle others, but he's always observant--particularly about himself.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A top notch anecdotalist who can time a twist to make you laugh out loud." -- Q

"Hilariously hip." -- Rolling Stone

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Helter Skelter Publishing; 2nd edition edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1900924536
• ISBN-13: 978-1900924535
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, but lighten up, Bruce!, February 10, 2004

By 

SUNLVR "opp" (Rockledge, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Wheel (Paperback)

I echo the sentiments of other reviews.. Bruce Thomas, former Attractions Bassist, can turn a phrase with almost the degree of virtuosity that he displays in his mastery of the electric bass guitar... no small feat.

As a fan of Elvis Costello, I read the book, perhaps a bit defensively, knowing of the falling out this book reportedly caused between EC and Bruce. I readied myself to hear the worst about Elvis and the boys. I did not find Bruce's anecdotes particularly inflammatory or derogatory to "The Singer", "The Drummer" or "The Keyboard Player" (Thomas' Wodehouse-esque thinly-veiled psuedonyms for his bandmates.) No, it all seemed refreshingly frank, and having had just a small taste of life on the road in a band, it was nice to see the monotony so well chronicled. I enjoyed Bruce's irony and word play and found his style to be not unlike the wit and intelligence of Elvis Costello's own writing. I also appreciated Bruce's willingness to turn a critical eye to his own thoughts, motivations and behaviors.

Unfortunately, the overiding tone of the book is essentially joyless and bleak. Obviously The Road was a source of monotony and introspection, but surely there were more than a few moments where Bruce must have found the journey worth the taking. At no point is there any acknowledgement that he was having any fun or finding any personal joy and fulfillment in making a living playing music for adoring fans. Obviously it can't all be sex, drugs and rock n roll party fun, but this books makes the journey out to be nothing but dreary skies, shabby truck stops, and hangovers. The book seems dominated by an overriding sense of Bruce saying with a condescending tone 'oh why can't everyone be as observant and cynical as me?' The chronicle does manage to end with a slight glimmer of hope, and hints that Bruce may be at peace with himself, but it came across to me as an almost obligatory afterthought to round it out. Too little too late. Still, a good read, I just kept wanting to find the chapter, or even a paragraph in which he says "wow, how lucky am I to be playing in a band, and seeing the world and making a living doing it?!." You chronicled the downside, Bruce. Now count your blessings.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Highly overrated, January 24, 2009

By 

Fiasco (Hell's Half Acre, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Big Wheel (Paperback)

I've been reading for years about how good this book is, and how it caused a irreparable rift between Elvis Costello and the author. Having read it, I cannot understand either. The writing is repetitive and precious. Thomas tries too hard to turn a phrase at every, uh, turn, and his incessant descriptions of how boring the touring life can be are equally as excruciating. I cannot figure out what Elvis got pissed off about? The fact the uses the "lavatory" three times before a show? His fear of flying? I get the feeling he must have just learned to dislike Thomas over time and this book was a good excuse to chuck him from the band. Americans wishing to learn British slang and vernacular will find this book rife with opportunity. For hardcore Elvis fans only, and only suitable then as bathroom reading.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book but what's the big deal, December 5, 2005

By 

Phleg (Duncansville, Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Wheel (Paperback)

Having been a fan of the band from the beginning and being aware of the fact that "the book" supposedly caused the split, I began the book with some defensiveness. Before long, I found it to be a very interesting and well written record of life on the road. Granted, the tone is brooding at best but so was the music of this period.
The lingering question that I have is what was so bad here to cause the split? One of the reviewers stated that Bruce should lighten up. I'm a huge Elvis fan but maybe he should lighten up as well.
A good read.