Dave Grohl: Foo Fighters, Nirvana and Other Misadventures (Paperback)

~ Martin James (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The first biography of one of modern rock’s most influential figures. Emerging from the morass of suicide and potent musical legacy that was Nirvana, the Foo Fighters established themselves - against all odds - as one of the most popular rock bands in the world. Deflecting early critical disdain, Dave Grohl has single-handedly reinvented himself and cemented his place in the rock pantheon. This is his story, from his pre-Nirvana days in hardcore band Scream to his current festival-conquering status as a Grammy-winning, platinum-selling grunge legend reborn.

About the Author

Martin James once found himself watching The Prodigy backstage with Grohl, both climbing up a lighting rig to share a better view. With this in-depth book, he pieces together the life story of one of the most remarkable, enigmatic and yet amenable stars in recent history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Independent Music Press (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0953994244
• ISBN-13: 978-0953994243
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,380,355 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Martin James needs to get over himself, September 3, 2004

By	Vivian (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

I agree with everyone else so far who wasn't fond of this book. I've been a fan of Dave Grohl for most of his career and what I thought would be insightful as to who he is as a person or whatever, turned out to be a boring endlessly analytical review of everything Dave Grohl has been involved in musically.

I wanted the FACTS of Dave Grohl's life and career, but all this useless music critic had to offer was his opinions about what each track sounded like on each album and which ones were good, which were bad... excuse me? If you're a fan of Dave Grohl or the Foo Fighters in the first place, we're all probably going to have a difference of opinion as far as which album/songs are "best". What's the purpose of injecting Dave's BIOGRAPHY with your opinions? And the book is full of this guy's opinions and I'm NOT INTERESTED IN THOSE! He literally goes on for fifteen pages about how exactly each track on 'the colour and the shape' sounds and if it's good or not when I really don't need that because I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE ALBUM SOUNDS LIKE!!!!

Another note- Martin James needs to learn how to spell. Numerous words and names are spelled wrong and punctuation marks used incorrectly. Once he said "...basketball star Codi Bryant..." Did he mean 'Kobe Bryant'? Apparently he also needs a hearing aid. I was feeling embarrassed for the guy. It's crazy how in love with his own perspective he is. He basically used Dave Grohl as a tool to unleash a perfect medium for his own views on music. I was thoroughly disappointed.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A lot about "Dave, the musician" but not "Dave, the man", December 13, 2003

By A Customer

Although this book was an interesting summary of the bands Dave Grohl admired and was influenced by growing up, and, of course, played in, I was disappointed that it really didn't talk about him much in terms of his personal life. Most of the personal stuff in there I had already read on the internet. The author doesn't make it a secret that he pretty much pieced this together using interviews to other magazines or web sites. It seems that he must personally know Dave, but there is no indication of any one-on-one interview for this book.

I guess I was looking for the: what was his childhood like, what was it like growing up with him as a child or teenager, where did he work, where did he meet his wives, etc.

If you're looking for a breakdown of concerts and albums, this book does a good job of that. I do question reviewing each song from each CD...songs seem pretty subjective to me, and the author uses a lot of "this has a hint of the Pixies with a Metallica type chorus"... If you're getting that much out of it, you're analyzing it too much. IT'S JUST A SONG! Ya like it or ya don't!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Potentially great but disappointing, January 8, 2004

By	Neal Mayborn (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love a good biography, especially those of musicians. I love all of Dave Grohl's creations esp. the Foo Fighters. I was really looking forward to learn more about the man. Unfortunately this book doesn't focus much on Dave but rather on the Punk music scene and a who's who of punk music. I didn't need a whole chapter on Cobain either. Who's bio is this anyway? The book does have some really good pictures, just not much personal info on the man. I grew bored and didn't even bother to finish it, which is rare for me. Not recommended.