Customer Reviews

Freebirds

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In a nutshell, I loved it!

If you're reading this review, I will proceed with the assumption that you are familiar with (1) the incomparable power of a Skynyrd song gripping your soul and not letting go or (2) the enjoyment of reading a truly well researched, well written contemporary biography.

There have been stories of Skynyrd's humble beginnings, rock & roll antics, head-strong personalities and individual excesses since Day One. CREEM and Rolling Stone kept watch. Cameron Crowe offered his tip-of-the-hat to them in "Almost Famous." But the real story? The real people? Finally, it's here. And it's every bit as compelling as Skynyrd's timeless compositions.

FREEBIRDS is a fascinating book about the roots and evolution of Lynyrd Skynyrd from its beginning through present day. It was never as simple as blue collar rough neighborhoods and kids with a dream. The book reveals a highly kinetic mix of intelligent, complicated individuals and their talents, friendships, differences and colliding fates. Not to say there wasn't the private or very public fight here or there... The actual events are discussed by the people who were there. Brant maintains an even hand in presenting different sides of the same story. Contradicting recollections of events (whether through past "impairments" or 20-20 hindsight) are examined and placed before the reader for consideration.

The information in the book far exceeds anything published before (or that probably ever will be) by virtue of the sheer depth and number of events discovered, disclosed, investigated, tales told and recollections shared. It is evident Author/Biographer Brant had the professional credibility and respect to write FREEBIRDS. It was a book that needed to be written and the author has given the reader both solid fact-finding and spellbinding story telling blended together artfully in top notch writing.

FREEBIRDS "reads" very well -- it's comfortable and engaging, evenly paced and balanced in it's approach. I was very drawn in by it. As the old saying goes, "It's a real page turner!"

To reiterate: I loved it!

Brant lets the reader decide in this biography of Lynyrd Skynyrd. As you would expect with the money and ego involved, the many characters involved with Skynyrd over the last 25 years have a different perspective on events. They are not hesitant to give their versions. The author has not taken sides, nor tried to interpret, the sometimes destructive relationships that were defined by casual sex, drug addiction, alcoholism, and money. Instead she lets the band tell the story. The reader is left to his own conclusions. In my opinion, these are talented, but not very nice people. This is a fan's book, and there is much to enjoy about the band's story. The author has obviously talked to many people, and the story is very interesting. The message I get from the book is that Rock and Roll, for all it's glamour, is a tough business, for tough people. Skynyrd has suceeded while most have failed. These guys have a lot to offer. Read this book, and you will understand them much better.

A great personal account. I've been a L.S. fan for all their various incarnations and I don't think I am missing any of their albums but his book opened my eyes to a lot of facts I didn't know. I didn't know that Ed King was in the Strawberry Alarm Clock and I saw them in person back when he was. This is one of many facts in this book. It's almost like a day by day account of their career and you really get an insight into the personal habits of each member. I've read Ms. Brant's other books but this is the best (so far).

I watched "Almost Famous: the bootleg cut" and director Cameron Crowe mentioned interviewing Ronnie Van Zant right before the crash. Ronnie confided to Crowe he was fed-up with a certain member of the band and wanted to fire him, but couldn't bring himself to do it because of loyalty. That got me really interested in reading something about Lynryrd Skynyrd! I've always enjoyed a good Skynyrd tune, but knew next to nothing about the the band members. This is a great book with lots of first hand accounts and interviews. I have nothing to compare it to, as this is the first book I've read on Skynyrd. I do know it kept me interested from beginning to end, and I'm not even what you'd call a "hardcore" fan. It's just a well-written and interesting book, very insiteful look at this band.

I liked this book. The stories are very entertaining and I learned a great deal about the Band from the very early days until now. It's quite a story and much deeper than I had known. For that alone, I appreciated the book. While everything obviously hasn't been rosy and there are disagreements today, I felt the book was fair. I enjoyed the pace of the book and would recommend it as a "must read" for any Skynyrd fan.

I waited a long time for a book about Skynyrd and this one is good. Tells me a lot about what I wanted to know behind the scenes and the quotes from past and present band members are really interesting. Don't know why there are a couple of one star reviews here. Especially ones that don't really criticize the book but criticize the things being said by the people being interviewed. Hearing how people really feel make the book that much more interesting and these guys don't hold anything back. Can't believe these one-starrers say the book is boring or badly written. Stories like Ronnie Van Zant putting a gun to the head of the drummer during rehearsal and Artimus Pyle turning Linda Blair's head around are funny as hell. The one about Pyle saving Paul McCartney's life is priceless. Makes me think the one-starrers had another agenda or maybe didn't read the book (or at least the same one I did!) This book tells you what you want to know about Skynyrd right up to 2002, and tells it mostly through the people who lived it. The author provides a lot of background material too. It's a good book.

This was my first read about Skynyrd, and I think I picked the most information-packed and readable one out there at present. You can tell that the author went great effort to provide an objective and detailed account of Skynyrd, from Ronnie's childhood (as well as Allen's and Gary's) to the nearly present day incarnation of the band. Being an ol' southern boy myself, It was very easy for me to connect with the stories of the band when Ronnie was at the helm. I learned details about the accident, as well as differences in accounts of the crash between Billy and Artemus. The meeting with Gary and Allen with Ronnie's and Steve's widows after the crash was a little shocking. And, of course, the '87 tribute tour and beyond. I had no idea that there was such bad blood between some of the surviving band members. I also learned about the multitude of replacement members that have come and gone, and some of the circumstances surrounding their departure. Nonetheless, the author tries to tell the reader the stories from all angles as best as possible. After reading this book, I've kinda come to the conclusion that Lynyrd Skynyrd being around and touring present day (and doing damn well I might add), is a miracle. And the fans come out the winners. This will not be my last or only read on Skynyrd by any means, but I definitely recommend this book as a start point.

This is a very interesting look at a very complex band. The book is written in a way that makes you feel connected to Lynyrd Skynyrd in a new way. Much of the story is told using the band member's own words whether those words are brutally honest, controversial or revisionist. Ballinger's book is a good quote book but this book gives more history. I really recommend this book for Skynyrd fans and rock and roll lovers in general. Great band, great read.

This is a greatly indept book that was highly researched. Although some events in the book may sound questionable, Marley Brant clearly states that he took all sides of the stories and put them in there. This book is so direct that it actualy stired up some bad blood with the band today. The book tells the story of the band from its days as One Percent to the rebirth of the band after the plane crash. Along with being a great read it is also accompied with alot of rare photos. CLEARLY A MUST HAVE FOR ANY SKYNYRD FAN!

LYNYRD SKYNYRD is an enjoyable, well written book. It tracks the band from its scrappy beginnings to international recognition, honky tonks to stadiums.

I liked quite a few things about this book. Author Brant conducted many personal interviews and the resulting first person accounts made for very interesting, often amusing and occasionally poignant reading. There were also wonderful photographs, many I had never seen and I am a longtime fan. The story was told chronologically and that made for easy reading, as the book has quite a cast of characters.

I would recommend this book to a friend without hesitation.