Frontman is a title in which musical memoir and how-to book collide to form a fascinating new hybrid. The leader and founding member of seminal ’80s band the Bongos, Richard Barone has successfully navigated the rough seas of major record labels, endless tours (and parties), sexual politics, divas, disappointments, and drugs. With his deceptive choirboy appearance, voice, and demeanor, this New Yorker tells how he’s done it all while remaining defiantly “up and coming.” The story includes the details of the Bongos’ signing with RCA, their MTV successes, and the inside scoop on how quickly the feeling of professional triumph can vaporize. Along the way, Barone provides invaluable career advice from the perspective of one who has been there and back.
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Richard and I have shared the same stage ~ he experiments as I have always ~ yet centers his performance into the popular vortex of music ~ focused and highly creative Richard 'shines on'." -- Donovan Leitch, Venice Beach 2007
"This is a completely charming and witty look at the frontman phenomenon. It is written by a purist who tells you what it's like to be a true fan in love with the music who then becomes a frontman himself. A very warm and honest look at making and loving music." -- Lou Reed
"whether fronting the bongos or his own solo projects, richard lives and breathes music, and has experienced the world. i've always enjoyed working with richard and value his ideas and expertise on my own and other projects. read this book!" -- fred schneider, The B-52's
"This is a completely charming and witty look at the frontman phenomenon. It is written by a purist who tells you what it's like to be a true fan in love with the music who then becomes a frontman himself. A very warm and honest look at making and loving music." -- Lou Reed
"whether fronting the bongos or his own solo projects, richard lives and breathes music, and has experienced the world. i've always enjoyed working with richard and value his ideas and expertise on my own and other projects. read this book!" -- fred schneider, The B-52's
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Richard Barone is an acclaimed recording artist, performer, composer, producer, and author. Since his days as frontman of The Bongos, he has produced countless studio recordings, and collaborated with world-class artists in every musical genre - from Moby to Liza Minnelli. As musical and theatrical director, he has scored shows and staged all-star concert events at such venues as Carnegie Hall (where he will be presenting a 'musical reading' of his new book at the beautiful, new Zankel Hall on October 1st, 2008) and the Hollywood Bowl. Barone lives in New York City, where he is currently recording his fifth solo album with legendary producer Tony Visconti, among others. His debut book, "FRONTMAN: Surviving the Rock Star Myth" was released by Hal Leonard Books in Fall, 2007.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
All books about music should be this good!,
By Geoff Kessell "mrcryptic" (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Frontman: Surviving the Rock Star Myth (Paperback)
With 'Frontman' Richard Barone adds another remarkable achievement to his already impressive portfolio. Most books I've read by or about musicians have disappointed and/or caused me to like a performer less. 'Frontman' only helps me further appreciate one of my favorite artists! Richard offers a fascinating "travelogue" of his career and music. As in his songs, his writing is eloquent but never pretentious or cloying, and honest but never self-indulgent or gossipy. And as intended, his stories of the music biz are enlightening, engaging and educational for any aspiring frontmen. Richard has truly experienced the wild rollercoaster ride of the entertainment industry and still remains modest, upbeat, and astonishingly un-jaded. Whether or not you're already a fan of Richard's work, this is a great read... and if you're not, you will be by the time you finish this book!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Frontman" is terrific!,
By
This review is from: Frontman: Surviving the Rock Star Myth (Paperback)
Richard's book is an extremely enjoyable, involving look at a business that eats its own without blinking, but he's come out of everything he's encountered with an amazingly uncynical, positive view. I can't recommend Frontman highly enough... a wonderful way to spend your weekend!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
RIVETING,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Frontman: Surviving the Rock Star Myth (Paperback)
What an amazing book! I simply could not put it down. Mr. Barone offers valuable advise to aspiring musicians, however, it is so much more than that. A true story of triumphs as well as disappointments and a rare insight into the glittery world of the superstars of music. Personally, I can't wait for the sequel....
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
Florida sticks out like a sore thumb. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
telephoto lens, phantom train, magic shop, passport records, blue halo Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Tiny Tim, New Jersey, Beat Hotel, Bottom Line, Perry Street, Peggy Lee, New Wave, Miss Jean, Tony Visconti, Laughing Dogs, Drums Along the Hudson, Cool Blue Halo, Nancy Sinatra, Mambo Sun, John Lennon, Richard Barone, Clouds Over Eden, Iggy Pop, Compass Point, Hudson Street, Les Paul, Petula Clark, Central Park, San Francisco Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Florida sticks out like a sore thumb. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
telephoto lens, phantom train, magic shop, passport records, blue halo Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Tiny Tim, New Jersey, Beat Hotel, Bottom Line, Perry Street, Peggy Lee, New Wave, Miss Jean, Tony Visconti, Laughing Dogs, Drums Along the Hudson, Cool Blue Halo, Nancy Sinatra, Mambo Sun, John Lennon, Richard Barone, Clouds Over Eden, Iggy Pop, Compass Point, Hudson Street, Les Paul, Petula Clark, Central Park, San Francisco Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
