Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs of the 80s and the True Stories Behind Their Lyrics (Cengage Educational) [Paperback]

Jackie Kajzer (Author), Roger Lotring (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2009 | Series: Cengage Educational

In this one-of-a-kind book, author Jackie Kajzer, famous internationally as "Full Metal Jackie," collects insights from your favorite rock stars about the creative process behind the most influential metal songs of the '80s. The interviews go well beyond the already familiar stories and anecdotes, as Jackie gathers thoughts from heavy metal artists and songwriters about the cultural and social impact the songs had when they were released, as well as the continued validity and influence these songs hold today. So cue up the album tracks, print out the lyrics, and listen while you read the pages that follow. You'll never hear these songs the same way again.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I'm impressed by the ambition in The 50 most influential heavy metal songs of the 80's and the true stories behind their lyrics...I am also impressed by the fact that they have got hold of all these musicians."

"…armed with a copy of Jackie Kajzer's Full Metal Jackie Certified - The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs of the 80's and The True Stories Behind Their Lyrics in your musical arsenal can only help promote your sonic survival…heavy metal's music and lyrics continue to provide the foundation for which the future house of Rock is being continually built on. Who better to shed light on this subject then the reigning queen of hard rock, Jackie Kajzer (known internationally as Full Metal Jackie)… Tracing the history of the decade's biggest and most influential songs, Jackie weaves a musical tapestry with a plethora of war stories by those who lived it. Ranging from the classics all the way up to modern "alternative metal", Full Metal Jackie Certified… covers them all. From AC/DC to W.A.S.P., Metallica to Motorhead and Megadeth, Rob Halford to Don Dokken and Pantera to Slayer, through the insight revealed to Jackie, you'll never hear your favorite heavy metal songs the same way again!"

"…one new book by Jackie Kajzer, "Full Metal Jackie," truly stands out of the pack. FULL METAL JACKIE CERTIFIED: THE 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL HEAVY METAL SONGS OF THE '80S AND THE TRUE STORIES BEHIND THEIR LYRICS brings us deeper behind the music than ever before. Jackie gives an in-depth tour of some of the genre's greatest songs talking to everyone from Pantera/Down and Superjoint Ritual mainman Phil Anselmo to King Diamond."

"While the literary formula of tour bus recollections and wild stories were great years ago, the telltale difference in this book is in the thorough and detailed execution…First, they are forthright on the intention of this book. It's about the influence of the lyrics of these songs from the '80s heavy metal genre. It's not just another legacy list for the ages. With their mission clearly defined, they easily peel away the excess fat of hair metal and Sunset Strip rock found in the '80s and get to the meat of the debate--the messages and meanings behind our favorite metal songs. Secondly, the narratives go well beyond the redundant stories and anecdotes. They include thoughts from the heavy metal artists and songwriters about the cultural and social impact these songs had when spandex was cool. They complement that original info with newly acquired and fresh insight from those same artists on the continued validity and power these songs still hold today. And thirdly, the book dives deep into each song's musical composition…gather your musical buddies, grab some brews, spin some vinyl and hash out the details of this book full of metal classics. "

"…a really interesting read, with great stories from the songs' writers."

Product Details

• Paperback: 337 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (December 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435454413
• ISBN-13: 978-1435454415
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jackie Kajzer is the developer and host of the nationally syndicated
metal show "Full Metal Jackie," and a leading voice among metal music
fans everywhere. Known for her unique, customized playlists and in-
depth interviews with legendary rock artists, including Ozzy Osbourne,
Slayer, Zakk Wylde and many others, Jackie has been named FMQB "Metal
Host of the Year" by fans for three years in a row and counting. She
is a highly sought-after host for concerts and shows, including an
appearance on the first annual heavy metal awards show--Revolver
Golden Gods--which aired on MTV2 in April 2009.

A metal fan since birth, Jackie began her career at Seton Hall
University's highly acclaimed Pirate Radio (WSOU), quickly taking her
talent to larger New York-Metro commercial stations WHTG and WDHA. In
2001, Jackie moved west and settled in Los Angeles, where she joined
the staff of The Firm--then the music industry's premier management
firm. She quickly advanced to Radio Promotions Director, establishing
an in-house heavy metal radio department and working with bands such
as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Staind, Audioslave, Static-X, Otep
and others, as well as discovering, signing and marketing the metal
sensation Five Finger Death Punch.

Jackie's on-air fame continued to grow in Los Angeles, first at KBZT
in San Diego, and later at KNAC.com, before she launched her weekly
Chaos radio show--Los Angeles and Orange County's only all-metal
program--from Indie 103.1 in L.A. Currently syndicated in over 22
markets nationwide, Full Metal Jackie continues to be a major
influence on the metal genre. For more information, visit www.fullmetaljackieradio.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Full Metal Jackie's Amazing Book Lacks One Thing..., February 9, 2010

By 

Dane Robinson "Shredder" (Apocalyptic Wasteland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs of the 80s and the True Stories Behind Their Lyrics (Cengage Educational) (Paperback)

This book is amazing, and hard to find, but I eventually ended up finding a used copy for 14.99 at Strand Bookstore in Lower Manhattan, and was extremely excited. First, let me say that this book is a great read, and it is VERY up to date, regarding what is going on with the current situations of the mentioned bands, and the interviews and comments are awesome. It's great that she was able to contact these guys and gals, and get them to explain their deepest lyrics and how they feel about their songs and how they influence the scene.

I completely agree with her on the songs that she picked, with very few exceptions. The one reason that I gave it four stars was because there is not a single Iron Maiden song mentioned in there, and the Judas Priest, Slayer, Black Sabbath songs aren't the best. Are you serious? No Iron Maiden as one of the 50 Most Influential Songs from the 80s? Iron Maiden is metal, no matter who or what looks at it. I think any Iron Maiden song is more influential than D.R.I, King's X, Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized," Lizzy Borden, Living Color, Danzig, etc. Half of the bands in this book wouldn't even be around if it wasn't for Maiden. They are the primary influence on most of these bands. Some other things that weren't mentioned/things I gave it four stars for:

1. First, No King Diamond?
2. No Black Metal references? Where's Mayhem, Venom, Celtic Frost, etc.
3. No Jackyl? WTF!
4. Metallica didn't get anything from Kill 'Em All or Justice mentioned. One, maybe? Four Horsemen, maybe?
5. She chose W.A.S.P's WORST track, and there were tons more influential from "Last Command" and "W.A.S.P"
6. There is ONE Motorhead song mentioned...gimmie a break...and you'll NEVER guess which one it is...
7. Even though they aren't completely metal...No mentions of Kiss, Rush, etc.
8. Heavy Metal of the 80s had many subcategories. She did include Dokken, Twisted Sister, etc., but not Cinderella, Extreme, Great White, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Slaughter, Saxon, or Warrant etc. Come on, Jackie, I usually agree with you...but you had some useless songs in there, and the three Ozzy songs in a row weren't neccessary.

Overall, it may sound like i am complaining a lot, but the things that I mentioned should just be common sense. The no Iron Maiden, Black Metal, Kill 'Em All, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, and Motorhead thing really was disappointing. She is a great person, a great author, and the book is great, I just feel that it was lacking a little bit to make it a five star book. This was just a forewarning, not telling you not to buy it; definitly buy it. It's awesome. Thanks for reading, and I hope my constructive criticism was a help to all of you. Raise the Horns, crack a beer, and open the book and dive into the world of Full Metal Jackie's Heavy Metal influences. Rock on!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Let down, May 25, 2010

By 

J. Felger "Shreddah" (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs of the 80s and the True Stories Behind Their Lyrics (Cengage Educational) (Paperback)

Great bands and great songs . . . not so great interviews or stories of creation. The author even includes songs where interviews weren't conducted with the artists! For metallica's stuff, she talks to unrelated people who tell stories about their life and how they interpreted the song. Why not just omit metallica's songs if you couldn't interview Hetfield? So, "True stories behind the lyrics" is interpreted pretty loosely.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, June 8, 2010

By 

J. Forté (District of Columbia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs of the 80s and the True Stories Behind Their Lyrics (Cengage Educational) (Paperback)

I gotta say this was a bit disappointing. While some of the stories were a little too familiar-sounding, I was most bothered by the format (back-to-back tunes by the same artists at times) and the repetitive and unimaginative nature of the narrative. It's ok; cool idea.