Hamburg -- The Cradle of British Rock [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Alan Clayson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sanctuary Music Library | Publication Date: June 1, 1998

A frank and often brutal account of how British idols-in-waiting served their apprenticeship for fame in Hamberg: the music, the personalities, the club scene, the sex, the prostitution, the drugs, the return home.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Sanctuary Publishing; illustrated edition edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860742211
• ISBN-13: 978-1860742217
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,608,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Hamburg Revisited, December 28, 2007

By 

Colin Rusch "Colin" (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hamburg -- The Cradle of British Rock (Paperback)

These comments are somewhat late inasmuch as the book has been published for quite a few years now. I have read a couple of other books by Alan Clayson, and although he is not quite my favourite writer as far as the music genre is concerned, the black cover and subject matter of 'Hamburg' had an immediate appeal. Let me come to what I see as the biggest flaw of the book right away: very poor editing as far as the German references are concerned. A book that was written about a very interesting musical period for English bands in Germany - and would subsequently be full of German quotes - was clearly edited by someone with virtually no knowledge of the language. The number of mispellings and careless attitude with the use of idioms, capital letters and 'Umlauts' is atrocious. Maybe the publisher did not want to spend the money on a qualified German-speaking sub-editor, or whoever they used pretended to be fully fluent with the vernacular. Let me assure you, that this is not the case and completely mars what otherwise might have been a much better book.

There is also a distinct feeling that some chapters were written 'in haste' and, again, I feel that there was no strict editorial process in place.

I think the problem with Alan Clayson is that he has written far too many books in too short a space of time.

Would I recommend Hamburt to other readers? Yes, because it covers a unique period and place in music. Readers should simply be aware that the local flavour of the book has been 'neutered' because of poor editing and/or research of what is an integral part of the book, regardless as to whether readers understand German or not.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginnings, April 2, 2006

By 

Jeffrey J. Breis "dirtygum" (Highbridge,WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hamburg -- The Cradle of British Rock (Paperback)

This is a great book about the early years of rock 'n' roll where our heroes (Tony Sheridan, The Beatles, Ritchie Blackmore, et al) started out. Interesting background on the bands, the clubs, the music and other goings-on.