Jeff Beck: Crazy Fingers (Reference Book) Softcover [Paperback]

Annette Carson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

The definitive, unauthorized biography of Jeff Beck! This well-researched, enlightening book positions Jeff Beck's astonishing achievements - like the pioneering of feedback - within the musical climate of the times. Chronicling his incarnations before and with the Yardbirds, the Jeff Beck Group and beyond, the book describes in detail: Beck's favored Fender guitars; passion for hot rods; relationships with Rod Stewart, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy and other artists; love of rockabilly; recording collaborations ranging from Donovan to Tina Turner; landmark solo and instrumental work; and much more. Includes a wealth of personal, musical and historical detail, great photos, and a comprehensive discography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Annette Carson was a booking agent in London during Beck's rise to frame with the Yardbirds. She later worked as a program manager for Thames TV, and has written three books on aviation. Carson currently freelances as an author and advertising copywriter, for which she has won 18 awards.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306327
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306328
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well balanced history of the Guv'nor, May 1, 2003

By 

Colin Hansford (Rochester, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jeff Beck: Crazy Fingers (Reference Book) Softcover (Paperback)

Having been a massive fan of the great one since 1965, I was pleasantly suprised to read the many stories behind his more published achievements and musical milestones. A nicely assembled biography with a good balance of interview clips (many humorous), technical guitar talk and tons of tales surrounding sessions, performances, misunderstandings, artistic dilemas and so on. Annette has done a good job of focusing on what's important about this treasure of a guitarist. A discography and many good photos round out the book. What came over most strongly was just how much this man is respected and how he has largely avoided compromise. Most fans will find new and little known facts in this book.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Original Beck, September 16, 2004

By 

Sir George Martini "Verbalosity" (Fromage, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jeff Beck: Crazy Fingers (Reference Book) Softcover (Paperback)

If you want to read about drugs, groupies and gossip, don't buy this book. Although Jeff Beck has influenced countless guitarists for the last 40 years, the average person doesn't recognize his name. He always preferred to restore his collection of antique cars, instead of recording new albums or touring. In my opinion, he is probably the most versatile and innovative electric guitarist ever recorded. Beck has played on sessions for artists including Tina Turner, Stanley Clark, Mick Jagger, Paul Rodgers, Jon Bon Jovi, Wynonna Judd, Chrissie Hynde, Donovan, and Stevie Wonder. His solo albums have always broken new ground and his playing has never gotten stagnant. Beck's only weakness has been choosing inferior songs to fill out his albums. Carson describes one incident when Beck seriously injured his thumb while working on one of his cars. Instead of immediately going to a doctor, he fell asleep and was fortunate not have had any permanent damage done to his hand.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing Account!, February 25, 2002

By 

Juliann White (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jeff Beck: Crazy Fingers (Reference Book) Softcover (Paperback)

Writer Annette Carson provides a detailed account about one of rock's most unique and talented guitarists. No boring musicology chord structures here. I especially appreciated how the author tread lightly on the subjects of drug abuse, sexual adventures and tales of groupies used by most authors who chronicle twentieth century rock guitarists. Instead the author tells a great story about Jeff Beck. I recommend this book highly to anyone who might want to learn about rock music.