Mouthing Off: A Book of Rock and Roll Quotes [Paperback]

John D. Luerssen (Author), Rahav Segev (Photographer), Jason Homa (Photographer), Dominic Episcopo (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

Whether it's David Bowie, Gwen Stefani, Michael Stipe, or Joan Jett, rock stars are never at a loss for words. Often obnoxious, sometimes introspective, and remarkably honest, these musings are collected here for fans who want an insight into what makes their favorite artists tick, how they view their roles as "stars" in a celebrity-obsessed society, and what does (or doesn't) differentiate musicians from everyone else. Organized by subject matter, it presents a broad cross-section of artists offering diverse commentary on each subject. Drawing from his extensive career as a rock journalist, the author has culled these gems from countless interviews, selecting quotations about subjects such as religion, rock critics, drug use, and the battle of the sexes. Appealing to fans, musicians, and industry mavens alike, it offers familiar foibles and a glimpse into a world often perceived as glamorous and charmed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I heard that your brain stops growing when you start doing drugs. Let's see, I guess that makes me 19." -- Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

"There is nothing at all the matter with some journalists that a quick slap on the face couldn't sort out." -- Elvis Costello

About the Author

John D. Luerssen is a regular news, reviews, and features contributor to Rolling Stone, Billboard, and CDNow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Telegraph Co (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930606028
• ISBN-13: 978-1930606029
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,128,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MOUTHING OFF is a MUST HAVE, April 4, 2002

By 

Jim Walsh (West Chester, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mouthing Off: A Book of Rock and Roll Quotes (Paperback)

If you're a rock fan, Mouthing Off is for you! Rock, metal, indie and punk musicians spew off about sex, drugs, alcohol and so much more.

It's a hilarious and truthful book of rock revelations with great photos here of Marilyn Manson, Fred Durst, R.E.M., The Beastie Boys, Bono, Eddie Vedder, Weezer, Courtney Love.

A chapter near the back of the book on the events of 9.11 as told by pop luminaries is probably the most compelling part.

But mostly it's a fun, funny and entertaining book that you'll have a hard time putting down.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the guy from Utah completely missed the point, June 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mouthing Off: A Book of Rock and Roll Quotes (Paperback)

OK, so this book isn't just a collection of quips from Led Zeppelin, The Stones and The Beatles. We've heard enough from those folks as it is. I think Luerssen has done a rockin' job of collecting the funniest, silliest, most amusing quotes from a surprisingly broad cross-section of artists--not just the old dinosaurs that people *always* trot out, but people who speak to consumers of music from the past decade as well.

So what if not everything these rock stars say is original? Just because somebody else said it first, doesn't mean they said it best. And anyway, I find it interesting to read how the issues, thoughts, and feelings of what it's like to be a working musician remain the same over time, despite the differences in the sort of music they create and the kinds of fans they appeal to.

Whole books have been published on the drug and alcohol induced rampages of the classic rock giants. Mouthing Off spends 2 chapters on the same subject, and covers a much broader range of musicians.

All I can say is that if you didn't find this book entertaining you might want to check and see if you have a pulse.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mouthing Off is a really cool book!, June 19, 2002

By 

Gary Hoffman (Cranford NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mouthing Off: A Book of Rock and Roll Quotes (Paperback)

....

Mouthing Off mostly represents today's artists although it does include legends from decades past. But if you don't think today's rockers observations on sex, drugs, life and songwriting are worthwhile maybe you it's time to graduate to the soft rock station down the dial.

I love this book and keep it handy when I'm pulling MP3's off the web or listening to my CD collection. Anyone who would throw it away is seriously lacking a sense of humor and should probably take a good hard look at him or herself.