Peter Grant: The Man Who Led Zeppelin [Hardcover]

Chris Welch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Wrestler turned rock manager, the late Peter Grant made his name as the manager of Led Zeppelin, helping to turn them into rock' biggest attraction by the mid 1970s. Author Chris Welch tells Grant's story from his childhood in war torn London, to him becoming a bouncer, doorman and wrestler known as Prince Mario Alassio. He became tour manager of Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers and Gene Vincent and The Animals before taking on The Yardbirds who eventually became Led Zeppelin. The book reveals the facts about his suspended prison sentence, his dispute with the group over unpaid royalties and his retiring from the music industry a rumoured heroin addict. Written with the full co-operation of Grant's family and friends to give an insight into the most fabled and feared man in the music business.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Provides an illuminating read for anyone wondering about the ravages of rock supremacy. It's particularly good on the subject of Zep's peculiar movie, The Song Remains The Same. With details of Zep's rise and fall receding into history, their legend and influence secure, this story's medley of tragic endings reminds us that no one is so powerful as to be immune to power's consequences.

About the Author

Chris Welch is among the US's best-known music journalists. After a long and distinguished career on Melody Maker, he became editor of Metal Hammer magazine and also edited Rock World. He has written numerous books on rock and pop, including biographies of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Who, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Genesis and Peter Gabriel.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711986428
• ISBN-13: 978-0711986428
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,245,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man who changed music forever, December 28, 2001

By 

Michael M. Ziesmann (East St Paul, Manitoba Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter Grant: The Man Who Led Zeppelin (Hardcover)

While this book concentrates on Peter Grant's management of Led Zeppelin, it also goes into his experience with the Yardbirds, and Swan Song Records. Welch succeeds in humanizing Grant, who in other biographies is made to seem like quite an SOB. The book offers details about how much Grant cared for the band, and more importantly, his family. It follows his entire life, from his upbringing by a single mother, to the impact he had on music management, to his death.

This was, without exaggeration, an incredible book to read. Even for those who have read numerous Zeppelin biographies, such as myself, Welch has managed to dig up new information. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book..., June 16, 2003

By 

Kurtz "Brandt Art" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peter Grant: The Man Who Led Zeppelin (Hardcover)

...by Chris Welch, and this time on the heavy-hitting mananger behind Led Zeppelin: Peter Grant. Despite a few glaring factual errors, such as the story behind Swan Song's (Zeppelin's vanity 70's record label)logo, and a few typos this is another good Welch-penned Zeppelin effort. Being a big fan of the band I was very surprised on the chapters devoted to the group's film Song Remains The Same, and their devastating 1977 US tour. These chapters alone are worth your time and money. This book, S. Davis'Hammer Of The Gods, and Richard Cole's Stairway To Heaven, read back to back will tell you all you'll need to know about the best hard rock band the world has ever known: Led Zeppelin!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He Got the Led Out., June 17, 2002

By 

Don Obnoxio "gh" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peter Grant: The Man Who Led Zeppelin (Hardcover)

He was big. He was intimidating. He was a godsend to an industry dominated by the promoters and not the artists who were grossly expoited by them. Peter Grant was to Led Zep what a great driver is to a race car: the difference between winning or hitting the wall in turn four. Good management is essential for any artistic endeavor; otherwise it spins out of control under the weight of the artists' emotional involvement. Peter Grant allowed the musicians to make musical decisions without his interference while he tended to the important matters of the bottom line. He bullied and cajoled, but the objects of his abuse were overdue...But his hubris came with a price: his own comeuppence at the hands of Bill Graham's organization.

Not a particularly well-written piece, but well worth the look behind the tawdry curtain of a fledgling music industry. One does not have to be a diehard Zep fan to enjoy this, as I am not but did enjoy it immensely.