Customer Reviews

Peter Grant: The Man Who Led Zeppelin

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

...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!

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.

This book is a must for any Zeppelin fan,Peter Grant defined what the roll of a manager should be,Led Zep are a great band and left a huge larger than life legacy that wont be repeated again.They may have been overlooked or perhaps just done their thing.I believe without the guidance of Peter Grant and his headkickin ways I dont think Zeppelin would of been the rock gods they were.He made the band rich beyond their wildest dreams,he wheeled and dealed and got them gigs at sellout arenas.Peter Grant was the man,Led Zep were his boys.Do yourself a favour and buy this book if you want to know what rock n roll was about.

Much insight on the band on and off stage. And Peter Grant, this brilliant and threataning manager is brought out from behind the shadows and emerges as a pivotal individual in rock history.

Simply a fascinating man, who was just as human as you or I. If he made any errors, the worst in his life were hiring John Bindon onto his security staff, and marrying a woman who was not a "single man woman.". I also now understand why he was referred to as the "fifth member of the Band".

The Book is very informative and thorough. The only problem I had with the book is that Welch even considered using Richard Cole as a source of information. That cost him one star. I also don't like the photographs of Peter giving us the finger. That almost cost him another star.

I really appreciated this book. Chris Welsh has been one of the greatest insiders of Led Zeppelin and provides numberless details about Peter and his relation with the band. I liked very much the info that came from interviews with people related, like Mickie Most, Allan Callan, Ed Bricknell and Warren Grant, among others.
The book also has the merit of being original on a very worn out subject. Indeed a very good buy for both Zep die-hards and neophites.

I liked this well enough. It held me all the way through. But it really seemed as though it should have been an extended magazine article or part of another, more detailed book. I walked away feeling that I did not have a better understanding of G than when I came, and THAT'S a problem.

I purchased this item to help understand more about the music industry and primarily what worked best for bands. Peter Grant certainly worked well for Led Zep - looking over their every move not only kept them on the straight and narrow but helped them to avoid some of the pitfalls which todays artists still encounter. This was a truely enlighting read from start to finish.
Excellent read well recommended

I was impressed by all Mr.Grant "G" did for his boys.Being a Led Zeppelin fan now 30 of my 43 years.I knew of Peter Grant rep as tough and loyal to his boys of Zep. He may not had much of a education in terms of Schooling and a degree but,did he have street smarts ,the abilty to read people and earn peoples trust and respect if not fear.
It was sad to see how very hard he took the death of drummer and backbone of Zep.I'm glad though he slimmed down and kicked the drugs and ,seemed to enjoy life agian even talking once agian to Robert Jimmy and JPJ. If you want to learn about Zeppelin and how there manager protected them fom sssoooo much and gained them the money they deserved this is the book for ya.

There are a few Boo-Boo's in the book but, it can be overlooked. Much better the the terrible book by Mick Wall I read a month ago.
This was a man who knew these very young men at the start ,not someone who just wanted to take money from them. WELL DONE G. WELL DONE G.

Very insightful book on THE manager of Led Zeppelin...a great read on his life and how he managed the GREATEST band in rock history!!