Customer Reviews

Roadwork: Rock & Roll Turned Inside Out

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disclamer. i'm tom's friend and colleague. but if you want to read about a real life in rock and roll and look at the pictures that go with it, "roadwork" is the book. the stones, the who, the eagles, the james gang, so many more...tom knows them, travelled with them, photographed them. and there's no hyperbole here, folks...just the straight story from a guy who lived the life, starting in the sixties in london and continuing on 'til today. and yeah, the story is captivating, but what will get you and what will stick with you long after you close the book,...are the pictures. candid, black and white photographs. in hotel rooms, backstage, airports, cars, dressing rooms, recording studios. minus the flash bulbs and the hair stylists. i was reminded of something i've always loved about tom's rock and roll photographs...the fact that you get a holistic view of what was going on. his camera pays the same respect to the roadies and the groupies as it does to the musicians. this is the real deal, folks. take it from me, buy this book. i did.

This is a must have for all you rock & roll fans out there. Tom Wright provides us with a unique glimpse into rock in it's heyday, having lived through it and having recorded it with his wonderful photo's. Who/Pete Townshend fans will especially find this book fascinating. The book is a great document of the times. Imagine, being a young American living in London in 1962 and influencing the musical/social direction of the great Pete Townshend! (and that's just the beginning) Buy it now!

In 1967, barely out of his teens, Tom Wright found himself at the center of the British Invasion period, touring with such notable groups as the Who, Rolling Stones, Eagles and more: ROADWORK: ROCK & ROLL TURNED INSIDE OUT follows his life and influence on the rock world as a while, and is a 'must have' for any serious library of rock and roll music history. For two decades Wright captured the rock scene with his camera: ROADWORK pairs his black and white shots with a memoir which is insightful, thrilling reading.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

Pure unadulterated talent. Tom Wright has a knack for being at the right place at the right time and documents the ups and downs of his life for the reader to easily identify with. The Who, Faces, James Gang and the others wrote the rules for the music business and Tom Wright had a front row seat. Great stories, and even gives the bands crew members (roadies,the unsung heros!!) some well deserved limelight. Printing of his photos could be better, but this is a Rock and Roll must have . Bob Brunner

I've wanted to know more about Tom's life and in his "tell all" book he really opens up. This book will draw you in and hold you captive to the end!! I've had a mix of every emotion while pouring over the pages. There are lessons on friendship and self worth to be learned in this book. I commend Tom on being true to himself and true to his ideals.

Another reviewer wrote that Tom didn't seem to remember much. I found the exact opposite, as Tom sited exact detail down to types of fabrics at times. It was also stated that Tom seemed to jump around while telling his story. To me this was the hook!! This is the artist coming out as an author, true to the 60's, raw and real. Perhaps like the nonconforming ways of Ealing University! I loved it!! Brilliant!! Thank you Tom Wright!!! Thank you for sharing you life and your passion with us....

Tom Wright is Rock's Premier Photographer! He has been there and done that from the beginning. While less known by rock fans he is a legend among rockers and insiders. If you love rock, music, or want to read some great stories about special times, get this book today.

So you want to be a rock and roll star? It's not always a bed of roses. Great adventure comes with great sacrifice. Tom Wright weaves a fascinating tale of life on the road alongside some of the greatest artists and musicians of our time. This is the real story, not a rag mag tell all. It is an excellent inside look at how musicians evolve from the embryo to the butterfly. Case in point, Tom's long time friend Pete Townsend. How they inspired one another from the very beginnings of their respective careers. From Pete's bar band The Detours, to becoming the longest living and quite possibly, the most successful rock band of all time, The Who. Fair warning, once you pick up this book, you won't be able to set it down.

Tom Wright knows The Who. And Joe Walsh. And the James Gang. And The Rolling Stones. And Rod Stewart and The Small Faces. He knows them now and he knew them when...and you have to hand it to him, these are not easy people to keep up with. But if you ever wanted to get on board the magic bus (or the not-so-magic-rickety-old-plane-YIKES!!!), get ready for the ride of your life. Roadwork is your chance to see and experience it for yourself from the view point of that proverbial fly on the wall.

Equipped with an arsenal of cameras, black and white film, developing fluids, voice recorders and all access passes, he take you with him on the journey. You'll need to hang on tight because it's a rocky road but well worth the trip. Tom's made himself into the ultimate Royal Historian of the British Invasion and The Who was smart to hire him. He brings it all to you live from the front line trenches of Rock and Roll...and beyond. And a rolling stone gathers no moss.

This book is a work of mythical proportions. It takes you there. Wright leaves you wanting more. He makes you feel desperate to know what he's NOT telling you. Simply put, this book contains the beautiful truth.

"You had to be there and Tom was. Tom Wright is the 'Jack Kerourac' of photography."

~Joe Walsh

It's all here. The concoction of right and left brain, yin and yang, it's the perfect mixture of the scientific approach with a creative celebration of all that he has witnessed and the result is these breathtaking photographs. All these candid smiles he's captured. The sheepish embarrassment of Roger Daltrey. The unadulterated glee of the one and only Howlin' Wolf. The myriad of emotions that is Pete Townshend. Tom gets as close as he can and shows you what is going on behind those blue eyes. This is the good stuff.

Tom's treated all of his subjects with the utmost respect and some serious unconditional love. There's not one story here that didn't need to be told and, ironically, you never get that feeling of "I guess you had to be there". Tom remains a staunch individual while recanting his tales and he holds nothing back. He feels the same way about his cameras that these musicians feel about their guitars - that these instruments are literally extensions of their very selves. Tom spent much of his life honing his skills and painstakingly documenting things as the happened, just figuring that he'll sort it all out later. To the amazement and delight of all the people who are in these shots, they have not only survived, they have thrived.

The photos themselves take on a life of their very own. In viewing them, you don't just glance, you linger. They tell their own story. You can hear the primal screams and rebel yells. The actual roar of the crowds echo through them. You can smell the smoke bombs. These photos are an absolute revival of pure rock and roll. They are precisely the kind of thing that the Indians were worried about all those years ago when photography was invented and they believed that the camera could steal their soul so they'd refuse to pose for posterity's sake. In Tom's case, he was invited. Go ahead, shoot me. Steal my soul...

We can now watch concerts live via satellite on HDTV and you'll notice a sea of little blue square lights surfing through the crowd, tiny cell phones snapping random pics. Tom's book is chock full of incredible, bigger than life photos from a time when all the lights in the crowds came from Zippo lighters and more than a few cigarettes, both legal and otherwise ( which is a lot more romantic, if you ask me). My Generation, indeed. Tom Wright wouldn't have it any other way. Bravo, Tom. Bravo. It truly is not what you know but Who you know. Judging from this book, people are now more likely to be saying "I'm with Tom" than "I'm with the band..."

Beverly Benton

Austin, TX

As a student of rock history, and a lover of rock music, I found this book fascinating! The Who are my all-time favorite band, and I've read everything I could find about them - Tom Wright's memories and photographs are terrific, and his friendship with Pete Townshend reminded me how vital relationships are to a fulfilling life. Excellent book - I would highly recommend it.

Tom Wright is a guy who has seen and done it all in the world of Rock 'n Roll. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to remember much. The story jumps from time frame to time frame with little snippets of stories thrown in. There are great gaps in time that are never explained. The whole book felt like a teaser for another book.

The photos in here are incredible and if you like that "coffe table" book of pics than add a star.