Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC (Paperback)

~ Bill Adler (Author) "There's no way to understand Run-DMC and the kind of music they makeand why kids listen when they speakwithout understanding Hollis, the suburban neighborhood in..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Kurtis Blow, Sun City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Short on 'Behind the Music' squabbles, but it's a trove of great moments." -- Miles Marshall Lewis, Blender, January/February 2003

"A must-have for any serious hip-hop fan." -- hhn.com, issue #84

"Enlightening" -- David Mills, WASHINGTON TIMES

"Fascinating look at the beginnings of NYC hip-hop and the early career of that Hollis crew....Thoroughly enjoyable." -- Toph One, XLR8R, January 2003

"It remains one of the unsung classics of early hip-hop books...Bill gives you incredible you-were-there descriptions." -- Jeff Chang, cantstopwontstop, September 24, 2002

"Might well be the most comprehensive biography ever written about a pop act while it was still in its prime." -- Jon Caramanica, Rolling Stone, April 17, 2003

"Vividly recreates the atmosphere of the years during Run-DMC's prime...when their music was at its most vibrant." -- Simon McKenzie, University of Melbourne (Australia) website

A definitive, insightful text. -- Harry Allen, Village Voice

Adler's reissued classic details Run-DMC's rise to stardom and the cultivation of a whole genre. -- Source Magazine

An essential time capsule, Adler is the ultimate tour guide. -- Brian Coleman, Urb

Product Description

'Tougher Than Leather' tells the inside story of Run-DMC's astonishing rise to fame from the obscurity of Hollis. Queens to the kleig-lit heights of pop music fame. It is a story that has inspired important music makers for the last 15 years, including the Beastie Boys, Will Smith, Public Enemy, NWA, Master P, Jay-z, Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit and Eminem-all of whom know who opened the door for them. And now it can inspire you. 'Tougher Than Leather' was originally published in 1987 and is reissued here in a new edition, a must have for any serious music fan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Consafos Press (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965653560
• ISBN-13: 978-0965653565
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #958,870 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresher than ever, November 26, 2002

By	Lonnie McDonald (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

I was a highschooler when Run-DMC made their first hits. Now I'm 35 years old and their music seems fresher than ever. But I never knew too much about Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay as people until I read this book. Now I see that they were just as serious and interesting behind the scenes as they were on records and onstage. And I also learned a lot about the early career of Russell Simmons and the founding of the Def Jam label with LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys. Some day people will study Run-DMC the way that the baby boomers study the Beatles. Until then, this is the book to read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Once The Kings,Always The Kings, April 4, 2003

By	Chewy (New Orleans, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book when I was in college and it soon went out of print.Thankfully it has returned.Despite a few mistakes in song lyrics, this book faithfully follows our leather clad heroes from childhood to stardom to superstardom.The story ends however at the release of the disasterous yet still somewhat entertaining film "Tougher than Leather".So kick up your shell-toe (no laces,please) adidas and enjoy a long overdue piece of rock and roll history.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book on the subject, December 9, 2002

By	Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This originally came out in the late 80s and could be looked upon as a typical fan bio for younger readers, but it's a tad more than that. It's a pretty good documentation of the early days of rap and Run-DMC's often overlooked role in literally bringing rap back from the dead, gaining fame as they did during an early low point in the genre in 1983. For those of us who were around during that period, this book will bring back good memories. For others, it's a good education.