Customer Reviews

Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

AKA Jam Master Jay
In Fond Memory
1965 - 2002