Urban Spacemen and Wayfaring Strangers: Overlooked Innovators and Eccentric Visionaries of '60s Rock (Paperback)

by Richie Unterberger (Author) "In a decade marked by rapid and unexpected musical change, nothing changed rock as quickly and decisively as the British Invasion did..." (more)
Key Phrases: urban spacemen, rock satirists, cult rockers, Pretty Things, Left Banke, Rolling Stones (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This book explores the evolution of 19 intriguing artists bred by the unique 1960s music scene, and traces the musical and cultural threads that gave birth to their electrifying innovations. From folk-rockers to blue- and brown-eyed soulsters to rock satirists and beyond, acclaimed rock author Unterberger uncovers the lives and music of the key visionaries in a mesmerizing decade, including: The Pretty Things, Tim Buckley, Arthur Brown, The Fugs, Bobby Fuller, The Bonzo Dog Band, Fred Neil, The Beau Brummels and many more. Includes cool photos throughout, and a sampler CD highlighting the sounds of some of the featured artists.

"Comprehensive and engaging. Clearly, Unterberger has done his research."

- Billboard

From the Publisher
Praise for Richie Unterberger’s Unknown Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll:

"Comprehensive and engaging…. Clearly, Unterberger has done his research." --Billboard

"Incisive appreciations of scores of cult artists…" --Mojo

"Unterberger uncovers the kind of tiny details that imbue his subjects with life and sound." --San Francisco Weekly

"Thorough research yielding fascinating mini-biographies of hipster heroes." --Los Angeles New Times

"Succeeds in making you crave to hear the recordings of these fascinating musicians." --CMJ New Music Monthly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Miller Freeman Books (October 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306165
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306168
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #445,834 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John's Review, December 27, 2000

By	John A. Alfano (Elon, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Richie has pulled it off once again! On the heels of his "Unknown Legends of Rock N' Roll" he's created an essential publication for any fan of 60s rock n' roll history. From obscure groups like the Poets and Rationals to more well-known artists like the Beau Brummels and Bobby Fuller he provides the reader with a reading laced with personal interviews that highlight the ups and downs of the music business in the 1960s. A 6 track CD is included which features a fantastic live performance of the Electric Prunes' "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night", which without the studio-produced effects of the hit single make it almost a different tune. In fact, maybe a better one. Here's hoping Richie is starting on another similar venture because this stuff is down right addictive.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ol' Reliable: He's Always Wrong!, September 13, 2005

By	M. F. Johnson "tumbleweeder" (philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love Richie Unterberger. He can usually be counted on to get the facts straight but when it comes to critical evaluation he's always wrong! If he thinks something is impenetrable or unlistenable -Scott Walker's "Tilt" comes to mind- chances are it's worth checking out. He's tone-deaf when it comes to nuance, as witness his review at All Music Guide of -just off the top of my head- Susan Pillsbury's sole record. He's the Roger Ebert of music criticism, a man with a tiny bit of street cred which he uses mostly to endorse a comfortably "alternative" canon, one that excludes really challenging, innovative or unclassifiable accomplishments.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Other Side of the 1960's, November 4, 2006

By	Pamela Rose "Pamela Rose" - See all my reviews

This could be considered a follow up to "Unknown Legends of Rock 'n 'Roll" but this volume is more devoted to the British and American performers of the 1960's that stayed around the fringes of success. And the only reason I rated this a 4 is that I wished it had been 400 plus pages like "Unknown..."
Again, Unterberger has that approach where he seeks out the artist(s). In many cases, because alot of 60's bands are discussed, he got viewpoints from 2 - 3 members, which broadens the story. There aren't quite as many black and white photos in this book but the chapters are longer. Only about 20 artists are profiled but these names may ring bigger bells... The Beau Brummels, The Electric Prunes and the Pretty Things... to name a few.
This parallels Unterberger's previous book, in that he looks at these innovative groups at the height of their potential, yet because of choices made, accident, death, politics, lack of promotion, distribution or sheer arrogance, one or two hits was all the world heard. Most of these people at that time still kept making music - it was just never heard beyond a certain area.
To help with hearing these sounds now, Unterberger has at the end of each chapter "Recommended Recordings", which are mini reviews in themselves as he lists records and/or CDs that are readily available or may be very hard to get.
A compact disc is found at the back of the book with notes devoted especially to the tracks. This, however, is not as expansive as the disc found in "Unknown..."
In the chapter about Arthur Brown (Crazy World of) I was surprised that his work with The Alan Parson's Project went unmentioned. His vocal on "Tales of Mystery and Imagination Edgar Allen Poe", specifically, "The Tell-Tale Heart" is very dramatic in showing off his dynamics and range.
Yet that chapter is one of the more personable ones in the book, as the author describes meeting Arthur Brown at the train station, learning of the death of Screaming Lord Sutch, and having a small tea together.
There is alot more to music than the Top 40 or Hot 100 - no matter what year it is. This book relates that struggle for many artists of the 1960's; that having the talent to create sometimes meant more than having that hit. Sometimes having that hit was the beginning of the end of the bands's careers.
Ritchie Unterberger approaches each artist with sincerity and this is felt in reading about what happens or didn't happen. Also to add perspective, he tells what the artists are doing now in music - or not in music. Again, this is an enjoyable reference book he has created and a serious rock music library should not be without it.