Wright is a Kansas-based journalist with a fondness for classic rock and here he presents a dozen interviews with some of the biggest names in the business. These gab sessions happened mostly from 1999 to 2008 so guys like Neal Doughty of R.E.O. Speedwagon, Steve Perry of Journey and Dennis DeYoung of Styx are able to offer a perspective on their music and careers that wouldn't have been possible back in their heyday.
Wright starts the book off with a tribute to his home-state heroes Kansas by probing the mind of drummer Phil Ehart. The interview is a bit dry as it focuses heavily on line-up changes but it ultimately does a good job of chronicling how and why the original hit-making outfit fell apart.
For the most part Stadium Rock is a fun and fast read full of interesting little moments; Paul Rodgers of Bad Company talks about how he waited for a full moon to go outside and record his vocals for the group's signature tune "Bad Company," Joe Perry of Aerosmith hypes his Mango Peach Tango hot sauce (and of course discusses the band's celebrated rehabilitation) while Lou Gramm of Foreigner explains how he lost his rock star looks by ballooning up to 255 pounds in the aftermath of having surgery to remove a tumor.
Interviews with Sammy Hagar and Ted Nugent are the best of book; Wright asks both of these fun-lovers questions that allow for their personalities to come through in their answers. Also interviewed are Tom Scholz of Boston, Roger Earl of Foghat and Steve Miller.
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Rock Reads: Stadium Rock
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