Rock Star 101: A Rock Star's Guide to Survival and Success in the Music Business
As L.A.-based guitarist and songwriter Ferrari here attests, aspiring to be a rock star presents many problems. Besides confronting less-than-approving parents, one must deal with the cutthroat aspects of the business. Ferrari covers choosing management, negotiating contracts, and even handling dietary concerns while on the road. Although these are certainly legitimate issues for any neophyte, the validity of the author's advice is suspect he hit his zenith playing in the forgettable early-Eighties band, Keel. The book reads more like an unsolicited nostalgia trip through the regrettable "hair bands" scene of yesteryear than a self-help guide. Its very concept is questionable: how many young musicians are going to dutifully research rock stardom before running away from home and starting their own bands? Peter M. Thall's What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business is a more comprehensive study, minus the boastful anecdotes. Not recommended. Caroline Dadas, Hickory Hills, ILCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.