I started reading this a couple of weeks ago, and quickly gave up on reading each chapter. I resorted to skipping through to the artists/bands I was interested in.

Then I decided to simply skip it all.

First off, the stories are quite repetitive.

-I'm going to interview (insert artist/band here), whom I (don't like/don't know/don't care about/heard was an asshole). I'm unhappy because my editor likes to set me up with challenging interviews.
-I do some (drinking/smoking/drugs/coffee). I spend an inordinate amount of space on myself.
-I meet the (artist/band) and they (insult me/ignore me/act like an asshole).
-I end the story with no real point being made.

Second, Allan Jones is a little too in love with himself. If I wanted a book about Jones, I'd look for one. When the heading says "Lou Reed" or "The Clash" or whomever, I expect it to be about that artist, not 80% about Jones with a little anecdote tossed in about the artist. No, this is not consistent, but it does happen far too much in the book.

Second, I question if Jones even likes his job. He seems to approach many of the artists with a pre-set contempt. He seems to dislike any sort of a challenging interview. And basically, these anecdotes are mostly not fun.

Of the stories that stuck with me at all, the only one I think I enjoyed was the Boomtown Rats tour to promote A Tonic For The Troops.

I've read a lot better than this. Not recommended.

Vivid account of hard living on the British rock & roll beat in the 1970s and 1980s. ( )

Enjoyable romp through the music journalism of the 70's, 80's and beyond. ( )