I love getting autobiographies and memoirs read to me by their author-subjects. Rick does not disappoint. His enthusiasm is evident and his stories are often hilarious. If you're interested in Rick or Yes or progrock from the 70s, this book is for you. One unintended bit of humor for me is that Rick's speaking voice sounds an awful lot like Peter Jones, another Brit and narrator of the television version of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". I started having HHGttG flashbacks. ( )

If you're looking for a, "I was born in...lived here at...met so-and-so..." sort of a tome, you're in the wrong place. A pity in part, inasmuch as I would like to have read Rick Wakeman's description of his early days in Yes, and some of the tumultuous times which followed. But I suppose there are other books for that sort of thing.

No, this is not so much a biography as it is a series of anecdotes from keyboard maven Wakeman's life and career, and some of them will just leave you speechless. A lot of times I was shaking my head, wondering how he has managed to stay alive so long, but as a fan I'm glad he did! The stories about trips (sans documentation!) to the Soviet Union and South America are riots, as is his description of King Arthur on ice...yes, you read that right! I have loved that record for years and always wondered what possessed Rick to present it as an Ice Follies kind of show. Now not only do I know the why, I wish I'd been there to see it!

There's more he could be telling, obviously; this book only takes you so far...that's what the SECOND book ("Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star", naturally) is for, and I will be looking for a copy of it. Till then I shall have to be content in finally knowing how they created that amazing waterfall sound in "No Earthly Connection" without electronics...and, mentioning that, I feel the need to pee...

Fans of Wakeman will eat this stuff up. Just plain folks will love the inner details of the life of the Rock Star. Highly recommended. ( )

A light-hearted enjoyable romp of a memoir as Rick relates tales of the alcohol-fuelled times had on tour and the puerile behaviour that ensued. He comes across as a genial bloke, happy in the pub and loving being a touring musician. En route meeting the likes of Castro and Ronny Biggs, and being let free to dream up mad concerts that featured dinosaurs or were extravaganzas on ice... ( )

Rick Wakeman is hilarious. I certainly was a fan of his music, both in and out of Yes, but his anecdotes are laugh out loud funny. Anyone who likes reading about rock stars and the rock star life should read this book. You won't be disappointed.

All good fun, Rick's laddish tales of life on the road, alcahol, scrapes in foriegn countries and extravegantly staged prog rock. An entertaining quick read if you are a fan ( )