Ask the Author: Michael Allen
Answered Questions (6)
Michael Allen
For me it's the ego boost or a sense of immense satisfaction if you want. For me to write a book is so out of character for me even to attempt, let alone finish is amazing to me. I have heard from so many people that tell me how much they have enjoyed the book in far better words than I used in writing the book. I don't think of myself as an author. I literally cringe when I hear that word. Hearing that people actually like it is a wonderful thing. Here is such and example.
A popular French Magazine called Folk and Rock did a review of my book and it pleased me no end. The French have a certain writing style that is both poetic and pleasant to read. It was written in French, of course, but Patrick Brzezinski translated it for me, and you. Thanks Patrick and here it is.
Alice's Roadie
The history of rock is often most interesting when told by its little hands. In other words, the people who were really there, who saw it all, but whose names have been lost to those of the musicians and producers, engraved in the marble of the record sleeves. Like Michael Bruce before him, Dennis Dunaway has produced a highly commendable autobiography, a pretext for evoking the beginnings of the band that made them famous.
"Living and Touring with Alice Cooper and Other Stories” (Manhattan Book Group), by roadie Michael Allen, adds a few grains of salt to the saga's beginnings.
Prompted to collect his memoirs by fans, Allen is a modest fellow who has long doubted they could be of any interest. In truth, his book is a delight, favoring facts over gossip, while reminding us that, alongside the music, the rock we love has always been one hell of a human adventure.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say mine is the only book out there about a rock and roll band that was called a “delight.” Also, my hands are quite large.
Thanks again Patrick.
A popular French Magazine called Folk and Rock did a review of my book and it pleased me no end. The French have a certain writing style that is both poetic and pleasant to read. It was written in French, of course, but Patrick Brzezinski translated it for me, and you. Thanks Patrick and here it is.
Alice's Roadie
The history of rock is often most interesting when told by its little hands. In other words, the people who were really there, who saw it all, but whose names have been lost to those of the musicians and producers, engraved in the marble of the record sleeves. Like Michael Bruce before him, Dennis Dunaway has produced a highly commendable autobiography, a pretext for evoking the beginnings of the band that made them famous.
"Living and Touring with Alice Cooper and Other Stories” (Manhattan Book Group), by roadie Michael Allen, adds a few grains of salt to the saga's beginnings.
Prompted to collect his memoirs by fans, Allen is a modest fellow who has long doubted they could be of any interest. In truth, his book is a delight, favoring facts over gossip, while reminding us that, alongside the music, the rock we love has always been one hell of a human adventure.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say mine is the only book out there about a rock and roll band that was called a “delight.” Also, my hands are quite large.
Thanks again Patrick.
Michael Allen
I look at photographs. Then I write a caption for the photograph. Then I write a story based on the caption. That usually gets my thought process working again, which me writing again.
Michael Allen
It's a cliche, but "If I can do it, so can you." Write about what you know, or something you care about. Start by jotting down a few thoughts as an outline, like "car accident", in a note pad. Then go back and develop your thoughts and pretty soon you'll have a chapter. Good luck.
Michael Allen
I'm taking the stories that I had to cut down or remove altogether from the book and putting them on Facebook. If interested go to Living and Touring with Alice Cooper. I've been asked quite a few times to write another book about my band exploits, but I think "One and Done" is my motto for now. It's a lot easier to put things out on Facebook.
Michael Allen
Actually it was a funeral.......... I know you'll need further information.
My wife's uncle had died and we opened up our house especially to the people who came from out of town. After the funeral we again invited everyone back to our house for a meal and to relax and decompress. During the evening a question was asked: "Who here worked for a band ?" I raised my hand. I normally would have said it was fun or something like that. I didn't, though, because we needed to take our mind off the events of the day. I began telling stories of my exploits and adventures while working for Alice Cooper, and before. After 30 minutes or so, one of Ellen's brothers spoke up, "I've known you for forty years and this is the first I've heard these stories. You need to write this stuff down." I replied, "Nobody would be interested in stories about a 50 year old band." "Everybody would be interested in your stories!", he said. Three months later my mind told me to write a book. And I did.
My wife's uncle had died and we opened up our house especially to the people who came from out of town. After the funeral we again invited everyone back to our house for a meal and to relax and decompress. During the evening a question was asked: "Who here worked for a band ?" I raised my hand. I normally would have said it was fun or something like that. I didn't, though, because we needed to take our mind off the events of the day. I began telling stories of my exploits and adventures while working for Alice Cooper, and before. After 30 minutes or so, one of Ellen's brothers spoke up, "I've known you for forty years and this is the first I've heard these stories. You need to write this stuff down." I replied, "Nobody would be interested in stories about a 50 year old band." "Everybody would be interested in your stories!", he said. Three months later my mind told me to write a book. And I did.
Michael Allen
The past..............I know that's not much of an explanation, but I will try to elaborate. Way back in late 1965 or early 1966 I went to work as a "roadie", before the title existed, for a group of teenagers in a band called The Earwigs, then The Spiders, then The Nazz and finally they became Alice Cooper—a parent's worst nightmare. I was known as "Amp Boy." I write about the adventures we shared on the road to the top. It truly was the adventure of a lifetime. If you want a peek inside my book Living and Touring with Alice Cooper look no further than Facebook. Type in the aforementioned title and read some of my stories that didn't make it into the book because the publisher said I had way too many words. Among the stories I cut out were the twenty one pages just on me pursuing the girl of my dreams. I was quite inept when it came to romancing someone I liked. Feel free to ask me questions and I will try to answer them. And if you like what you read on Facebook give the book a try. I think you'll like it.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more