The Saga of Hawkwind

by Carol Clerk

Hawkwind emerged in 1969 from Ladbroke Grove, the heartland of London's counterculture, to become a 'people's band'. This updated edition of 'The Saga of Hawkwind' includes an exclusive interview with Hawkwind leader, Dave Brock. It also gives details of their latest album 'Take Me To Your Leader'.

Genres: Music, Biography, Music Biography

Hardcover

First published October 4, 2004

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, what can I say, Hawkwind's my band, so I really enjoyed this one. I suspect people who don't start to grin and nod when they hear "Brainstorm" would find parts of it a bit tedious, but it is a very comprehensive and entertaining illustrated history of the first thirty-five years or so of the star voyages of Captain Brock and the rest of the Hawklords. Rock on.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional Biography of Hawkwind!

This is an unbiased look at the band right from the start. The author has certainly done an exhaustive amount of homework. A sheer pleasure to read and learn more about this fascinating band and the people in it.

[Nick Bowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fact packed, respectful, warm and thorough history of the best period of this redoubtable space rock band. Highly recommended if you loved or want to get into everything from In Search of Space through to Levitation.

I lost interest in the music and the endless rotation of members after 1980 but the book presses on after that with numerous Brock led releases that he doesn't even listen to, kind of says it all. The festival scene, Stonehenge, police brutality and rip-off merchants made even this musically dull period interesting though.

[David Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Hawkwind fan I found much of interest here. It is written in an enthusiastic way and with a lot of detail, acknowledging controversies but not particularly taking sides. It sustained my interest almost throughout, good on the music and the personalities, though occasionally details about management and contract problems become tedious. Overall a great read for those who've enjoyed this band, and its associated acts, over the years.

[Paul Robbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saga is the right for the story of Hawkwind, perhaps only The Fall are comparable for the revolving door of band members and collaborators. It's an epic read, but a fascinating one about a truly independent band rooted in the alternative counter culture of the late sixties.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

For extremely serious fans only.

[Mark Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a Hawkwind fan this is essential. For followers of the counter culture a great read

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

it's a pretty sordid saga really, page after page of people complaining about money. Actually made me like Hawkwind a little less.

[Ian Fiddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10. The better of the 2 Hawkwind biographies. Some good stories in here.

[Cory Card · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and interesting read, but at times overly drawn out...