Appetite for Dysfunction: A Cautionary Tale

by Vicky L. Hamilton

Vicky Hamilton became the top female record company executive and personal band manager. Only to reach her aspirations while working with Guns N’ Roses, to then take on the most coveted A&R position to date at Geffen Records, under David Geffen himself. It was common knowledge that while David Geffen was relaxing at his Malibu beach house, Hamilton was busy scouring dark clubs for talent. Doing the kind of legwork many larger record labels had gotten away from.

Appetite For Dysfunction is the first time Vicky candidly speaks out about the life she lived on the front lines, deep in the heartless world of the music business. Hamilton brings to this book her unbiased observations and shrewd glimpses about who these rock stars and executives are at the core of their beings, and about herself, as well. She expresses her gratitude for her historic past and her accomplishments, as well as her own shortcomings along the way. She shares her victories, her mistakes, the horror stories, and her dark comedic approach to “making it” in the entertainment business. Even while getting her heart broken on many occasions, leading to some cataclysmic breakdowns, Vicky battles to hang on to her integrity. Painfully taking the highroad, as she loses her job at Capitol Records, while facing eviction and a phone that suddenly stopped ringing, Vicky holds her head high, humbly reinvents herself, and literally, goes on with the show.

Appetite For Dysfunction is a self-exploratory journey through Vicky’s life. A small-town girl who risks everything by dropping out of art school, leaving behind the safety of loved ones and small town values, and making her way to Hollywood. When Vicky arrived, she landed a job as a mere record store clerk, to then miraculously find herself deep in the trenches of an unscrupulous, male dominated, music entertainment business, and blossomed into Hollywood’s most controversial A&R woman and band manager.

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published February 23, 2023

Reviews

[KAY · Rating 4 out of 5]

No punches pulled and engagingly written

I had always heard Vicky’s name as a background mover and shaker in the LA scene. I was excited to learn she had written her story. I was not disappointed with the time I invested in reading it. She told HER story from HER POV without worrying about how it would land. That’s balls.

Recommended for anyone interested in LA music history or in how the music biz works. Great job and the only reason for the 4 and not 5 star review is that it really would have benefited from a harsher eyed copy editor.

Bring on volume 2.

[diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed a book from a different POV in the 80s LA scene. overall, I found this book very inspiring. it felt very honest, and it held my attention well. I appreciated reading this, and felt like I learned a thing or two along the way.
(there was quite a few misspellings, especially with names).

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sex, drugs, and rock and roll! Wow. What a sheltered life I have led. I admire Vicky's tenacity in having a dream and sticking with it through many trials and tribulations. Loved that she was able to get a record deal for June Carter Cash and had a great relationship with June and Johnny.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of a close friend who used to manage Guns n Roses, Poison, and Motley Crue. That scenario (friend of a friend) worried me because if I didn't like the book, what would I say? Fortunately, I needn't have worried so. The book reveals the trials and tribulations of the music industry from the early 80's until now, and has some revealing insider information on the aforementioned bands (Motley Crue really were demonic, kids). For me personally, I appreciated Vicky's stories about Guns n Roses, Toad the Wet Sprocket (my first concert), and the Cash's - Johnny & June. Once I got into the book I found it to be an engaging read that never allowed my attention to waver. Highly recommended.