Chris Spedding: Reluctant Guitar Hero

by Kimberly J Bright

In the pantheon of guitar gods of the past 50 years — Page, Hendrix, Gilmour, Beck, Clapton — there has been one name missing. Chris Spedding. To rectify this crime against Anglo-American musical heritage, meet the Great Lost British Guitar Hero. Sometimes described as "to the left of Dave Edmunds and to the right of Brian Eno" and "the best guitarist you've never heard of," Chris Spedding has played on over 200 recordings for a wide spectrum of flash-in-the-pan bands to renowned artists (Paul McCartney, Donovan, Elton John, John Cale, Bryan Ferry, Nina Hagen, Katie Melua, Paolo Nutini). As a producer he has worked with the Sex Pistols, Dee Dee Ramone, the Nils, and the Cramps. He also found time to enjoy Top 20 success in the UK with his own 1975 hit "Motorbikin'". This biography of an underrated, introverted, reluctant guitar hero will make you reconsider what you think about rock music.

Genres: Music

838 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2006

Reviews

[Jim Dunedin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is well researched and covers the detail. But it’s too long and a dull plod. Early girlfriends/partners get attention later ones skipped over even when they die unexpectedly whilst live guitar solos for Bryan Ferry get endless pages. He is often given the title underrated. The book shows he is not. He is hugely respected professionally but was never in a top band or wrote the songs that achieved wide public acclaim. The author asserts he is better than the Stones Mick Taylor, nonsense, Taylor delivered the five greatest Stones albums as sideman and collaborator. Nothing Spedding did is close. That said he was a contender, a decent guy, and the book gives lots of good insight into one hell of a guitar player. A good edit, page reduction and attention in the right places would have improved this one.

[t daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best!

Really enjoyed this book , checking back to the hits, he’s played on, e.g. “ me myself I “ by Joan Armatrading, a classic solo.
Makes you realise what talent he is.
Seems a decent bloke too.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography is undoubtably very well researched and written with a great passion for it's subject but (in my opinion) is crying out for an editors hand. Far too much repetition and irrelevant information for my taste, hence 3 stars.