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Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin Uncensored
No one knew Led Zeppelin like Richard Cole. The band's tour manager for more than a decade, Cole was there when they burst onto the music scene, achieved cult status, cut platinum records, and transformed popular music. Second only to the Beatles in sales for years, Led Zeppelin was rock's premier group. But unlike the boys from Liverpool, the excitement of this band"s music was matched by the fever pitch of their antics on and off the stage.... In hotel rooms and stadiums, in a customized private Boeing 707 jet and country estates, Richard Cole saw it all -- and here he tells it all in this close-up, down-and-dirty, no-holds-barred account that records the highs, the lows, and the occasional in-betweens. This revised edition brings fans up to date on the band members' lives and careers, which may be a little quieter now, but their songs remain the same.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 27, 2013
This book was a quick and easy read, and quite entertaining at times. But I've got one word to say: debauchery. I thought I had heard/read it all, but I was wrong. These hedonistic, narcissistic, thoroughly debauched drug addled alcoholics were disgusting human beings, and the author, their road manager for 12 years, is no better, and perhaps even worse. The book is told from his perspective, and I've heard that Robert Plant really hated the book, and the band denied most of what is written, so who knows how much of it is true, but the thing that annoyed me the most was Cole's insinuation that he was virtually a part of the band, that John Bonham was practically his best friend (and apparently his roommate on the road, much of the time), and that Zeppelin couldn't have done it without him. This from a man who basically confessed to kidnapping, drug trafficking, assault (sexual and otherwise -- battery too), bribery, and willful destruction of property. I mean, this book should have been written from prison! Yes, it was fun to read about the hedonism at times, like when the band, Cole, and their manager consumed 260 drinks in four hours, or virtually anything they did, since it was so degrading to others, but Cole was a heroin addicted alcoholic who got prepubescent girls for the guys in the band to, you know, ... bang. It was especially appalling to read about Jimmy Page falling for a nubile 14 year old, especially as he was 28 at the time. He apparently liked them very young.
It was interesting to read about the beginnings of the band, back in 1968, and their tours, mainly through America, and the terrible reviews they got even though they sold more records than virtually any other rock group in history. It was interesting to read about the music -- how it was created, snippets of information about many of the songs, how it was performed, etc. But the books really is about sex, drugs, and rock and roll -- meaning, mostly sex and drugs -- and it gets redundant after awhile. I've read a lot of band bios over the years. Journey stayed clean. Rush stayed clean. Until now, I thought Queen threw the most debauched parties, but I think Zeppelin beats Queen in this area. Sadly, the band was steeped in moral degradation on the largest possible scale with their craziness, their nutso destruction of property, assaults on concert-goers, out of control spending and alcohol and drug use, and a sexual preference for girls barely into puberty, if even. I was prepared for a some debauchery, but nothing like this. Sadly, I think I've really lost a lot of respect for the band, and I think it's fair to say they should all be rotting in prison. I mean, they got away with everything, and they expected to. And Cole was instrumental in helping them get away with anything. He bribed cops, he beat up people, he got them drugs. What a slime ball.
Cole had a crush on John Bonham, clearly, and barely tolerated Robert Plant, which made me wonder how skewed events in the book were. Cole was crushed with Bonham's death, which incidentally, a lot of people chalk up to Zeppelin's "curse," brought on by Jimmy Page's dabbling in the occult, which Cole really tries to steer clear of. Why? I'm not sure. I wanted to read about Page's occult fetishes, aside from his obsession with A Crowley, but Cole writes that Jimmy didn't really introduce them to his occult practices and beliefs. That's a little hard to believe, but oh well. Other things happened to the members of Zeppelin that helped this curse idea along. Bonham got in a car wreck, as did Plant. It took Plant a long time to recover. Plant's five year old son died. $230,000 is stolen out of a safe box. There's more. Cole goes to prison in Italy, accused of terrorism (which is how the book begins).
There's a lot of craziness that goes on in this book. Televisions are thrown out of hotel windows, hotel rooms are trashed, cars are bought and crashed, girls are bartered like livestock, drugs flow freely, the alcoholic consumption would be enough to kill most people. There are transvestites and transsexuals, hookers and groupies (including the famous Plaster Casters). There's one memorable moment that involves two groupies, a bathtub, and an octopus, and it's truly disgusting. Then there's the girl with the famous red snapper incident, which is also disgusting. The band members have got to be the most immature and spoiled men in the history of the universe, most especially Bonham. It's rather disappointing.
This book is entertaining, if you can stomach the filth, and it's a real page turner -- I couldn't put it down. If half the stuff in this book is true, everyone involved should be in prison, as I've already alluded to. I hope in their older years, the remaining members of the band have matured. Cole has apparently been sober and clean for over 15 years, so I guess that's good. If you like reading about rock and roll excess or about Led Zeppelin, this is the book for you. If your stomach is easily turned, maybe you shouldn't read it. Cautiously recommended.
It was interesting to read about the beginnings of the band, back in 1968, and their tours, mainly through America, and the terrible reviews they got even though they sold more records than virtually any other rock group in history. It was interesting to read about the music -- how it was created, snippets of information about many of the songs, how it was performed, etc. But the books really is about sex, drugs, and rock and roll -- meaning, mostly sex and drugs -- and it gets redundant after awhile. I've read a lot of band bios over the years. Journey stayed clean. Rush stayed clean. Until now, I thought Queen threw the most debauched parties, but I think Zeppelin beats Queen in this area. Sadly, the band was steeped in moral degradation on the largest possible scale with their craziness, their nutso destruction of property, assaults on concert-goers, out of control spending and alcohol and drug use, and a sexual preference for girls barely into puberty, if even. I was prepared for a some debauchery, but nothing like this. Sadly, I think I've really lost a lot of respect for the band, and I think it's fair to say they should all be rotting in prison. I mean, they got away with everything, and they expected to. And Cole was instrumental in helping them get away with anything. He bribed cops, he beat up people, he got them drugs. What a slime ball.
Cole had a crush on John Bonham, clearly, and barely tolerated Robert Plant, which made me wonder how skewed events in the book were. Cole was crushed with Bonham's death, which incidentally, a lot of people chalk up to Zeppelin's "curse," brought on by Jimmy Page's dabbling in the occult, which Cole really tries to steer clear of. Why? I'm not sure. I wanted to read about Page's occult fetishes, aside from his obsession with A Crowley, but Cole writes that Jimmy didn't really introduce them to his occult practices and beliefs. That's a little hard to believe, but oh well. Other things happened to the members of Zeppelin that helped this curse idea along. Bonham got in a car wreck, as did Plant. It took Plant a long time to recover. Plant's five year old son died. $230,000 is stolen out of a safe box. There's more. Cole goes to prison in Italy, accused of terrorism (which is how the book begins).
There's a lot of craziness that goes on in this book. Televisions are thrown out of hotel windows, hotel rooms are trashed, cars are bought and crashed, girls are bartered like livestock, drugs flow freely, the alcoholic consumption would be enough to kill most people. There are transvestites and transsexuals, hookers and groupies (including the famous Plaster Casters). There's one memorable moment that involves two groupies, a bathtub, and an octopus, and it's truly disgusting. Then there's the girl with the famous red snapper incident, which is also disgusting. The band members have got to be the most immature and spoiled men in the history of the universe, most especially Bonham. It's rather disappointing.
This book is entertaining, if you can stomach the filth, and it's a real page turner -- I couldn't put it down. If half the stuff in this book is true, everyone involved should be in prison, as I've already alluded to. I hope in their older years, the remaining members of the band have matured. Cole has apparently been sober and clean for over 15 years, so I guess that's good. If you like reading about rock and roll excess or about Led Zeppelin, this is the book for you. If your stomach is easily turned, maybe you shouldn't read it. Cautiously recommended.
August 1, 2021
The first time I read this I was 14 years old.
The stories and adventures inside were exciting and encouraged my wanderlust and love of music.
Re-reading this as an adult, it loses a lot of the whimsy and presents more brutish.
Still interesting, but now I see more of the stories as ridiculous instead of exciting.
The stories and adventures inside were exciting and encouraged my wanderlust and love of music.
Re-reading this as an adult, it loses a lot of the whimsy and presents more brutish.
Still interesting, but now I see more of the stories as ridiculous instead of exciting.
February 7, 2017
Ovo je priča o možda najboljem i najvećem rock bendu.
Kažem možda, ali sam uvjeren da je Led Zeppelin baš to. Kažem priča jer sve je priča, davno je to bilo i teško da itko, čak i sami akteri mogu znati što je točno bilo, odnosno svatko je isti događaj doživio drugačije.
Ipak, fascinantno je koliko se detalja Richard Cole uopće sjeća. On je bio organizator turneja benda od samih početaka gotovo do samog kraja i zajedno je s njima uživao u alkoholu, kokainu, heroinu, a vjerovatno i raznim drugim nespomenutim opijatima. Odlično definira osobnosti članova benda i piše bez suzdržavanja o tome kako je koga od njih doživio i što je s njima proživio.
Priča je puna i zabavnih anegdota, uključujući i onu najpoznatiju s guranjem ribe u intimne organe napaljene obožavateljice, koja je inspirirala Franka Zappu da napiše The Mud Shark. Cole piše bez dlake na jeziku i ne ispušta detalje, a meni je jedino zasmetala činjenica da su neke od tih obožavateljica bile maloljetne, ne starije od 13-14 godina.
Uglavnom, dobro je napisano i brzo se čita, a za fanove je nezaobilazno štivo.
Kažem možda, ali sam uvjeren da je Led Zeppelin baš to. Kažem priča jer sve je priča, davno je to bilo i teško da itko, čak i sami akteri mogu znati što je točno bilo, odnosno svatko je isti događaj doživio drugačije.
Ipak, fascinantno je koliko se detalja Richard Cole uopće sjeća. On je bio organizator turneja benda od samih početaka gotovo do samog kraja i zajedno je s njima uživao u alkoholu, kokainu, heroinu, a vjerovatno i raznim drugim nespomenutim opijatima. Odlično definira osobnosti članova benda i piše bez suzdržavanja o tome kako je koga od njih doživio i što je s njima proživio.
Priča je puna i zabavnih anegdota, uključujući i onu najpoznatiju s guranjem ribe u intimne organe napaljene obožavateljice, koja je inspirirala Franka Zappu da napiše The Mud Shark. Cole piše bez dlake na jeziku i ne ispušta detalje, a meni je jedino zasmetala činjenica da su neke od tih obožavateljica bile maloljetne, ne starije od 13-14 godina.
Uglavnom, dobro je napisano i brzo se čita, a za fanove je nezaobilazno štivo.
May 8, 2010
I bought this expecting it to be an in-depth song-by-song analysis of the world famous folk singing father-and-daughter duo from Kiltimagh. Instead it turned out to be a biography of sorts of some tin pot band of the same name who sold a handful of home made tapes out of a garage in the Home Counties, written in his free time by a friend of the drummer's.
Most of the stories deal with the growth pangs of the four lads who took to doing leaden, lumpy blues covers equipped with an electric guitar, a Fender bass and a washboard, and, while it's fascinating in its own way, isn't a patch on reading about the lives and the times of the makers of such fragile ballads as 'There's a Wilting Rose in Eire' and 'The Snowflakes Melt on Fanny Green', who, to me, will always remain the REAL Led Zeppelin.
There's some stuff about something they did with a fourteen year old and a bathtub full of fish backstage at the local charity ball, and a lot more besides which mostly involves girls who, whatever their faults, were certainly precocious.
All very entertaining no doubt, but I couldn't finish the whole thing in the end as I had my knitting to get back to.
Most of the stories deal with the growth pangs of the four lads who took to doing leaden, lumpy blues covers equipped with an electric guitar, a Fender bass and a washboard, and, while it's fascinating in its own way, isn't a patch on reading about the lives and the times of the makers of such fragile ballads as 'There's a Wilting Rose in Eire' and 'The Snowflakes Melt on Fanny Green', who, to me, will always remain the REAL Led Zeppelin.
There's some stuff about something they did with a fourteen year old and a bathtub full of fish backstage at the local charity ball, and a lot more besides which mostly involves girls who, whatever their faults, were certainly precocious.
All very entertaining no doubt, but I couldn't finish the whole thing in the end as I had my knitting to get back to.
March 31, 2019
"[...] they never allowed their offstage antics to overshadow their craftsmanship onstage and in the studio. They never lost sight of their fans and the debt they owed them. In nearly three decades in the music business, I have never seen anyone else like Led Zeppelin. They were indisputably the greatest rock and roll band in the world."
Indisputably the greatest? Well, maybe... Led Zeppelin was certainly one the most famous and influential bands in the history of rock music and their Stairway To Heaven always places high on various lists of "best songs of all time". I am not a particular fan of the group although I like their music more than most of the heavy-metal bands of which genre they may be considered precursors. My favorite piece is Whole Lotta Love, with its pseudo-free-jazz fragments and generally non-traditional, innovative structure, which - to me - sticks out positively from their mainstream repertoire.
Richard Cole, author of Stairway To Heaven. Led Zeppelin Uncensored (1992; the book is co-authored by a professional writer, Richard Trubo) is an ultimate insider in the band's affairs as he worked as a tour manager for Led Zeppelin throughout their entire existence (1968 - 1980). Unfortunately, being a tour manager means being privy to the social behavior of band members rather than to their creative process. Thus, instead of a serious biography of the band we have its "excessography."
The entire book is basically a meticulously detailed report of the never-ending stream of alcohol- and drug-fueled excesses of the band. I know there exist readers - I hope they constitute a small minority - who thrive on learning dirt about celebrities; this book is precisely for them. For instance, the author seems to be proud of finally telling the truth about the notorious "Shark Episode" that happened in The Edgewater Inn in Seattle. What's more, he seems to be proud of his role in the event.
The parade of gross behaviors, which range from juvenile pranks to acts that today would likely be considered criminal, obscures all the valuable contents of the book: I would love to read more about the music, about personalities of the band members, and more seriously, about the dynamic of relationships between them. What's worse, the events described in the book seem to happen outside of any particular cultural, social, and political background. Indeed the 1970s were not as turbulent as the 1960s but there was a lot of processes happening in the world, which are not in any way reflected in the band biography.
Since I sort of matured in my mid-sixties I have developed serious doubts about the nobleness of the human species. One passage in Stairway seems to confirm my doubts: the account of the evening when the author and John Paul Jones (the "quietest" member of Led Zeppelin) met with Elvis Presley and the meeting ended up in an "orgy of gift-giving that Elvis seemed to find exciting." Yuck!
I would estimate that almost one hundred pages in this 380-page book are devoted to detailing the "we got drunk and did stupid things, we got stoned and did even more stupid things" activities. Why do we need this repetitiveness? This is not a good book! A perfect example of how not to write books about popular musicians.
One-and-a-half stars.
Indisputably the greatest? Well, maybe... Led Zeppelin was certainly one the most famous and influential bands in the history of rock music and their Stairway To Heaven always places high on various lists of "best songs of all time". I am not a particular fan of the group although I like their music more than most of the heavy-metal bands of which genre they may be considered precursors. My favorite piece is Whole Lotta Love, with its pseudo-free-jazz fragments and generally non-traditional, innovative structure, which - to me - sticks out positively from their mainstream repertoire.
Richard Cole, author of Stairway To Heaven. Led Zeppelin Uncensored (1992; the book is co-authored by a professional writer, Richard Trubo) is an ultimate insider in the band's affairs as he worked as a tour manager for Led Zeppelin throughout their entire existence (1968 - 1980). Unfortunately, being a tour manager means being privy to the social behavior of band members rather than to their creative process. Thus, instead of a serious biography of the band we have its "excessography."
The entire book is basically a meticulously detailed report of the never-ending stream of alcohol- and drug-fueled excesses of the band. I know there exist readers - I hope they constitute a small minority - who thrive on learning dirt about celebrities; this book is precisely for them. For instance, the author seems to be proud of finally telling the truth about the notorious "Shark Episode" that happened in The Edgewater Inn in Seattle. What's more, he seems to be proud of his role in the event.
The parade of gross behaviors, which range from juvenile pranks to acts that today would likely be considered criminal, obscures all the valuable contents of the book: I would love to read more about the music, about personalities of the band members, and more seriously, about the dynamic of relationships between them. What's worse, the events described in the book seem to happen outside of any particular cultural, social, and political background. Indeed the 1970s were not as turbulent as the 1960s but there was a lot of processes happening in the world, which are not in any way reflected in the band biography.
Since I sort of matured in my mid-sixties I have developed serious doubts about the nobleness of the human species. One passage in Stairway seems to confirm my doubts: the account of the evening when the author and John Paul Jones (the "quietest" member of Led Zeppelin) met with Elvis Presley and the meeting ended up in an "orgy of gift-giving that Elvis seemed to find exciting." Yuck!
I would estimate that almost one hundred pages in this 380-page book are devoted to detailing the "we got drunk and did stupid things, we got stoned and did even more stupid things" activities. Why do we need this repetitiveness? This is not a good book! A perfect example of how not to write books about popular musicians.
One-and-a-half stars.
January 5, 2017
کتاب راه پله ای به بهشت که اسم خودش رو از ترانه ای به همین اسم، از آلبوم لد زپلین چهار گرفته؛ بدون شک یکی از جالب ترین کتاب هایی بود که چند وقته اخیر خوندم.
کتاب دو بخش عمده داشت، بخش اول این بود که ریچارد کول که منیجر گروه لد زپلین بوده، در مورد کارهایی که میکردن توضیحاتی میده و به نوعی داستان تشکیل لد زپلین، فروش آلبوم ها، کنسرت ها و حاشیه هایی که براشون پیش می اومده رو توضیح میده و نکات خیلی جالبی هم در مورد اعضای این گروه میده، بیشتر قسمت های این بخش، مربوط به جیمی پیج، گیتاریسته گروهه و به شدت خلاقیتش ستایش شده و ریچارد کول توی یک قسمت مینویسه که به جرئت میشه گفت جیمی پیج، اصلی ترین دلیل موفقیت گروه بوده.
قسمت دوم که واقعا خوب بود، توضیح در مورد آهنگ های معروف لد زپلین و اشعار اونه. همین طور که از اسم کتاب معلومه، بیشترین توضیح در مورد آهنگ فوق العاده ی "راه پله ای به بهشت" هست. همین طور 18 آهنگ دیگه ای که همشون از بهترین کارهای لد زپلین حساب میشن و تحلیلی که ریچارد کول از این آهنگ ها نوشته بود، باعث شدن من درک بهتری از موسیقی لد زپلین پیدا کنم. واقعا ارزش وقتی که براش گذاشتم رو داشت
و آخرین جمله کتاب:
شاید، اگر جان بونام سال 1980 نمیمرد و گروه لد زپلین منحل نمیشد، الان ما موسیقی متال و راک رو به نوع دیگه ای میشناختیم و جوون های امروزی هم با این گروه آشنا بودن.
و من هم با این جمله موافقم:)
کتاب دو بخش عمده داشت، بخش اول این بود که ریچارد کول که منیجر گروه لد زپلین بوده، در مورد کارهایی که میکردن توضیحاتی میده و به نوعی داستان تشکیل لد زپلین، فروش آلبوم ها، کنسرت ها و حاشیه هایی که براشون پیش می اومده رو توضیح میده و نکات خیلی جالبی هم در مورد اعضای این گروه میده، بیشتر قسمت های این بخش، مربوط به جیمی پیج، گیتاریسته گروهه و به شدت خلاقیتش ستایش شده و ریچارد کول توی یک قسمت مینویسه که به جرئت میشه گفت جیمی پیج، اصلی ترین دلیل موفقیت گروه بوده.
قسمت دوم که واقعا خوب بود، توضیح در مورد آهنگ های معروف لد زپلین و اشعار اونه. همین طور که از اسم کتاب معلومه، بیشترین توضیح در مورد آهنگ فوق العاده ی "راه پله ای به بهشت" هست. همین طور 18 آهنگ دیگه ای که همشون از بهترین کارهای لد زپلین حساب میشن و تحلیلی که ریچارد کول از این آهنگ ها نوشته بود، باعث شدن من درک بهتری از موسیقی لد زپلین پیدا کنم. واقعا ارزش وقتی که براش گذاشتم رو داشت
و آخرین جمله کتاب:
شاید، اگر جان بونام سال 1980 نمیمرد و گروه لد زپلین منحل نمیشد، الان ما موسیقی متال و راک رو به نوع دیگه ای میشناختیم و جوون های امروزی هم با این گروه آشنا بودن.
و من هم با این جمله موافقم:)
September 25, 2009
The book is competently crafted and easy to read; you won't need a dictionary or your notebook to puzzle out any difficult passages. Having established that, I have to say that the book left me a little hot under the collar, having been written by a man who has essentially confessed to kidnapping, drug trafficking, assault, sexual assault, and destruction of property. This particular manuscript should have been written deep inside a penitentiary.
I understand that some band members have disputed the accuracy of the information put forth by Mr Cole, but if only one-half of his allegations are true this band was steeped in moral degradation on the grandest of scales with their wanton destruction of property, assaults on concert-goers, and an apparent sexual preference for girls barely into puberty. I was prepared for a little bacchanalia, but nothing of this magnitude. I lost a lot of respect for the band as a result of reading this: they should all have been locked up.
I understand that some band members have disputed the accuracy of the information put forth by Mr Cole, but if only one-half of his allegations are true this band was steeped in moral degradation on the grandest of scales with their wanton destruction of property, assaults on concert-goers, and an apparent sexual preference for girls barely into puberty. I was prepared for a little bacchanalia, but nothing of this magnitude. I lost a lot of respect for the band as a result of reading this: they should all have been locked up.
November 13, 2017
This was an amazing book on many levels and any Led Zeppelin fan will love it. First, it was a very well written memoir of Richard Cole whose life paralleled the skyrocketing career of Led Zeppelin from nobodies to untouchable rock Gods. He was their right-hand man for more than a decade and had incredible insight into the day-to-day operations.
It was also amazing that the entire band wasn't put in prison for their antics - all of the violent treatment of fans/foes and especially their treatment of young women and underage girls. Even by 1970's standards, I don't know why they aren't behind bars.
The main questionable part about the story is the somewhat unbelievable details regarding conversations and presented dialogue. The other details are believable because, as their tour manager, the author probably had copious notes from each concert.
If you are a Led Zeppelin fan, then you'll love this book.
It was also amazing that the entire band wasn't put in prison for their antics - all of the violent treatment of fans/foes and especially their treatment of young women and underage girls. Even by 1970's standards, I don't know why they aren't behind bars.
The main questionable part about the story is the somewhat unbelievable details regarding conversations and presented dialogue. The other details are believable because, as their tour manager, the author probably had copious notes from each concert.
If you are a Led Zeppelin fan, then you'll love this book.
March 29, 2014
The book seems less a biography of Led Zeppelin than a biography of Richard Cole - drug addict sleazeball/dirtbag tour manager. The author states on page 119 that "...the rush of the drugs themselves - would blind me to any risks we were assuming."
As a cautionary tale, it shows just how much trouble a group of adolescent-minded guys can get into, when left to their own devices, or pushed to it.
The one good thing I can say about this book is that this volume offers a rare glimpse into the making of Led Zeppelin, and is an important reminder to aspiring artists that everyone's got to start somewhere. Even these guys had to pay their dues before they achieved success.
But seriously - this book's got a 4-star average on Goodreads? Who did the dirtbag tour manager pay off this time, to get that rating?
As a cautionary tale, it shows just how much trouble a group of adolescent-minded guys can get into, when left to their own devices, or pushed to it.
The one good thing I can say about this book is that this volume offers a rare glimpse into the making of Led Zeppelin, and is an important reminder to aspiring artists that everyone's got to start somewhere. Even these guys had to pay their dues before they achieved success.
But seriously - this book's got a 4-star average on Goodreads? Who did the dirtbag tour manager pay off this time, to get that rating?
May 28, 2020
It was interesting to read about the start of this band and their musical journey through all the tours and fame, until Bonham's death. The parts about sex, drugs, booze got repetitive and boring, especially all the descriptions of all the women.
July 11, 2024
When I finally got into Zeppelin earlier this year, I was hesitant about reading a book about them. I didn't really want to know if they were terrible people. Granted, I had heard some of the stories and rumours. But at some point recently, I thought, 'screw it, give me the dirt!'
So here we are with Stairway to Heaven. I don't know if this book is quite as infamous as Hammer of the Gods, which I haven't read, but it does promise Led Zeppelin uncensored. The book comes by way of Richard Cole, Zeppelin's road manager for most of their career.
I guess the major thing with this book is - is it true? The band seems to think it's not. Or at the very least that things have been exaggerated, or that things they didn't do have been attributed to them, or that Cole put a dark spin on these stories. So you can really look at it two ways: Cole was able to use his position of being so close to the band, that whatever he wrote - even if untrue - would have a feel of legitimacy; or that it really is mostly true because he was there. And I think you can see why the band might get defensive if it were true. I certainly wouldn't want to admit to some of the stuff in here.
I don't think anyone comes out of this book looking very good, except maybe John Paul Jones who seems like quite a level-headed guy. I was also interested in how Cole portrayed Robert because I feel like he always gets a very sympathetic view; like, it was Page and Bonham that did all the messed up stuff but he was just Mr. Peace and Love or whatever. To be sure, Cole doesn't make him out to be an awful person or anything, but there certainly was more than one side to him.
I guess because I had already heard various stories about the band, I wasn't really shocked or scandalized by anything in here. Except their love of barely legal or even underage groupies. I knew that already but reading it again is just... vile. I also don't think Cole made anything out to be more negative than it was. Certainly by the time we get to the 1977 tour things do become dark, but I'm not sure there's any other way to portray that period.
Zeppelin and their crew were a bunch of young men with too much money, power and influence who could basically do and get away with whatever they wanted. And they took advantage of that.
I wasn't overly impressed by this book. It reads easily enough and there's some good stories in here - and I don't just mean the ones intended to be salacious; there's some funny stuff in here, too. But at the end, I thought it was just fine.
So here we are with Stairway to Heaven. I don't know if this book is quite as infamous as Hammer of the Gods, which I haven't read, but it does promise Led Zeppelin uncensored. The book comes by way of Richard Cole, Zeppelin's road manager for most of their career.
I guess the major thing with this book is - is it true? The band seems to think it's not. Or at the very least that things have been exaggerated, or that things they didn't do have been attributed to them, or that Cole put a dark spin on these stories. So you can really look at it two ways: Cole was able to use his position of being so close to the band, that whatever he wrote - even if untrue - would have a feel of legitimacy; or that it really is mostly true because he was there. And I think you can see why the band might get defensive if it were true. I certainly wouldn't want to admit to some of the stuff in here.
I don't think anyone comes out of this book looking very good, except maybe John Paul Jones who seems like quite a level-headed guy. I was also interested in how Cole portrayed Robert because I feel like he always gets a very sympathetic view; like, it was Page and Bonham that did all the messed up stuff but he was just Mr. Peace and Love or whatever. To be sure, Cole doesn't make him out to be an awful person or anything, but there certainly was more than one side to him.
I guess because I had already heard various stories about the band, I wasn't really shocked or scandalized by anything in here. Except their love of barely legal or even underage groupies. I knew that already but reading it again is just... vile. I also don't think Cole made anything out to be more negative than it was. Certainly by the time we get to the 1977 tour things do become dark, but I'm not sure there's any other way to portray that period.
Zeppelin and their crew were a bunch of young men with too much money, power and influence who could basically do and get away with whatever they wanted. And they took advantage of that.
I wasn't overly impressed by this book. It reads easily enough and there's some good stories in here - and I don't just mean the ones intended to be salacious; there's some funny stuff in here, too. But at the end, I thought it was just fine.
August 24, 2017
Like Richard Cole or not, fans and readers MUST give him credence. The interviews he did for Stephen Davis made up the lion's share of Davis' trashy book HAMMER OF THE GODS, moreso than Lori Maddox's memories. After Cole saw the money Davis made on his inside stories, one can hardly fault Cole for cashing in with a book of his own, and a far better one at that. He didn't need to pore over old issues of CREEM and Circus magazine for material like Davis did either, Cole was there. More than likely many of his best stories he didn't dare publish out of respect for Mssrs. Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones, even after the band fired him for substance abuse.
He humanizes the band members in this book, portraying them as mortal human beings instead of gods. Having respect is one thing, but anyone who idolizes any musician, actor or athlete needs time out for a serious reality check, especially if they're over the age of 17.
Cole's often tawdry but hilarious reminiscences of Led Zeppelin may be a bit fuzzy around the edges with the passage of time however he did work for the band for nine of the 12 years of their existence and they did not tour at all in 1974 and 1978. The fact is he was at every public performance that Zep did except around 30 out of the five hundred eighty some odd shows they EVER played. He was also a firsthand observer at many notable private ones too, like when the whole band sat-in for a set with Norman Hale in late 1975, Page and Plant's recording foray in Bombay in 1971, etc. Not only did he see and hear these concerts, but he lived in the band's pocket while they toured, rubbing shoulders with them not only backstage but in limos, airplanes, trains, restaurants, hotel rooms, nightclubs as well as watching them record every album except their first in various studios and at Headley Grange.
If that doesn't make him an authority, I don't know what would!
He humanizes the band members in this book, portraying them as mortal human beings instead of gods. Having respect is one thing, but anyone who idolizes any musician, actor or athlete needs time out for a serious reality check, especially if they're over the age of 17.
Cole's often tawdry but hilarious reminiscences of Led Zeppelin may be a bit fuzzy around the edges with the passage of time however he did work for the band for nine of the 12 years of their existence and they did not tour at all in 1974 and 1978. The fact is he was at every public performance that Zep did except around 30 out of the five hundred eighty some odd shows they EVER played. He was also a firsthand observer at many notable private ones too, like when the whole band sat-in for a set with Norman Hale in late 1975, Page and Plant's recording foray in Bombay in 1971, etc. Not only did he see and hear these concerts, but he lived in the band's pocket while they toured, rubbing shoulders with them not only backstage but in limos, airplanes, trains, restaurants, hotel rooms, nightclubs as well as watching them record every album except their first in various studios and at Headley Grange.
If that doesn't make him an authority, I don't know what would!
May 11, 2018
I got an yellowed, old copy from the library, which didn't help. I just couldn't get into this book. It jumped all over the place. First chapter Bonzo had died & Cole doesn't know how to tell Plant. Next chapter about his early life. WHO CARES? Next chapter life before Zeppelin, how they met. Next it glosses over Jimmy Page's life w/ The Yardbirds, then he forms Zeppelin. They record & Atlantic signs them for big money. Album doesn't sell in UK. They decide to go to US. I stopped reading. I'd read HAMMER OF THE GODS 10 years ago & it was well-written & informative. This was a bore. The new Joni Mitchell biography came into the library, so I returned Stairway. I doubt I'll finish reading it.
December 3, 2008
Being a big Led Zeppelin fan, I wanted to hear about stuff I didn't know. That is more about the band. This book, although entertaining at times, is very centered on two characters: Richard Cole (the road manager and author) and John Bonham (who among the band probably has had the most written about him). I really wanted to learn more about the other band members, but I didn't get much in that regard. I don't care about Cole and I wanted to understand more about what made the band tick... not just the sex and drugs part that we all knew about anyway.
June 9, 2017
I liked the book, however since I read it, there has been much dispute about some of the events he speaks of by others who worked with the band and the band themselves. Some of the goings on I have read in other books, while others I do question. I did appreciate the honesty of the account of his life with the band, the highs and the lows and what become of him after the untimely death of John Bonham. It was an interesting read.
February 8, 2013
Led Zeppelin appear to have pretty much invented the rock'n'roll excess lifestyle, no matter how much Richard Cole insists that it was all about only the music. It's certainly true that the members of Zep managed to dedicate themselves entirely to the music & give it their all while they were recording or performing, but off-stage...well, it's amazing how quickly the reader starts thinking, "More booze, more underage girls, more throwing stuff out of hotel windows...it's getting a touch repetitive." If that kind of behavior happens frequently enough to seem rote, then you're clearly living a different kind of life than I do, for better or worse.
The interesting thing was that, while reading about yet another of John Bonham's drunken rampages or Jimmy Page's teenage groupies, I was finding myself feeling vaguely sorry for Led Zeppelin. Not because of their phenomenally outstanding musicianship, but because of how being able to buy, do, or get away with quite literally *anything* means that, given a certain personality type, you quickly become disenchanted with the most amazing, out-of-the-ordinary occurrences (at least to Joe Everyguy) & have to go to ever-increasing lengths to stave off the never-ending specter of boredom. I found myself thinking that a lot of their most famously roccocco behavior (think of the red snapper incident, the hotel rampages, or Jimmy's fourteen-year-old girlfriends) happened because they had to do ever crazier things to amaze themselves. I found it to be a vaguely depressing thought: maybe we have to want some things we'll never be able to have to be truly happy in this life.
Still, as a tell-all biography of what is possibly rock's most decadent band, this was satisfyingly thorough. It still kills me that John Bonham had to die, thereby ending Zeppelin (think of all the outstanding music that might have been!) but honestly, reading about the things Richard Cole & the band got up to, it's more surprising that it didn't happen years earlier, & that only Bonham didn't survive it. These guys are not only the elder statesmen of classic rock but, like at least three of the Rolling Stones, they're damned lucky to be alive. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to put "Physical Graffiti" on the turntable.
The interesting thing was that, while reading about yet another of John Bonham's drunken rampages or Jimmy Page's teenage groupies, I was finding myself feeling vaguely sorry for Led Zeppelin. Not because of their phenomenally outstanding musicianship, but because of how being able to buy, do, or get away with quite literally *anything* means that, given a certain personality type, you quickly become disenchanted with the most amazing, out-of-the-ordinary occurrences (at least to Joe Everyguy) & have to go to ever-increasing lengths to stave off the never-ending specter of boredom. I found myself thinking that a lot of their most famously roccocco behavior (think of the red snapper incident, the hotel rampages, or Jimmy's fourteen-year-old girlfriends) happened because they had to do ever crazier things to amaze themselves. I found it to be a vaguely depressing thought: maybe we have to want some things we'll never be able to have to be truly happy in this life.
Still, as a tell-all biography of what is possibly rock's most decadent band, this was satisfyingly thorough. It still kills me that John Bonham had to die, thereby ending Zeppelin (think of all the outstanding music that might have been!) but honestly, reading about the things Richard Cole & the band got up to, it's more surprising that it didn't happen years earlier, & that only Bonham didn't survive it. These guys are not only the elder statesmen of classic rock but, like at least three of the Rolling Stones, they're damned lucky to be alive. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to put "Physical Graffiti" on the turntable.
April 18, 2015
I've always enjoyed the music of Led Zeppelin. Widely considered to be one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century it was easy to be drawn to this memoir. I found it pretty tastefully done and chock full of interesting behind the scenes tidbits on the band members. However, the author's story is pretty interesting as well about is own career as a road manager and how he ended up with Led Zeppelin.
I grew a deeper sense of respect for the members of the band and always pay attention to when any of their names are mentioned in the media now. Still mad respect for all of them as they continue to be influential in their artistic endeavors.
If you haven't already, check out Heart's cover of Stairway to Heaven on the Kennedy Center honors with the Led Zep guys in attendance. I saw it soon after reading this book and their reactions to the performance gave me chills. I cried along with them. A great performance to watch as it shows just how much they are respected by fellow artists and how much they have influenced great rock through their music.
I grew a deeper sense of respect for the members of the band and always pay attention to when any of their names are mentioned in the media now. Still mad respect for all of them as they continue to be influential in their artistic endeavors.
If you haven't already, check out Heart's cover of Stairway to Heaven on the Kennedy Center honors with the Led Zep guys in attendance. I saw it soon after reading this book and their reactions to the performance gave me chills. I cried along with them. A great performance to watch as it shows just how much they are respected by fellow artists and how much they have influenced great rock through their music.
July 17, 2014
I read this in high school and handed it around to my buddies. It was over the top BS, and we all knew it, but it was fun to read.
June 27, 2009
I am not a huge fan of music biographies. Most of the time they feel like they are written by fans, or worshipers who feel the need to describe what its like to “feel the music” so to speak (a perfect example of this would be David Henderson’s biography of Jimi Hendrix called Kiss the Sky; I couldn’t get past page 30 of that book). The music bio’s I really love are the ones written by the guys who supervised the tours, who were there for all the parties, the drugs, the girls. Basically the guys who had a front row seat the sex drugs and rock and roll lifestyle. And that is what we have here.
Richard Cole may not be Hemingway, and he may not really remember everything that happened with his days in Led Zeppelin but he seems to remember enough to give us a taste of the debauchery, making it an enjoyable book. But, as I remembered from reading the David Carr memoir (Night of the Gun) all memories that we have are subjective, we cast ourselves in a better light than what may be truth. So basically all memoirs, be it rock bio’s to drug memoirs to disaster at the top of blah-biddy-blah-blah-blah, must be taken with a grain of salt.
Now I have never been a huge Led Zeppelin fan, I’ve always enjoyed their music, especially the few instances where I heard some live performances, but I would not go so far as to call myself devoted to the band. That being said, I think I would have been a huge Zep fan if I had the opportunity to see the band live. Richard Cole does describe some of the sensations of hearing them perform, whether in the studio or in front of 50,000 fans, but he does not go overboard when describing the sound of Led Zeppelin. I think he mainly describes the feel of the music so that we might appreciate how he felt all those nights for those 500+ tours he managed.
There is really no “best thing about this book” moment here, was it accurate? Who knows, Was it fun? Hell yea!
Richard Cole may not be Hemingway, and he may not really remember everything that happened with his days in Led Zeppelin but he seems to remember enough to give us a taste of the debauchery, making it an enjoyable book. But, as I remembered from reading the David Carr memoir (Night of the Gun) all memories that we have are subjective, we cast ourselves in a better light than what may be truth. So basically all memoirs, be it rock bio’s to drug memoirs to disaster at the top of blah-biddy-blah-blah-blah, must be taken with a grain of salt.
Now I have never been a huge Led Zeppelin fan, I’ve always enjoyed their music, especially the few instances where I heard some live performances, but I would not go so far as to call myself devoted to the band. That being said, I think I would have been a huge Zep fan if I had the opportunity to see the band live. Richard Cole does describe some of the sensations of hearing them perform, whether in the studio or in front of 50,000 fans, but he does not go overboard when describing the sound of Led Zeppelin. I think he mainly describes the feel of the music so that we might appreciate how he felt all those nights for those 500+ tours he managed.
There is really no “best thing about this book” moment here, was it accurate? Who knows, Was it fun? Hell yea!
October 14, 2014
"Stairway To Heaven" is former Led Zeppelin road manager Richard Cole's depiction of his recollections of his years on the road with the biggest band of the 1970s. Much of the off stage 'escapades' are related in a smirking 'boys will be boys' style which gets very obnoxious rather quickly. Cole giggles about drummer John Bonham's propensity for violence (usually directed against service workers who are outnumbered). Cole also recalls breathlessly manager Peter Grant's (and the entire band's) abuse of hired underlings and creepy criminally sexual predatory behavior (like Jimmy Page's fondness for 14 year olds). I've been a huge Zeppelin fan my whole life, and while I will always love their music, I am definitely very creeped-out and disgusted reading about their antics and even moreso, reading them described as if they were harmless pranks. Cole really isn't much of a writer. I honestly have to say that I was rather disappointed. Somebody should tell this author that just because certain behavior is antisocial, illicit, obnoxious or abusive, that doesn't necessarily exciting or appealing. I've read better Zeppelin books.
July 24, 2015
I read this book in high school, about 10 years ago, and remember not only being incredibly scandalized, but also incredibly intrigued.
And also, a little...nauseous.
At the same time I was assured by the friend who lent it to me that half of what was written was skeptical at best, so took most of it with a grain of salt or three. Still...how on earth did any of the guys get away with even a little of what may have happened?! The excess is over the top even by today's standards, though, I'm fairly sure Zeppelin invented the whole rock and roll lifestyle anyway.
I found the book interesting, that's for sure, though I'm not sure I'd like any of the guys (except maybe JPJ) if I'd known them in real life. But you don't have to like anyone to be entranced by their music and to find their story (dubious or otherwise) entertaining.
3 1/2 stars.
And also, a little...nauseous.
At the same time I was assured by the friend who lent it to me that half of what was written was skeptical at best, so took most of it with a grain of salt or three. Still...how on earth did any of the guys get away with even a little of what may have happened?! The excess is over the top even by today's standards, though, I'm fairly sure Zeppelin invented the whole rock and roll lifestyle anyway.
I found the book interesting, that's for sure, though I'm not sure I'd like any of the guys (except maybe JPJ) if I'd known them in real life. But you don't have to like anyone to be entranced by their music and to find their story (dubious or otherwise) entertaining.
3 1/2 stars.
September 20, 2016
I had heard so many "stories" about LZ that I thought this would be the be all end all book.
All in all, it was interesting, but the story was really more about the author's life than with Zeppelin. It was also very strong on Cole's and Bonzo's friendship more than any of the others.
It's basically a diary of how much booze and drugs those 2 could take it seems.
Many of the stories I had heard , he mentioned, but really didn't go into much detail about several of them, nor did he go into much detail about Page, Or Robert or Jon Paul's lives.
There is a mixture of their times spent on tour, the times spent on writing certain songs; but to me this is more of a story of a drug addled drunks life than much of anything else.
Sorry to say I was disappointed in this, although it was ok and some parts were good but it certainly wasn't anything what I expected.
All in all, it was interesting, but the story was really more about the author's life than with Zeppelin. It was also very strong on Cole's and Bonzo's friendship more than any of the others.
It's basically a diary of how much booze and drugs those 2 could take it seems.
Many of the stories I had heard , he mentioned, but really didn't go into much detail about several of them, nor did he go into much detail about Page, Or Robert or Jon Paul's lives.
There is a mixture of their times spent on tour, the times spent on writing certain songs; but to me this is more of a story of a drug addled drunks life than much of anything else.
Sorry to say I was disappointed in this, although it was ok and some parts were good but it certainly wasn't anything what I expected.
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June 26, 2009i got about halfway through the book before realizing how terribly fabricated the stories are.. i'm debating as to whether or not to continue reading in the rare event that i learn something that holds almost the whole truth to it or to just stop right here and use my time for another book
..i've made my decision. never trust the hard-drug addicted, questionable, ex-tour manager or his words used to depict possibly the greatest band ever when his accounts are almost entirely biased and dishonest. i'm keeping my bookmark in place in case there comes a day where i regain interest in this outrageous piece of work but for now it's time to put it back on the shelf. sorry, my love for zeppelin is still profound
..i've made my decision. never trust the hard-drug addicted, questionable, ex-tour manager or his words used to depict possibly the greatest band ever when his accounts are almost entirely biased and dishonest. i'm keeping my bookmark in place in case there comes a day where i regain interest in this outrageous piece of work but for now it's time to put it back on the shelf. sorry, my love for zeppelin is still profound
February 5, 2013
Written by longtime Zeppelin tour-manager and running-buddy Richard Cole, this is a decent insider history of Zeppelin. If you like Zeppelin's music this is a worthwhile read - it's fast and breezy, and has lot's of 'cameos' with other artists and musicians and actors.
I'd really like to read a more documentary-style Zep book, more like a book equivalent of VH1's classic albums series or something that puts you more inside the studio from the artist's perspective.
Cole goes out of his way to include recording techniques and studio trivia with all the sex and drug stories, but it's clearly not his focus. His focus is the sex and drugs.
I'd really like to read a more documentary-style Zep book, more like a book equivalent of VH1's classic albums series or something that puts you more inside the studio from the artist's perspective.
Cole goes out of his way to include recording techniques and studio trivia with all the sex and drug stories, but it's clearly not his focus. His focus is the sex and drugs.
August 13, 2008
I really enjoyed this book, which is by no means a work of literature. But if you've dreamed of the rockstar life, the roadie life, and the 70s rock world, this is the book for you! I'm stoked to finally understand the chronology of Led Zeppelin, how things unfolded, when what song was recorded. Especially interesting because it all happened right before I was born, or very young. This book has a music industry perspective that I found really fascinating. And of course, the groupie and drug stories were great too.
May 26, 2014
The book is quite good, written from the perspective of someone that was really there and was friends with the guys in the band. On the other hand I have read that Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were very disappointed with this book because it has hyperbole or just outright fabrication. In other words maybe 70% true and 30% untrue. But, alas, Cole was there and no doubt there are many truths in this book.
August 4, 2017
I liked the book, however since I read it, there has been much dispute about some of the events he speaks of by others who worked with the band and the band themselves. Some of the goings on I have read in their books, while others I do question. I did appreciated the honesty of the account of his life with the band, the highs and lows and what became of him after the untimely death of John Bonham. It was an interesting read.
March 10, 2018
Imagine being the tour manager for Led_Zeppelin and your job is to make sure they have play money and the toys but you HAVE to make sure that they make it to the Gig. Good luck with that. Cole did it and did it well. .. Well that's who wrote this gem. Gripping, Detailed.
October 22, 2019
Great book, lots of inside Zep stories. Occasionally cliche-ish. It’s a testament to how autobiographies tend to gloss over the bad stuff, because so many other accounts make Zep, and their touring entourage, seem so more destructive, intimidating, and truly dangerous. Who knows where reality lies?
November 22, 2020
This was an enjoyable read, lots of insight into the life of mega rock stars- good times and bad times and big round of applause to Richard Cole for making it back from the depths of addiction cheers to being clean👏🤘
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