Aerosmith: What It Takes

by Dave Bowler, Bryan Dray

Traces the rise, fall, and comeback of the 1970s heavy-metal band

Genres: Music

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 1997

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems to be written mainly from old magazine articles. Also seems to be written by somebody who discovered the band first through Permanent Vacation, and then followed the band from that point, going back and finding Toys in the Attic to be most similar, with the other early albums otherwise flawed in some way.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really, really pleasantly surprised by how vicious this book was about almost all their music that isn’t the number one hits. I have always felt that way but it’s incredibly rare to read a biography about massive rock bands that isn’t also a complete suck up and hero worship. Bravo for saying “this record is best avoided by those suffering from migraines” and “this song was bottom-scraping while the next one was merely abysmal” etc. only covers up to the Get A Grip/Big Ones era, nothing on Nine Lives.

[Jed Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read chronicling Aerosmith's rags to riches career as a definitive rock band of the late '70s to the 1990s - their success, trials , tribulations and how they almost lost it all through excess alcoholism and heavy drug use. Such an epic book that paints a portrait of "what it takes" to be a rock performer.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this in a boxset for £5: A compelling analysis of 'America's Greatest Rock N Roll Band' from their initial success to their split and, quite frankly, astounding drug abuse to their successful comeback in the late 80's/early 90's. Another good book for music lovers :)

[Rik Schnabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy did these boys play hard. They almost lost their chance at the big time when they fell about the stage off their faces, big time.

They however were certainly committed to their music as all great rock star acts are. A great read.

[Titus Hjelm]

A rewrite of old music magazine articles, but informative.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about Aerosmith's career. Gives a great insight mainly about Perry and Tyler's relationship throughout the years.