Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star

by Rick Wakeman

What do Postman Pat, Tommy Cooper, Norman Wisdom, and George Best have in common with being abandoned in a Costa Rican jungle after a severe bout of flatulence? Indeed how are they connected to trying to buy an Australian brewery just to get a beer, owning twenty-two cars, an American soccer team, and Swiss mail-order pornography? I suppose we have to come clean and volunteer the name of a certain keyboard genius called Mr. Richard Wakeman. That said, you'll then not be surprised that this second volume of wondrous stories elaborates on violinists falling out of trees, being mauled on live TV by a German shepherd, playing golf with kangaroos, amputations sound-tracked by prog rock classics, a concert played to a solitary canine, and signing autographs on the toilet. The Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star takes you, oh privileged reader, on a trip of absurd excess, a cultural car crash of side-splitting hilarity, and an unforgettable glimpse into the life of one of Britain's most legendary showmen, rock stars, and all-time great raconteurs.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Autobiography

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2009

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative

There are very few srquals that match the original. That is the case with this book. It's not bad but I think Wakeman used up all the good stories in book 1.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this one was even better than the first one. There are some laugh out loud moments.

Rick, we need volume 3.

[Adrian Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a while ago and have only just got round to adding a review.
I couldn't put the first book down and was a bit apprehensive that this sequel wouldn't match up to the first. I need not have worried as Rick is such an all round entertainer - I chuckled and sniggered as I read it. If only all autobiographies were as good.
Some great stories and one day I just want to meet Rick to shake his hand as he is just so talented and one-off a kind!
Don't forget you can get the first book as well - read the book and you'll see what I mean. And just in case you need to buy more of Rick's music to listen too whilst reading!

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the title says, this is a further compendium of anecdotes from Rick Wakeman's career, and very funny and interesting it is too. Perhaps not quite as funny as the first book, but just as interesting, I really enjoyed it. I just hope he does another one as there must be many more stories to tell. A nice, touching finish too, as Rick tells why he always stays behind after a show to sign autographs. An excellent chap.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even funnier than the first book. Many genuine laugh out loud stories which will still tickle my funny bone for for a good few days. Particularly enjoyed the concert centred around Oscar a canine audience member, in the front row, at a sparsely attended gig in Corby, which was recorded. CD bought and, hopefully on its way very soon,

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my eye on a shelf in a charity shop in Cockermouth and I am a sucker for an autobiography. Rick Wakeman is as talented a storyteller as he is a musician and this book had me laughing out loudly as I read his tales (and his not-so-subtle hints to read his earlier works). The antics of a rock and roll star were not a surprise to me, the quantity of recounts of flatulence were!

[Jeff Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great laugh

Rick is a wonderful comedian, as well as an outstanding keyboardist. This had me laughing out loud and longing for more. I especially loved the Port Talbot hotel, Norman Wisdom and Nick Faldo stories.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Wakeman is a super raconteur, and apparently he’s a bit of a wizz on the piano too* - so much so that I could almost hear him narrating it as I read. Good fun, quick read.

* I jest. I am a shy prog rock fan, and I know his credentials well.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second set of stories of Rick's life adventures and is just as funny, insightful and grumpy as his first. laugh out loud material! Would love to have a beer and a chat with him a about his wonderful and crazy exploits, but this is the next best thing!

[Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Wakeman was my childhood hero and it’s his fault I ended up how I did. Hence, I’m already biased.

If you liked the first book as much as I did, you’ll probably like this one 5-10% less. Still good, though.

[Stew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair

This is not nearly as good as his last one, but then, how do you beat "King Arthur on Ice"?

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's even worse than the first one! Even more delighted farting which is supposed to stand for the famous British sense of humour I guess. And even less really funny stories.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny. Bring on the next volume.

[Nick Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the same from Mr Wakeman as he follows up his first books of tales. And more of the same is a good thing as there are many many entertaining stories here and some guarenteed laughs. Rick doesn't have a bad word to say about anyone but shares many amusing anecdotes from his years as a rock star, TV star, DIY man, golfer - all over the shop. This is a glimpse into the hard drinking, prank playing old style rockers and a funny one it is too. It is, however a short book, like the first I read this in one sitting.

Here is a talented musician who also knows how to tell a good story.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarity, mostly.
Unlike other rock and roll autobiographies, Wakeman doesn't bring us down with the usual soul-slashing introspective. He seems to be well aware that his fans aren't that interested in tell-all tedium. Any of us who lived through those days knows how gritty and ugly it could get and many of us lost loved ones to addiction during the height of the Rock Era.
Wakeman barely goes there, which makes this one a delight.
Try not to read it in bed - you'll wake your partner up, laughing right out loud.

[James Reyome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like its predecessor, this is another collection of Wakeman anecdotes, at least as funny as the first lot. A pleasure to read if you enjoy stories from within the music business, and a must if you're a fan of the master of prog rock keyboard wizardry. Funny, I never pictured him as a frustrated golfer, but I guess you never know.

[Thomas Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!! I actually made me laugh out loud when I was reading it at a bar. I can't rate it high enough. It matters not if you're a Rick Wakeman fan. Anyone with a sense of humor would love this book. He's a great story teller.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but not as good as the first instalment in my opinion. Felt this was just a collection of bit that didn't make it into the first book. Saying that, some of the anacdotes were fun to read.

[Avis Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than volume one. Not a prog rock fan myself, but I do like his comic writing. He's as funny as Stephen Fry or Douglas Adams. Wakeman is talented enough at writing he could have had an entirely separate career as an author.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and interesting view of life in a 70's Prog band.

[Brian Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goth ought it was just as good as it's predecessor, very funny. If you're a music fan you'll enjoy it

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not as consistent as the first book, this is another hilarious look at the life of Rick Wakeman. I laughed outloud several times.

[Beth Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a "laugh out loud" reader, but there were a few key moments whilst enjoying this one. Highly recommended for fans, but you must love flatulence & potty humour!