By Al Kooper Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards: Memoirs of a Rock 'n' Roll Survivor (Updated Ed) Paperback – 12 Jun. 2008

I have been a big fan of Al Kooper’s for many, many years. While I don’t think he was on this particular record, the first record I ever bought was the 45 “Believe Me” by The Royal Teens, a group he was in when he was a young teenager and I was about 9 years old. This book was such a good read! I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style, his knowledge, and his ability to laugh at himself and some of the absurdities and insults he encountered and endured during his long career. And he has had an INCREDIBLE career. If all you know about him is that he was a member of the Blues Project, a founding member of Blood, Sweat and Tears (and, ouch! There’s a story!), or that he played on Dylan’s “Everybody Must Get Stoned,” then you need to read this book! This is a second and updated version. Kinda pricey, but worth it…and I’m glad to offer him a little $upport! (And if you read the book, you’ll know why I say that! This man has been screwed out of so many royalties!) He deserves so much more recognition in the stinkin’ music industry. He was chewed up and spit out by a lot of self-serving a*@holes, and always got back up and back in the game, one way or another. If you are a fan of the history of the rock’n’roll industry, you will enjoy this book, even if you don’t know how much you do know about this man’s contribution to the biz!

One of the best, most interesting rock bios I've read. Kooper seems to have been everywhere and met everyone, but what I found most interesting was his resourcefulness and drive. This book gave me more insight into how the music business works than most that I have read.

Want to study rock n roll music history? Read this book. Well done, and plenty of interesting stories from both coasts. Not your typical rocker start, Al actually started in the Brill Building era of 1950s writing culture. Quickly though he advances to by chance being in a Bob Dylan studio session where he plays an organ lick (not his favorite instrument) and is instantly famous in the music world. He's involved with many great 60s/70s stars and continues to perform and eventually forms the breakout group: Blood, Sweat and Tears. Unfortunately, he is kicked out after the first album and doesn't participate in the fame and fortune. So, back in the business as a record executive when he hits another break and produces Lynard Skynard on their rise to fame. This march through the music industry that would be a dream for most music fans is really amazing. Along the way, Al also leaves the East Coast to the West Coast to Austin TX, to Atlanta to Nashville to eventually Boston. I'm sure I've missed some stops on the way.An exceptional book by a legend of the business even if most fans don't know his name. If you like music, read this book. It's exceptional.

I read this book in the very early 80's and I'm glad to have picked up the third edition. Having survived 30 years in the music business I can appreciate Al's abilities to rise and fall with the changes and keep such a great attitude. I actually encountered Al back in 78 or 79 when I first got into the business as a young buck in South FL. I worked for a record company in Hialeah FL. Al was using the studio next door laying tracks for a solo album. I'll never forget him coming in with two very attractive young ladies under his arms wearing short shorts and matching T-Shirts that said Al's Girl(s). I didn't know who he was until one of my coworkers clued me in.Al's book is honest and straight forward. While I was never in the creative end of the industry, I love music and have a lot of respect for guys like Al who had such talent and great instincts to be at the right place at the right time. Creativity like that is special and there's a lot to be learned from his experience. So, not only are his stories entertaining they should also be educational for aspiring musicians and the industry types. Sadly the fun and carefree days of the music business are gone. Run now by the bean counters instead of the people who understood talent and knew how to nurture and produce great albums.Here's a guy that many don't know much about that left his fingerprints and stamps on the best decades of rock and roll this planet will ever see. It's been a pleasure reading this book again with the additions since the first edition I read so many years ago.

Pretty interesting. His writing style is very readable. Lots of insider info, so if you like show biz stories, you'd like this. But it's also kind of depressing - talented guy, goes to a lot of parties, meets lots of famous people, works (!?) a couple hours a day (maybe) but never really finds the joy in life he thinks he deserves. Sometimes he seems whiney, but seems like a good guy.