Reviews
Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes--A Memoir by Steven Hyden, Steve Gorman
schuster's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book is great. Even if you don't like The Black Crowes it's worth the read
twerkingtobeethoven's review against another edition
4.0
Fun book. Steve seems to be a decent bloke, and I actually enjoyed the style, it's basically like this "So this is what happened that one time we were recording XYZ."
According to Gorman, the Robinson brothers were a bit dysfunctional from the very beginning, and the problems increased with the increasing fame (go figure), which turned them into utter twats with massive egos that lead to the demise of a very lucrative deal with Jimmy Page and, eventually, to the end of the band itself(*). Also, the consumption of alcohol and all sorts of...er...chemicals didn't make things any easier, HA! Of course, as you'd expect, the turmoil surrounding the Black Crowes is what makes "Hard to Handle" really interesting.
Needs to be said I'm not a die-hard fan of the band. I liked the first two records, all right, but wasn't particularly crazy about "Amorica" and "Three Snakes and One Charm". And I have honestly no clue what the following albums sound like.
Four stars.
(*) - The Black Crowes will be touring again in 2020, the only surviving members of the band being the Robinson brothers.
According to Gorman, the Robinson brothers were a bit dysfunctional from the very beginning, and the problems increased with the increasing fame (go figure), which turned them into utter twats with massive egos that lead to the demise of a very lucrative deal with Jimmy Page and, eventually, to the end of the band itself(*). Also, the consumption of alcohol and all sorts of...er...chemicals didn't make things any easier, HA! Of course, as you'd expect, the turmoil surrounding the Black Crowes is what makes "Hard to Handle" really interesting.
Needs to be said I'm not a die-hard fan of the band. I liked the first two records, all right, but wasn't particularly crazy about "Amorica" and "Three Snakes and One Charm". And I have honestly no clue what the following albums sound like.
Four stars.
(*) - The Black Crowes will be touring again in 2020, the only surviving members of the band being the Robinson brothers.
johnofrodrigue's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely incredible. I put this right up there with Warren Zanes’ Petty biography as not just a great rock book, but a great book with a great story and great writing. Should be required reading in music schools, psychology classes (a semester to be had here) and team-building seminars. Reading this almost felt like being in group therapy with Steve, although I’m not sure that was his aim. The tone is matter-of-fact and conversational. The stories are out of this world. I give this my full recommendation to anybody currently in or thinking about joining a band. Especially anybody who ever in a bad break-up from one (obviously.) People in relationships and with co-workers or teammates can also take a page or two from this. Also a great read for anybody who needs affirmation that life goes on and peace is always within your reach.
lifstrand's review against another edition
5.0
A well-written, honest book by Steve Gorman about The Black Crowes. I've read quite a few musician's memoirs and I must say, so far this is one of the better ones.
vinomanscott930's review against another edition
4.0
Breaking up a band that you spent most of your adult life listening to over money and power (within the band) makes this a hard read, because you come into it with the bias towards being pissed, but I think Steve Gorman showed enough of the light side of the band to counteract the selfishness, pettiness, and ego of the Robinson Brothers. Watching, and now reading the behind the scenes details, of the absolute downward spiral the Black Crowes were on were very disheartening. I know Rich and Chris Robinson are now back together, with a new incarnation of the Black Crowes, but there will always only be the originals. True classics. The Brothers have said that the reason why other band members were not invited back to rejoin the band this time was so they wouldn't slip back into the bad habits, the backstabbing, and the overall toxic behaviors of the past. I still stand with Steve Gorman on what he had to say in this book about his time in the band, and the actions of The Brothers.
bookishdrummer's review against another edition
5.0
The Black Crowes were my introduction to rock music. After getting their greatest hits album back in 2000 when I was 7, I've been listening to rock music ever since. So I was very intrigued and very much wanted to read this book. I had always liked their music, but didn't really know anything about the band itself. This book was fantastic, and as a drummer myself, I loved getting the perspective of the drummer. Not only did I really like the drama within in the band and the hilarious moments between the band, I really appreciated the sections about how the band recorded their albums and songs. I also loved the chapters about the touring with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, as Led Zeppelin is my favorite band. This is easily one of my favorite rock music memoirs. Easy 5 stars.
dylan_j's review against another edition
4.0
I really want to rate this a 3.5, but I’ll round it up to a 4. This was a great book and Steven had an incredible story to tell! I personally thought that it was a little slow in some spots and that made it seem to drag on ever so often. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of The Crowes or just a music fan in general!
josher71's review against another edition
5.0
I am not a Black Crowes fan but I love rock books and this is a certified page turner!
petermcdade's review against another edition
5.0
OK, I'm biased, since I have known the author for many years, and was in a band that toured with the Crowes. But maybe that actually makes my love of this book more surprising. I know how the story ends, and know a lot of the people involved, and still read this thing quickly: I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
When I put it down I was most impressed with how well the book balances its glimpses of the salacious rock lifestyle (Uncle Bob! Drugs! Women!) with its detailing the work required to earn that lifestyle (thing is, making records and staying in a band is actually a good bit of work). And, as is the case in any story worth telling, the heroes are imperfect, and even the devils deserve a little sympathy.
When I put it down I was most impressed with how well the book balances its glimpses of the salacious rock lifestyle (Uncle Bob! Drugs! Women!) with its detailing the work required to earn that lifestyle (thing is, making records and staying in a band is actually a good bit of work). And, as is the case in any story worth telling, the heroes are imperfect, and even the devils deserve a little sympathy.
silverandbluedc's review against another edition
5.0
As a fan of this band this was very interesting to learn about the early years, the creative process, and ultimately the infighting that destroyed this band. I listened to the audio version of this as it was read by the author and drummer of the Black Crowes. I believe it is the best version of this because Gorman does a wonderful job putting the listener into his shoes as he reads with the emotion he felt during the most angrily frustrating of times dealing with the Robinson brothers. Great listen/book for anyone if if not fans of the band. However, I am sure those with knowledge of their music will get the most out of it.