nlkirch's review against another edition
5.0
At first glance Loud: A Life in Rock’n’roll by the world’s first female roadie by Tana Douglas is a scintillating look behind the scenes of some of the biggest rock bands. There’s sex and drugs to go with the rock’n’roll as Douglas unloads juicy moments with every load out. From a well-stocked trailer parked on the lawn at Windsor Gardens to a dog getting into a stash at an Australian after-party, there’s something for everyone. Douglas also rubs shoulders with the likes of Paul McCartney, Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne, and Neil Diamond. But behind the star-studded cast is the history of the modern road crew from the 1970s to the 1990s.
After starting out in behind-the-times Australia, Douglas jumps from one mega show to the next where the cutting edge of stage shows dazzle audiences around the world. The stories chronicle how stage lighting becomes an attraction that threatens to overshadow the bands themselves. Through the blood and sweat of the road crews, the productions increase in size and complexity. Sound, lighting, and rigging mature as industries and require teams and trucks. Douglas includes the grittiness and pain of long nights and safety playing catch up to daring feats. The drugs, and recklessness take their toll, but still, the show goes on.
How much could be packed in 350 pages? One might be forgiven for thinking this book glorifies the roadie life from a summary. However, Tana Douglas never forgets she is a woman in a “man’s world.” Where Douglas bares her vulnerabilities is where this book really shines. Her isolation, her difficulties as a child, a partner, and as a parent hits hard. I found myself wishing happy endings for Douglas, but knowing that her truth is more common. Loud is the perfect snapshot of the life of the roadie with all the highs and all the lows. I recommend reading about the rock’n’roll life of Tana Douglas to anyone interested in touring shows. Bring your earplugs.
https://soundgirls.org/loud-tana-douglas-rocks-hard/
After starting out in behind-the-times Australia, Douglas jumps from one mega show to the next where the cutting edge of stage shows dazzle audiences around the world. The stories chronicle how stage lighting becomes an attraction that threatens to overshadow the bands themselves. Through the blood and sweat of the road crews, the productions increase in size and complexity. Sound, lighting, and rigging mature as industries and require teams and trucks. Douglas includes the grittiness and pain of long nights and safety playing catch up to daring feats. The drugs, and recklessness take their toll, but still, the show goes on.
How much could be packed in 350 pages? One might be forgiven for thinking this book glorifies the roadie life from a summary. However, Tana Douglas never forgets she is a woman in a “man’s world.” Where Douglas bares her vulnerabilities is where this book really shines. Her isolation, her difficulties as a child, a partner, and as a parent hits hard. I found myself wishing happy endings for Douglas, but knowing that her truth is more common. Loud is the perfect snapshot of the life of the roadie with all the highs and all the lows. I recommend reading about the rock’n’roll life of Tana Douglas to anyone interested in touring shows. Bring your earplugs.
https://soundgirls.org/loud-tana-douglas-rocks-hard/
ozsonja's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
bookwoman37's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. Tana left home at a young age and some how found herself working as roadie in Australia. She was lucky to start just as big rock shows were beginning to tour in Australia and she had some wonderful mentors. Throughout most of her career she was the only the only woman working backstage. She worked her up from unpacking trucks to learning lighting and sound design. While there are some stories from the road and backstage most of the book is Tana's story. If you are just looking for gossip on bad backstage behavior you will be disappointed. I really enjoyed reading about how she was able to work her up through the ranks and the different turns her career has taken. I would have liked to have read more about the work she is doing now on helping more women enter the music business. Accompanying the text are a lot of fun photographs. The book was well written and easy to read. Enjoy the fun ride through music history.
alishabrookx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
oceanwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I'm always up for a book that brings me into the 1970s (and the overlapping years). This one achieved this and then some. As someone who listens to a lot of music from this era, it was exciting to read about some of the things behind the scenes, especially from the perspective of a female Roadie — something unheard of at the time Tana Douglas got her start.
The book is engaging and reflective, touching upon the author's career more than personal life. There is some backstory, but most of the facts going forward are left vague. I had mixed feelings about this because while I respect the decision to keep things private, there was enough information divulged throughout the book that leaves the reader hanging. At the same time, I liked that the focus was on the industry and not just the individual. I never realized all that goes into a concert, especially before today's technology.
From AC/DC to Iggy Pop to Elton John to The Police, several bands and performers are mentioned in this memoir. While the recognition of so many artists is full of nostalgia (even speaking as someone who wasn't around for the height of their fame), the heart of the book is Tana Douglas' journey from runaway to a pioneer for women in the music industry.
A huge thanks to HarperCollins/Harper360 for sending me a free ARC to read and review!
The book is engaging and reflective, touching upon the author's career more than personal life. There is some backstory, but most of the facts going forward are left vague. I had mixed feelings about this because while I respect the decision to keep things private, there was enough information divulged throughout the book that leaves the reader hanging. At the same time, I liked that the focus was on the industry and not just the individual. I never realized all that goes into a concert, especially before today's technology.
From AC/DC to Iggy Pop to Elton John to The Police, several bands and performers are mentioned in this memoir. While the recognition of so many artists is full of nostalgia (even speaking as someone who wasn't around for the height of their fame), the heart of the book is Tana Douglas' journey from runaway to a pioneer for women in the music industry.
A huge thanks to HarperCollins/Harper360 for sending me a free ARC to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Abortion and Cancer
kimswhims's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir, far more than I thought I would.
What a fascinating and unique life she has lived, partly being in the right places at the right times, with the right interests and the right work mentality. A real woman in a man's world story.
Really made me want to listen to what's now the golden oldies of 1970s-80s rock, especially Aus Rock.
An audiobook memoir, I'd recommend, even if you are not much into the bands that she worked for, you might find yourself intrigued by the music after listening to this.
What a fascinating and unique life she has lived, partly being in the right places at the right times, with the right interests and the right work mentality. A real woman in a man's world story.
Really made me want to listen to what's now the golden oldies of 1970s-80s rock, especially Aus Rock.
An audiobook memoir, I'd recommend, even if you are not much into the bands that she worked for, you might find yourself intrigued by the music after listening to this.
doddyaboutbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
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