Bon Jovi: The Story
Author: Bryan Reesman
Publisher: Sterling
Year 2016
Review by Joe Viglione
Jon Bon Jovi is a survivor in an entertainment industry
where fame is far more fleeting today than it was in the 1960s, ‘70s or even
the 80s, Had Zsa Zsa Gabor passed away
twenty years ago it would have been more than a footnote and headline on Yahoo
– the woman who fought the “Queen from Outer Space” missed more ink due to her
longevity. Bon Jovi has somehow stayed relevant decades after his bursting onto
the scene and author Bryan Reesman goes to great lengths to show the reasons
why.
This gorgeous coffee table picture book
gives an objective look at the rise to stardom, and tells it in a way that is
both compelling and easy to absorb. With
headlines and paragraphs in bold large print to emphasize key elements of “the
Story,” publisher Sterling (a division of Barnes and Noble) has issued for fans
of the iconic rocker something worth holding on to. When David Dalton issued his 1972 Janis (on
Janis Joplin,) and 1971’s Rolling Stones: An
Unauthorized Biography in Words and Pictures they were the first of their kind,
huge tomes devoted to these magical artists who broke down the barriers,
creating a path for future generations to follow. Reesman goes even further with information on
the plethora of Bon Jovi tribute bands flourishing on a scene where even groups
like Foreigner, Journey and the Guess Who no longer have key members from the
days of their hit recordings. Those acts have become the tributes to what they
were, while Bon Jovi remains the voice that actually appeared on the
recordings. Something noted by Burton
Cummings of the Guess Who in Boston when he performed with Peter Cetera of
Chicago on the Esplanade.
The photographs are
dynamic, especially posters from the early days, and by highlighting each album
with its producers, engineers and tracks makes this a superb reference book for
those who have a passion for rock and roll history. The two hundred and eight
pages are jam packed with information which Reesman compiles in a sort of
“extended liner notes” format, which is what appreciation societies
relish. Reesman wrote liners for Black
Sabbath, Judas Priest and AC/DC, so that experience works to the advantage of
Bon Jovi: The Story.
Bryan Reesman will be
appearing at Carroll’s Restaurant, Medford on Wednesday afternoon/early evening
5:30 – 7:30 PM December 21 to discuss his book on public access television
program Visual Radio. It’s part of a new
series at Carroll’s featuring authors.
Total Patriots writer Bob Hyldburg is scheduled for the third Wednesday
in January, the 18th with more to follow. For more information contact Carroll’s
Restaurant at 781 395 3344.
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