Steve Howe Autobiography

[Lopez]

Comedian Chris Elliot published an unauthorized autobiography.

So did horror author Robert Bloch, Once Around the Bloch: An Unauthorized Autobiography.

[ronmac]

While this book will no doubt contain a lot of interesting information, something about the way that blurb is written is really off-putting to me. Too "Classic Rock" and cookie-cutter for my tastes. Nice cover, though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That's obviously for the masses and from a PR firm or the publisher and shouldn't necessarily be indicative of the content of the book.

[proggy_jazzer]

That's obviously for the masses and from a PR firm or the publisher and shouldn't necessarily be indicative of the content of the book.

"Shouldn't" being the key word, but you're right, I'm sure. I'll be checking it out regardless.

[ronmac]

"Shouldn't" being the key word, but you're right, I'm sure. I'll be checking it out regardless.

The beauty of PE is that you can wait for the reviews before buying.

With the appropriate character filters, of course.

[happytheman]

Just reading Amazons summery of this book..
In All My Yesterdays the renowned guitarist Steve Howe tells his own story in his own words, often unflinchingly as he recounts times of triumph and torment amidst the cream of the UK's prog rock bands. Best known for his work with Yes, a group prone to sudden upheavals, and AOR supergroup Asia, Steve Howe s passage through these and other bands is a roller-coaster ride of constant touring, tense recording sessions and frequent trips to all corners of the globe. A workaholic, he soon realised that the temptations of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle weren't for him and instead dedicated his life to excellence in musicianship. Born in North London in 1947, Steve got his first guitar at the age of 12 and thereafter devoted himself passionately to mastering its intricacies. After spells in psychedelic bands of the late sixties, he was invited to join Yes in 1970, thus finding himself in a spotlight that shines to this day. In the meantime he raised a family, adopted vegetarianism as a lifestyle and watched as many of his peers succumbed to the impulses he managed to avoid. As well as Yes and Asia, Steve has led bands of his own, released numerous solo recordings in many different musical styles and amassed a legendary collection of priceless stringed instruments. All of this and his many encounters with other celebrated guitarists are recounted in All My Yesterdays, the first ever autobiography by a member of Yes.
I'd say Bruford beat him to the punch being the first.. Did Jon's book ever come to market?

[calyx]

Did Jon's book ever come to market?

Not yet, but there's plenty of room for it in that box.

[ronmac]

Just reading Amazons summery of this book..

Chances are that summary isn't Amazon's, but was provided by the publisher.

[Mascodagama]

"I'm not sure why Steve bends the truth as he does about the GTR period. " - Hackett, p. 203

"I'm not sure why Steve bends the truth as he does about the GTR period." - Howe, p. 156

Bit of a shame their differences didn't come to a head before they recorded the first album.

[Unfrankie Valli]

Just reading Amazons summery of this book..
the first ever autobiography by a member of Yes.[/B]
I'd say Bruford beat him to the punch being the first.

Already mentioned in the thread. Wakeman's came first.

[infandous]

I haven't read any of the other autobiographies from Yes members, so why start now? Oh, right, this is the "first" one. I guess Wakeman's and Bruford's don't count.

Seriously though, I should probably read them all, and this one interests me the most since I'm a guitarist and Howe was an influence.

[Mister Triscuits]

Seriously though, I should probably read them all, and this one interests me the most since I'm a guitarist and Howe was an influence.

Bruford's is very worthwhile.

[SteveSly]

Bruford's is very worthwhile.

Agree, Bruford's is a great book.

[3LockBox]

Maybe they're referring to current member, not former members

[Yeswave]

Anyone still thinking a reunion is possible wants to read the first chapter of his book.

[bondegezou]

Thanks for setting the record straight. I'm not familiar with all of Wakeman's books, I didn't know any of them qualified as a proper autobiography. I have one that's more like a series of anecdotes.

I stand corrected on "Caped Crusader" - I have this and indeed it's not an autobiography at all. It's a shoddily edited thing but is valuable for a number of quotes, particularly by Anderson, many of which were later included in that Yes "In Their Own Words" book from ca. 1996.

There's also Peter Banks', https://amzn.to/34qeyjp , which preceded Bruford's. Banks had a co-writer: Billy James helped him. Does that make it not an autobiography?

Henry

[Conti]

^ Peter Bank's book is very nice and recommended to anyone minimally interested in early Yes and Flash. It's also quite a sad tale of a musician's fate.

[happytheman]

^ Peter Bank's book is very nice and recommended to anyone minimally interested in early Yes and Flash. It's also quite a sad tale of a musician's fate.

I watched an interview with Peter with Mark Powell where he walks thru his history.. Peter doesn't have a happy face during this questioning... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sjxnnx-jqU

[M Sary]

Just reading Amazons summery of this book..
In All My Yesterdays the renowned guitarist Steve Howe tells his own story in his own words, often unflinchingly as he recounts times of triumph and torment amidst the cream of the UK's prog rock bands. Best known for his work with Yes, a group prone to sudden upheavals, and AOR supergroup Asia, Steve Howe s passage through these and other bands is a roller-coaster ride of constant touring, tense recording sessions and frequent trips to all corners of the globe. A workaholic, he soon realised that the temptations of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle weren't for him and instead dedicated his life to excellence in musicianship. Born in North London in 1947, Steve got his first guitar at the age of 12 and thereafter devoted himself passionately to mastering its intricacies. After spells in psychedelic bands of the late sixties, he was invited to join Yes in 1970, thus finding himself in a spotlight that shines to this day. In the meantime he raised a family, adopted vegetarianism as a lifestyle and watched as many of his peers succumbed to the impulses he managed to avoid. As well as Yes and Asia, Steve has led bands of his own, released numerous solo recordings in many different musical styles and amassed a legendary collection of priceless stringed instruments. All of this and his many encounters with other celebrated guitarists are recounted in All My Yesterdays, the first ever autobiography by a member of Yes.
I'd say Bruford beat him to the punch being the first.. Did Jon's book ever come to market?

Bruford's book isn't really an autobiography, although there are a lot of details and anecdotes about his career. It's more about his observations and conclusions about the music biz and making a living as a creative musician.

[bondegezou]

I watched an interview with Peter with Mark Powell where he walks thru his history.. Peter doesn't have a happy face during this questioning... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sjxnnx-jqU

Pete was often not a happy man and could be paranoid. While remaining hugely talented, he could be difficult to work with in later years.

Henry

[happytheman]

Pete was often not a happy man and could be paranoid. While remaining hugely talented, he could be difficult to work with in later years.

Henry

Hard to compare him to Pete Best in terms of their parallel stories.. And I'm sure there are plenty of other musicians who got off the train just prior to their respective bands hitting their stride.. but I would agree with you that while he was a very talented guitarist his "vibe" interrupted the dynamics of Yes at that point in the bands history.. Howe was obviously the correct fit for all that happened next on their journey.

[Rarebird]

Hard to compare him to Pete Best in terms of their parallel stories.. And I'm sure there are plenty of other musicians who got off the train just prior to their respective bands hitting their stride.. but I would agree with you that while he was a very talented guitarist his "vibe" interrupted the dynamics of Yes at that point in the bands history.. Howe was obviously the correct fit for all that happened next on their journey.

Reading in Mark Lewisohns The Beatles Tune in Pete Best was hardly an adequate drummer and didn't really fit in with the other 3.

[ronmac]

Reading in Mark Lewisohns The Beatles Tune in Pete Best was hardly an adequate drummer and didn't really fit in with the other 3.

What an incredible book!

Best was terrible. They kept him in the band partly because his mother was booking gigs for them. But, when it came time to get serious, he didn't have the chops (or any, for that matter) and the bond with Ringo had already begun. He didn't fit in personally and simply couldn't keep a basic rhythm. He only had one drum fill, too.

[Rarebird]

What an incredible book!

Best was terrible. They kept him in the band partly because his mother was booking gigs for them. But, when it came time to get serious, he didn't have the chops (or any, for that matter) and the bond with Ringo had already begun. He didn't fit in personally and simply couldn't keep a basic rhythm. He only had one drum fill, too.

I'm currently at the point they want to give Pete Best the sack and ask Ringo.
Paul McCartney had to show Pete Best how to play a drum part. I think that tells a lot.

[ronmac]

I'm currently at the point they want to give Pete Best the sack and ask Ringo.
Paul McCartney had to show Pete Best how to play a drum part. I think that tells a lot.

Take your time with the book. It looks like the next volume will be a while.

[Koreabruce]

Take your time with the book. It looks like the next volume will be a while.

2023... maybe.

Yeah, that Tune In book made it abundantly clear that Pete Best was no drummer. He could barely keep the beat even after many gigs where Paul, John, and George would be frantically stomping out the rhythm on the stage in an attempt to get him to lock into their rhythm. On top of that, he seldom hung out with the other Beatles socially and always went off and did his own thing.