Best Seat in the House [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

A credible book by someone who's lived it. Jerry Shirley tells it like it is during the boom times of the '70's British invasion of the 1970's--from his unique perspective, Shirley tells a story of becoming a Rock legend at the young age of 16. Jerry tells of his joining a band with Peter Frampton and the often mercurial Steve Marriott--from playing to 250,000 people in Hyde Park to a sold out Shea Stadium and Madison Square Garden. Humble Pie epitomized what has come to be known as Stadium Rock--touring constantly and signing one of the first multi-million dollar record deals. Humble Pie helped write the model for what became the standard party-central routine that defined an era--Humble Pie earned a fortune--they spent a fortune. To quote Jerry Shirley, "We ended up with some brilliant memories of the greatest times of our lives." This is the story of those times--a great read with a lot of insight from someone who experienced what some may call, "The Greatest Age of Rock 'n Roll."

Wonderful stories of the great rock band Humble Pie and the late Steve Marriott! Humble Pie played the Spectrum in Philly a number of times but for me the best was at the Electric Factory in 1970 for their 1st Philly performance. Hats off to Jerry for his witty & candid memories of being on the road with the magical & best white British soul singer, Steve Marriott. Had the pleasure to meet the band backstage at the Spectrum in Philly-1973 via my good friend, Bob Kelly. Steve gave me a red guitar pick with Humble Pie - Steve printed in white... still have that in my collection. Thanks mate!

Over all, Jerry Shirley's Best Seat in the House, is an exhaustive look at a band he played drums for in the early 1970's, Humble Pie, (or, translated into French: l'Humble tarte) In fact, it is addressed to musicians interested in this great English blues band, and it kinda feels like there is too much information for the rest of us. Shirley is a very generous man, and cannot leave anyone out of his antidotes. Or, so it would seem. He probably had to chop the manuscript in half as it was. Even the roadies are thanked for their long suffering, and stunning, jobs at putting a huge stadium band together for five years out of one truck. One truck. Their pictures appear in the book's intimate gallery of small portraits.

But let's meet the Band. Shirley , a 17 year old drummer who was hand picked from the kids on the scene, Peter Frampton: need we say more? Greg Ridley, whose experienced bass line fell right into place with Shirley's drumming. And later, "Clem" Clemson took over lead guitar and was found from listening to one record. Was there any other member's of the band of straight up pros, and great musicians? Well, oh, were being naughty here. We are forgetting someone important. Who is it?

It is l'Humble tatre himself: the 5"4', redhead with no freckles and "trouble making Chinese eyes", a broad Cockney accent, smoked more cigarettes than used swear words - or vice versa. He had a singing voice you could hear up and over the shattering guitars, a voice never, never to be duplicated. The Man looked like an ordinary guy walking down the street, but in those same street clothes he could find his way on stage with his guitar, lean into the microphone, and there you had it: all his star power would bust out, and, well, where was that glamour hidden off the stage? He didn't need makeup, fancy clothes, or tattoos, or jewelry to tell you was a rock star. He just had to play. It was Steve Marriott (1947 - 1991)

Steve, brilliant, singer, guitar player, blues harp player, front man, bossy boss. He was either the grooviest cat around, or in his other mood, trouble making, stern as an Austrian music master, stubborn, and all around juvi f- - -.

Steve drives the story because Jerry is a particular protege of his from the beginning. And as Steve's and the Pie's uber talent skyrocketed, Steve became mired in cocaine, alcohol, and all the vices that work in the moment to get the band going all through the night. To this end, the stars fell out of Jerry's eyes, and band AWOL on each other. The pieces were never picked up.

Well, Steve was difficult, yes. {But sometimes I feel Jerry is simply gaslighting Steve.} But that's our Steve, that's the way he was, and the way we loved him. RIP l'Humble tarte.

"It's too late,
there's no one left that I even wanna imitate
you see, you just don't know
I'm here to give you my heart
and you want some fashion show
but it ain't no contribution
to rely on an institution
to validate your chosen art
and to sanction your boredom
and let you play out your part"
- "It's Too Late" Jim Carroll Band