Author: George Tremlett
Year: 1976
ISBN: 0-8600-7351-3
Price: £0.60
Futura, UK
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THIS
IS one of a series of rock / pop books written in quick succession
by George Tremlett, a writer since the fifties. Tremlett was
a part-timer for the New Musical Express during the early sixties
and outside of music, a Conservative councillor and member of
the Greater London Council. Looking at his long list of paperbacks
published in the early seventies, it appears he was content
to write about anyone popular at the time, hence his works on
The Osmonds, Alvin Stardust and David Essex! He did, however,
choose some worthy artists as his subjects, including the Rolling
Stones, the Who and John Lennon.
The Rod Stewart Story was his thirteenth book in five years
and with such excessive output, you may think it cannot possibly
hack it. Certainly, Tremlett has a reputation for errors and
writing purely for the money rather than any passion for the
music. It is therefore a surprise to find that this biography
is surprisingly informative, well researched and for the most
part, accurate. His basic account of Rod's pre-Beck years remains
definitive, with his Geoff Rowlands and John Wright interviews
revealing more than has ever been revealed since. In addition,
his first hand interview with the late Lou Reizner gives an
excellent insight into Rod as he was on the verge of superstardom.
The facts conveyed in these interviews have been frequently
referred to in subsequent biographies and remain undisputed
today.
At the time this biography was published, rock / pop books were
rare. So it is fair to say that Tremlett was a pioneer of sorts.
The one glaring error is the statement that Rod's brothers and
sisters were born in Scotland, whilst Rod was born in England.
In fact all the family were English except Bob Stewart Snr.
The myth probably goes back to a quote Rod gave to the Melody
Maker where he clearly states he was the only sibling born in
England! This was obviously where Tremlett picked up the error,
so it appears that Rod and Melody Maker are the guilty perpetuaters
of this myth!
If you find this book at a record fair or on sale in a collector's
magazine, be prepared to pay at least £10.00. The book
was published in paperback only and also in German language
with an alternative cover. It gives the most detailed and accurate
account of all the seventies books.
John Gray
Smiler rating: B
Reader rating:  (26 votes) |
