Tony Fletcher (1) (1964–)

I'm not a Who fan although I find myself appreciating their earlier work more and more over time. After seeing The Kids Are Alright at the Brooklyn Academic of Music's recent film series on The Who, I found myself interested in learning more about Keith Moon's intense and strange life. This book is written by a British journalist who used to live in Park Slope. It is extremely detailed and it took me very long to read the book cover-to-cover but the details are never boring. The author show more doesn't overindulge the rock star pathology thread of Moon's life but doesn't focus exclusively on the music either. The book is nice blend of British rock history, celebrity gossip (who ever knew Larry Hagman was friends with Moon?) and often entertaining tales of excess. Moon was a genuinely funny person. Although he often used cruel humor (as well as violence to many a hotel room) to stave off the boredom that was an outgrowth of his extreme hyperactivity and attention deficit, Moon was a kind and an almost childlike innocent (whilst also being quite cruel to his wife and subsequent girlfriend). show less

A penetrating and detailed look at the quick rise and sudden disintegration of the Smiths over 633 pages. The book reveals Moz to be a petulant, self-centered, and insecure deal-breaker that while outspoken in criticism could brook no dissent or conflicting opinion. The focus is on the close and special Morrissey-Marr relationship, both artistic and business. The context tells much of the story of British post-punk pop, as well. Details on the albums, their recording and individual songs and show more sessions will be of interest to Smiths fans while the greater work has much to offer any music enthusiast.

Hear my interview with author Tony Fletcher from Outsight Radio Hours episode 695. show less

Well-written, informative and interesting music biography, more information-rich and insightful than others I can recall reading so far (to Jan 2024). Good coverage of the music, band and public/private life. The running theme is Moon's status among the 'in crowd', but a slight irritation is that it is always flagged up by using the word "élite" prefaced by 'social', 'cultural', 'jazz', 'wealthy', 'rock', 'touring' or 'music', usually with the accent, which appears in the text some 28 show more times. The last chapter and epilogue also seemed tortuously long and drowned in minutiae. show less

In the Midnight Hour by Tony Fisher is everything a biography should be: thorough, fair, beautifully written and well researched. It certainly helps that the object of the biography is someone as dynamic, trailblazing and a person of many highs and lows as Wilson Pickett.

While this book will be a delight for any fan of Pickett, it will also serve as a wonderful account of the early years of R&B and soul music. His life is told in all of its glory as well as all of its, well, less glorious show more moments. If you are fortunate enough to remember those years and his music, you will definitely find yourself singing his songs when you're doing other things. I had to pull out my old records just to hear him sing again. If you are more familiar with the name than the music, you will read the remarkable life of a man who could reach millions with his music yet also went through a period where his human weakness took over. When you decide to then listen to his music, it will touch you as not simply some oldies but music from the soul of both a man and his era.

Yes, I am and have always been a fan of Pickett. That fact almost made me decide not to read this because so many biographies fall so short of the mark, even many of the good ones. I am so glad I chose to read this. I learned a lot and had a very pleasurable read aside from my love of Pickett's music. I would enthusiastically recommend this to fans of biographies, fans of music (especially 60s R&B, soul and pop) and fans of music history.

Reviewed from an ARC made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less