[2017-01-31] Stephen Stills "Change Partners" hardcover by David Roberts

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2016 9:39 pm

Description
Stephen Stills is one of the last remaining music legends from the rock era without a biography. During his six-decade career, he has played with all the greats. His career sky-rocketed when Crosby, Stills & Nash played only their second gig together at Woodstock in 1969. With the addition of Neil Young, the band would go on to play the first rock stadium tour in 1974.

Stephen Stills is the only person to have been inducted twice in one night into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Throughout 2016 Stephen Stills will be on tour with his new blues/rock trio The Rides.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1911346008/?tag=imwan-20

Neal Alhadeff · 07 Jan 2007

I'm not sure how definitive a bio it can be at only 256 pages, but I ordered it anyway.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

I hope this comes out in Audio CD form!

Rick A.

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Apr 08, 2017 3:14 pm

This book ended up with a different cover and a different publication date. Originally scheduled for this coming week, but it's already available:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1911346008/?tag=imwan-20

Neal Alhadeff · 07 Jan 2007

I got my copy early in the year and was pretty disappointed in it. David Roberts was more of a compiler than author. He basically cobbled together loads of articles, interviews, and reviews from across the years, adding connective tissue. There's almost no original research here. Roberts starts off by admitting that Stills wouldn't talk with him for the book. Apparently, no one who ever knew Stills would talk, either.

By around page 190, Roberts is wrapping up the 70s. He covers the remaining 35 years in around 50 pages. The writing begins to resemble a bulleted list without the bullet points at this point.

Very disappointing. I'd recommend it only for Stills completists like me. I think I learned two new minor facts from the book and I can't remember what they are now. :-)

Maybe someday a quality writer, like Dave Zimmer, will explore Mr. Stills' career in depth.

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

Neal Alhadeff wrote:

I got my copy early in the year and was pretty disappointed in it. David Roberts was more of a compiler than author. He basically cobbled together loads of articles, interviews, and reviews from across the years, adding connective tissue. There's almost no original research here. Roberts starts off by admitting that Stills wouldn't talk with him for the book. Apparently, no one who ever knew Stills would talk, either.

By around page 190, Roberts is wrapping up the 70s. He covers the remaining 35 years in around 50 pages. The writing begins to resemble a bulleted list without the bullet points at this point.

Very disappointing. I'd recommend it only for Stills completists like me. I think I learned two new minor facts from the book and I can't remember what they are now. :-)

Maybe someday a quality writer, like Dave Zimmer, will explore Mr. Stills' career in depth.

or maybe stephen will go the autobiography route, although from everything i've ever read he isn't the least bit interested.

Neal Alhadeff · 07 Jan 2007

Renny wrote:

Neal Alhadeff wrote:

I got my copy early in the year and was pretty disappointed in it. David Roberts was more of a compiler than author. He basically cobbled together loads of articles, interviews, and reviews from across the years, adding connective tissue. There's almost no original research here. Roberts starts off by admitting that Stills wouldn't talk with him for the book. Apparently, no one who ever knew Stills would talk, either.

By around page 190, Roberts is wrapping up the 70s. He covers the remaining 35 years in around 50 pages. The writing begins to resemble a bulleted list without the bullet points at this point.

Very disappointing. I'd recommend it only for Stills completists like me. I think I learned two new minor facts from the book and I can't remember what they are now. :-)

Maybe someday a quality writer, like Dave Zimmer, will explore Mr. Stills' career in depth.

or maybe stephen will go the autobiography route, although from everything i've ever read he isn't the least bit interested.

Yeah, in interviews, he's said he doesn't like reading other musician's autobiographies and feels that his music tells his life story.

Dr. Chris Evil · 26 Jul 2006

From things I've read, he does not come off as a nice person.

Neal Alhadeff · 07 Jan 2007

Dr. Chris Evil wrote:

From things I've read, he does not come off as a nice person.

He can be prickly. But who among us isn't?

I had a backstage pass to a CSN show in the 90s (this is before such things became a revenue stream). We were placed in a large room with tables. There were a couple of large groups and me alone. Stills came in and hung out with each group, drinking a beer, answering questions, laughing. As he was wrapping up, I approached to say hello. He looked at me as if I'd just smashed his favorite guitar and turned away. Go figure.

My love of his music never diminished, but I decided right then that I didn't want to go backstage anymore. It's best to get to know my musical heroes through their music. :-)

Earl Cambron · 06 Jun 2007

The book is worthwhile to Stills' fans imo...but the definitive study of his life remains unwritten.

[2017-01-31] Stephen Stills "Change Partners" hardcover by David Roberts

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