Maximum Led Zeppelin: The Unauthorised Biography of Led Zeppelin

by Alan Clayson

These audio biographies chart the lives and work of some of rock's most memorable acts, from their early days to their rise to fame. Each CD includes comments and interview material by the artist and is accompanied by an eight-page illustrated booklet and foldout poster.

Genres: Music

8 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Alan Clayson (Dover, England, 1951) is of a late 1970s vintage of composer-entertainers that also embraces the likes of Wreckless Eric, Tom Robinson, Elvis Costello and John Otway. While he is still making regular concert appearances, he has become better known as an author of around thirty books - mostly musical biography. These include the best-sellers "Backbeat" (subject of a major film), The Yardbirds and The Beatles book box.

He has written for journals as diverse as The Guardian, Record Collector, Ink, Mojo, Mediaeval World, Folk Roots, Guitar, Hello!, Drummer, The Times, The Independent, Ugly Things and, as a 'teenager, the notorious Schoolkids 0z. He has also been engaged to perform and lecture on both sides of the Atlantic - as well as broadcast on national TV and radio.

From 1975 to 1985, he led the legendary Clayson and the Argonauts - who reformed in 2005, ostensibly to launch Sunset On A Legend, a long-awaited double-CD retrospective - and was thrust to 'a premier position on rock's Lunatic Fringe' (Melody Maker).

As shown by the existence of a US fan club - dating from an 1992 soiree in Chicago - Alan Clayson's following grows still as well as demand for his talents as a record producer, and the number of versions of his compositions by such diverse acts as Dave Berry (in whose backing group, he played keyboards in the mid-1980s), New Age Outfit, Stairway - and Joy Tobing, winner of the Indonesian version of Pop Idol. He has worked too with The Portsmouth Sinfonia, Wreckless Eric, Twinkle, The Yardbirds, The Pretty Things, Mark Astronaut and the late Screaming Lord Sutch among many others. While his stage act defies succinct description, he has been labelled a 'chansonnier' in recent years for performances and record releases that may stand collectively as Alan Clayson's artistic apotheosis were it not for a promise of surprises yet to come.

Reviews

[Peter Langston · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story or prequel to the story of England's loudest and most successful export of the 1970 is at times overly detailed and tedious in description of the four band members rise to coilition. I was often distracted by the constant sidetracks and peripheral story lines which Clayson explored. The book could have easily been half the length and twice as good.

[Will Macmillan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading

A very readable review of the early British R&B scene, spoiled for me (personal taste prrhaps) by the careless lack of emphasis on the contribution made by Peter Green. Another ,more critical, error is the failure to name check Nick Green as The Pirates guitarist despite many mentions of the group...

[Cindy J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciated the extensive research into the artists, known and obscure, it was difficult to get through. There are better books out there that are more concise and specific to what this title attempted to explain.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great, great book! Clayson is a fantastic anthropologist. Hard to read at times, because of the much too many details from the British music scene of the 50s and 60s (judges a person that is not at all familiar with the "-lands'" different artsy ansemble). Hard to read at other times, because of the much too oft-used British-musicians' slang (which is all the more unfamiliar to me). But, at some precious times, Clayson's descriptions are just epic. A must read for unprofessional music aficionados.

[Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is as much about Led Zeppelin as a bus timetable is to the history of travel.
Ok, I only read a quarter but the first quarter is supposed to be about Jimmy Page. He gets mentioned in passing every couple of pages as knowing somebody or appearing somewhere whilst doing something.
It almost violates the rules of the Trades Description Act.
Avoid.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously a vehicle to make a quick buck this book is nothing more than a series of liner notes. One major irritant -- the narrator repeatedly mentions the song "Communications Breakdown." I wasn't expecting much, but got even less than that.