Book review: Babysitting A Band On The Rocks by GD Praetorius

Sonic Bond Publishing [Publication date 14.05.21]

G. D. Praetorius is a life-long rock music fan who was involved in the production of almost 200 rock shows from the mid-70’s through to the mid-80s. Mostly based in and around Long Island, the artist he worked with (Praetorious seems to have been a jack of all trades in his live concert days, perhaps best surmised as a handler) Aerosmith, AC/DC, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull and many more.

His insights in the Aerosmith tours without Joe Perry and the demands of Steven Tyler are fascinating for fans of the band, as is his explanation of Van Halen’s infamous M&Ms rider demands (and not the reason you may think either!).

Praetorious is a rock fan first and foremost, still buying albums and seeing gigs to this day. Some of the books best moments are when he met Keith Richards, his lifelong friendship with Dee Snider and a very interesting tale involving a grand piano and renowned session guitarist Dick Wagner.

It is a very easy read, one you can dip in and out of at your leisure, and no real bitching contest that some lesser rock memoirs deteriorate into. That said, he has little time for the Yes fronted by Trevor Horn and Blue Oyster Cult seem unfairly dismissed as a band with little musical legacy.

An interesting rock memoir told from a fly on the wall perspective and a worthy addition to your classic rock bookshelf.

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

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Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
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