Supposedly "the most anticipated Hard Rock/Heavy Metal book of the year"...
"Tales from the Stage will take you on a vivid journey through the hard rock/heavy metal movement, with 15 of the best tour guides in the business. They helped develop it, they thrived in it, and somehow survived it. These are their stories.
Take a personal journey with some of the biggest names from the hard rock and heavy metal movement, as they relive their past, discuss the present, and enlighten us about their plans moving forward in the music industry.
Tales from the Stage #1 consists of 15 in depth interviews with some of the most influential names from the hard rock and heavy metal genre. Each interview starts with basic personal questions (birthday, hometown, education, marital status, etc) , then we dive into their career leaving no stone unturned. We clear up all controversies and ambiguities with their bands, band mates, and management. Then its a free for all...""
http://talesfromthestage.com/about-the-book/
Also reviewed by Brave Words' Aaron Small:
"Author Michael Toney spent over 20 years in hotel management, including five years at the Hard Rock in Vegas. Describing himself as just a fan, Toney has now self-published Tales From The Stage Volume 1. Consisting of 15 in-depth interviews with hard rock and heavy metal luminaries spread across 236 pages, the question and answer format utilized makes for an easy and enjoyable read. Up first is former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
Questions asked range from Did you graduate high school? to How crazy were the after parties? Unfortunately, Kulicks replies are rather sedate.
Conversely, Tim Ripper Owens, former vocalist for both JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH reveals that he always wanted to give (Priest) his input and they were always like, Next record you can. Unflinchingly honest, Owens admits Iced Earth wasnt a good fit. I felt like I wasnt respected.
And if youre wondering what the most eccentric thing on his rider is? Sugarless gum.
In similar fashion, Tracii Guns of L.A. GUNS doesnt hold anything back, boldly stating he will never play with (drummer) Steve Riley again. He is a douche bag that belongs in jail. Traciis craziest groupie story involves seven girls in the back of a bus in 1988, yet he drinks chocolate milk after shows!
Toney elicits both the expected - and unexpected - out of his subjects, with former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes winning the award for most fascinating interview of them all. At age 53, the tattooed madman still acts like a 14 year-old. Far from shy, he readily acknowledges spending half a million dollars on drugs in his lifetime. Full of dirty little secrets, Holmes confirms the rumour that Blackie Lawless fined him $500 every time he would screw up his guitar leads. Currently driving a trashed 1987 Pontiac Trans Am with no back seat, Holmes makes ends meet by doing lights and audio for porno films.
Other artists featured in this highly insightful book include: Herman Rarebell (SCORPIONS), Jeff Duncan (ARMORED SAINT), Steve Lips Kudlow (ANVIL), and Metal Blade Records Chairman Brian Slagel to name but a few."
"Tales from the Stage will take you on a vivid journey through the hard rock/heavy metal movement, with 15 of the best tour guides in the business. They helped develop it, they thrived in it, and somehow survived it. These are their stories.
Take a personal journey with some of the biggest names from the hard rock and heavy metal movement, as they relive their past, discuss the present, and enlighten us about their plans moving forward in the music industry.
Tales from the Stage #1 consists of 15 in depth interviews with some of the most influential names from the hard rock and heavy metal genre. Each interview starts with basic personal questions (birthday, hometown, education, marital status, etc) , then we dive into their career leaving no stone unturned. We clear up all controversies and ambiguities with their bands, band mates, and management. Then its a free for all...""
http://talesfromthestage.com/about-the-book/
Also reviewed by Brave Words' Aaron Small:
"Author Michael Toney spent over 20 years in hotel management, including five years at the Hard Rock in Vegas. Describing himself as just a fan, Toney has now self-published Tales From The Stage Volume 1. Consisting of 15 in-depth interviews with hard rock and heavy metal luminaries spread across 236 pages, the question and answer format utilized makes for an easy and enjoyable read. Up first is former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
Questions asked range from Did you graduate high school? to How crazy were the after parties? Unfortunately, Kulicks replies are rather sedate.
Conversely, Tim Ripper Owens, former vocalist for both JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH reveals that he always wanted to give (Priest) his input and they were always like, Next record you can. Unflinchingly honest, Owens admits Iced Earth wasnt a good fit. I felt like I wasnt respected.
And if youre wondering what the most eccentric thing on his rider is? Sugarless gum.
In similar fashion, Tracii Guns of L.A. GUNS doesnt hold anything back, boldly stating he will never play with (drummer) Steve Riley again. He is a douche bag that belongs in jail. Traciis craziest groupie story involves seven girls in the back of a bus in 1988, yet he drinks chocolate milk after shows!
Toney elicits both the expected - and unexpected - out of his subjects, with former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes winning the award for most fascinating interview of them all. At age 53, the tattooed madman still acts like a 14 year-old. Far from shy, he readily acknowledges spending half a million dollars on drugs in his lifetime. Full of dirty little secrets, Holmes confirms the rumour that Blackie Lawless fined him $500 every time he would screw up his guitar leads. Currently driving a trashed 1987 Pontiac Trans Am with no back seat, Holmes makes ends meet by doing lights and audio for porno films.
Other artists featured in this highly insightful book include: Herman Rarebell (SCORPIONS), Jeff Duncan (ARMORED SAINT), Steve Lips Kudlow (ANVIL), and Metal Blade Records Chairman Brian Slagel to name but a few."
