Synopses & Reviews
A founding member of Guns Nand#8217; Roses and Velvet Revolverand#8212;and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducteeand#8212;shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In 1984, at the age of twenty, Duff McKagan left his native Seattleand#8212;partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as and#8220;Slash.and#8221; Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns Nand#8217; Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In andlt;iandgt;Itand#8217;s So Easy, andlt;/iandgt;Duff recounts Gunsand#8217; unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it didand#8212;ultimatelyand#8212;on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As Guns began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that sent him on a unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duffand#8212;one of rockand#8217;s smartest and most articulate personalitiesand#8212;takes readers on a harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock-and-roll history and out the other side.
Review
"Youand#8217;ll read this memoir from the former Guns Nand#8217; Roses bass player for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but youand#8217;ll remember it for what comes afterand#8212;recovery, family, and fulfillment.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;In a book that mourns friendships and talent lost to drugs, his transformation is a relief and an inspiration. McKagan writes with honesty and even humility, seemingly refreshingly devoid of rock star egomania.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Honest, well-writtenand#8230;McKagan is surprisingly self-aware and candid, and he doesnand#8217;t let himself off the hook easily.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;In his solid debut, the authorand#8230;proves himself to be a legit writer.and#8230;McKagan has a nice eye for details and a surprisingly good memory. Heand#8217;s proudly raw and harsh, refusing to hold back in terms of language and contentand#8230;fans will be thrilled by this honest, detailed memoir." andlt;bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;/bandgt;
Review
and#8220;Fans will love the descriptions of the struggles and early triumphs of GNR, but McKagan's descriptions of his equally driven efforts at self-transformation are just as compelling (particularly his meditation on the redemptive power of reading and the satisfaction he receives in his intellectual as well as physical revitalization). Verdict: Rock fansand#8212;and would-be rockersand#8212;will find much to savor here. McKagan has packed a lot into his life and a lot of his life into this book. Readers will enjoy the ride.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;McKagan recounts his (tale) with flamboyance and an engaging wit.and#8221;
Synopsis
A FOUNDING MEMBER OF GUNS N ROSES AND VELVET REVOLVER SHARES THE STORY OF HIS RISE TO THE PINNACLE OF FAME AND FORTUNE, HIS STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION, HIS PERSONAL CRASH AND BURN, AND HIS PHOENIX-LIKE TRANSFORMATION.
IN 1984, AT THE AGE OF TWENTY, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle—partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as “Slash.” Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns N Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide.
In Its So Easy, Duff recounts Guns unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it did—ultimately—on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As Guns began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that sent him on a unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since.
In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duff—one of rocks smartest and most articulate personalities—takes readers on a harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock-and-roll history and out the other side.
Synopsis
A FOUNDING MEMBER OF GUNS N’ ROSES AND VELVET REVOLVER SHARES THE STORY OF HIS RISE TO THE PINNACLE OF FAME AND FORTUNE, HIS STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION, HIS PERSONAL CRASH AND BURN, AND HIS PHOENIX-LIKE TRANSFORMATION.
IN 1984, AT THE AGE OF TWENTY, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle—partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as “Slash.” Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns N’ Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide.
In It’s So Easy, Duff recounts Guns’ unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it did—ultimately—on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As Guns began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that sent him on a unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since.
In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duff—one of rock’s smartest and most articulate personalities—takes readers on a harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock-and-roll history and out the other side.
About the Author
Duff McKagan is the former bass player for and founding member of Guns N’ Roses. Duff was in GNR for 13 years and subsequently founded the band Velvet Revolver along with fellow GNR member Slash in addition to his own band, Loaded. Duff writes a weekly column for Seattle Weekly, ESPN.com, and the "Duffonomics" financial column on Playboy.com. He lives with his wife--supermodel Susan Holmes McKagan--and daughters in Seattle, Washington.