It Ain't Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues by Paul Myers


It Ain't Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues
Title : It Ain't Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1553652002
ISBN-10 : 9781553652007
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 272
Publication : First published September 6, 2007

Long John Baldry is considered the father of the ‘60s British blues movement. Drawing on intimate anecdotes from Baldry's legendary friends, lovers, and peers, author Paul Myers uncovers the man behind the mythic persona. An entire generation of British rock legends flourished under Baldry's tutelage, and It Ain't Easy features exclusive personal recollections from artists such as Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Sir Paul McCartney, John Mayall, and Mick Fleetwood, as well as interviews with renowned music industry insiders like songwriter/producer Tony Macaulay, Yardbirds manager Giorgio Gomelsky, ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, filmmaker Cameron Crowe, and others. Extensively researched, It Ain't Easy traces Baldry's extraordinary life from his birth during the London Blitz, to his discovery of black American music, to the sexual revolution, to the musical and social upheaval of the 1960s and '70s, and to his eventual happy retreat to the tranquility of Canada's Pacific Coast.

It Ain't Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues Reviews

  • Melinda



    I loved this book. I love Baldry's music but had no idea how influential he was both as a musician and as a mentor to so many others. The people who started and played with him reads like a who's who of modern blues: Rod Stewart, Elton John, Eric Clapton, the Stones, etc.

    Here's a link to his last
    performance in Columbus, OH. The recording quality is marginal, but I like the fact that it has him talking and playing. Supposedly he was the penultimate showman and this gives a bit of that.

    In some ways his life was sad:he never really made the BIG time, although so many of his proteges did and it seems to be largely through his being too trusting and just really bad timing and advice.

    I've gone on a Baldry binge now and am really enjoying it. Read the book if you have any interest at all in the topic.

  • J.D. Brayton

    Long John Baldry is a demigod to anyone who knows the history and pedigree of British Blues. He was there at the very inception, influenced and knew EVERYONE .
    This is a biography for those devoted to 60's-70's Blues and R&R.
    There are plenty of stories here from those who knew him, and the general consesus is that everyone loved him, and knew he never got the credit he was due.
    As this is a comprehensive biography, the fact that he was a gay man is mentioned a fair amount. I did not know this, and to be honest, don't care.
    Long John Baldry was an Icon.
    Good read. Recommend to fans of all things R&R.

  • Josh

    I loved his singing and wanted to know about his life. Basically, I got what I wanted: British blues, gayness, people he got started.

    I worked for Rod Stewart and they were close friends...he met Rod playing harmonica at a train station.

    When I finished this book I felt enlightened.

  • Ayny

    Great read. Interesting background into other well known songwriters and musicians of the era, before they were famous. As well, I was lucky to find a copy signed by the author.