Backstage Pass

When you are a sixteen year old Italian kid and you dream about making it in the entertainmenty industry it ain't easy. Italy is not the most rock n'roll country in the world, the music biz used to be very undeveloped in the late 80s and I didn't have a clue about how getting involved. Then one day reading Spin Magazine I read a feature about "Backstage Pass" and thought that it was the book for me, or at least could have been a chance to learn more about the entertainment industry. My granny lent me the 16 bucks to order it and after about a month there it was in my mail box in all its glossy glory. Inside there was also a note from the author, Eric Todd, asking me to write back with my opinions about it as I was his only customer from Europe, can you imagine? I started reading the book as if there was no tomorrow, lots of interviews from many famous industry people, Pete Cappadocia for pyros, Jane Rose Keith Richards' manager and many others talking about how they started and how their job works. Basically the message was: "You can make it if you try" and so I did. 10 years after I have been on the road in the US with punk rock bands, tour managed in my country for foreign bands, toured Europe with my band, started a record label, worked as a club manager, P.R. guy for clubs and bands and have tons of fond memories all because of this book. What else can I say? If you dream about making it and you don't have aclue, or if you want to have a tip from the experts that are quite likely unable to return your call or mails (even though Jane Rose has sent me signed photos by Keith Richards and many others have helped me with precious tips) this is the book for you. It changed my life!