Gallagher, Marriott, Derringer & Trower
- Their Lives And Music

Promo & Description

A four-part biography that deals with the lives and careers of those listed either through personal interviews or research.

"Excellent work and a great insight into Rory"
Gerry McAvoy, bassist, The Rory Gallagher Band

"I was there. And the way Dan has written this book, it's as if he was there as well."
Jerry Shirley, drummer, Humble Pie

"I really have a great deal of respect for Rick. He's one of the most versatile, complete guitar players that I've had the pleasure of working with."
Edgar Winter, musician

"I have known Robin Trower for over 30 years and managed him for the last 18, but I learned a whole lot from this chapter. I really enjoy the way Dan has woven differing points of view on each of the major events in Robin's career into a consistent narrative. A great read!"
Derek Sutton, manager, Robin Trower

Rory Gallagher, Steve Marriott, Rick Derringer, and Robin Trower are legends. The glue behind legendary barn-busting, hard-touring outfits like Taste, The Small Faces, Humble Pie, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Group, and Procol Harem, and later realizing their full potentials as solo artists, this is the first biography of four players whose dedication to music and virtuosity has been inspirational to a generation of fans and admirers.

Gallagher, Marriott, Derringer, Trower is a candid look at the lives of four men whose combined catalogues have sold in the tens of millions. Each has a unique musical story to tell, from roots in American rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll to the joys and perils of life on the road as well as the pitfalls of fame and the music business: the drugging and drinking, the unscrupulous managers, the ever-changing sidemen, the exhausting tours made to try to crack the ultimate market—the "holy grail" of America.

This is not a linear, album-by-album study. Rather, it is an in-depth conversation with the artists themselves and those closest to them: fully authorized, revealing, and straight from the source.

Dan Muise has spent his entire 25-year career in the music business covering radio, band management, production and record company promotion. He lives in Canada.

Book Excerpt

Growing up in the late ‘60’s to mid 70’s, music was instilled in our minds as far more than just entertainment. It was an education. Most of the messages sent out on vinyl and through performances were of a consistent nature. Stop the war. Love your brother and sister. Rebel against oppression. But what made the message even stronger were the messengers. The ones whose lyrics and music helped shape and define the characters of those willing to see the world through their eyes.

The integrity of these artists was, and is, crucial to me. Had the musicians I have followed all these years never received a recording contract, their vocation would not have changed. We would have been the sorrier for never having heard of them but they would still have played their music. Of the people I write, a regular job was never an option. They had to do what they did. Whether a divine force led them to discover their talents or whether they were victims of circumstance, we are the ones who have benefited.

The list of those who defined the ideals of millions runs into the hundreds. After much consideration, I narrowed the list to four chapters. There are so many more to discuss but I will use that as incentive to continue with my writing. This group of artists caused me to run to record stores and watch my weekly allowance disappear. The rare occasion that these artists would appear on television, you would litter your belongings with notes of that date and time. When these bands came to town, it was an event. The ingestion of the announced date. The procurement of guaranteed entry. The day before the show. The day of the show. Going there. Entering the hall. The “click of the switch” when the lights went out.

The first time I saw Springsteen. The chill when, after the drum intro in total darkness, the lights kicked in for “Rock ’n’ Roll” by Zeppelin. Having a limited knowledge of Rory Gallagher, I watched as he and his band walked on stage, plugged in and blew my face off. He was the first “rock star” I ever met. And I have been fortunate to have met many others since then. Bruce and Zep don’t need me to tell the public about them but the artists compiled in this book deserve my respect. Enough so that I’ve made it a passion to remind those of us who followed them. And to introduce them to a new generation that will never be lucky enough to have experienced what I did and at a time that shall never be repeated for more than the obvious reasons.

These are four studies of some of the most blessed of human characters.

Interviews & Research

Robin Trower

Robin Trower<>Derek Sutton<>James Dewar<>Reg Isidore<>Bill Lordan<> Rustee Allen<>Matthew Fisher<>Gary Brooker<>Jack Bruce<>Davey Pattison<> Chris Wright<>Geoff Emerick<>Keith Reid<>Terry Ellis<>Patrick Rule<> Livingstone Brown<>Roy Eldridge<>Wilf Wright<>Richard Watts

Rory Gallagher

Rory Gallagher<>Donal Gallagher<>Gerry McAvoy<>Rod de’Ath<>Lou Martin<> Wilgar Campbell<>Ted McKenna<>Brendan O’Neill<>Eric Kittringham<> Norman Damery<>John Wilson<>Charlie McCracken<>Tom O’Driscoll<> Phil McDonnell<>Jack Bruce<>Eric Clapton<>Alan O’Duffy<>Rudi Gerlach<> Marcus Connaughton<>Dino McGartland<>Eddie Kennedy<>Joe O’Herlihy<> Derek St. Holmes<>Ginger Baker<>Van Morrison<>Chris Wright<>Roy Eldridge

Steve Marriott

Steve Marriott<>Jerry Shirley<>Peter Frampton<>Greg Ridley<>Clem Clempson<> Kay Marriott<>Kay Mateus Dos Anjos<>Dee Anthony<>Jerry Moss<> Jenny Deardon<>Rod Stewart<>Bobby Tench<>Bill Anthony<>Pam Cross<> Ian McLagan<>Kenny Jones<>Ronnie Lane<>George Harrison<>David Bowie<> Alan O’Duffy<>Jim Leverton<>Keith Richards<>Rick Derringer

Rick Derringer

Rick Derringer<>Edgar Winter<>Johnny Winter<>Randy Zehringer<>Bobby Caldwell<> Randy Jo Hobbs<>Janice Zehringer<>Dan Hartman<>Chuck Ruff<>Teddy Slatus<> Ronnie Montrose<>Vinny Appice<>Danny Johnson<>Kenny Aaronson<> Liz Derringer<>Carmine Appice<>Steve Paul<>Floyd Radford<>Mike Varney<> Steven Tyler<>”Weird Al” Yankovic<>Dennis Kelly<>Ronnie Brandon<> Todd Rundgren<>Nevin Doll<>Jack Douglas