Excellent post Porkchop and your plumber and beans analogy had me spitting soda on my screen.

Regarding my favorable impression of the Petty, Springsteen & Al Kooper bios:

I had a very elevated view of all 3 after reading the books. Much respect for them as human beings. I read the bios on G. Allman & Clapton years before and had the opposite impression.

I'm sure this may have biased my view of all 3 books.

In any event I hope those that choose to read them enjoy .....

And then you have artists who let their managers make all of the decisions. Once Elvis stopped touring with Scotty Moore, he saw and played with him exactly one more time at the 1968 TV special before touring with James Burton on guitar for his final decade.

That is a common misconception. Scotty (and DJ Fontana) played on Elvis' soundtrack albums and singles throughout the '60s.

Sorry I guess I mislead you guys and wasn't as clear as I thought.

I was responding to Tim' comment about his contribution. When I mentioned him being equal to Eric, I meant from a playing standpoint and to the songs. Would be a very different album without him and as Tim mentioned - his playing from start to finish is top notch.

Didn't mean to take away from Eric - just that he picked very well for that album.

I agree with the sentiments about Clapton's autobiography - boring with little or no insight as to who or what influenced him. Gregg's was similar - did not enjoy either.

Costello, Springsteen and Townshend have all produced excellent autobiographies with insight and reverence to those who have influenced or played with them.

Seen Clapton 3 times and do not remember him introducing any of the supremely talented musicians (including Derek) in the band to the audience. Produces great music but a bit of an arse. So is Townshend (The Who are my all-time faves), but at least he acknowledges it and has grown more gracious as he ages.

I agree with the sentiments about Clapton's autobiography - boring with little or no insight as to who or what influenced him. Gregg's was similar - did not enjoy either.

Costello, Springsteen and Townshend have all produced excellent autobiographies with insight and reverence to those who have influenced or played with them.

Seen Clapton 3 times and do not remember him introducing any of the supremely talented musicians (including Derek) in the band to the audience. Produces great music but a bit of an arse. So is Townshend (The Who are my all-time faves), but at least he acknowledges it and has grown more gracious as he ages.

I feel bad for all of Clapton's ex girlfriends/wives as he was extremely abusive to them both physically, psychologically, and sexually abused/raped Pattie Boyd.

Clapton admitted that he beat Boyd and raped her during the marriage, stating, “There were times when I took sex with my wife by force and thought that was my entitlement. I had absolutely no concern for other people.”

Pete Townshend is a pedophile/hebephile, which is disgusting. He can make up all the excuses he wants but he was visiting and downloaded illegal porn that showed people who are not legal adults. If you are really getting help for sexual abuse, or want to do actual research about the effects of it you read a book, or see a therapist or counselor you don't download illegal pictures/videos like he did.

Chuck Leavell is also great in the new David Gilmour Live at Pompeii Blu Ray. He even gets to do some of the vocal on Comfortably Numb. It's currently the best sounding concert Bluray I own.

It’s been a while since I read EC’s autobiography, but at the time, I found it surprisingly dry, detached. For a man who has had a colorful music career and encountered so many characters and conveyed so much passion through his music, it was surprisingly flat.

I agree 100%!! I was so disappointed that his book lacked any type of emotion. For a man who sings and plays the blues so eloquently, I was surprised.

I have been wanting to read this,but maybe I will hold off.