Many thanks to the author, Alan Niven, @netgalley, and the publisher, ECW Press, for a digital ARC
of this book, which will be published on 24 June. Niven is a former rock star manager, most
significantly taking on Guns N’ Roses when no other manager would touch them. There’s plenty
about “Guns” in this book, but he also shares stories about other artists he’s managed. Niven was
also a writer and producer, so he has a unique perspective on the industry.

This is a very entertaining book, although it helps to know the names and nicknames of all the members of Guns N’ Roses and Great White going in (Niven sometimes uses their first name, and sometimes their surname, so it can be a little confusing). The author has an engrossing, varied style, and each of the anecdotes he tells is like a short story, complete in itself, but also building up to create a bigger picture. There are fascinating details dotted throughout. (Did you know that there was a wig-maker who used to make hair extensions for rock stars so that they could have the trademark long, flowing hair, even if balding? Or that almost no one wore real leather, preferring an artificial substitute that was indistinguishable from the real thing but could also be thrown in the laundry at the end of the day?)

As in any good rock memoir, Niven throws in some memories that you’ll be surprised made it past the lawyers. (There’s one in particular where Slash appears to be criminally responsible for a death.) Elton John doesn’t come out well, nixing a promising young singer’s debut album so that he can use it as a tax write-off for his defunct record label – she never went on to record another album. However, Niven reserves his greatest venom for Axl Rose, who comes across as an impossibly vindictive prima donna, and a megalomaniac.

This isn’t a book I would normally read – while I like a good music biography, I knew very little about the bands gracing these pages – but it’s definitely worth reading. I’d recommend it if you have an interested in the modern music industry, or are looking for an entertaining book you can dip in and out of.

Firstly, there is not a single photograph in this book, so I'm not sure why it was categorised on NetGalley as 'Arts and Photography' as well as 'biographies and memoirs'. It is, as advertised a bunch of stories from Alan Niven, Guns N' Roses manager. Unsurprisingly, it paints a very flattering picture of Niven, who is constantly saving the day from unreliable and unpredictable rock stars. It's understandable, but it got tired after the second story. There are only so many times I need to know about how he saved the day. There are many stories about band I know behaving badly, but it's mainly about how clever Niven is and I didn't get through it all because my eyes glazed over.
I was provided with a free e-Arc of this book through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Anecdotal stories from the former manager of both Guns N’ Roses (hence the title) and Great White (but not when the terrible tragedy happened.). Includes stories about lots of other famous musicians too, including The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, etc. I love insider stories like this so it was just my thing, YMMV. Niven doesn’t oversell himself as some massive genius (mostly. There are moments….) which I liked. The only down side is the stories are not in any chronological order so sometimes things are a little confusing, but that is a small quibble. A fun way to spend a few hours.

Sound N' Fury is a collection of fascinating storied about some of my favorite bands through the lens of famed Guns N Roses manager, Alan Niven. Growing up, I was obsessed with Guns N' Roses. I spent hours and hours listening to their music, watching their videos, reading the lyrics of every som, devouring articles & interviews, and plastering their faces all over my walls. So, of course, I downloaded Sound N' Fury as fast as possible and started reading immediately. Niven did not disappoint. His book offers insider anecdotes you won't find in magazine articles or authorized ( and sanitized) biographies. Highly recommend for all former glam rock/hair band/heavy metal lovers!

This was such an interesting book for fans of rock n roll. There are such interesting facts, stories, and photos of some of the greatest rock bands of all time.