“About all we can do is do it like fucking circus animals. I resent being an artist in that respect. I resent performing for fucking idiots who won’t know – who don’t know - anything. Because they can’t feel; I’m the one that’s feeling, because I’m the one expressing what they are trying to. They live vicariously through me and other artists.” John Lennon

“People are always forcing you to make decisions between flesh and spirit. Whereas I want to dance myself in the direction of God. I go out drinking with God. I am flirtatious in the company of God. I am not a person who has to put God out of his mind to go out on the town. It’s a key point. The divided soul of Marvin Gaye, Elvis, were conflicts the tore them apart. And they don’t tear me apart. I reckon God loves all of me.” Bono

“If George [Harrison] had had his own group and was writing his own songs back then, he’d have been probably just as big as anybody. George had an uncanny ability to just play chords that didn’t seem to be connected in any kind of way and come up with a melody and a song. I don’t know anybody else who could do that either. What can I tell you? He was from that old line of playing where every note was a note to be counted.” Bob Dylan

Most of the reviews of this book were written by people who did not read it. They are upset about some insensitive comments made by the author about the exclusion of women and Blacks from the list of “masters”. It would have been nice to have included some female and Black artists in this book. And the author actually addresses that issue in the Introduction. Personally, I would have liked for him to include Robert Plant or Jimmy Page in the list, but I’m not sure that Rolling Stone appreciated the merits of Led Zeppelin.

In any event, by not actually reading the interviews that are included in the book because you are angry with the interviewer you are just depriving yourself of some insights into the minds and music of a few interesting people (who happen to be male and white). Actually, I suggest listening to the audiobook version, to hear the nuances of their comments (and in the case of John Lennon, to hear Yoko whispering in the background). Note that the Bob Dylan interviews are not included in the audiobook, and the Jerry Garcia interview is unintelligible, at least at the beginning).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

I really enjoyed the style of this book and how the singers are highlighted in their own chapter. The interview highlights were carefully selected, I could tell. It flowed well and I mostly read it for my son and husband because they are huge fans of Springsteen and McCartney! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a very informative read. It would be great for someone learning more about classic icons in music. Thorough and deep interviews, especially Mick Jagger and Springsteen. Wenner sometimes comes off cold, more of a reporter. Even veteran music lovers will learn something new.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read The Masters by Jann S. Wenner.

Wow. Just. Wow.

I'm 74 years old. These rock and roll song writer/musicians have written and played the music that is the background music of my life.

I have been lucky enough to have seen most of them in concert, some more than once, twice, or even three times.

It's not surprising to read their words and hear their life philosophy as referenced by not only their own work, but the works of their peers.

There is much here to take in and I can see myself reading and re-reading many times.

I love this book.