In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran

Ghost of a Chance. Peter Duchin and Charles Michener.

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Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. A Writer of Our Time. The Life of Saul Bellow. Maestros and Their Music. The Shadow in the Garden. Blood of the Liberals. Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz. Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally. So They Call You Pisher! Son of a Critch. The World of the Rock. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Who Is Michael Ovitz? Last but not least it was a good read I enjoyed it a lot, the photography is elaborate and just lovely.

I spoiled myself and got the audio too and read along while John read it. New experience for me and it sure added to the experience. I have never cried reading a book, never! Taylor managed to get me bawling twice! It must have been the audio. I hope he will eventually update this book, it would be a missed chance not to. Apr 19, Darlene rated it it was amazing. I'm not even going to try and be objective for this review. I've been a Duran Duran fan for about 30 years and I read this book in one sitting.

Although I thought this book was well written, I can't say whether or not someone who is not a fan would like it quite as much, but I think it would appeal to any fan of music or good biographies. There is alot about the very early days of Duran, which i've read about in articles before, but it gave it much more context reading JT's first hand account. B I'm not even going to try and be objective for this review. But it also goes deeper into the music scene in England in the late '70's through John's experiences, which I particularly enjoyed reading about. There was quite a bit written about the '80's, but I felt Taylor only wrote as much as he had to about the things the band was involved in and kept it personal.

He is honest about his drug use and feelings of loneliness on the road. It's really kind of heartbreaking to read about what bad shape he was in. The personal chapters in the book were strong and when he writes about his relationships, he writes about the ups and downs taking personal responsibility, especially when he writes about his first marriage to Amanda de Cadenet.

I could relate to the chapter on the Catholic Church and school.

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Anything he wrote about his parents was heartfelt but not overly sentimental, although the chapters on his parents dying are incredibly sad. I do wish he would have written about his acting career and solo years, but there is nothing even mentioned in the book. Maybe he doesn't consider the topic significant enough in his life? And the pictures in the book are fantastic. Now I can't wait to get the audiobook to hear John read the book.

Jan 05, Erin Cupp rated it really liked it. In the Pleasure Groove was everything you'd expect from JT. It was compelling, entertaining, slick, sexy, jet-setty Even in his chapters on facing down his drug and alcohol addictions. Don't get me wrong: I am super glad the guy is working so hard health in all its dimensions, so invested in being a good father and husband. I'm concerned, though, that as long as he stays his own Higher Power, it might not last.

In the end, that made the book unsatisfying. Still, if you're recovering from or still a hardcore Duran Duran addict, I can't not recommend In the Pleasure Groove. There's a bit of depth for the reader in it, even if the author himself may have missed it. Jun 18, Paula rated it it was amazing. I was twelve years old and only two rows away from the stage when I collapsed at my first Duran Duran concert. Nick Rhodes with his bright orange hair and glittery sweater, actually glanced up from his keyboard. His concern only made me scramble to my feet, bloody elbows and all, and scream harder.

A couple years later, my uncle who knew a tour organizer, gave me backstage passes to Power Station. But my sister who came with me because I was still too young to drive had just had her wisdom teeth I was twelve years old and only two rows away from the stage when I collapsed at my first Duran Duran concert. But my sister who came with me because I was still too young to drive had just had her wisdom teeth pulled and the meds they gave her made her throw up. We had to leave early. By the time I attended my third Duran Duran concert I was older, so much wiser, and was curious to see just how close I was to the stage.

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So I took my shirt, not the one I was wearing but the tour shirt I'd just purchased with the faces of the band members outlined in neon, and wadded it in a fabric ball straight at John Taylor. It was nearing the end of their final encore and I can remember him stretching the t-shirt out on his way offstage, looking for some message, a personalized photo, something.

In the Pleasure Groove by John Taylor | theranchhands.com: Books

But there was none except that I was just another senseless, faceless, female Duran Duran fan. So now as an adult, both a professor and writer, I was anxious to read John Taylor's memoir. I don't count Andy Taylor's memoir because to me he and Roger were as interesting and integral to the make-up of the band as a pair of bookends. My attention was always focused between Simon, John and Nick. And, as it turns out, they really were the creative minds behind the music.

They've also been the most loyal to the band. Taylor's memoir itself is told in snatches of chapters which obviously read quickly, almost too quickly. Certain events and conversations are glossed over. For example, what exactly was said between Taylor and Rhodes when they were disagreeing about the direction the band was taking near the end before the brief time they broke up?

A little dialogue and scene would've helped to dramatize the moment. A good editor might've pointed that out. Some of the in-depth relationships Taylor had with important women in his life are only superficially defined. Being a girlfriend on tour with her pop star boyfriend must come with a whole other kind of baggage, and I was interested in hearing about the emotionally weightier parts.

In the Pleasure Groove

I was surprised in a good way that Taylor did not spend the entire book recounting all the women he slept with, although he does list quite a few, even some of the ones whose names he doesn't remember. The bulk of the book consists of interesting antecdotes like the time he, Nick and Simon stole back something they felt was rightfully theirs in the broad light of day, from I believe it was their former managers. He writes about being a part of Band Aid, his constant and eventually collaborative run-ins with Robert Palmer and other musically minded stories that distinctly separate his memoir from that of other self-aggrandizing musicians.

After all, when it comes down to it, sex, drugs and rock n' roll really are cliche'. For those who follow my reviews, you can gather I am a huge fan of the rock n' roll memoir. Duran Duran by no means is it a favorite band of mine, yet I admire what they do, because they do it with zest and without a doubt all of them have the 'ball' in their sights. The strong part of John Taylor's book is regarding his youth bef For those who follow my reviews, you can gather I am a huge fan of the rock n' roll memoir. The strong part of John Taylor's book is regarding his youth before Duran Duran, and the relationship with his parents in the later years.

It is funny when you read a biography on a subject matter, the childhood part is the most boring part of the book. You're dying to get to chapter three or four, where the subject matter starts doing their work, recording, book writing or whatever made them interesting in the first place. But with respect to the memoir, the childhood is usually the most fascinating aspect of the book. When I look at my life compared to Taylor's I find some interesting similar things we share. His description of hearing the first Roxy Music album and later the first Sex Pistols' single is right-on-the-mark, and I realize that we're both coming from the same place musically speaking.

Except I am not that in love with 'pop' music itself, but more of its weirdness. But that is just in theory! Some other reviewer pointed this out, but another bass player Alex James of Blur also wrote a memoir that is almost of a shadow of Taylor's book. Both had drink problems, both are bass players, and both need other musicians to do their art. And both are super handsome!

But what separates them is character. Alex seems to go through his life with great pleasure, and John does the same, but he has deep doubts about it. He has very mixed feelings about the whole role of being a star, but clearly he fits that role to the capital "T. But I think Taylor lives a very charmed life. He clearly loves his bandmates, his family, and it seems like he gets the love back as well.

And beyond that it takes skill and guts to keep the work going. He's a good man doing his job well. Nov 08, Viviane Crystal rated it it was amazing. John Taylor covers a large span of music evolution in this autobiography of his life and that of Duran Duran, the rock group in which he still performs. It is that diverse, evolving story that speaks volumes for the success he has achieved.

Yes, the audience may change, but the "real" audience has evolved with his talent and musical styles over the years. Taylor knows how to grab an audience. Right from the beginning, the reader is charged from the opening account of a concert performance in whic John Taylor covers a large span of music evolution in this autobiography of his life and that of Duran Duran, the rock group in which he still performs.

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Right from the beginning, the reader is charged from the opening account of a concert performance in which the song "Tel Aviv" was played and Taylor confesses to being scared out of his mind at the almost animal atmosphere of the screaming, violent crowd. How does one play and what is it about the music that creates such a wild response to the group's music?

We are then led back even further to the very start of his life, through his education, interest in music at first without any thought about actually becoming a rock star, and more. The terrific part of this next section is that he chronicles how the music evolved from simple chord music on acoustic guitar through the time of the Beatles through to rock music For those who are older, it will bring back some great memories; for those who are younger, it might make them curious to check out the "older" music. Then comes the beginning Duran, Duran, playing as introductory music for other more famous singers and bands Plenty of unknown and fascinating details follow about different and better instruments that were used, as well as how the other band members adapted, left, and joined, leading up to the present band members.

There's a very riveting section on how drugs and booze almost blew the whole success chance out the window and a very painful part of how it broke him down.

Fortunately, it didn't end there Absolutely great biography about a singer, composer, producer and band leader who clearly is "passionate" beyond belief about his art. Read it and enjoy the music you will hear and the interesting guy you will come to know so much better as you read! Sep 18, Cherrish rated it it was amazing. I was so excited when I heard that John Taylor had written a Memoir. So you could guess my more excitement when I received the book as a birthday present! Love, Death and Duran Duran". As I started to read pages, they soon turned into chapters with in seconds. John Taylor takes us into parts of his private life and allows us to see him grow up I have been a Duranie since the 80s when I first heard of Duran Duran when I was in Jr.

John Taylor takes us into parts of his private life and allows us to see him grow up as an only child, facing the challenges of school and how he came about forming Duran Duran up until his life today. I knew he had be a drug addict but not to the extent he talked about. I also did not know that he and Nick were not on speaking terms for a long time. Love his explaining of the first time he met Simon and had no clue that it was Andy Taylor that gave Simon the nickname "Charlie". Speaking of Andy Taylor, he speaks very well of him and how close they were, but briefly and I mean briefly of why they are not speaking today.

As much of an Andy fan that I am, I am glad he left that out of the book. There are some things that just still need to be private. Although I do hope they work out their differences and being speaking again. It was a fabulous and enjoyable read. I could not put the book down. Ending my review on a very funny part of the book that had me rolling.

John talks about how he is at a press conference for the reunion tour in Atlanta. He says he had a cold and was sniffling into a series of tissues, absentmindedly throwing them into a wastepaper bin under the table. The next time he was in the city, the girl called out to him at another public appearance that she got his cold. He wondered what was she talking about. She told him, "After you left the press conference last year I stole your used tissues.

In The Pleasure Groove : Love, Death and Duran Duran

I wanted to get your cold". I was rolling with laughter, because to me that was WAY extreme for a Duranie!! I love Duran Duran, but if they have a cold, I'll just let them keep that Thanks for the great laughs and wonderful book, John Taylor!! Feb 13, Kristen rated it it was ok. I love Rock n Roll biographies. Maybe that person read a different book. For most of the book, I almost felt like this was being told through a filter, as if JT was recalling someone else's memories that he was not there for.

He concentrated on instruments and clothes and musicians and glossed over the partying and the girls. He passed over the heyday of the band very quickly in this book, without really dip I love Rock n Roll biographies. He passed over the heyday of the band very quickly in this book, without really dipping into the emotion of the pandemonium around them. As a big Duran Duran fan during the heyday of the band, I pushed myself to finish this book.

I wanted it to get better. Finally, JT turned up the warmth in his prose once he got sober. I found that very interesting. Maybe he had looked at his earlier life through a filter as well. I found that this book ended very abruptly, and it just left me wanting more. I felt like so much had been skimmed over, and I feel there is a much more interesting story beneath the story than the one told in this book.

Nov 27, Alicia rated it liked it. I originally expected something a bit more tawdry from a memoir titled "In The Pleasure Groove. And while it started a bit slow for me, it turned out to be a very sweet and honest account of his rise and fall and rise and fall with Duran Duran. While he is honest, the worst of it is often doled out in very small portions.

But we get the picture -- he wasn't always nice to his parents, bandmates and friends. Addiction was present for a long time I originally expected something a bit more tawdry from a memoir titled "In The Pleasure Groove. Addiction was present for a long time. He slept with a lot of girls. Some of my favorite parts are about his relationship with his parents and with his fans. He had only nice things to say about ex-girlfriends and kept most of his thoughts about former relationships positive.

While these revelations were less sensational than I originally expected, they were very heartfelt and true. I did find it interesting that at the end of the book he acknowledged all the guys in Duran Duran except Andy. Expectations are resentments under construction. Jan 07, Anthony rated it it was ok Shelves: I loved Duran growing up. I have bought all their albums through their career.

Even in their less popular days I admit that I haven't listened to the 80's stuff since, well, the 80s. The book definitely fired me up to go back listen to those albums. I forgot about a lot of great tracks that never made it to the radio. They were a great band and a band that could actually play their own instruments. The book however wasn't very insightful. Yes, it gave a few interesting pieces of in I loved Duran growing up. Yes, it gave a few interesting pieces of information but nothing truly revealing. What was the reaction to Arcadia by the other members?

Was there some real bitterness? Why was Andy Taylor a pain in the ass? I wish there was some more depth to the book. There was nothing that made me want to share anecdotes with my friends. There was nothing that made me say to myself, "Oh man that is unbelievable, I have got to share that with even my non Duran fan friends! I really enjoyed this!

From the disco dazzle of debut single 'Planet Earth' right up to their latest number one album All You Need is Now, Duran Duran has always had the power to sweep the world onto its feet. It's been a ride - and for John in particular, the ride has been wild, thrilling Now, for the first time, he tells his incredible story - a tale of dreams fulfilled, lessons learned and demons conquered. A shy only child, Nigel John Taylor wasn't an obvious candidate for pop stardom and frenzied girl panic.

But when he ditched his first name and picked up a bass guitar, everything changed. Together they were an immediate, massive global success story, their pictures on millions of walls, every single a worldwide hit. In his frank, compelling autobiography, John recounts the highs - hanging out with icons like Bowie, Warhol and even James Bond; dating Vogue models and driving fast cars - all the while playing hard with the band he loved.

But he faced tough battles ahead - troubles that brought him to the brink of self-destruction - before turning his life around. Told with humour, honesty and hard-won wisdom, and packed with exclusive pictures, In the Pleasure Groove is a fascinating, irresistible portrait of a man who danced into the fire The Best Books of