Synopses & Reviews
A founding member of Guns N’ Roses shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune with the band, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his unusual path to sobriety, and success as a savvy business investor and loving husband and father.
In 1984, at the age of twenty, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle—partly to pursue a music career but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player put out by someone who identified himself only as “Slash.” Soon after, Guns N’ Roses, the ground-breaking hard rock band that went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide, was born.
In It’s So Easy, Duff recounts Guns’ unlikely trajectory to global acclaim: the near-homeless years when they played gigs in exchange for free beer; the creative collaboration that led to the writing of their biggest hits; the legendary ill-fated yet band-forging trip to Seattle; touring the country as the opening act for Aerosmith, M¨otley Cr¨ue, and eventually even the Rolling Stones; deepening drug troubles for most of the band; and finally, the collapse. And in the aftermath of that collapse: Duff’s near death as a result of alcoholism; his unique path to sobriety; his newfound love of books; his hard-won path to the dean’s list at Seattle University; and the formation of Velvet Revolver.
Now sober and happily married with two daughters, Duff, one of rock’s smartest and most articulate personalities, relates his remarkable story in his honest, funny, and indelibly original voice, taking readers on a harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock and roll history and out the other side.
Review
"Youand#8217;ll read this memoir from the former Guns Nand#8217; Roses bass player for the sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but youand#8217;ll remember it for what comes afterand#8212;recovery, family, and fulfillment.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;In a book that mourns friendships and talent lost to drugs, his transformation is a relief and an inspiration. McKagan writes with honesty and even humility, seemingly refreshingly devoid of rock star egomania.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Honest, well-writtenand#8230;McKagan is surprisingly self-aware and candid, and he doesnand#8217;t let himself off the hook easily.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;In his solid debut, the authorand#8230;proves himself to be a legit writer.and#8230;McKagan has a nice eye for details and a surprisingly good memory. Heand#8217;s proudly raw and harsh, refusing to hold back in terms of language and contentand#8230;fans will be thrilled by this honest, detailed memoir." andlt;bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;/bandgt;
Review
and#8220;Fans will love the descriptions of the struggles and early triumphs of GNR, but McKagan's descriptions of his equally driven efforts at self-transformation are just as compelling (particularly his meditation on the redemptive power of reading and the satisfaction he receives in his intellectual as well as physical revitalization). Verdict: Rock fansand#8212;and would-be rockersand#8212;will find much to savor here. McKagan has packed a lot into his life and a lot of his life into this book. Readers will enjoy the ride.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;McKagan recounts his (tale) with flamboyance and an engaging wit.and#8221;
Synopsis
A founding member of Guns Nand#8217; Roses and Velvet Revolver shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In 1984, at the age of twenty, Duff McKagan left his native Seattleand#8212;partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as and#8220;Slash.and#8221; Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns Nand#8217; Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In andlt;Iandgt;It's So Easyandlt;/Iandgt;, Duff recounts GNand#8217;Rand#8217;s unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it didand#8212;ultimatelyand#8212;on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As GNand#8217;R began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that led to his unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since. In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duffand#8212;one of rockand#8217;s smartest and most articulate personalitiesand#8212;takes readers on his harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock-and-roll history and out the other side.
Synopsis
A founding member of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety.
In 1984, at the age of twenty, Duff McKagan left his native Seattle—partly to pursue music but mainly to get away from a host of heroin overdoses then decimating his closest group of friends in the local punk scene. In L.A. only a few weeks and still living in his car, he answered a want ad for a bass player placed by someone who identified himself only as “Slash.” Soon after, the most dangerous band in the world was born. Guns N’ Roses went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide.
In It's So Easy, Duff recounts GN’R’s unlikely trajectory to a string of multiplatinum albums, sold-out stadium concerts, and global acclaim. But that kind of glory can take its toll, and it did—ultimately—on Duff, as well as on the band itself. As GN’R began to splinter, Duff felt that he himself was done, too. But his near death as a direct result of alcoholism proved to be his watershed, the turning point that led to his unique path to sobriety and the unexpected choices he has made for himself since. In a voice that is as honest as it is indelibly his own, Duff—one of rock’s smartest and most articulate personalities—takes readers on his harrowing journey through the dark heart of one of the most notorious bands in rock-and-roll history and out the other side.
About the Author
Duff McKagan is the former bass player for and founding member of Guns N’ Roses. Duff was in GNR for 13 years and subsequently founded the band Velvet Revolver along with fellow GNR member Slash in addition to his own band, Loaded. Duff writes a weekly column for Seattle Weekly, ESPN.com, and the "Duffonomics" financial column on Playboy.com. He lives with his wife--supermodel Susan Holmes McKagan--and daughters in Seattle, Washington.