The Illustrated Collector's Guide to Alice Cooper (Illustrated Collectors Guides)

Book Description

One of the few rock performers to have become a household name, Alice Cooper is a living legend of theatrical rock. Bringing together biographical information, insights, stories, and detailed descriptions of his music, this fan guide to Alice Cooper covers his early bands in the 1960s, the Alice Cooper Group, and his solo career that continues to the present day. Each chapter is devoted to a specific time period in his career, and includes details about his personal life, recordings, tours, films, television appearances, and books within those years.

Customer Reviews:

Impressive!.......2002-06-22

I was very impressed with the intensity of the research and detail of this book. The author takes you chronologically through Alice's career, focussing on recordings, tours, film and television and books. He goes bit by bit, album by album, single by single, and fills each entry with loads of detail. Minutiae including who played what, on which song, how the song did on the charts, variation in design, dates, formats, catalogue numbers, trivia-pretty much everything I wanted to know about Alice's output from 1964 to 1998. The book is split into five periods: 1964-74, 1975-79, 1980-82, 1984-1990, and 1991-1998. It is chock full of photos (many of which I had never seen before) both in black and white and in color and information (much of which I didn't know). It is a fascinating read for the Alice Cooper fan, and written so it can be read like a book (I read it cover to cover the first day I got it), or used as a reference guide (I have referred to it many times since). I can't recommend it enough for anyone who has questions about Alice or his music. This book answers it all.

best book on ALICE collectibles available!.......1999-12-01

This book is jam packed of any and every item imaginable on Alice. It is an amazingly informative as well. Each item is described in such detail you literally get lost in it.Has lots and lots of photos of the merchandise.Has rare bootlegs etc,too. Don't hestitate on getting this one. It is a winner!

alice cooper on the rd........1999-11-28

this book is very well done.the focus is on tour dates,where he played,what city,etc. in addition,it has some text about who the band members were,tv shows and special events,bootlegs,and much more.it is not a dedicated history to the man--but more a sleek year by year diary from the 70s to the 90s--in fact,reading this really makes you want to see alice live!i found it to be concise and a pleasure to read.very well researched!

everything alice related is covered! A complete guide!.......1999-07-06

this collectors guide is ideal for the novice or advanced Alice fan. Everything is here including info about bootlegs and other unofficial stuff. Also included is tour info, details of AC recordings, and AC on film and video. This is not a price guide, rather a valuable reference. Softback, 300 pages including many color and rare photos.

The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties

Average customer rating:

Closer to 2.5 stars
An inspired effort
questionable inclusions and exclusions and too many holes
Empty knowledge
Martin knows his shit

The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties
Martin Popoff
Manufacturer: Collector's Guide Publishing Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1894959310

Book Description

A tribute to metal's golden age, this volume highlights the albums and bands of the 1980s that built the foundation for today's heavy metal sound. Full of reviews and recollections of hundreds of rarities and monster catalogs from 80s bands, this book also includes little-known trivia that brings the albums back to life. Sure to attract any fan of 1980s metal, this user-friendly guide documents dozens of bands and hundreds of albums.

Customer Reviews:

Closer to 2.5 stars.......2007-10-04

After Volume 1 the Seventies, which was a fantastic read and a book to which I still refer on a regular basis, I waited with baited breath for Volume 2 the Eighties. I feel it must have been my preference for the music of the 70's that was such a strong influence on my overall luke warm reception of this episode in the trilogy.
In my review of Volume 1, to which I still awarded 4.5 stars incidentally, I was critical of the author's exclusion of the albums of Wishbone Ash, after going to great lengths to explain that the accepted standard of what was "heavy music" in those far off days was greatly different from later times. Said omission after this explanation was something of a contradiction in terms. Despite that, in this current volume he reviews no less that four Bon Jovi albums. This struck me as a distinctly incongruous inclusion given the author's own stated values, especially in light of the commonly accepted view that the 80's were the "metal years".
I also preferred the seperate "heaviness" and "merit" rating system applied in the earlier volume to the single assessment mark applied in this volume. The stated reason for this change was the fact that any album reviewed in this book was clearly heavy by reason of the sheer amount of material around in the 80's. How does Bon Jovi find its way in if one applies those standards?
Don't get me wrong, this is still an enjoyable read but it does not live up to the high standards set in Volume 1. .
(Incidentally I am about two thirds of the way through Volume 3 the Nineties as I finally get around to writing this, and things are not looking good for the forthcoming review).
All in all I can not recommend this as strongly as Volume 1, but as with all reviews, this is a subjective view. Support the author, buy it yourself if you are a fan of this type of music, and make up your own mind.

An inspired effort.......2006-12-04

This book is the updated entry in his Collector's Guide series, which improves on the original book that included all three decades of metal up to 97. As Popoff explains in the introduction, it was time to add many records left out in the original (for all three decades) and in many cases redo the reviews, because in his opinion many of them weren't on par with his current writing prowess. This was potentially the most significant of the three books, because the 80s were arguably metal's highest point ever. It was at the peak of its popularity, many of the most acclaimed albums belong to this decade, legendary bands (Metallica, Iron Maiden, etc.) began their careers here, and there's no style today that didn't begin here, at least distantly.

Now here's the problem. The 70s book was a very comprehensive book, including tons of albums and obscurities, but the genre wasn't as abundant back then. With the 80s book, Popoff had to work with a much bigger output, which forced him, in order to finish the book, to not redo all the reviews, but cut & paste many of them. While still having more new reviews, he left out, probably hundreds. Now, other reviewers have complained about the abscense of small-time bands (in the context of metal's history) that probably were left out knowingly and with good reason. However, Morbid Angel's Altars of Madness, Annihilator's Alice in Hell, White Zombie's first (but mainly unknown) albums and maybe a few others are entries that deserve to be here, and I hope Popoff includes them in a future reissue of the book. Otherwise, all the big guns and hundreds of others are here, and if you want to know about a lot of bands you might not know, this is the book. Very recommended.

questionable inclusions and exclusions and too many holes.......2006-06-16

This is basically a cut and paste from his previous books, a Collectors Guide and Riffs Rule, which I prefer as they cover the artist's entire catalogue up until publication date.

I love his delightful descriptions, certainly not boring to read.

Please note, the man has no love for live albums, like qreatest hites, he loves punk ala the Stooges, but hates progressive metal like Hawkwind, Fates Warning, Rush, Queensyche etc.

His exclusion of bands then considered heavy metal like Wishbone Ash, Savoy Brown etc are a major disappointment, especially when he includes bands like Sonic Youth, which no one in the 1980's considered Heavy Metal.

Likewise, Progressive Rock was loved equally by heavy metal fans where bands like Jethro Tull and Yes were featured in other heavy metal reviews, but excluded here, yet he includes progressive rock bands like It Bites.

Similarly, southern rock ala Black Oak Arkansas and Lynyrd Skynrd were then considered metal, yet left out, but Blackfoot is left in.

You can't please everyone, but the questionable inclusions and exclusions and too many holes that don't justify such inclusions and exclusions result in a less than possitive review

Empty knowledge.......2006-04-02

Martin Popoff knows metal music within his own mind. He just can't seem to review metal music in a consistent, or consistently understandable way, nor write effectively. His ratings don't always match his writings. His prose is laughable. His effort is a example of a useless Canadian export.

Martin knows his shit.......2006-02-24

This guide continues where the seventies left off, I have the original CGTHM and through that I found some great bands I being 25 years old would have never heard. Martin tells it like it is and sometimes I disagree but he's never to far off. He tells you exactly what you need to if your a metalhead, "great for hanging out with some cold ones ,or a car deck classic," and when he gives something a ten its always been a ten.

The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties

Average customer rating:

More Metal

The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties
Martin Popoff
Manufacturer: Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1894959620

Book Description

A tribute to heavy metal, this volume highlights the albums and bands of the 1990s that stood on the shoulders of giants and gave metal this generation’s greatest hits. Full of reviews and recollections of hundreds of rarities and mainstream metal albums from the 1990s, this book also includes little-known trivia that brings the albums back to life. Sure to attract any fan of metal, this user-friendly guide documents dozens of bands and hundreds of albums.

Customer Reviews:

More Metal.......2007-09-03

Popoff again delivers with his latest guide. I have read enough critques of his past works to point out that Popoff clearly views his guides as his opinions. Considering he has listened to all of these selections and seems to be able the nail the good and the bad of most bands, I found this another accessable and usable piece of writing. Highly recommended as an excellent source for Metal Music, not an easy task; this book also gives fairly consistent ideas on which albums might be worth consideration for listening.

Popoff's style is straightforward, honest, civil, and adds some unique humor to the music he reviews. His appendixes are fantastic and his views are noteworthy, as he has emerged as the major writer of the genre.

The sheer volume of music covered by this guide, along with the 1970s and 1980s Guides, is staggering. If you want one book to examine what could be considered a directionless time of Metal Music to weed out the bad stuff from the classics, this is the book for you.

Check out Martin Popoff's other books, as his UFO, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, and Black Sabbath books are all entertaining and offer insight. Also, consider picking up his other Metal guides, which are the best of Heavy Metal genre.

Black Diamond Two: The Illustrated Collector's Guide to Kiss

Average customer rating:

Average at best
Black Diamond II
Another essential book for KISS fans.
A BOOK THAT BEGS TO BE READ!!
Dale Does It Again!

Black Diamond Two: The Illustrated Collector's Guide to Kiss
Dale Sherman
Manufacturer: Collector's Guide Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 189652236X

Customer Reviews:

Average at best.......2003-01-06

The Black Diamond 2 book, while it is definately good to use as a cross reference with other price guides or collectible books, I have found a disturbing amount of errors in facts, not to mention bad editing and spell checking. I further believe that the author is one of the biggest hypocrates around. He reviews books in his book section and basically slams the KISS Collectibles Identification And Price Guide book put out in 1993 by Karen and John Lesniewski. He claims that it is a bad identification book because the photos are in black and white and are blurry. I have used this book extensively and found it to be super helpful. The pictures are clear and there is an eight page color section with only photos. I have found the black and white photos to be as clear and consise, if not clearer in this book than in the Black Diamond 2 book. The last thing I could say is how can you trust the information in Black Diamond 2 when the last page of the book is filled with corrections from Black Diamond 1. He didn't even know that Ace was from the Bronx!!!!

Black Diamond II.......2000-02-24

Very little readable material. Just a bunch of dates and lists of people. Disappointed to say the least.

Another essential book for KISS fans........1999-05-25

Dale Sherman has done it again!He's put out another book that is essential for KISS fans.Although not near as exciting as BD1,I again did learn a lot I didn't know before.This book is pretty much for KISS collectors only.But it sure could be a life save you a lot of money and heartache by providing detailed information on imports and bootlegs you might be considering purchasing. Yes,it gets rather lengthy and boring ,but at least its honest.And for that reason ,I give it five stars.

A BOOK THAT BEGS TO BE READ!!.......1999-03-01

READ ME JSUT READ ME!!! THATS THE ONLY WAS TO EXPERIANCE IT

Dale Does It Again!.......1997-12-31

Definately the best KISS collector's book on the market. Actually, it's the only one worth owning anymore. I began using it immediately and saved myself the heartache of paying first printing prices for a second printing of an album.

Even though the pictures are all black & white, they're clear and perfect. It covers all KISS memorabilia, as well as merchandise associated with each member, both before and after their respective association with KISS. From bubble gum to bootlegs, you name it and it's here. Make no mistake: this is not a pricing guide. It is a history of the memorabilia and insanity which surrounds and documents the hottest band in the land.

Book Description

This complete history of the band includes a comprehensive discography, pictures and cover art, and details of where the band members played before Metallica, and where they have since.

Customer Reviews:

Needs to be Updated.......2004-12-09

When this book originally came out several years ago, it was a pretty handy and interesting guide to the world of collecting Metallica CDs, Vinyl, Cassettes and Promo only items. To anyone not a collector, the book probably wouldn't hold much interest, even though there is a brief historical timeline to major events in the life of Metallica at the start of the book. The family tree of the various bands that members were once in towards the end of the book goes into a little more detail than some other books I've read, as those tend to usually gloss over the pre-Metallica bands, so it's nice to have. The demos and cover songs section is decent too, although it's missing a few items and lacks details for some. Also included is a radio interview CD.

The main problems with the book are mostly due to the format. It's understandable with the sheer number of bootlegs out there, that the author can't really do more than give them a passing mention (they'd be a book unto themselves). But any type of listing that tries to encompass everything that a (still) recording artist does is going to get stale pretty fast -- as new releases come and never before discovered versions of the albums and singles come to light. This type of listing is really better suited to the internet, which since the time the book was published, everybody and their grandmother has access to. There are several excellent sites that cover this material (the author has one himself) and is really the proper way to pass on this type of info. The book is also marred by some egregious typos and poorly reproduced scans that make the book look cheap (in quality, not price), which is too bad because this the only place to get a lot of this info in book form.

Metallica Collectors Must Have.......2002-09-12

I bought this book buy mistake. I am really glad I did, It is a Metallica collectors must have. If you are a collector of anything Metallica, from rare vinyl, vinyl singles, cd's, cd singles, bootlegs, videos, promo's, cassettes, fan cans etc.... This guide gives you information on every Metallica release from every country. Mostly black and white it has a color section in the middle. Also comes with a interview cd. The author also provides his web address, he has a great website also. Get this one before its gone, you won't regret it.

The complete cataloge of Metallica.......1999-10-26

This book is the most detailed Metallica book I have ever seen. It should be and there are so many items in the book not only the text but with tons of pictures so you know what to look for. Do yourself a favour and buy this book. I call it the bible for Metallica fans.

A must for _all_ MetallicA fans!.......1999-06-20

This book's got everything a die-hard Metallica fan could ask for. I just finished reading it and I couldn't put it down. Normally, I don't read anything, but this being the best book about the best band in the world, I never stopped until the end. Complete history, all the songs played over the years, whatever you wanna know about the band, you'll find it here. If you've never read this book, you're not a full-fledged Metallica fan. Great job, Sem!

Wow!.......1999-03-24

Just when you thought you had a good little collection going, some guy from Norway goes and makes a book that makes you realize that you really don't have much! Ouch!!! This is an excellent book for the serious collector, Sem did an awesome job (like big surprise, right). Whether you think you have it all or you are just getting started into collecting "Metallica," you need this book!

The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies

Average customer rating:

This is Very Good..
Questionable inclusions and exclusions, too many holes
Martin Popoff, I love you.
Four and a half stars really
Sins of Omission

The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies
Martin Popoff
Manufacturer: Collector's Guide Publishing Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1894959027

Book Description

Reviews and recollections of hundreds of '70s heavy metal bands are included in this reference guide to a decade of music.

Customer Reviews:

This is Very Good.........2007-03-02

And It's IN Stores I've seen..So..Why..The Price, is it NOT orderable? So Anyways..GOod..Mr. Popoff'S ( alistener..A scribe for a LONG time..)an honest Man..

Questionable inclusions and exclusions, too many holes.......2006-06-16

This is basically a cut and paste from his previous books, a Collectors Guide and Riffs Rule, which I prefer as they cover the artist's entire catalogue up until publication date.

I love his delightful descriptions, certainly not boring to read.

Please note, the man has no love for live albums, likes greatest hits, he loves punk ala the Stooges, but hates progressive metal like Hawkwind, Fates Warning, Rush, Queensyche etc.

His exclusion of bands then considered heavy metal like Wishbone Ash, Savoy Brown, Sensational Alex Harvey band etc are a major disappointment, especially when he includes other bands no longer considered metal like Mountain, or includes bands like Sonic Youth, which no one in the 1980's considered Heavy Metal.

Likewise, Progressive Rock was loved equally by heavy metal fans where bands like ELP, Jethro Tull and Yes were featured in other heavy metal reviews, but excluded here, yet he includes progressive rock bands like It Bites.

Similarly, southern rock ala Black Oak Arkansas and Lynyrd Skynrd were then considered metal, yet left out, but Blackfoot is left in.

You can't please everyone, but the questionable inclusions and exclusions and too many holes that don't justify such inclusions and exclusions result in a less than possitive review.

Martin Popoff, I love you........2006-02-16

Martin Popoff is the only kind of writer or reviewer worth a damn -- the kind with a writing style all his own, and opinions out the a$$. You will either love him or hate him, and I for one think he's one of the best descriptive writers ever produced by the human race. I read his reviews whenever I'm about to do some writing of my own, in the vain hope that he'll rub off on me. He knows more about metal than anyone else alive (although he certainly doesn't know everything about it) and has a distinct, historical authenticity backing up his choices of what's metal and not, and what's good or not, with a heavy dose of personal opinion of course. This is his best book, perhaps, because it's about the decade of his metal love genesis, the time period he knows the most. When you read this book (as you must if you care at all about metal), you will be full of adoration, fury, disgust, surprise, and above all curiosity about the tons of bands you never knew you needed to check out.

Four and a half stars really.......2005-11-26

For the aficionado of "traditional" heavy metal and heavy guitar driven music, (I never liked the term "hard rock") amongst whose number I am firmly ensconced, this book is a great read. The author rates a large number of albums from that much underrated decade, musically speaking, on two scales, heaviness, and personal taste. I don't necessarily agree with his rating of some albums on both counts, and given some obvious omissions, I struggle a little with inclusion of some bands. But that's the beauty of criticism, you won't always agree, but it gets you thinking. I must admit I took a punt on several albums I had never heard of before, based on the author's rating, and I have not been disappointed. I am still struggling with the absence of reviews of any Wishbone Ash albums. They rate a mention in one of the many indices, where the author sort of apologises for the absence of what were, and still are, one of the all time great guitar bands. But like I say, you are never going to agree with everything a critic says. All in all I highly recommend this book, which is the first of three enlarged volumes pulled from the original "Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal". The only question is, how much longer `til we see Volume 2, the 80's?

Sins of Omission.......2005-10-15

A nice idea, fairly well executed, but with inexcusable omissions. A book about 70s metal (or proto-metal) and no mention of Dark?! Perhaps even more conspicuous is the absence of any mention of Wishbone Ash, who pioneered the 'harmony guitar' style that Iron Maiden built a career on.

Also, there are bands on the accompanying CD that do not have entries in the actual book. Was this a mistake? And about the CD...why are there bands included on the CD that are given mediocre to poor ratings by Popoff in the book itself?

Illustrated Collector's Guide to Motorhead

Average customer rating:

Illustrated Collector's Guide to Motorhead
Alan Burridge , and Mick Stevenson
Manufacturer: Collector's Guide Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0969573626

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