Life on Planet Rock: From Guns N' Roses to Nirvana, a Backstage Journey through Rock's Most Debau...
For the generation coming of age in the years from 1987 to 1994, RIP magazine was every bit as crucial as Rolling Stone. Life onread full description
reviews
Jun 02, 2011
Todd
rated it: 
Considering the era of his prime and the circles Mr. Friend has run in, I had high expectations for this book. From his start in the porn end of Larry Flynt's publishing empire, to his rise as the metal scene's media face of note, through his countless behind the scenes encounters with nearly every musician of record; there is fertile grounds for a fascinating read here. Unfortunately, that boundless potential remains untapped in this book. What we are provided with is a hand full of mildly ente
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Mar 14, 2011
Kitt-e-kat
rated it: 
At first I didn't know who this book was about. The notation on the cover above the book title got my full attention to want to read it "A Backstage Journey through Rock's Most Debauches Decade". It noted bands from Guns n' Roses to Nirvana. I'm a big reader when it comes to Rock stars and their lives/Bio's so I had to check it out. Well I read this book and it wasn't too bad of a read. Many respects to the man this book is about. His name is Lonn Friend. He seemed to had the coolest j
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Aug 08, 2010
Dee
rated it:
This was a semi-interesting book about the various types of rock & metal music beginning in the 1980s. Lonn Friend was not only an editor of RIP magazine, he truly loved music.
His dealings included GnR, Metallica, Skid Row, Nirvana, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. There were some good stories about them plus one disturbing story about Chuck Berry's personal life.
I liked his stories about the rockers but became bored when he wrote about "finding himself".
His dealings included GnR, Metallica, Skid Row, Nirvana, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. There were some good stories about them plus one disturbing story about Chuck Berry's personal life.
I liked his stories about the rockers but became bored when he wrote about "finding himself".
Aug 15, 2011
Todd
rated it:
Lonn Friend was the editor for the heavy metal mag called "RIP". So this is a book about how he got the gig, and where he went with it. There are lots of fun insights, both good and bad into some of the biggest bands of the 80's into the 90's. Including: Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, and Metallica. One of the stories that amazed me was how Jon Bon Jovi basically short changed Lonn when we was no longer working.
A good, easy and fun read, especially if you enjoyed that type of music More...
A good, easy and fun read, especially if you enjoyed that type of music More...
Feb 13, 2008
Chuck
rated it:
Former MTV "Friend At Large" host Lonn Friend recounts his experiences in the L.A. metal scene. He is a likable fellow, but strangely reoccupied with male buttocks and the Tori Amos album "Under the Pink." One interesting sidenote: Friend was the longtime editor of RIP magazine, but he was never really a journalist; he was mainly obsessed with hanging out and getting drunk with Guns N' Roses and Metallica. He employed no objectivity or detachment. Yet -- now that his career i
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May 10, 2009
Jeff
rated it:
I picked this up on a whim and didn't really have any expectations for it -- thought I was as into hair metal as the next guy in the late '80s, I never read RIP -- but I still managed to be let down. Lonn Friend may have been a fine editor, but he isn't much of a writer; "Life on Planet Rock" wavers between New Age-tinged autobiography and dirt-filled tell-all, but either way, it isn't really a compelling read.
Jan 06, 2009
Matthew
rated it: 
Very good and is really inspirational. Learn the past about different band members and how they had come out to be rockstars today.
Aug 31, 2011
Jill
rated it: 
really enjoyed this read. Lots a great, but not over the top, rock and roll memories. Well written
Sep 10, 2010
Keturah
rated it:
Full of excellent personal accounts of debauchery. Lonn Friend, I am jealous of you.
Feb 13, 2010
Rgwillie
rated it: 
Page after page of name-dropping and sucking up to rock stars of yesteryear.
Nov 10, 2009
Erin
rated it:
An OK book, and some good stories on various bands from the late '80s/early '90s (and a Chuck Berry story that you won't believe), but what cracked me up (when it wasn't incredibly annoying) was how in love this guy is with his....name. His own name. Try to find two pages in a row where some rock star isn't saying, "Lonn, you're great" or some play on "Friend". Lonnlonnlonnlonnlonn. Weird, and actually a little disconcerting after awhile (because by about chapter 3 I star
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Sep 07, 2008
Josh
rated it:
Written by the former editor of RIP magazine - a hard rock magazine published by Hustler - this book is at times a bit dull but offers up a good number of neat stories including Aerosmith, Guns n Roses, Metallica, KISS, and Bon Jovi.
Warning: when he starts talking about Chuck Berry, skip ahead a couple pages as the story is quite disgusting.
Warning: when he starts talking about Chuck Berry, skip ahead a couple pages as the story is quite disgusting.
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Nov 06, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
I don't think this book focused as much on the bands as it did on the journalist. I was disappointed that it only briefly discussed the bands mentioned in the title of the book, but focused a lot on old rockers. This book was NOT what I thought it was going to be.
Dec 10, 2007
Rob
rated it:
this guy was the editor of RIP......the best metal mag ever!!!,,,,,a great and fun read......it ended abruptly BUT i enjoyed it......
kudos 2 lonn
rr
kudos 2 lonn
rr
Jun 05, 2007
Jennifer
rated it:
I couldn't get through this. The guy is just way too into himself...a lot of potential, but not worth the time.
Feb 27, 2008
jessica
rated it:
i rarely [if ever] read non-fiction. i *devoured* this book, so that's high praise from me.
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