We Had Fun and Nobody Died: Adventures of a Milwaukee Music Promoter

by Amy T. Waldman, David Luhrssen (Foreword), Peter Jest (Primary Contributor)

The entertaining and inspiring story of a stubbornly independent promoter and club owner  This irreverent biography provides a rare window into the music industry from a promoter’s perspective. From a young age, Peter Jest was determined to make a career in live music, and despite naysayers and obstacles, he did just that, bringing national acts to his college campus at UW–Milwaukee, booking thousands of concerts across Wisconsin and the Midwest, and opening Shank Hall, the beloved Milwaukee venue named after a club in the cult film This Is Spinal Tap . This funny, nostalgia-inducing book details the lasting friendships Jest established over the years with John Prine, Arlo Guthrie, and Milwaukee’s own Violent Femmes, among others. It also shines a light into the seldom-seen world of music promotion, as Jest attempts to manage a turbulent band on the road, negotiates with agents, deals with fires (both real and metaphorical), struggles through a pandemic, and takes pleasure in presenting music of all kinds—from world-famous acts to up-and-coming local bands. In addition to photos of celebrated musicians, the book includes concert posters, tickets, and backstage passes documenting decades of rock, folk, and alternative shows that put Milwaukee on the live music map. As the music industry has become dominated by profit-driven corporations, We Had Fun and Nobody Died chronicles the career of a one-of-a-kind independent promoter whose hardheadedness and love of music have helped him keep it real and make it in the music business for more than forty years. 

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essentially, follow through on what you want to be and are passionate enough about to make a career and you have Peter Jest, owner and concert promoter of Milwaukee’s famous and infamous Shank Hall.
The Spinal Tap film came first and Jest named the building after the fictional venue from the film and a mini replica of Stonehenge hangs above the concert floor.
Just a well written, researched and breezy read by Waksman and Jest and what Wisconsin is all about in a nutshell.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a free copy of this from my favorite local used bookstore. The owners keep a small shelf of ARCs and complimentary/review copies of books they've received and anyone making a purchase can select one of those books for free. I selected this one just because of the title, which I never do! Upon arriving home I decided to just read a few pages to see what I thought and read 30 pages! I found the writing to be compelling and Jest's life story very interesting even though I do not share his obsession with live music, nor his entrepreneurial spirit! Perhaps for those exact reasons, I found this to be a very compelling read!

I am always amazed and gratified to discover people who do not excel academically to truly "succeed" in their lives doing something they love to do! And Waldman is to be congratulated on crafting such an intriguing reading experience! A win-win!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* rounded up
softcover book, read for Mil-book-ee book club through Milwaukee County Historical Society

First, what a fantastic and appropriate title! I suggested this book for the MCHS book club as it was a topic and individual that I knew next to nothing about, but it promised to be very interesting and I was right! Peter Jest is the owner of Shank Hall and this book covers his story from just being a kid, calling in to radio stations to get swag and concert tickets and how his grit and determination parlayed into becoming an independent music promoter and venue owner for several decade in Milwaukee. While I grew up in the Madison area, I recognized many bands and venues, as well as concerts, referenced in the book.

A great informative read, well-edited and well-written. The memorabelia memorialized in the book of lists, pictures and concert stubs was a fun touch. I also appreciated how it addressed "life in the time of COVID" and even though it feels so recent, we are coming up on 5 years.

I'm looking forward to passing this on to a friend who loves live music, who I know will love this. A book for those who appreciate live music, regardless of location, as well as those in Wisconsin who remember these concerts and events. Easy, breezy read, yet just enough "meat" without being too fluffy!

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Milwaukee (or any) music scene isn’t really one of my interests and I’d never heard of Shank Hall, seen the movie it references, or heard of most of the artists mentioned in this book. However I religiously read WI History Society Press publications which is how I found this book. It’s short, readable, well-researched, and has great photos and primary documents throughout the text. It has a defined narrative arc and some interesting tidbits about a profession I’ve never really thought much about. However, the book is somewhat lacking in punch for me — emotional moments, impressive acts or iconic stories about individual shows, or a lot of drama or intrigue. Maybe it’s the detached third person POV and the business-like, factual reporting. Peter seems talented and good at his job. His venue burns down and COVID happens. I’m sure these were very stressful events. But the writing makes it seem like he competently and efficiently Handled It. I just think something about the writing didn’t work for me, and it wasn’t helped by my relative non-interest in the topic. I’m sure this would be a great read for someone more interested.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written, engaging portrait of a Milwaukee (and Wisconsin) music/concert promoter hero, and owner of the legendary Milwaukee club, Shank Hall. I was barely a passing acquaintance of Peter, although acquaintance enough to have been invited to one of his Packers watch parties (which we dubbed "Zebra Lodge") at the club. I reckon I attended over 50 shows at Shank Hall until I moved to Chicago in 1997. Peter is a really nice guy, but does not suffer fools, and is a savvy businessman. This was a good read; recommended.

[Ronn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fast yet very interesting read. If you've spent any time in Milwaukee or other various parts of the midwest and love music, you've probably been to a Peter Jest event. The behind the scene stories of many of those events are told here.
Truth in advertising: Amy Waldman is a friend of long standing. I knew she could write, but I didnt know she could write like this! Way to go, Amy!

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved We Had Fun And Nobody Died by Amy T. Waldman with Peter Jest. I found Peter's life story captivating, and I was amazed by the music he brought to Wisconsin. Multiple parts of the book made me laugh, and I really admired how Peter, as one of the few remaining independent promoters, has managed to stay in business for so many decades in such a tough industry.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I didn't personally know Peter, but this bio/memoir was a walk down memory lane in the Milwaukee music venue scene and even introduced places that to me that were gone before I was born. It's a nice extremely positive depiction of a hard-working promoter.

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to read this book before it was released. All I have to say is that Amy Waldman did what needed to be done. This book opened my eyes to another part of Milwaukee history that I was missing out on.

[Lori Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I have fond memories of shank hall from my youth and reading about Peter was an amazing experience. My generation should remember Red Hot Chili Peppers and alanis morisette. Reading the story was great

[Jim Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Paul Sklba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quick read. As a patron of Shank Hall, loved to read of its evolution under Peter’s guiding hand. Also loved the glimpses into Peter’s private life