Hotter Than a Match Head: Life on the Run with The Lovin' Spoonful

by Steve Boone, Tony Moss (Primary Contributor)

On October 15, 1967, bass player Steve Boone took the Ed Sullivan Show stage for the final time, with his band The Lovin’ Spoonful. Since forming in a Greenwich Village hotel in early 1965, Boone and his bandmates had released an astounding nine Top 20 singles, the first seven of which hit the Billboard Top 10, including the iconic Boone co-writes “Summer in the City” and “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice.”Little did Steve Boone know that the path of his life and career would soon take a turn for the bizarre, one that would eventually find him looking at the world through the bars of a jail cell. From captaining a seaworthy enterprise to smuggle marijuana into the U.S. from Colombia, to a period of addiction, to the successful reformation of the band he’d helped made famous, Hotter Than a Match Head tells the story of Boone’s personal journey along with that of one of the most important and enduring groups of the 1960s.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

The following gives you a good idea of the style of this memoir:

Seth Weinberger was the only guy I ever saw challenge Joe Butler for chick magnet status. It was fun to watch Seth and Joe go into competition mode whenever a hottie or two would come on the scene.

And a few pages later

Ruth was tall and not skinny but also not overweight

So we will not be reading Hotter than a Match Head for its literary qualities.

A DEFINITION OF THE WORD ARBITRARY

There is a 480 page biography of Tiny Tim and an 864 page memoir by Captain Beefheart’s drummer but Hotter than a Match Head is the only book about the unsung Lovin’ Spoonful, as far as I know. It’s an as-told-to account by the bass player, and about 100 of these 300 pages is all about Steve Boone, not the Lovin’ Spoonful. In a short space of time, 1965-8, they made a lot of essential records because they had John Sebastian writing the songs, and he was great. He should have written this book, but Steve Boone did. Music memoirs and biographies are so random, and they all have to be approached with extreme caution because so many of them are terrible - people with dented brains trying to extract grains of coherence from musicians in even worse shape than they are. The lifestyle isn’t conducive to scholarly clarity. We have to take what we can get, but we don’t have to like it.

SUMMER IN THE CITY

The story of this song demonstrates the haphazard nature of song royalties. It’s one of the all time great singles, everybody knows it. According to Steve Boone, it began life as “It’s a Different World”, a bossa nova tune written by Mark Sebastian, John’s 14 year old brother. Brother John took the best bits of its lyric and melody and fused them with a variation on a riff he’d heard a session pianist named Artie Schroek play. Then he wrote more lyrics. They rehearsed it and they knew it needed something else, a middle eight or a bridge, something. Steve Boone says :

I had this thing I’d been noodling with at the piano, this kind of jazzy figure that had a weird time signature and sounded a little bit like George Gershwin…. As we were deciding how to complete the song John said “Hey, what about Steven’s piano thing?”

And boom, this decision to incorporate the little piano phrase in the pause before the song bursts back into life (you remember - just after the sound effects of drilling and car horns) put thousands of dollars into Steve’s pocket over the years, because he was given a composer credit along with the Sebastian brothers. Note that nobody thought to credit Artie Schroek.

Going on 50 years since its release, I am grateful to report that I continue to receive a steady income from my one-third royalty on “Summer in the City”.

Compare that with, let’s say, George Martin’s brilliant string arrangement on "Eleanor Rigby", or his baroque piano break on "In My Life" – did he get a composer credit? Not on your life. He got an arranger’s fee.

LOVE WILL TEAR US APART BUT DRUGS WILL BORE US TO DEATH

After the Spoonful ends in 1969 Steve Boone continues living and we get 100 pages of his extremely tedious adventures as a drug smuggler and proud owner of a yacht and proud owner of several cars. Spoonful fans can safely skip all that. Actually Spoonful fans can probably skip this whole book. This band deserves something better.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lovin' Spoonful, one of the most under-documented bands in rock finally get their own book, a memoir written by Steve Boone. I liked all the music parts, but frankly did a lot of page skipping due to his endless tales about boating, drug running and drug abuse. At one point there was so much page skipping I broke into a run, lol. There's also a lot of space spent smearing names of personal enemies you'll never know or ever meet, which ground the book down to bizarre pettiness I've never seen before in a memoir.

Steve Boone does a decent job recounting the glory days of the band in New York during the Sixties. I didn't hate the book, but I actually felt he demystified the band to the point of making them look dull. Then again, the band were as good as their singles (their albums were pretty bad, to tell you the truth). I definitely liked his take on the politics behind the Rolling Stone Magazine-controlled Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, though.

[Richard West · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you lived through the 1960's and listened to rock and roll music, you are no doubt familiar with the Lovin' Spoonful, whose jug band music eventually landed them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But, other than lead singer John Sebastian, can you name the other group members? This is the memoir of the group member most people are likely to leave off their list if they can name Zal Yanovsky and Joe Butler, and later, Jerry Yester. But, would you remember the name of the bass player, Steve Boone?

This is his story, and the story of one of the most imaginative groups in rock history, and it's quite a story, involving everything from of course, the group, to running a recording studio (which sank - don't ask - read the book!), to running illegal drugs, to being an addict, a convicted felon (although in today's society, those charges would no doubt be misdemeanors), through no less than 4 marriages and finally as a leader of the reconstructed, reconstituted Lovin' Spoonful, minus John Sebastian and the late Zal Yanovsky.

Like so many groups, the Spoonful got screwed out of their fair share of royalties, and Boone takes us through those times - both good and bad - and many others. For the record, they've finally gotten their money - or at least a percentage of it.

Since it's unlikely we'll ever see a John Sebastian memoir (which would be interesting to say the least), Boone's account of the rise, fall and rise of the Spoonful will be the definitive word on the group and what happened. And, while it does, obviously, concentrate more on what happened to him, there's still plenty about the group to keep the reader interested.

Recommended for the Lovin' Spoonful fan (obviously) and those who are interested in rock history.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Hotter Than a Match Head as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

Steve Boone was a member of The Lovin' Spoonful, who, over the course of a few short years in the mid-1960s, racked up hit after hit, including "Do You Believe in Magic?" and "Summer in the City." However, as with most highly successful musical acts, drama both within the group as a whole and amongst its individual members caused anger, resentment, and a spate of bad choices.

This is Boone's story, obviously, from his childhood in Pennsylvania and Florida, to the band's formation, rise, and fall, and his turbulent personal life, including struggles with drugs and relationships. It's written in a very casual style, which both helps and hurts. At times, it seems very authentic; at others, it seems a little affected. Still, it's an interesting story. The Lovin' Spoonful was a contemporary of The Beatles, the former even influencing the latter. And while Boone's life choices aren't the best--not only for himself but for those around him--he owns up to his mistakes. It's dark, and often not an optimistic read, but it's a gritty glimpse into a great band.

[Nina Gordon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book truly sucked. I enjoy musical memoirs and I have read quite a few, good and bad... this is truly awful. Not only is he a boring writer (even with a co-writer), he's an anti-semite and a liar. He claims to have played a show at My Father's Place in Long Island in 1965, when the club did not even open until 1971. Sorry, but this is just a waste of time... I rarely abandon a book before finishing it, but this was so bad I gave up on page 81. Just don't even bother... read "A Freewheelin' Time" instead if you are interested in the Village music scene of the 1960s.

[celia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a pity this is the only memoir written by a member of The Lovin' Spoonful. For a book written by one of the guys in my favourite band, I found it to be profoundly boring. The first half of the book is mildly interesting but Boone doesn't go into much detail and it reads like an overview of The Spoonful history I could get out of the internet, with a few anecdotes thrown in mainly to point out his contributions to the band.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

My full and detailed review is on my website at http://rnrchemist.blogspot.com/2014/1...

A really enjoyable book that is informative, enlightening, and fun. I recommend, especially if you're a fan of the 1960s and/or the Lovin' Spoonful.

[Dave Schwensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of classic rock bands and artists. The Lovin’ Spoonful was a popular and important group of the 1960s deserving of their induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so I was anxious to read this book. The author was a founding member, and through this memoir I learned it happened by knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time.
*
That could be the theme for his story, but only a small part of it. Boone’s inside experiences and memories about The Lovin’ Spoonful are what fans will want to read. However the full story is much different. Without giving away any spoilers, the beginning of this book sets up what happened after the band’s breakup and for many of us; it’s not what we might have expected.
*
Besides joining the band, recording hit songs and touring during the mid 1960s, much of what occurred after (and sometimes before) could be themed, “being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” As a reader I stayed interested, but there was an element of frustration over many of his career and personal decisions. You just wish he would get his act together, but each new venture had me almost shaking my head in disbelief. But in a way, that’s what will keep you reading.
*
Of special interest is an event in 1966 that contributed to the eventual breakup of the band and reasons why they became almost outcasts within the late 1960s rock community. Again, wrong place at the wrong time. It’s enlightening to hear Boone’s side of the story and insight into the what, why and how it happened, his decision and the results. It’s not the story you might expect, but one that deserves to be told.

[Stevie Ray DeFoe]

Good Read but not Lovin' it.

As in most autobiographies I've read by rockers, it's pretty much the authors opinions ; humble or pretentious. Steve goes through it with a good sense of humor & an eye on the Prize; rock n' roll fame & fortune. When it came to his love of sailing & trips to distant lands to smuggle controlled substances, I lost a bit of interest. Also, I find the mea culpa, as almost with all musicians dealing with their addictions, tedious.

However, the Spoonful stories & reminiscence's, & background on those fellow players he's shared the stage with, I found fascinating. I enjoyed the Lovin' Spoonfuls music & would rank them (along with the Rascals) as one of the great American bands of the 60s. If that is your feeling towards his band you will enjoy reading Steve Boone's "Hotter Than a Match Head".

[John W. Partin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Boone of The Lovin' Spoonful has written a fascinating memoir of those heady days in the late '60s. This a candid book, discussing the rock & roll scene in NYC, the music industry that favored the record company executives over the band members, the touring, sex, and drugs. Boone and Tony Moss have written an illuminating memoir and a solid slice of social history, with the highs & lows -- warts and all.

[Ian Cooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly fascinating!

You can’t make this up! All the twists and turns along Steve Boone’s life and career were of great interest to me as a working musician and a longtime Lovin Spoonful fan. It was good to get the inside story of what really happened.
A candid account of a very interesting life. A well written book that never bogged down.

[Steve Klemz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Boone was the bass player for the Lovin' Spoonful. A pretty good look at the Spoonful's short run at stardom.

[Donald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been a fan of the loving spoonful since my early teens .I was looking for a more interesting look at the music. A good read never the less.

[Ramon Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun read

This book was interesting and educational. It was never common knowledge the issues that drove the band apart, so learning more about the band was well worth the read.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Boone, was the bass player for the 60’s band the LOVIN SPOONFUL. The book starts off with his back ground of growing up as a son of a military son moving around and how when his brother got into playing guitar that he also took a liking to it as well. He moves on to joining a few bands nothing serious, but he also learned how to play bass because one of the bands needed a bass player. After high school he took off to Europe and traveled and meet some people who were really into the engineering of cars, but that was going nowhere and came back to the States, New York City, in the Soho area and was staying with some friends and took up playing the bass again. He was called by a friend to come down and listen to this new band, once he got there he heard a sound that was different and then John Sebastian asked him to sit in with them because they did not have a regular bass player. After playing and then going back to their apartment they asked him to join their band which he jumped at right away. “Saying he saw something he John Sebastian,” that at up to that time he did not see in any other musician. The music and writing for him was or seemed easy or natural and he was not copying anyone else and he also helped them to write as well. The band wrote all their own music and their first hit was in 65 with “Do you believe in magic”, they had four more hits before their #1 “Summer time in the city”, in 66. They had seven consecutive top ten, from their first album to when John Sebastian, left the band to go solo. The book goes into the height of their popularity with arguing with other groups as to the order of the show, how the hatred in the South while touring with the Supremes, they saw it firsthand. He goes into how they were looked at being the group to star in the T.V. show the Monkees, but by then the band was not together and everything fell through. He also goes into detail about his drug problem and drug smuggling. That at one time when Boone and Yanovsky, were busted were forced to work with drug agents so Yanovsky would not be deported. Then later when he was sailing how he was smuggling drugs and if he got caught he would have made some of these other rock star cases look like small potatoes. A very honest book and look into a band from the 60’s that had good music, not just their hits but that is what they are remembered for. A good read. I got this book from net galley.

[Sharry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the 1960s listening to hits by the Lovin' Spoonful. My older sister purchased many of their singles and one of their albums. I was attracted to this book because I was curious to know more about the history of this band. I probably knew the most about Zal Yanofsky (the band's only Canadian member) and John Sebastian before reading this book. I thought it would be interesting to read what the bass player in the band had to say about their history. The prologue grabs your attention right away and leads into a description of Steve's earliest years before he joined the band. There were three years in the mid 60s when the band was at its peak, enjoying all the perks and excesses that go along with it. Then Steve Boone had to decide what to do with the rest of his life. This proved to be a real roller-coaster ride and makes for a very entertaining read. Excellent colour photos complement the text, many of them by famed photographer Henry Diltz.

[Ed Mckeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some would question the wisdom of reading a book about a band written by the bass player (okay, unless it's the Beatles, or the Police...), especially when he was neither the main songwriter. Still, Boone's is the only first-person account available of one of my favorite bands. And I learned things. He was a drug smuggler, an informant, a reluctant bassist and the Lovin' Spoonful's short but productive life was only three years. Reading makes me wonder if it is possible to exist in the world of pop music and escape the ruthless, crooked businessmen, the drugs, the criminals and the descent into narcissism. Makes for a helluva good read, though.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

an honest look at his life, he tell the good and bad, highs and even the bad times. what a book

[Edwin Heller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Steve's book. Brought back some great memories of growing up in East Hampton in the 60's.