Strange Days: The Adventures of a Grumpy Rock 'n' Roll Journalist in Los Angeles

by Dean Goodman

Los Angeles music journalist Dean Goodman sneaks you backstage to hang with righteous reporters, paranoid publicists, and surly stars. "Strange Days" documents unusual encounters with 22 musicians and bands, from a tearful David Bowie and a gloomy Michael Hutchence, to warring members of the Doors, Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses and Lynyrd Skynyrd

Genres: Music, Journalism

306 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2013

About the author

In February 2012 I flew out to North Carolina to meet former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle ... Yada, Yada, Yada ... Five years later, he is on the cusp of entering literary immortality as the Hunter S. Thompson of Southern Rock - with a little help from me.

Artimus' memoir, "Street Survivor: Keeping the Beat in Lynyrd Skynyrd," is set for worldwide publication in October 2017 through Backbeat Books.

Artimus and I worked incredibly hard on this project, which will be the first and last book written by a member of one of America's greatest rock 'n' roll bands. The publisher wanted 80,000 words; we delivered 120,000. Artimus has a phenomenal memory and eye for detail, and it was my job to put everything into some sort of cohesive order.

This book contains everything you ever needed to know about Skynyrd. At one point, I jokingly suggested calling it "Boys Will Be Boys." There is a lot of naughty behavior, but also a huge amount of musical genius.

Artimus will have more to say at some point, and you can expect him to take his band around the country on a lengthy book promotion tour.

***

This is my second book. My first was a memoir, "Strange Days: The Adventures of a Grumpy Rock 'n' Roll Journalist in Los Angeles," which features gossipy recollections of interviews and encounters with two-dozen musical giants, including David Bowie, the Doors, Johnny Cash, Aerosmith and Iggy Pop.

Writing "Strange Days" was quite easy. But the rewriting, editing + tweaking took almost two (leisurely) years. I'd like to think it's an educational book -- aimed at wannabe journalists, young music fans who want a classic-rock primer, and anyone who wants to follow their seemingly impossible dreams.

While the Artimus book is being edited, I am working on a new project, an anthology of my Rolling Stones writings. I have attended 242 Stones concerts as of the winter 2017.

***

I write and I travel, though I'd probably make a terrible travel writer because I always get lost and irritated. I write about rock music, and I travel worldwide.

Favorite musicians are the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Black Sabbath, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding, Sex Pistols. Among the younger crop, I like Miles Kane, Jake Bugg, Vaccines, Rival Sons, Tom Odell.

Favorite destinations have included Slovakia, Iran, Paraguay, Japan, Montenegro, UAE, Australia, South Korea and South Africa.

Reviews

[Vince Granato · Rating 4 out of 5]

He may be grumpy, but he is also one helluva good interviewer. I love Goodman's stories about rock stars and his interactions with them. Also amused by his take on covering award shows. How awful to waste his talent on covering these self-congratulatory affairs.

[Leah Bonderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean Goodman had one of the world's coolest jobs. As an entertainment journalist for a major news organization he often found himself backstage at award shows, or in the homes of the world's most iconic entertainers, interviewing them about their latest project. Mr. Goodman's grumpy disposition did him no favors, particularly at the industry award events like the Grammys and the Emmys where he's sometimes get snarky with stars and their publicists. But his shortcomings also make for entertaining reading. His 2 decade journey through Hollywood and beyond is a pleasure to read, often quite humorous as well.

[Sonia Virdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy or not, the guy is a good journalist. His interviews with rock stars and Hollywood types are excellent. And his behind-the-scenes look at these precious interactions is both amusing and informative.

[Monique Bitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool insight into the life of a music journalist. Most people would be envious of Dean Goodman and his job of interviewing rock stars for the release of their new albums and at awards shows. But Goodman gives it to us straight, letting us know the best and worst of his challenging and sometimes intimidating gig. While the many celebrity stories satisfy, the perspective of dealing with the high and mighty celebrities is the best takeaway from this unique memoir.