Needs Must - A Very Rock 'n' Roll Life Story

by Kris Needs

The author's musical adventure begins 30 years ago, running a Ziggy Stardust fan club. Next, he becomes a rock journalist, nearly comes to a narcotic nasty end with the likes of Allen Ginsberg and Keith Richards, does time in a US jail, returns to Blighty, and still DJs in clubs today.

Genres: Music, Biography

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Needs Must' (1999) - Kris Needs autobiography, billed variously as 'A Very Rock n'Roll Story' and "The best book about music I've ever read" (Irvine Welsh) charts Needs' story from schoolboy rock super fan to aspiring musician, rock writer and his life as full on sex and drugs and rock n'roll professional party animal.

Ultimately though, despite Needs' life as a fully committed hedonist and the 'thrills and spills' that inevitably come his way thick and fast - 'Needs Must' litany of endless 'partying' is ultimately repetitive at best and dull at worst.

In a book that is not dissimilar in nature, content and tone, to the autobiography of Needs' hero Keith Richards - 'My Life', 'Needs Must' becomes for the most part, and very ironically, two dimensional and just plain boring. Neither is there really very much in here about music, moreover mostly the parties attended and the drugs taken by various bands.

Nothing here that is judgemental in respect of Needs' lifestyle - it's just tedious to read about.

[scott fothergill · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I liked the book, the endless tales of debauchery became a bit wearying. Maybe I'm just envious. It could have done with better editing, too, particularly in the final chapter, as there was some repetition of people Kris Needs had met or things he was planning to do.

Oh, and points off for disparaging Howard Jones, too. I was none too happy with that.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend of mine loaned this book to me, knowing my love of 'fly on the wall' music (and music related)biographies. It was also a signed copy as my friend met Kris Needs a few years back.

I absolutely loved it, I recall reading Mr Needs stuff way back in ZigZag and more recently in Record Collector magazine. He grew up not far from where I did and is just a couple of years older. He has led a very interesting life with many ups and downs.

The writing was informative, emotional and at times bloody hilarious.
By a strange coincidence there was a link to the book I read just before this one (Johnny Green's "A Riot Of Our Own")where one particular scene involving a naked Topper Headon is recounted in both books

Any music fan worth their salt should read this book. It's not just a 3 minute 45rpm it's the full 12 inch remix!

[Godzilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very rock 'n' roll story indeed: Kris Needs has met everyone who is anyone over the last few decades. A real rollercoaster of a book, which provides great insights into the music world.

Certain areas were glossed over, but there are enough anecdotes in here to keep a fan of music enthralled from cover to cover.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

from posh school through Mott the Hoople to punk, to New York and to acid house, through drug hell, he retains a fan's enthusiasm for music.

entertaining, if a bit lightweight