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Change of Seasons: A Memoir

John Oates,

Chris Epting

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Dec 27, 2016 Robin rated it liked it

Shelves: memoir-bio-rock

Know that I am a huge fan of celebrity memoirs and eagerly read this as I was always intrigued by John (that 'stache!).

When I started reading, I felt that John's writing was by rote and he was simply checking off items on an outline of how he came to become the "Oates" part of Daryl Hall and John Oates (it was never supposed to be "Hall & Oates"), and at times inserted too much detail about some of his hobbies and people he met along the way. However, once he shaved off his mustache (OMG, I sti ...more

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Jun 19, 2024 Jen Mays rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, music, new-york, pennsylvania, colorado

The Big Bam Boom tour in the early 80s was my first concert of many and the famous pop duo has been a favorite in my music catalog for decades. I've loved them as a duo and as individual musicians for literally decades and the recent news of their legal strife has been as devastating as watching your favorite uncles go through domestic troubles.

When this memoir was published, I had the chance to go to a small concert and book signing presented by Oates, at which I got two copies of the book - on The Big Bam Boom tour in the early 80s was my first concert of many and the famous pop duo has been a favorite in my music catalog for decades. I've loved them as a duo and as individual musicians for literally decades and the recent news of their legal strife has been as devastating as watching your favorite uncles go through domestic troubles.

When this memoir was published, I had the chance to go to a small concert and book signing presented by Oates, at which I got two copies of the book - one that he signed personally that sits on my shelf still, and one to read. John was distracted that night by old friends who had come to see him so I didn't get a chance to say anything at all to him, even in the signing line when my copy passed in a rush through his hands with barely a smile tossed my way which definitely stung a little having been a fan so long, but I did (and still do) remember that event with great affection.

With all that said -- this memoir was a little rough to get through, especially in the beginning. Having been to the book party, I knew generally what to expect regarding what kind of focus it would have but it was a bit too heavy-handed into the depths of music history listing for this lay-woman. It makes sense for those to be in a memoir about a man who makes music, but the lists of people unfamiliar to me and descriptions of instruments or sound processes I don't know about (combined with the tiny font they chose to use for the printing) made the early parts tough to get through. Once we got into more of the touring and beyond to his life in Colorado with his family, I was more engaged and the book leveled out for me.

While of course a good portion of the book discusses making music with Hall since that made up a good portion of Oates' life, Hall still (and understandably) only stands on the periphery. This isn't a memoir about the music partners, this is about John. For those considering reading the book to get juicy tales about life knowing Daryl Hall, I would recommend looking elsewhere. ...more

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May 01, 2017 Cait marked it as to-read

Nov 18, 2018 Lindy-Lane marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: g-non-fic

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