When a band is on tour and playing at venues around the country or even around the world, they virtually live in the backstage area. It is there where the band eats, drinks and relaxes before and after a gig. Many times, a band will have specific requirements of what they want supplied for them.
Here, Richmond lists the demands of some high-profile artists:
- Eminem: 2 bottles of Bacardi, 2 bottles of Hennessy cognac, 4 bottles of still mineral water, 2 cases of Mountain Dew, 4 bottles of orange juice, tras of assorted fruit. A selection of Taco Bell.
- The Beatles: A black and white television set and a few Coca-Colas.
- AC/DC: Tea, coffee, sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Gatorade, 1 bottle white wine, 1 bottle red wine, Bailey's, cheese, raw vegetables, sweets, chewing gum, Proper meal with, for example, salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, sausages or lamb cutlets or beef, custard and cake. Cartons of cigarettes and tobacco so Brian Johnson can roll his own.
There are dozens of other entries, and although some of the bands listed here are very obscure, the descriptions of what they want in their backstage areas are still fun to read.
The book could have been made even more interesting had the author provided a bit of backstory: Where did the information come from? Did she interview any of the artists personally to compile this information? Was she privy to contracts and band riders? Still, this is a fascinating look at the life of rock
'n'rollers and what fills their stomachs.
Originally published on Curled Up With A Good Book at www.curledup.com. © Steven Rosen, 2014
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