
Weighted Down
The Complicated Life of Skip Spence
Omnibus Press
Published on 4. April 2024
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-913172-18-3 (ISBN)
Description
Foreword by Robin Spence
Skip Spence was a soldier, a rock star, a folkie, an innovator, an addict, a cult phenomenon and a ward of the state. The cast of characters in his story include some of the biggest stars in music: Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and many more. His life is the story of the Sixties - it's the story of San Francisco, the biggest bands in America and rock'n'roll mayhem.
Although Spence spent much of his life battling addiction and mental illness, during his lucid moments he performed in several bands and is best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and as the co-founder of Moby Grape. Tracks from his cult solo album Oar has been covered by Tom Waits, Beck and Robert Plant.
With family photos, a foreword by Robin Spence, and accounts from his friends, bandmates and family, Weighted Down is the first book to tell his story in full.
Skip Spence was a soldier, a rock star, a folkie, an innovator, an addict, a cult phenomenon and a ward of the state. The cast of characters in his story include some of the biggest stars in music: Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and many more. His life is the story of the Sixties - it's the story of San Francisco, the biggest bands in America and rock'n'roll mayhem.
Although Spence spent much of his life battling addiction and mental illness, during his lucid moments he performed in several bands and is best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and as the co-founder of Moby Grape. Tracks from his cult solo album Oar has been covered by Tom Waits, Beck and Robert Plant.
With family photos, a foreword by Robin Spence, and accounts from his friends, bandmates and family, Weighted Down is the first book to tell his story in full.
Reviews / Votes
"Vast and compassionate, offering a nuanced look at Spence's life against a panoramic backdrop of Americana" MOJO"Cobb has separated the facts from the myths [and] added warmth by involving Spence's children. 8/10" Classic Rock
"Cobb's knack of blending undisputed fact with poetic imagery shines through in this woebegone tale, balancing amphetamine-paced action with the undeniable adoration "everyone" had for the subject." 5***** Shindig!
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
772 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-913172-18-3 (9781913172183)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Cam Cobb is a university professor and rock journalist. Cobb's writing has appeared in such magazines as Record Collector, Shindig!, and Ugly Things.