... careening, overstuffed ... That sense of fanaticism runs wild throughout the book ... Most of these convergences are amply familiar to rock history geeks ... But Kaye’s depth of field reveals a legion of bit players out on the horizon, miles behind the Elvises, Beatles and Nirvanas forever in the foreground. You’ll have to gauge your own capacity for long-distance arcana.
Kaye’s personal reminiscences about performing with Patti Smith are among the highlights. Part history, part memoir, Lightning Striking is a fat, fun homage to the glory days of rock and roll and is full of vivid and revealing memories and anecdotes.
Throughout Kaye draws from insider knowledge, crafting a fluent, attention-grabbing narrative and offering autobiographical asides about listening to 45s in grade school and becoming a true history maker himself. A copious biblio-discography, including classic and contemporary citations, adds value ... Kaye’s felicitous turns of phrase and ability to humanize his subject paint vivid pictures of each venue and its denizens; readers of any vintage will appreciate the chance to either relive these musical moments or experience them for the first time.
