Runnin' with the Devil

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Runnin' with the Devil
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Runnin' with the Devil

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Runnin' with the Devil: A Backstage Pass to the Wild Times, Loud Rock, and the Down and Dirty Truth Behind the Making of Van Halen

The manager who shepherded Van Halen from obscurity to rock stardom goes behind the scenes to tell the complete, unadulterated story of David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, and the legendary band that changed rock music. 

Beginning in 1978, Van Halen’s rise was one of the most thrilling the rock world had ever seen—their mythos an epic party with a sweaty, sexy, finger-tapping guitar solo as an encore. During this infamous run of success, debauchery, and drama, few people were closer to the band than their manager, Noel Monk. A man who’d worked with some of rock’s biggest and most notorious names, Monk spent seven years with Van Halen, serving initially as their tour manager then as their personal manager until 1985, when he and David Lee Roth exited as controversy, infighting, and egos consumed the band.

Now, for the first time, Monk shares his side of the band’s rapid ascent and abrupt halt, both of which left rock music forever changed. During his time behind the scenes, he saw it all and lived to tell the tale, helping the band grow from club-performing novices to hardened veterans who sold out stadiums. Lifting back the curtain on one of the great untold stories of rock music, Monk details the most outrageous escapades from his time as confidant, fixer, and promoter—from hotel room destruction to outrageous backstage behavior to Eddie Van Halen’s high-profile marriage to Valerie Bertinelli to the incredible drug use and drinking that would ultimately fuel the conflict between the band members.

More than just presenting a portrait of sex and drugs—though there’s plenty of both—Monk goes behind the legend of Eddie Van Halen, bringing into focus the unique combination of talent, vision, hardship, and naiveté that not only shaped one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, but also made him vulnerable to the trappings of fame. Monk also sheds light on a breakup long shrouded in rumor and animosity, telling the story of David Lee Roth’s departure as he saw it and explaining how a band at the height of their powers found themselves struggling in vain to hold it all together.

Complete with sixteen color pages of never-before-seen photos of life with the band, Runnin’ with the Devil offers Monk’s backstage view of Van Halen’s journey from obscurity to headliners, only to watch it all fall apart. Messy, loud, and most of all fun, this is a look inside Van Halen unlike any you’ve ever seen.

About the Authors: NOEL MONK managed Van Halen from 1978-1985. He helped stage-manage Woodstock, served as Bill Graham’s right-hand man at the legendary Fillmore East, and worked with rock musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and the Sex Pistols. He is also the author of 12 Days on the Road: The Sex Pistols and America. JOE LADEN is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author.

The only book written by a member of the Van Halen camp, and their former manager nonetheless! 

Softcover. 352 pages. Dimensions: 5.3(w) x 8(h) x 1(d) inches.

Published 2018. ISBN:9780062474124. ASIN: 006247412X.

PRAISE:

“More than an insider’s story about VH; Monk also shares fascinating firsthand information about how the music industry operated at that time…An absolute must-read for VH fans and fans of rock music memoirs.” — Library Journal

“Too bad the title The Dirt was already taken.  Noel Monk – who went from being Van Halen’s road manager to their business manager during their Diamond Dave prime – holds nothing back…Monk paints a convincing picture of a brilliant, substance-addled young band that wasn’t built to last.” — Rolling Stone

“There’s plenty of sex and drugs here, along with the absurdities of the hard-rock life.” — New York Times Book Review

“The Van Halen book you’ve been waiting for…brutally honest and at times shocking…Van Halen fans will be discussing and debating it with the same attention to detail as Eddie’s finger-tapping work on ‘Eruption.’” — Houston Press


Item B64

Customer Ratings & Reviews

9
Ratings Snapshot
5.0
out of 5
5 (9)
4 (0)
3 (0)
2 (0)
1 (0)
Would recommend this product.
100%
5.0
out of 5
5 (9)
4 (0)
3 (0)
2 (0)
1 (0)
Would recommend this product.
100%
9 Total Reviews   Write a Review
Totally Awesome Book
5 out of 5
Babbs
Location: New York
Date: November 22, 2017
I received this book as a birthday present. I am a big Van Halen Fan. I loved the book I learned of information about the band that I did not know about. A great read for Van Halen fans.
Recommended
Must read for all Van Halen Fans!
5 out of 5
Shawna
Location: New Mexico
Date: November 18, 2017
Great read!
Recommended
Well worth it
5 out of 5
Cap
Location: OH
Date: November 16, 2017
A great inside look at one of the most popular bands ever! It's a very easy read with some great pictures. Also has quite a few stories I had never heard before. If you are a huge fan of the original Van Halen days...this truly is a MUST!
Recommended
Haven't read other reviews but what else can be said. 5 stars.
5 out of 5
R Classic
Location: Tempe, AZ
Date: September 30, 2017
Seriously, I was a bit concerned when VHND released the snippet from the inside cover...it read a bit choppy. BUT this is a must read. Excellent insight, doesn't hold back, very well written and paced. Many spoilers could be added here (ok, the famous logo and it's possible origins...) and Monk comes off as the greatest guy in the world (to be expected, perhaps) but the depth and detail are FANTASTIC. If I taught a music appreciation course entitled "Rock History: Van Halen 101" the two books I'd assign are Renoff's and this one.
Recommended
If You're a Van Halen Fan....You Must Read this Bad Boy!
5 out of 5
Coop
Location: Dallas, TX
Date: September 28, 2017
I just finished "Runnin' with the Devil" and have to say this was one of the best rock 'n' roll books out there! I'll be honest, I'm a slow reader but the "read" of this book is pretty darn quick. It's written very well, very conversational, and heck, the subject is Van Halen so you there's a desire to keep turning the pages because there's ANOTHER great story Noel's going to tell! Monk provides the reader with an exclusive VIP experience on each page. It's as if YOU are backstage in the green room....or limo....or tour bus. I actually felt like I was the "fifth" member of Van Halen because Monk's attention to detail in his stories is incredible. Thirty years later and Monk's memory is a steel trap! I read the book off and on over two months and during that time I felt as if I was back in the early 80's as a teenager when all of this stuff was going down. Especially when Monk mentions the end of the 1984 Tour and how it ended with three concerts in Dallas....and I was at that second show. I was having the time of my life seeing the mighty Van Halen at the absolute top of their career.....man, if I only knew what was going on behind-the-scenes during those shows. Gave me chills when I read it! I really feel Monk provided a brutally honest look into Van Halen. I never felt as if his stories were "made up" or exaggerated at all. This isn't a movie where the director might embellish the truth to make an Oscar-winning movie....this is a book written by a man who lived it AND survived! Monk gives the ultimate behind-the-scenes perspective, and for that, I'd like the shake the guy's hand. Holy smokes what that guy went through in just seven short years! As one VH fan to another, do yourself a huge favor and get this book! I guarantee you won't be disappointed! Way to go Noel!
Recommended
9 Total Reviews   Write a Review