My husband ordered this book and it arrived during my Covid induced isolation. I am an avid reader and this is in my mother tongue, English, so I grabbed it immediately and settled in for a good read. With a foreword by Steve Harris of Iron Maiden It was off to a good start. This is not an autobiography but a collection of amusing anecdotes. Ruud has a very entertaining way of recalling the crazy weird things that happen to a band on tour, from starting out in old vans to luxury double decker tour busses. Also progressing and playing with big names and personal heroes, even the odd Spinal Tap moments. Ruud began writing this in 2023 and the last chapter deals with the tremors that affect his right hand, finally getting a diagnosis of a functional tremor, this can have serious implications for him as a guitarist. He writes in such an honest way, without self pity but with a curiosity as to what he will do next. I hope whatever it is he will write the sequel for us. The afterword is by Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation, a nice way to close the story. This book is for anyone that enjoys Biographies, memoirs etc. Full of Prog n Roll adventures and great photos, some from a pre smart phone era. I thoroughly enjoyed it! ***** Tracy van Os van den Abeelen |
