Once A Rocker, Always A Rocker: A Reflection On Music and Life

Connieglore: Once a Rocker Always a Rocker is written with a shoot from the hip, staccato fire delivery of a story that peels back the curtain on rock n’ roll on the road. Singer and author, Mach Bell, spares no one, including himself, from this tell-all accounting of the 1983-1984 mad dash performances around the country of the Joe Perry Project and its madcap frenzy to bring it’s brilliance to every gig every night. Why should you read it? Because until a movie is made, and it should be, you will not get any closer to life as a rock star than this book.

United States on Dec 18, 2022

sasesq: If you're an Aerosmith fan, then this book is a must-read. Highly detailed, it follows the adventures of Joe Perry in the 2 years prior to his return to Aerosmith in 1984.

United States on Sep 17, 2022

PScreed: Great read. Road diary by Mach Bell of his time in the Joe Perry Project. Great stories that kind of pull back the curtain on what life was really like as a working musician in the era. Fantastic perspective from a guy with a self deprecating attitude who can really tell a story.

If you’re a fan of Aerosmith, Joe Perry, remember Thundertrain and have read Ian Hunter’s “Diary of a Rock and Roll Star” and Bob Greene’s “Billion Dollar Baby” you are going to love this book.

A) Because you’re cool
B) Because that’s really how good this book is

Rock on Cowboy.

United States on Jun 05, 2022

supercarrambler: This book needs to be turned into a film...

United Kingdom on Apr 07, 2021

Vince: A warts and all look from the inside of a touring rock and roll band. A great read.

Australia on Aug 10, 2020

Wesley Rodney: It's a fun book

Canada on Dec 07, 2019

Sandpshkr: I met Mach a couple of times back then and besides being a very cool, down to earth guy, I loved his performances with the JPP. Mach is really an incredible writer. To have the foresight to notate all of his exploits with the JPP makes not only for a fun read but was rather genius and way ahead of its time.

I was around for a several of the shows he mentions in the book. The power outage at the Keystone Palo Alto is a fond memory. He did fail to mention all of the cocktail glasses that were being chucked at the stage and were breaking across the the drum kit after the power went out though. It's a relief to see that his memory and mine are so similar. I guess I didn't suffer the worst form of brain damage from the 80s that I had initially feared.

This is just such a great book. I love it. Those were such great times and the JPP was always a constant presence in our hometown and in our teenage angst filled worlds. We always knew that we'd be in for some great music and fun times when they came around. We would go see them six or seven times a year.

This was a remarkable trip down memory lane. Thank you Mach!

United States on Oct 29, 2019

philippe de ZERTUCHA: Wanna read a piece of history ?
Get the Cowboy book !
2 years and a half on the road , rockin’ and rollin’ everywhere.
Thanks Mr Bell

France on Oct 17, 2019

Anthony L. Wermuth: If you are even a casual fan of rock & roll, "Once a Rocker - Always a Rocker" By Cowboy Mach Bell will likely be a great fit for you. If anyone deserves to be called a staple of the Boston rock scene, it's Mach, having been around playing and singing since God was a child and playing just about every venue in New England over the decades. After being chosen as the lead singer for former Aerosmith guitar hero Joe Perry, this list grew exponentially around the US and abroad. This is that story. Written with heart, humor and the obvious love he has for "the life", this kept me glued till I finished it. As you might expect, it is part travelogue part bio. But in this case it is actually a true diary. This is important because the feelings, the fears and the moments of elation are first hand - and contemporaneous - better than mere recall. It's a wonderful overview of several overlapping eras in the Boston music scene (though, as it deals mainly with the Joe Perry Project, it mostly takes place in the 80s) and life on the road. Some of the most celebrated rockers in history cross the pages of this book and I feel that there is something here for just about everyone! Money well...

United States on Oct 15, 2019