REVIEW: Just For One Hour John Kennedy review

The workings of being a musician can often be disguised with the notion that everything is fun, laughter and all hilarity. Whilst there might be some haughtiness scattered around the mechanics of stardom and fame, the background dealings can be formidable and not for the faint hearted. With over 45 years in the music industry, John Kennedy’s journey is a remarkable tale of passion, dedication, and iconic moments.

John Kennedy is a name synonymous with what some might say to be the difficult bits of entertainment. Steeped in the successes of such lofty allotted names as Live Aid, The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Mamma Mia, his new book Just For One Hour is a warts ‘n’ all look back to his pulling together all pieces of showbiz jigsaws that often have many missing or dislodged parts but with Kennedys sharp eye are put back together even if it means not taking the usual straight forward route.

My immediate eye went to his exploits with The Stone Roses when they were in their prime 1990’s baggy period. The band were managed by Mancunian maverick Gareth Evans who was renowned for not being the most usual of people which Kennedy attests to, this episode in the company of Evans was all around the elongated episode of extraditing The Stone Roses from their one sided record deal with Silvertone. There are plenty of juicy details for the reader to feast their eyes on, Kennedy telling that Polygram and Geffen were at loggerheads to try and sign the band once the court case had completed, Kennedy almost being locked up due to some of the consequences of the court case and then the band winding up Kennedy with a quite brilliant yet daft decision to try and get one over their new record label. The Stone Roses never disappoint and so it is in this often hilarious, on the edge of the seat and factually compelling tale.

Another episode of putting myths to the slaughter is the tale of Mike Joyce. Joyce was the backbeat to one of the 80’s most charismatic bands The Smiths featuring tunesmiths Johnny Marr and Morrissey. For years the latter duo had been what was thought to adopt the lions share of the songwriting duties. Joyce however wanted a bigger slice of the 10% pie he was earning, enter John Kennedy. Kennedys words to Joyce were ‘are you ready to go to war’ against Morrissey and to a lesser extent Marr. Joyce was more than up for the challenge ahead as seemingly was Morrissey. There’s a fascinating exchange in court which did or did not happen, you make up your mind when reading, which basically ended up with Morrissey echoing these words ‘’if I was driving a car and I saw Joyce crossing the road up ahead then I would put my foot on the accelerator and run him over.”

With similar suspense anecdotes from his adventures at Live Aid, Live 8 and other high brow misdemeanors, this book is the real deal and an absolute must purchase not only for the bands and names that appear in the book but for an example of keeping your cool under pressure.

Just For One Hour can be purchased at the following link