A book that starts with “who the fuck am I and how did I get here?” and ends with “I now know how I got here but I still really don’t know who the hell I am!” Plus a stop or two in between. The ‘unlikely memoir’ of Rock musician Jakko Jakszyk.
a born storyteller
Jakko’s a great storyteller. If you’ve ever watched any of his interviews (or interviewed him) you’ll know. Perhaps it’s the acting background… In some ways, it’s a familiar tale. Young boy growing up finds a niche with music and football. He finds he’s pretty good at the latter and has ‘unusual’, some would say exquisite, some would say weird, taste in music, which leads to the inevitable.
The twist is with a parallel narrative of a family life that’s far from the norm. The story of his adoption and finding the answers to questions and issues faced by adopted children looms large, weaving a constant thread throughout the story. Oh how little we know (until now) of the man many know as the one stood at the back singing about cat’s feet and iron claws.
from the fringes of prog…
All is explored via a deep investigation into the road that’s led him to where he is now. His encounters with music on the fringes, the Prog Rock fringes no less – Hatfield And The North and his encounters following Henry Cow – oh yes, many of us have been there and can empathise with his views of a friend carrying Led Zep IV which he considers “too commercial.” Indeed, hes one of life’s (and Big Big Train’s) last eleven.
His musical background and narrative is brimming with his trials and tribulations as solo artist, songwriter, band member and producer; hard luck stories or near misses are a regular occurrence – when you have Liza Minnelli and Whitney Houston in the wings, lined up to sing your songs, only to be thwarted by sliding doors moments.
Those namechecks read like a who’s who of showbiz and Rock royalty. We should get an inkling when the back of the book contains testimonials from Sir Lenny Henry, Michael Attenborough, Ian (Jethro Tull) Anderson and Sir Ian Rankin. Cue anecdotes on Bowie, Michael Jackson (Jakko meets Jacko and talks winklepickers), Gene Simmons (hilarious), Michael Attenborough – Jakko even blags Cup Final tickets from Sir Richard – but with a twist. All fascinating stuff and there’s a constant stream that results in the wonderment of who could possibly crop up around the next corner.
For anyone wondering, the story behind the unusual (although absolutely spot on) title of the book is also revealed. Perhaps not what you’d wager a guess at, but no spoilers here.
the crims
King Crimson does loom large throughout the story as does his friendship and musical partnership with arch mischief maker and prankster Gavin Harrison. The Indian Summer days of the band are quite a whirlwind of learning new arrangements, warm up gigs for friends and family and world tours. Kate Bush pops backstage while her friend is in the toilet – just as Jakko is pulling up his trousers. You couldn’t make it up.
For anyone whose knowledge of Jakko Jakszyk is limited to King Crimson and an appearance with Steve Hackett on Genesis Revisited – guilty-ish as charged – Who’s The Boy With The Lovely Hair is a refreshingly open and frank (and most enlightening) account.
After reading this, and being both totally entertained and absorbed, I have Jakko heading to the top of my dinner party guest list. He does voices and regional accents and he has a whole bunch of stories about famous musicians and celebs which would be hard to top. I’ve read a few (!) and this is one of the best Rock-related books I’ve had the pleasure to read. Unlikely memoir it may be but a wonderful story, enlightening and skillfully told.
Available now, published by Kingmaker, whose catalogue is starting to become the go-to place for highly recommended Prog-related book goodies.
Jakko is ‘in conversation’ at Louder Than Words in November – ticket link
No apologies for including the seven piece King Crimson doing Starless:
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