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Mo Foster
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British Rock Guitar: The first 50 years, the musicians and their stories Hardcover – December 20, 2012

by Mo Foster (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
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A renowned bass player, Mo Foster has played his guitar with the greats, and with their backing, contributions and memories has written an insightful, passionate and very humorous book. British Rock Guitar is illustrated with original advertisements, memorabilia and photographs, many from many artist's private collections.

Mo Foster, draws upon his own recollections and those of some of the greatest exponents of the rock guitar, from Hank Marvin to Eric Clapton and Brian May. Mo Foster has written the definitive history of the importance of the guitar in the development of British music over the last 50 years. British Rock Guitar describes the rise of the London studio session scene: an insider's view of this creative world and the wonderful musicians' in general. These guitar heroes and top session players were once mere mortals struggling to buy or build their first guitar.

The guitar has become the most emotive musical instrument of the last 50 years of rock and roll. From the early days when wannabee stars fashioned homemade guitars out of old tea chests, to today's sophisticated instruments, the impact has been phenomenal.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    280 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Northumbria University Press
  4. Publication date
    December 20, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 1 x 9.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0857160001
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0857160003
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review


"Mo Foster's extensively researched and entertaining tome is essential reading…The images which run through British Rock Guitar are astounding—many of which have never been seen by the general public before."—Huffington Post


"Mo Foster's extensively researched and entertaining tome is essential reading…The images which run through British Rock Guitar are astounding—many of which have never been seen by the general public before."—Huffington Post

About the Author

Mo Foster is a bass player with more than 40 years of experience. He is a musician, a producer, and a composer who has recorded or toured with the artists such as Cher, Phil Collins, Nanci Griffith, Gil Evans, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Hank B. Marvin is the guitarist for the Shadows.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Northumbria University Press (December 20, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0857160001
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0857160003
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.33 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 1 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 48 ratings

About the author

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Mo Foster

Mo Foster

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
48 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Robert Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars Behind the scenes in the London session heyday.
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
Mo Foster has done a wonderful job of taking the reader into the world of the London session recording scene of the 1960's, 70's and 80's - the heyday of a thriving music industry that sadly no longer exists due to such things as piracy and lack of appreciation for true musical talent. Mo relates wonderful anecdotes of the splendid good humor the professional session player needed to survive in the whirlwind of recording dates both fantastic and banal. A must read for those who loved those times, the great players and the exceptional music they created "back in the day".
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T. Everett
5.0 out of 5 stars The history of British rock -- through the musicians' hardware.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
Originally published as "17 Watts?" in the UK and "Play like Elvis" in the U.S., this is a deluxe version of a wonderful book by British bassist Mo Foster. He's on first-name basis with many of the musicians who were present at the dawn of British rock, and is old enough to have been through the whole scene himself. The guy can write, too, and has an ear for good stories. You'll find lots of photos of well-known musicians when they were still in garage bands, and learn how really primitive conditions were for them in those days. If any of this sounds interesting to you, I wish I could give it more than five stars.
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R. Mark McDonald
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for the guitarist in all of us.
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2013
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Very informative. Love the humorous anecdotes. For anyone whose ever imagined themselves playing on stage while strumming a tennis racquet,
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Top reviews from other countries

Stephen in CH
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best behind-the-scenes looks at the heyday of the British pop recording scene
Reviewed in Germany on October 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the great age of British rock. Mo Foster, as one of the industry's most respected bassists, had access to practically every living musician who contributed to the recordings that defined an age and the book is filled with vignettes. It's the perfect coffee table book - you can open it randomly to any page and you'll learn something you didn't know (and with which you can impress your musically-inclined friends) and you'll also read a snippet that will make you smile (or bring back pleasant memories).
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Al McGain
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2012
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For those of a certain age, like myself, and who first got involved in music during the Skiffle era, this book is a must. It is a history of British rock music, centred on the electric guitar and bass, par excellence. It is very funny, for example the knowledge of early purchasers of electric guitars extended only to what they had seen on the television of the day. Amplifiers were often hidden away and there was little awareness of them. Many accidents ensued when people tried plugging their guitars directly into the mains! There are many anecdotes, especially those involving early guitarist session musicians and their interaction with 'serious' players, such as those in symphony orchestras. Much of the humour derives from the class structure that was yet to be broken down during the Sixties.

There is a lot of coverage on instruments and amplification, including the DIY efforts of early musicians who could not afford expensive imports. Younger readers would also get a lot of insight from this. Many might be surprised for example that Jimmy Page was a session musician (sometimes on middle of the road records) some time prior to Led Zeppelin.

Mo Foster draws on great experience as a session bass player and contemporary of many a famous musician. He gives a comprehensive account of several decades of British music, using great insight and humour. A great book.
3 people found this helpful
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Frank B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Been waiting for this book for ages !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
Having had the first book " 17 Watts ?" I had to have this follow up book, a great insight to my growing up and
interest in the guitar, a super read, well worth the money !!!
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E Reardon
4.0 out of 5 stars Ideal gift for musician
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2021
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This book was bought as a gift for guitarist and was well received.
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a music fan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but be careful if you own '17 Watts'...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book is most definitely a good read. However, it is really only an expanded version of the author's earlier 17 Watts book. Most of the stories and photos are identical and it's really the layout that has been changed. So, if you already have 17 watts on your bookshelf, take a look at this new book before you buy.

There is no mention of 17 Watts in this book, however in the acknowledgements section the author gives his thanks for help that he received in editing the original book and for re-scanning and copy editing the original text and restoring all of the images.
12 people found this helpful
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