written by Brad Tolinski & Chris Gill
When we think of a Rock ‘n Roll legend, we usually envision arenas packed with screaming fans and a decadent lifestyle filled with groupies, endless parties, and mansions. We don’t tend to think of a tortured artist toiling for decades in search of perfection and capturing the music they hear in their head. As authors Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill detail in this book, the toiling perfectionist label fits guitar legend Jeff Beck much better than decadent party animal. And perhaps no writers are better positioned to write about Beck than the two long-time music journalists from “Guitar World” magazine.
It’s not surprising when a list of greatest guitarists is published without Jeff Beck’s name. Always listed are Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen (about whom the two authors wrote, “Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen”). However, the writers at Rolling Stone magazine placed Beck fifth on their 2023 list, and, as foolish as it seems to try to rank great guitarists, any list omitting Beck cannot be considered legitimate. Although his long-time girlfriend, British model Celia Hammond and his wife (at the time of his death) Sandra Cash are mentioned in the book, the focus is on Jeff Beck’s never-ending search for music perfection (as if it exists), rather than any semblance of his personal life not involving music or cars.
The book does an extraordinary job of taking us on Beck’s non-linear musical journey. It’s impossible to place one label on his music or style, yet all of the following apply: rock, jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, blues, instrumental, and progressive. The authors recount Beck’s early influences, while understanding that the most effective approach is allowing Beck’s story to speak for itself. Was he a key piece of rock supergroup The Yardbirds? Well, yes, he was … and they fired him. Did he seem to prefer instrumental music? Well, yes, he did … yet he also recorded with legendary vocalist Rod Stewart, as well as many others. Has anyone ever opted NOT to join the Rolling Stones? Well, yes, Jeff Beck decided it wasn’t for him.
A (usually friendly) rivalry with Eric Clapton is understandable, as are friendships with Jimmy Page and Ronnie Wood. As the chapters passed in the book, I couldn’t help but wonder if the authors put together a flow chart of fellow musicians Beck played with, toured with, or recorded with. It’s a veritable ‘who’s who’ of music beginning in the 1960’s. We learn an early spark occurred for Beck while watching Little Richard in THE GIRL CAN’T HELP It (1956) and listening to Gene Vincent play guitar. Still, his constant drive for the sound he wanted was an internal trait that didn’t always sit well with band members and music producers, much less the labels that pushed him for mainstream/accessible songs.
Attempts to reconcile, or make sense, of Jeff Beck’s life and career are fruitless. It’s best to let the music speak … or the words on this book’s page. Beck is a man who jammed on stage with rock royalty, traded pranks with Les Paul, played with Jagger at the White House, and had a complicated history with the great Stevie Wonder over the classic song, “Superstition”. The book goes into detail on that messy situation, while ending with the confirmation that Johnny Depp was one of only two humans graveside at Beck’s burial. The two men had become close friends and recorded an album together … Beck’s last.
Authors Tolinski and Gill worked diligently to help us understand what drove Jeff Beck, and how he often created his own obstacles to success by sticking to his methods. Beck had successful solo albums (“Blow by Blow”, “Wired”), won multiple Grammy Awards, and was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with The Yardbirds, and as a solo act), yet his mainstream popularity never reached the level of his talent. Should you doubt his place as a music legend, simply take time to read the tributes paid to him upon his death by the long list of music legends you likely have on your playlist. Better yet, just take the time to read this book and appreciate the commitment Jeff Beck maintained for his art.
The book is available on AMAZON beginning July 14, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
If you are looking for a timeline of movie history compiled by one of the foremost film historians, and if you find text sprinkled with harsh opinions from a pompous expert to be an added benefit, then David Thomson has written the book for you. The British-born octogenarian has contributed thoughtful film criticism to most every major publication, and this is his 45th published book – some biographies, some based on television, most on cinema, and all with ties to the industry that supplies moving pictures for entertainment. This latest book covers the entire history from Eadward Muybridge’s galloping horses in 1887 to the Best Picture win for Sean Baker’s ANORA at the 2025 Oscars.
Alfred Hitchcock certainly earned the moniker ‘The Master of Suspense’. Through his many classic films and superb TV show, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (1955-62, 268 episodes), Hitch consistently built tension that frayed our nerves to the point that we could neither look away, nor hardly wait for the next film or episode. The list of filmmakers influenced by his work is endless, and as film lovers, we are continually drawn back to his movies due to emotions and nostalgia. While all of that remains true one hundred years after his debut feature film, the reputation of Alfred Hitchcock the man was forever changed/damaged with the unauthorized biography by Donald Spoto and the memoir of actress Tippi Hedren.
Glamour is the descriptive word that comes to mind when we think back to Hollywood’s Golden Age. The stars shone brightly in the days of Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor. However, many would agree that the brightest star and the most glamorous was Marilyn Monroe. She might also have been the most tragic. This detailed and intricately researched book from author Andrew Wilson pulls back the curtain on Marilyn’s façade of glamour, while serving up specifics about her childhood, her desire to be loved, and her recurring depression. The book may not be a traditional tribute, but in fact it serves as proof of how she struggled to overcome her personal challenges.
The Ryan Express. Tex. Nolie. However you refer to Lynn Nolan Ryan, he was without question one of the most exciting players and dominating pitchers in Major League Baseball history. Sure, he had some detractors, but few of those are knowledgeable baseball fans or among those who were lucky enough to see him pitch. Renowned sportswriter and author Tim Brown serves up plenty of ‘inside baseball’ here as it relates to Nolan’s career, yet some of the most interesting bits and pieces are in regard to Ryan as a man.
It’s possible, even likely, that I’ve been more surprised by a book than I was by this latest from Joe Pappalardo (a freelance journalist and critically acclaimed author), but I don’t recall when or by what book. While it’s understandable that many readers would initially muster little interest in a true story that took place 99 years ago in a small town located in the Texas panhandle, that’s where the surprise comes in. The Borger, Texas population may be significantly smaller now than it was then, yet the story includes politics, violence, corruption, brothels, moonshine, sports gambling, greed, and the evolution of America … many of the elements that keep us glued to the book’s pages and sometimes stunned by what we are reading.
Analyzed too closely, our fascination with serial killers could (and should) be considered disturbing. Novels, stage plays, movies, and TV series have long focused on the criminals who both frighten society and manage to long elude law enforcement. This is not referring to the demented appeal of scumbag shoot-the-CEO-in-the-back murderers with bushy eyebrows, but rather those whose intellect and psychological profiles allow them to stay one step ahead of those seeking justice – at least for a while. Included on the list would be such recognizable names as Jack the Ripper, Ed Gein, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Aileen Wuornos, and the Zodiac Killer. Capitalizing on the public’s fascination led Thomas Harris to write “Red Dragon” in 1981, his first novel featuring Hannibal Lecter. Three more Lecter novels followed, and it’s Mr. Harris’ many Lecter works, and the projects influenced by them, that drove this detailed and expertly researched book from author Brian Raftery.
As we experience this age of cinematic sequels, spinoffs, remakes, and reboots, author and historian Robert Hofler reminds us how a good story lends itself to being reimagined for different eras. He does this by taking us through the incredible history of the various film projects for A STAR IS BORN – on the 50th anniversary of the 1976 version. The book is subtitled: “The Most Filmed Hollywood Story of Love Found and Lost”.
Better late than never, right?? The TOP 10 list is now posted, and as tradition demands, I have also included some bonus films and categories so that you might find something a bit out of the comfort zone to watch periodically. I watched 231 films in 2025 and I promise you … some were as expected, some were less than expected, and some were pleasant surprises. Here is the link to the list:
For most moviegoers, what makes or breaks a particular film is a combination of the story and the characters. Not much (if any) thought goes into how the film was made, what techniques or technology was utilized, or how many folks were involved in the process. That’s OK, and in fact, it’s the goal of most filmmakers – produce a film that entertains or enlightens, while keeping the magic behind the curtain. Of course, that ‘magic’ is actually hard work by a large crew after a significant amount of planning and preparation. For those who do care about such things (cinephiles, aspiring filmmakers), this latest book from Sir Roger Deakins is one to read and one to absorb.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 