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Weighted Down

The Complicated Life of Skip Spence

Robin Spence author Cam Cobb author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Omnibus Press

Published:4th Apr '24

Should be back in stock very soon

Weighted Down cover

Foreword by Robin Spence

Skip Spence was a soldier, a rock star, a folkie, an innovator, an addict, a cult phenomenon and a ward of the state. The cast of characters in his story include some of the biggest stars in music: Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and many more. His life is the story of the Sixties - it's the story of San Francisco, the biggest bands in America and rock'n'roll mayhem. 

Although Spence spent much of his life battling addiction and mental illness, during his lucid moments he performed in several bands and is best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and as the co-founder of Moby Grape. Tracks from his cult solo album Oar has been covered by Tom Waits, Beck and Robert Plant. 

With family photos, a foreword by Robin Spence, and accounts from his friends, bandmates and family, Weighted Down is the first book to tell his story in full.

"Vast and compassionate, offering a nuanced look at Spence's life against a panoramic backdrop of Americana" MOJO

"Cobb has separated the facts from the myths [and] added warmth by involving Spence's children. 8/10" Classic Rock

"Cobb's knack of blending undisputed fact with poetic imagery shines through in this woebegone tale, balancing amphetamine-paced action with the undeniable adoration "everyone" had for the subject." 5***** Shindig!

ISBN: 9781913172183

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

304 pages