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Been So Long: My Life and Music

Written by:
Jorma Kaukonen

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
5
Narrator
1
Release Date
August 28, 2018
Duration
10 hours 1 minute
Summary
*This program includes a foreword written and read by Grace Slick, and an afterword written and read by Jack Casady*

From the man who made a name for himself as a founding member and lead guitarist of Jefferson Airplane comes a memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of a musical genius—and a vivid journey through the psychedelic era in America.

“Music is the reward for being alive,” writes Jorma Kaukonen in this candid and emotional account of his life and work. “It stirs memory in a singular way that is unmatched.” In a career that has already spanned a half century—one that has earned him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, among other honors—Jorma is best known for his legendary bands Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. But before he won worldwide recognition he was just a young man with a passion and a dream.

Been So Long is the story of how Jorma found his place in the world of music and beyond. The grandson of Finnish and Russian-Jewish immigrants whose formative years were spent abroad with his American-born diplomat father, Jorma channeled his life experiences—from his coming-of-age in Pakistan and the Philippines to his early gigs with Jack Casady in D.C. to his jam sessions in San Francisco with Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and other contemporaries—into his art in unique and revelatory ways.

Been So Long charts not only Jorma’s association with the bands that made him famous but goes into never-before-told details about his addiction and recovery, his troubled first marriage and still-thriving second, and more. Interspersed with diary entries, personal correspondence, and song lyrics, this memoir is as unforgettable and inspiring as Jorma’s music itself.

This program includes live bonus music.
Reviews
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Pat M.

This is my first audiobook! My hard copy is on loan to a friend and just like my 3 vinyl albums of Quah, may never come back. Guitar players including myself gravitated towards Jorma. I remember trying to learn "Genesis" and others by being able to queue up the album without stopping it. I think even Jorma's closest friends found things in this book they never knew. Having Jorma narrate his own works along with Grace Slick and Jack Cassidy was icing on the cake for me. Bravo Jorma!

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