Riding So High: The Beatles and Drugs Kindle Edition

The book was good. I find that people either absolutely love the Beatles, or just hate them. I passed this onto a friend. He didn't want it because he hated the Beatles. So I found a Beatle fan to pass this onto. So far they have liked it like I did.

In focusing on the Beatles' hedonistic pursuits, this book gives great insight into the group as people rather than myths. Author skillfully weaves in stories of Beatle drug habits and experimentation into the oft-told story of the Fab Four, revealing how drugs (from nicotine to heroin) affected them as artists and human beings.The most interesting section of the book came after the group broke up, as this era hasn't been written about as extensively. This section includes many fascinating details, including Paul and Linda's various busts for pot in the 1970s; the extent of Ringo's substance abuse in the 1970s and 1980s (and how this negatively affected his marriage to Barbara Bach before they both went to rehab); details of George's hedonistic side in contrast to his spiritual yearning in the 1970s; and John's (and Yoko's) heroin use and John's "Lost Weekend."Author includes some good background material and context on the drugs the Beatles favored (among other things, I learned that heroin was originally manufactured at a Bayer plant). I've read many books on the Beatles and this is a worthy addition which many fans should find interesting and easy to read. I'm late to this party (I was surprised to see it was published some five years ago), but I'm glad the Amazon algorithm recommended it to me. I'm giving the book four stars as George and John both died too young (and I'm saving five stars for the second installment of Mark Lewisohn's Tune In).

The consumption of drugs was a big part of the individual lives of the Beatles, their music, and the music industry. Their music in turn shaped the lives of the generation who listened to their music and the generations that followed. This unique book presents what I believe is the first systematic history of what drugs the Beatles used, when, how much, and how it affected their music and lives, both during their group and afterwards.At times Goodden’s book appears to borrow heavily from interviews made by the individual members in the Beatles Anthology documentary. For a die-hard fan like myself much of the material is recognizable from other sources. Still, the book is not a simple re-hash of stories and anecdotes. I watched the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as a child and followed their career ever since. Even I, however, learned a thing or two about the Beatles. For example, John’s difficulties with heroin are well-documented. But even Paul had tried it several times, rejecting it in an act of supreme self-control, ultimately becoming a first-class cokehead, something which is clearly evident if you ever watched the Let it Be documentary. Dylan, contrary to the urban myth, was not the first person to introduce the Beatles to marijuana. There are many, many other factoids recorded in this book which are not commonly known about this sensitive subject.Goodden’s book shows both sides of this story. While initially basking in the glow and giddiness of Swingin” London in the Sixties, his book also documents how the Beatles experienced bad trips, near fatalities, mishaps, police intimidations, drug busts, incarcerations, show trials, and overdoses, some fatal, some not. The Beatles and their entourage were, after all, mere mortals like us and not immune to the dark side. Goodden has interesting stories about the more nefarious characters from that era. Again, many of these incidents are part of Beatle lore, but his book also provides other details to the lesser known escapades and figures as well as those commonly known.His book also occasionally delves into a social history of sorts, giving those who were not there an idea what it was like to be at that place, at that particular time. Least we pine about the “good ‘ol days,” the dangers of sustained or excessive use of powerful psycho-active drugs in the 1960s were not widely known or appreciated. It is quaint to witness the gusto and extent to which the individual Beatles cavalierly indulged drugs with abandon, contrasted with the inherent danger that we all know now. Goodden’s unique take on the Beatles is recommended reading for the confirmed Beatle fan and for the general reader.

Full disclosure- though we’ve never met in person I’ve known Joe Goodden “virtually” for more than seven years through his website, The Beatles Bible. Years ago, when he told us he was working on a book about The Beatles, I was intrigued because he said it was about a topic that had yet to be taken on fully. As the book was starting to take shape, he disclosed it was going to be about their use of drugs. I own over 40 books and dozens of magazines written about The Beatles. Most of them mention the band’s drug use as an aside or the influence drugs had on the music. Others focus on only one or two periods of time during which the band became “enlightened”. But I could not think of one book that focused solely on this topic. Knowing Joe’s passion for everything Beatles, my expectations were lofty. Those expectations were blown away, as was I, while reading it. It is meticulously researched, and well written. It is also brutally honest and not over the top fan-ish. The timeline begins in the pre-Beatles 1950’s, follows the band up to the breakup in 1970 and then follows each individual Beatle through their solo careers – though sadly two of the stories ended far too soon. Joe does an excellent job of explaining how and when they were exposed to which substances. Not only that, he provides background on each drug, how and why it was invented, how it was used, who was using it, etc… Since this book is written chronologically, it is a perfect companion to others that follow the same timeline of where they were travelling or what they were recording. It more than stands on its own merit, however. After reading it, I am hearing songs, reading articles and seeing the movies/videos a bit differently. It’s as if I am learning about the band all over again and experiencing some "ah-hah!" moments. I would recommend this book to any Beatles fan as well as those who wish to learn more about the cultural issues that the Beatles influenced and were influenced by. Well done, Joe! Can't wait for the next one.

A while ago I was listening to a podcast and a Beatles expert was asked which books still needed to be written about the band (considering there have been so many already). Without hesitation, she replied that she would like to see a book about the Beatles and drugs, which she felt had not been properly addressed. In this account of the Beatles and their relationship with drugs, the author attempts to discuss their drug use over the years, how they influenced them, drug references in their songs and the repercussions for them personally.We begin with the Beat poet Royston Ellis in 1960, introducing them to substances other than the usual drink and cigarettes. Of course, Hamburg saw them introduced to pills, to help them cope with the long hours and, later, there is the famous visit from Bob Dylan to their New York hotel, kick starting a love affair with cannabis (although they were aware of it earlier), and the dinner party where John and George were introduced to LSD by their dentist, who slipped it into their drinks.There are all kinds of people along the way who influenced the Beatles in their experimentation with drugs. Some are well known, others less so. I don’t think I have ever read Paul McCartney recalling how Mr Asher (Jane’s father) showed him the best way to get the best out of an inhaler before; little knowing that he had been aware of these tricks, and many more, for years. Other important influences on the Beatles included members of the Rolling Stones and Robert Fraser; particularly in the mid-Sixties.We read of the decline, and death, of Brian Epstein, and of his dependence on drugs. The introduction of heavier drugs – cocaine and heroin. The peer pressure that members of the band were under to conform to what the others were doing. By 1968, John Lennon was using heroin, and cocaine, heavily. Meanwhile, Norman Pilcher, who had already busted singers such as Donovan, had, “set his sights on bagging a Beatle.” As the band became embroiled in excessive use of drugs and addiction, the establishments attitude towards the Beatles changed and they became fair game and open to drug busts.The book continues beyond the Beatles to look at the repercussions of drugs arrests, which caused issues for the ex-Beatles. There is much about John and Harry Nilsson in the Seventies, of his immigration issues and his lost weekend. Meanwhile, Paul was busted throughout the Seventies, culminating in his arrest in Japan. George and Ringo also struggled with addiction, with Ringo eventually emerging from alcoholism.This is an interesting read. I knew much of what was within the book; although there were odd nuggets that were less familiar to me. Overall, this addresses an important part of the Sixties counter culture, which influenced all of the Beatles in different ways. It shows how drug use changed not only the Beatles music, but the relationships within the band, between the various members and those who worked for, or with, them, and the influence of the women in their life. A good addition to my Beatles bookshelves.

Does not cast moral judgment but doesn't advocate their use.Correctly identifies cigarettes and alcohol as the most long term and unavoidable issues to both the beatles and society.Pot and speed as relitively benign but at times a serious problem to the band.LSD as a massive influence but to some destructive drug.Coke and Herion to be some to the most destructive things to happen even to more tolerant band members.I was impressed by the research and scope but I feel there were some events skimmed over, probably for lack of sourcing. Some areas that relied on unreliable testimony, but with such illegal activities this may be inevitable. And some of the data is interpreted by the author in ways I think are not the more reasonable conclusion and protect certain individuals.That said it is so well written that I can't help but respect it and the work of the author. Hopefully it will open the door to further discussion and revelation

Like others I've read most of the top rated Beatles books there is, and when I saw this one pop up for £2 for the Kindle edition I decided to give it a go.Really glad I did. As others have said it's very easy to read and is well researched. Obviously theres alot of stuff here that's been known for years but it's all framed in such a way that even when you're reading quotes you've read/heard before it feels new.The only slight criticism is that I'm so used to the Beatles story following a linear chronology that it sometimes gets jarring when the focus of the book is drugs as it can jump to different timelines. For instance, in one paragraph it might be talking about the White Album, and then jumps back to Revolver or Sgt. Pepper. Doesn't happen very often though, but when it does it's noticeable. A means to an end I suppose when discussing something that isn't the albums or music really.

There are so many Beatles books out there. However, Goodden has carved his niche by documenting the literal highs and lows of each of the Beatles. Yes, there is much here that is known but Goodden is still able to mine rich new material, exploring the Beatles legacy in a fresh way. Goodden also writes about a controversial topic in a sensitive and meaningful way. Excesses of rock stars from the 1960s onwards are not glorified but used as examples of how people who had everything could sink so low, yet still come through the other side of addiction. This is particularly poignant in Ringo's case at the end of the book. Highly recommended!

What an insightful book, having read it I marvel at how anyone managed to make any music at all let alone great music. The book does not glamorise the use of drugs in the least, in fact quite the opposite. It is a factual account of the people, the culture, the changing era, why and how it all happened and the effects it had on people's lives. The book gave me a whole different take on the Beatles and their history, and that is perhaps the best way to accept this book, as being privy to their hidden history, a behind the scenes look into the Beatles day to day life style and how and why it developed from their earliest struggling days to their highly stressful fame and success. This is not a judgmental book, it tells it how it was and is a good read for anyone who wants an insight into those times.