Tony Allen: An Autobiography of the Master Drummer of Afrobeat Paperback – September 27, 2013

Tony Allen's autobiography (with the assistance of Michael Veal) makes an excellent read for anyone interested in the creation, development and now, global explosion of Afrobeat - the modern African musical genre. It perfectly complements the various biographies that have been written on Fela Kuti providing the inside story of the legendary drummer and co-creator of Afrobeat.

Very enjoyable and honest account of his life and music. Great musician and a great guy too -- not a too common combination. Interesting insights into the adventures with the madcap Fela Kuti as well.

Tony's life is an eventful and charmed life. I really enjoyed the parts that referenced Fela. I totally recommend this book

Tony Allen: genius. Me: another happy customer. Thanks a mil!! BLS

I’m an AfroBeat fanatic. This is great book.

The late Fela Kuti wasn't quick to credit other musicians, but when he said "There would be no Afrobeat without Tony Allen" he meant it. It was Fela who composed the often lengthy melodies, transcribed those scorning lyrics and wrote the parts for every musician in his band. All but one, that is. That one exception was his drummer Tony Allen, who was responsible for the rhythmical component of the musical phenomenon we know as Afrobeat. In some ways Tony Allen was the opposite of the flamboyant Fela. Fela was very much the front man. He liked attention and was very outspoken. Allen, however, was the "yin" part of the Afrobeat equation. Small of stature and often hardly discernible behind his drum set, he brought us the beat in Afrobeat. Making use of a subtle, but highly complicated and inimitable, style of drumming.After 50 years of playing music, of which 15 were spent working with Fela Kuti, Allen bring us his inspirational biography. Written together with Michael Veal, author of Fela Kuti's biography, this is the most accessible Afrobeat book of them all. Allen recounts his younger days and starting to use traditional African rhythms on a Western drum set. His days with Fela take up the greater part of the book. Although Fela's erratic behavior eventually led Allen to leave Africa 70, both men stayed friends and the mutual admiration for each other's musical skills remained. In recent years Allen was back in the spotlight with projects like The Good, The Bad and the Queen, Rocketjuice to The Moon and he is, of course, still performing live with his own band regularly. This biography never misses a beat, like one of Allen's hypnotic drum patterns it will suck you in to the very last page. Contains a discography and 31 photographs. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of West-African popular music.

I really enjoyed this book. Clear eyed and unvarnished look at Fela, Nigeria, and surprisingly America during the turbulent Sixties. Full of terrific insights. Just great reading.

Devo dire la verità, come probabilmente tanti acquirenti di questo libro, sono un fan di Tony Allen e del genere afrobeat in generale, per cui ovviamente ho trovato il libro molto interessante e lo ho divorato in pochi giorni. Il libro non si limita comunque al lato prettamente musicale, ma affronta anche l'evoluzione della difficile situazione politica della Nigeria a cavallo degli anni '60, '70 e '80, per cui può essere interessante anche per non batteristi o non musicisti in generale. E' ben scritto, scorrevole, e denso di informazioni riguardo l'evoluzione della situazione musicale in Nigeria e in Africa occidentale negli anni suddetti. Lo consiglio sicuramente.

An exciting story, simply told…savouring it a chapter at a time. An Afro beat enthusiast must-read. Fela and Tony= dynamite

Unfortunately I'm not as unreservedly enthusiastic about this book as every other Amazon reviewer here and in the States.It is a good book with much insight into the music scene in Africa and Fela's practices in particular. Allen is an honest storyteller and Michael Veal is a damn good writer who's turned the Allen interviews into something coherent and sensible.But, boy, by the end are you sick and tired of Allen telling you how great he is. Tedious.