Let The Good Times Roll - Kenney Jones

Kenney Jones’ voice is delightful - I can hear it through his words, laughing at some of the memories, reminiscing about antics, friendships, good times and bad times. He’s such a candid storyteller, a bit of a rambler at times, making this autobiography a refreshing read.

Kenney Jones, for those who don’t know, found fame as the drummer of Small Faces, and then Faces, and after the death of his good friend Keith Moon, drummer for The Who until they split. Kenney is a born and raised East End boy, and basically born a Mod. His autobiography is the story of where he came from, how he got into music and the drums in particular, how his bands made a name for themselves, and so much more! We learn loads of fun anecdotes about life in the days when audiences were a set of screaming female fans, when trashing hotel rooms was the norm, and when everyone was friends with everyone in the scene and beyond. And then so much more than that! Kenney has done so much in his life, made music with so many people, and has so many stories to tell that Let The Good Times Roll is just a joy to read.

It does jump around a bit at times, I understand why - he likes to tell a particular story until the end - but timeline wise it messes with you sometimes. All in all it makes the book seem less polished than a typical autobiography, but in a good way in my opinion: you feel like you are sitting at a table at Kenny’s local enjoying a few pints and a good old wander down memory lane.

I really enjoyed Let The Good Times Roll ­– it was great to have a view of bands that I love from one of the members, to hear all about a scene I was way too young to be part of but wish I could have been, and also just to read about other famous musicians I admire in a different way, from a friend’s point of view rather than a biographer’s or music journalist’s eye.

I’m going to watch Live Aid again now that I’ve finished the book! And will be focusing on the drummer this time when The Who’s set starts!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!

(Also, as a personal note, the Meher Baba references in the book took me back to my own childhood, our trip to India in 1993, and Pete Townshend singing Meher Baba’s prayer. It’s funny because most people have no idea what I’m talking about when I mention his name, but he is a huge reference to my own childhood, and it was interesting to revisit that through the autobiography of a musician!).