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My Years with Townes Van Zandt: Music, Genius and Rage Hardcover – October 1, 2018

by Harold F. Eggers (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 89 ratings
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“Other people locked themselves away and hid from their demons. Townes flung open his door and said, 'Come on in.'” So writes Harold Eggers, Townes Van Zandt's longtime road manager and producer, in My Years with Townes Van Zandt: Music, Genius, and Rage – a gripping memoir revealing the inner core of an enigmatic troubadour, whose deeply poetic music was a source of inspiration and healing for millions but was for himself a torment struggling for dominance among myriad personal demons.

Townes Van Zandt often stated that his main musical mission was to “write the perfect song that would save someone's life.” However, his life was a work in progress he was constantly struggling to shape and comprehend. Eggers says of his close friend and business partner that “like the master song craftsman he was, he was never truly satisfied with the final product but always kept giving it one more shot, one extra tweak, one last effort.”

A vivid, firsthand account exploring the source of the singer's prodigious talent, widespread influence, and relentless path toward self-destruction, My Years with Townes Van Zandt presents the truth of that all-consuming artistic journey told by a close friend watching it unfold.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    252 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Backbeat
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    6.38 x 0.85 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1617137081
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1617137082
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Harold F. Eggers, Jr. (Austin, TX) is a music industry executive of 40 years' experience, who worked with Townes Van Zandt as road manager, business partner, and co-record producer, helping bring the songwriter's unforgettable music to live audiences across Europe and North America over a span of two decades.

L. E. McCullough is a native of Speedway, Indiana, and has worked as a journalist, musician, arts administrator, and script and stage writer with 52 books published in fiction, nonfiction, and drama. He is the author of hundreds of articles on music and the music industry. Dr. McCullough holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Backbeat (October 1, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1617137081
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1617137082
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.38 x 0.85 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
89 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

scastroclan
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Townes fans
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
A unique perspective on Townes by his long time road manager. Lots of stories I had never heard before. Worth reading.. You’ll gain new insights into who Townes was
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byrdshadow
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book so far
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2019
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This book has a real authenticity missing in other accounts of Townes' life. Having known Townes and shared living space with him, I can say that this book captures him well. A major difference is that when I knew him the self-destructive behavior depicted here was not evident. To cite just one example, in the late to early 70s he steadfastly refused to take even a single drink before a performance and every performance was skilled and riveting. But obviously somewhere along the way things got less in control. I think as time went on it became increasingly difficult to separate out true friends from sycophant enablers. My sense is that 'H' was, thankfully, not one of the latter.
10 people found this helpful
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Texas Woman
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
One of the best books about Van Zandt I have ever read. I began to understand on a deep level who he was and what he was grappling with. He appears to have had manic depression. There were no effective meds at that time. What a painful life. Yet he managed to convert that pain into a thing of beauty.
One person found this helpful
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Stan R
4.0 out of 5 stars Physical Book Binding
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
I just started the book and I think it is going to be a great read. However, page XV already came completely out of the binding and I'm only on page XXV. I'm not sure who is responsible for the book binding, the publisher is Backbeat Books, but unfortunately this is not the first book that I've purchased from Amazon that has had this problem. The binding problems I've had in the past have been with William Gibson's books. I'm a huge fan of William Gibson and Townes Van Zandt, however, I'm not a fan of inferior work product - in this case the physical book itself. I'm very dissappointed to have this problem happen with my latest purchase. I read most of my books in digital format but I still like to read physical books especially if I will be reading the book in my backyard or outdoors at cafes. I didn't submit a lower rating because I am only unhappy with the book binding not the content of the book. So far I think the book is awesome and I'm not even to page 1 yet.
2 people found this helpful
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Kathleen Hudson
5.0 out of 5 stars Eggers shares his heart and we learn about Townes
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
I knew Townes and Harold. This book is an chance to see through the eyes of someone who knew and loved Townes, Harold Eggers. As we hear the story of Townes, we also share the road with Harold, his partner in music and life. I use the book in my freshman writing class at Schreiner University, and I also use it when I give presentations on Texas music. I have a book that contains an interview with Townes, and this book by Harold enriches our understanding of Townes as well. No one can tell the story like Harold, and L.E. Mccullough has put beautiful words to these stories.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this before deciding you want to be a troubadour.
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
Fascinating insight into the world of singer/songwriters from a personal manager of one of the best.
One person found this helpful
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P. Antwerp
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019
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I have read three other books about Townes, but feel this one truly gives insight into his life. Highly recommend for any Townes fan.
4 people found this helpful
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Kathi Firns-Hubert
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, especially for a Townes fan!
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
My husband couldn't put this book down. My turn next!
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Top reviews from other countries

Underground Rockers
5.0 out of 5 stars A friend's portrait...
Reviewed in Canada on January 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book offers many insights and anecdotes missing from he other books on Townes. It is an intimate look at life on the road with the legendary song writer. I don't think it's a "scary" read, as Harold(the author)suggests in the introduction. Although I'm sure certain times were frightening for Harold, as Townes' road manager, his book reads as a standard rock biography but from the more intimate angle of a caring friend.

There could have been more details about Townes' European experience, epecially his interest in Ireland and Irish music and such, I.e a day-to-day account of the recording of "No Deeper Blue" would have been insightful, or his interest in the song writing of Shane MacGowan etc.

Im sure there is a much bigger story that the author could have revealed, yet I'm thankful for what he shared.

A good book for any Townes fan. Thanks Harold.
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tracejuno
2.0 out of 5 stars Hugely disappointing
Reviewed in Germany on November 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I was stunned that the author, a close friend and Townes van Zandt‘s road manager, had so little to say about him. A lot of this already short book is a summary of where he played when and what recordings were released. Add some biographical stuff about the author, and you can see how little room there is for what the book is advertised as. Imagine for five pages of dates and places, you get one paragraph of actual „what it was like“ feel. There are a few interesting and unheard episodes, but don’t expect much. As a very interested fan familiar with most of what has been written and released, I was bored ninety percent of the time. It just feels like something that could have been great as an intimate portrait of Townes van Zandt and really isn‘t, and this feeling of underdeveloped disappointment killed even the slightest fun.
The last few chapters about his final sessions and last days are a bit better, but it's a long 150 pages getting there. You are left to wonder why the first three quarters are not like that.
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Soundcheck Phil
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for Townes' fans
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
It is almost pointless writing a review of this book because if you know Townes Van Zandt's music you will have probably already bought it. If you've never heard of Townes (where have you been!!!) you probably arent going to buy it. For us Townes' fans though it is essential, though sometimes harrowing, reading. This is a guy who knew how to push the self-destruct button and indulge in drink and drugs in mindboggling quantities. However, this isn't one of those sensational rock-type biographies of 'excess all areas', rather it is a sympathetic look at the life and times of a genius, by someone (his road manager, business partner, friend) who is uniquely positioned to recount Townes' life and career, with some funny and sad stories. The saddest thing for me is that Townes seemed to have a death-wish and knew he would die young. The legacy he has left us, however, is unique. Well done Backbeat, by the way. A lot of music books look like they could have done with a good edit and proofread, whereas this is a well-produced book that is easy to read and has lots of great pictures. I hadn't realised that I was at Townes's last-ever gig, at the Borderline in December 1996. Where does the time go?
5 people found this helpful
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chris sables
5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate, warm and truthful.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Harold Eggers was Townes Van Zandt's road manager, friend, business partner and confidante. Townes told him to write the truth. So, with a warm heart, sadness and admiration, Harold takes us on a journey through weird night time America and Townes own dark psyche. Demons are chasing them down.
Eggers own take on Townes' artistry and craft and extraordinary songwriting ability is a real plus here. I believe he brings an insight that any Townes fan will find worth reading. He also just tells us what Townes was like. I loved this book. It has once again pushed me back into the fiery depths and coal black truth of Townes music, my reverence for Townes seems to grow with each passing year. This book has helped me understand him just that little bit more.
2 people found this helpful
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Ronny Søgård
5.0 out of 5 stars Offers something new
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is a must-read if you love Townes` music and poetry, and already read "A Deeper Blue" or "To Live`s to Fly". Harold F. Eggers jr. was Townes`road manager and friend. And this book offers something new to the Townes story. You get closer to the person Townes was on the road in this than in any other book about Townes. If you want to read a full biography about Townes, where his childhood and younger days are covered, this is not the book to start with. But if you want to know how Townes was like on the road and try to undestand some of his demons, you might want to read this book.

The book is easy read, and well written. The book also contains some pictures of Townes, Eggers and other people they knew/met on their travels across North America and Europe.
5 people found this helpful
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