As our review from August 2011 notes, Bobby Hassall's "Backstage" is a Pink Floyd book with a difference. From the faux "backstage pass" front cover, the memorabilia-strewn back cover, and the staging schematics just inside the cover, it is a fascinating look at life on the road as he follows Pink Floyd's 1989 Another Lapse tour, Knebworth 1990, and, now in this new edition, the 1994 Division Bell tour in Europe. Initial attempts to jump fences and dodge security to see the shows ended with Hassall being "adopted" by the stage crew and even ending up working with them!
From the outset, Hassall's book draws you in and absorbs. Clearly written by a fan, for fans, the style is conversational and first person in perspective. As each situation presents itself, and the author manages to make each "blag" further into the live show, you feel his sense of astonishment and thrill at his achievements. Part diary, part scrapbook, and part narrative, Hassall brings the reader into each situation and the various elements (including his numerous backstage/operational pictures) all come together well. In addition, Hassall includes some interesting technical drawings and details gleaned from key members of the road crew - such as the lighting rig details, and the make-up of the whole Venice staging operation - that flesh out the book nicely.
The original version of the book found favour with David, Richard and Nick, as Hassall found when he approached the Floyd's then-manager, the late Steve O'Rourke. Whilst orders for the physical paper edition are still being taken directly through the publishers, www.mindheadpublishing.co.uk, an eBook version has now been created for the Amazon Kindle format - and (certainly on the UK store) it can be bought for a bargain price of just £1.92 in the UK, and similarly ridiculous bargain prices elsewhere! Click here to buy from Amazon UK
