A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Love Expresso on September 11, 2010, 09:39:28 PM

Title: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Love Expresso on September 11, 2010, 09:39:28 PM
Hi,

The first parts of the introduction are available via download from  Jack's site:

http://www.jacksonni.com/ (http://www.jacksonni.com/)

The audio download is about 22 minutes long and contains more paragraphs  than the online-print-version. Mark is mentioned in a friendly way and described as a good friend. Jack is able to put a nice "cliffhanger" at the end to let the question come up how all this rock n roll hype could vanish so fast out of his life. I am very curious about the book and about further updates. Interesting, have a look!

LE
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: sweetsurrender on September 12, 2010, 07:12:19 AM
LE,

Thanks soooo much !! I enjoyed reading the excerpt and the rest of what he wrote on his site.  IMO, Jack brought with him a great energy to DS with his undaunting showy personality.  I would prefer that he didn't refer Mark as his "Boss" Sound a little too cynical to me.  WELL .....?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Love Expresso on March 27, 2011, 12:01:36 PM
After several references in the last few days (at Guy's forum f.e.) I revisited Jack Sonni's page but did not find any update of the book or anything. I thought about it and realized that he himself gives the answer to all his "problems" of being "sacked" by using the term "Fame". When he really rates his time with Dire Straits as his "15 minutes of fame", then it is clear to me that he had other expectations from playing guitar in a band than Mark had or still has. Just look and listen carefully to the great BBC documentary lately and get all answers you want to have to this issue. Maybe someone should send Jack a copy...

LE
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Tally on March 27, 2011, 03:48:09 PM
I look forward to reading more about this. I can certainly see this from Jack's angle, and of course that year was his 15 minutes of fame, propelled into superstardom and a world class act from obscurity. That doesn't mean that he wasn't a musician first. MK's views on this are probably more extreme than typical of rock stars (MK never really was one). I wouldn't say we should 'blame' Mark for Jack's feelings, but it seems that he was expecting a call from Mark, and Mark mentions Jack on the Mandela gig, so he wasn't out the picture at than point.

What Jack could have done, I suppose, was trying to get another gig/band to work with after the tour. But then, he probably saw himself as part of the biggest band in the world and so I guess it did not seem natural for him to do that.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on March 28, 2011, 11:34:02 AM
I remember a thread on Jack's Facebook page a while back where he casually mentioned that Eric Clapton invited him to join his band, but he didn't finish the BiA tour in time.

He mentioned an offer with someone else that he couldn't accept for some reason, possibly Stevie Wonder but I can't remember.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on March 28, 2011, 06:10:07 PM
One day at the top, the day after at the bottom line.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on March 31, 2011, 01:28:35 AM
Jack and Mark were friends before the BIA tour, I
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Banjo99uk on March 31, 2011, 03:52:57 AM
It may be a case of the old saying that business and pleasure do not mix.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on March 31, 2011, 12:31:40 PM
It may be a case of the old saying that business and pleasure do not mix.

A very wise saying, and one I certainly try live by. Never involve friends and family in business unless you have to. And if you have to, make a contract specifying all the terms. Then everybody knows what's going on. Speaking of contract, here's Guy's reply to a question on the forum:

"We were all simply hired musicians for that tour. There was nothing in any contract to say there was more afterwards and however you look at it, Mark moved on. No-one was sacked, just not asked back. That's the world of the professional musician."

Not very difficult, is it?
 
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Tally on March 31, 2011, 01:10:10 PM
It may be a case of the old saying that business and pleasure do not mix.

A very wise saying, and one I certainly try live. Never involve friends and family in business unless you have to. And if you have to, make a contract specifying all the terms. Then everybody knows what's going on. Speaking of contract, here's Guy's reply to a question on the forum:

"We were all simply hired musicians for that tour. There was nothing in any contract to say there was more afterwards and however you look at it, Mark moved on. No-one was sacked, just not asked back. That's the world of the professional musician."

Not very difficult, is it?

Perhaps not, but when you've played in a band for a year and is best friends with the bad leader, it's not odd that you start seeing yourself as part of the band rather than being just the hired help.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on March 31, 2011, 02:16:17 PM
"We were all simply hired musicians for that tour. There was nothing in any contract to say there was more afterwards and however you look at it, Mark moved on. No-one was sacked, just not asked back. That's the world of the professional musician."
 

Well, Guy was a hired musician that became MK's friend.

Jack was a friend that became a hired musician.

I can understand very easily the Jack
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on March 31, 2011, 05:08:08 PM
Sure, feelings are feelings, even Guy said it in the Show Me How to Play video (I think), that it was kind of crazy to see Mark and John rake in a lot of money during the tour, whereas he (and the rest of the touring band) got paid a musician's salary according to the contract, which apparently wasn't that great. But business (contract) is business, and as long as the terms of the contract are fulfilled, no one can complain. But that he was left in a great emotional vaccuum (oh, man ... Dr Ruth next?) is understandable.

However, come to think of it, I don't think Jack did anything special during the tour. He added some life maybe with the silly sunglasses and using no shoes at times, but sometimes it was really corny. I mean, look at Live Aid. It's like a band of electronics engineers + Elton John ... His whole rockstar approach just seemed out of place.

Another thing is that relationships change over the years. People move on, move places, get new interests, and contact becomes more infrequent, just like for all people. Maybe Mark and Jack were very good friends, but when they did On Every Street, it's probable that things could have changed. We're talking five years after the Brothers tour, Mark had done a lot of things, DS was inactive, Mark had kids, etc.

To me it isn't obvious that Jack should have been asked back. And that he now starts to "whine" about it is pretty pathetic I think. He should start talking about himself as a touring musician, not a rockstar. Then maybe reality would be easier to cope with.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jakehadlee on March 31, 2011, 09:57:59 PM


To me it isn't obvious that Jack should have been asked back. And that he now starts to "whine" about it is pretty pathetic I think. He should start talking about himself as a touring musician, not a rockstar. Then maybe reality would be easier to cope with.

I didn't get the impression he was whining about how he was treated - thought he was quite honest about how difficult it was to be thrown into such a weird, high-profile position unexpectedly, then to have to suddenly go back to normality. Don't think he's blaming MK. It's an experience that would probably mess any of us up - celebrity, even vicarious celebrity - is a weird place to be and no-one ever seems to come out the same.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on March 31, 2011, 10:13:18 PM
"Whine" is probably not the right word. When you read the excerpts and also his blog posts, he does come across as bit bitter or feeling sorry for himself though. Whether that is caused by failed expectations or just having to deal with coming back to normal life is anyone's guess. Maybe the rest of the book will shed more light on that. However, it is 25 years since the he was involved with DS, and that's why I think this sulking poor-me kind-of tone is a bit out of place. One would think that he'd be over it by now and could have related the story in a more light-hearted way.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 01, 2011, 11:34:43 AM
Jack and Mark were friends before the BIA tour, I
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 01, 2011, 01:20:53 PM
I hope the book sees the light of day soon, I
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jacksonni on April 04, 2011, 12:31:36 AM
Greetings Gents -

I received an invitation from J to chime in on the discussion so here goes!

First of all, thanks for the interest in the book. It
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: shangri la 1 on April 04, 2011, 03:57:30 AM
Welcome to AMIT Jack.  :) Your reply has IMHO cleared the air in this thread. We often speculate about why this or that happened, and to hear it strait
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Pottel on April 04, 2011, 06:40:23 AM
nice start (i sure as hell hope there will the odd post more) here Jack, let me say i am pretty proud about you posting on here, our little MK and related forum.
I for one did not like the WWE outro, but liked various other parts you played.
how far are you with your book, and, disregarding the publisher issue, when would you be able to release it?
Also, how do you remember your stay down under, and especially that famous (also amongst fans, coz of the various good bootlegs from it) last show in sydney?
Also, ever bothered to listen to your own work afterwards? i mean, did you ever get the chance to listen to the better sounding bootleg (there are some great ones out there, like the aforementioned Sydney one)
man, so many questions popping up now, that is why i wrote that first sentence avout me hoping you stay for a few more posts.
oh yeah, one more, was the travelling on that tour as comfortable as it looks these days, with Mark's private jet?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Love Expresso on April 04, 2011, 08:01:46 AM
Thank you very much for clearing up things, Jack, and welcome to this forum! Would be great to have you posting more! Looking forward to your book now!  ;)

LE
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 04, 2011, 08:14:12 AM
Welcome to AMIT Jack. :)

Just to let you know, this forum was established by a group of fans as a place to talk freely about our love of Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler solo music, after being censored by the powers that be at some of the "official" forums. So as long as it's not offensive, libellous etc, we have freedom of speech here - not always the case on other sites.

I would like to propose establishing a Jack Sonni sub-forum ("Jack's Place? or whatever you would like it called) where you could chat and answer questions from your fans without having to trawl through all the other crap that gets posted on here. ;) Just let us know if you would be willing and we'll make it happen. :)

So much in your post but I'll just say

1. I can't wait for the book, however it gets out there

2. I liked all the "goofing off" etc, as great as MK is as a musician, he certainly isn't an extrovert and I think the fans will always latch on to someone who is willing to put a bit of effort in onstage, you can see that with the reaction Danny Cummings gets onstage in the current band.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: superval99 on April 04, 2011, 09:51:33 AM
Welcome to AMIT, Jack.   I'm looking forward to hearing more from you!     :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Rollergirl on April 04, 2011, 12:12:38 PM
Greetings Gents -

and ladies, don't forget the ladies  ;D

Looking forward to the book, I like your writing style
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: superval99 on April 04, 2011, 12:16:04 PM
Greetings Gents -

and ladies, don't forget the ladies  ;D


Yes, there are a few of us here, but now outnumbered by 4:1!    :o
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 04, 2011, 12:40:52 PM
Being my fave DS guitarist I can't explain how much I am happy to read from you here.

Unfortunately I was too young to attend the real show but thank to recordings I can enjoy your great licks being an excellent counterpoint to Marks playing. And your final solo during WWE give me shivers down my spine.

I had the chance to read an extensive interview you gave a few years ago so I am waiting for you book to be published with great expectations. Maybe a subscription scheme could work to help it to see the light?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: boboDS on April 04, 2011, 03:55:44 PM
Hi Jack and welcome to the forum!!
First of all, I think (but I may be wrong of course) there are probably not many fan forums where the actual "heros" post, so a big thank you that you found some time and posted here among us "ordinary people - fans". (I mean it's big for me, maybe not all the people feel the same... :)

I find some information of your post very very interesting (especially the recording of Brothers and "for the record", but all of it really), and I am also happy that it is not just some fan speculation, but a first-hand "experience".

Btw. loved the Wild West End solo, and I think you maybe forgot to mention the Two Young Lovers solo - which I loved too.

Looking forward to your book!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 04, 2011, 04:21:56 PM
Hi Jack and welcome to the forum!!
First of all, I think (but I may be wrong of course) there are probably not many fan forums where the actual "heros" post, so a big thank you that you found some time and posted here among us "ordinary people - fans". (I mean it's big for me, maybe not all the people feel the same... :)

I agree entirely. Thanks for posting here Jack. It means a lot to us.

I hope you do stick around and post, I'd like to learn more about what you did after DS - I think you were involved in setting up Line 6?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Waterline Man on April 04, 2011, 04:27:29 PM
Greetings Gents -

and ladies, don't forget the ladies  ;D

Looking forward to the book, I like your writing style

I feel a drool coming on ladies :o :o

Welcome Jack 8),legends are always welcome on the forum - Dusty & Pottel will testify to that ::).When I think of my early DS memories I cant get the picture of you dancing barefoot around the stage out of my head.
AMIT is going from strength to strength & long may it do so 8)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Rollergirl on April 04, 2011, 05:07:37 PM
I feel a drool coming on ladies :o :o
eeeeerrr, excuse me, we are capable of much more than just drooling, we can also talk about guitars and knobs.




Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 04, 2011, 05:33:51 PM
knobs.


Snigger.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Rollergirl on April 04, 2011, 06:01:00 PM
I feel a drool coming on ladies :o :o
eeeeerrr, excuse me, we are capable of much more than just drooling, we can also talk about guitars and knobs.

and I'll prove it.. so. girls which guitar is your favourite, the red one or the metally looking thingie?

and about knobs: there is volume knobs, some other kind of buttons that do other things and of course we have Dusty  ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: superval99 on April 04, 2011, 06:05:50 PM
Personally, I like the brown one with the switch thingy that looks a bit like a dummy near the top!    ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Rollergirl on April 04, 2011, 06:07:15 PM
Personally, I like the brown one with the switch thingy that looks a bit like a dummy near the top!    ;D

oh yeah! good one Val!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Waterline Man on April 04, 2011, 06:25:49 PM
I feel a drool coming on ladies :o :o
eeeeerrr, excuse me, we are capable of much more than just drooling, we can also talk about guitars and knobs.

and I'll prove it.. so. girls which guitar is your favourite, the red one or the metally looking thingie?

and about knobs: there is volume knobs, some other kind of buttons that do other things and of course we have Dusty  ;D

Dusty ;) & knob in the one sentence,yer getting there girls,keep it going :o :o
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 05, 2011, 02:14:01 PM
Jack, is great to read you here...

Have you ever thought about release a digital version of your book in pdf, before it gets published?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 05, 2011, 06:05:15 PM
knobs.


Snigger.

I don't know what sniggers means

So I goggled it on imoage search (sometime better than a long explanation loke for knobs for example)

And I got that result

snniger on Google image search (http://www.google.fr/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn.buzznet.com/media/jj1//2009/09/beckham-animal/victoria-beckham-animal-print-15.jpg&imgrefurl=http://chelseanataliex.xanga.com/711848627/victoria-beckhams-orange-animal-print-mini-rate-out-of-10/&usg=__-7UgowFMNzJQIY_RJoO7E89yYxM=&h=1222&w=815&sz=201&hl=fr&start=8&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=rUu4kkl60b2MHM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSnigger%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26tbm%3Disch&ei=hzybTZ2VJ46WOpyuof4G)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 05, 2011, 06:18:57 PM
Very nice. A snigger is just a small laugh. :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: knopfling on April 05, 2011, 07:15:53 PM
Hi Jack, wonderful to have you here and to have you answer so many of our questions.

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 05, 2011, 08:30:17 PM
Very nice. A snigger is just a small laugh. :)

Well I could not tell it was a snigger I had when watching the picture.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jacksonni on April 19, 2011, 05:57:52 PM
Thanks for such a warm welcome to the forum and the kind words...and serious apologies to the ladies for lack of acknowledging their presence here!

getting ready to do some traveling again but will check in when I can. Please feel free to ask any questions...if any of you are on Facebook, hit me up with a friend request anytime.

with regards to the question of self-publishing/ebook form for the memoir. I had not given it much serious thought until recently because I found a great lit agent quickly and the initial reaction to the writing & story were so positive...but the book publishing industry is in the same disarray as the music business it seems so looking into making an ebook available...stay tuned!!

thanks again & looking forward to chatting more.

be well, hug them while you can & let it rock!

jack
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 19, 2011, 06:15:21 PM
With the advent of Kindles and the like, ebooks seem to be much more viable now. I don't have one but can read ebooks on my smartphone, I'm sure many others are the same.

Nice as a "real" book is I assume that it would be easy to set up a direct system where a much higher share of my cash goes to the author, ie you. :) I'd certainly be happier with that than a massive chunk going to publishers, or Walmart or whoever. :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 19, 2011, 11:37:16 PM
A digital release look like a good solution, but I
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Fletch on April 20, 2011, 03:44:10 AM
Love the comments here. It must be nigh on impossible to try and live a normal, balanced life after being on such a high. No wonder so many turn to drugs etc and screw themselves! Well done for survivng Jack, I hope the book makes it to print, I prefer 'real' books!  :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 21, 2011, 10:10:45 AM
There is the subcription scheme also, when enough order are reached then it can go to print.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Tally on April 22, 2011, 02:54:19 PM
I was just on Jack's webpage and saw the MFN clip from Wembley. It struck me that one of the reasons the version from that tour always sounded a bit different must be because of Jack's energetic rhtym playing. I quite like it.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 22, 2011, 06:40:29 PM
Jack Sonni was one of the reasons why the band really rocked during that world tour, doesnt matter how amateur he was before joining the band, his perfomance was great and not only playing guitar  ;D

I missed him during the last DS tour  :(
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ARII on April 27, 2011, 11:08:03 AM
New to this forum but love the debates and DS memories that they inspire. On Jack's DS experience, I really think that you'd have to really connect to MK creatively to stay in the band, particularly as a guitar player. Let's face it his other guitar players didn't last long, and most genius song-writers have a close relationship with their lead guitar player. For MK he was both and connected more creatively with the key boarders and production guys, Guy, Chuck etc.....

Met Mark in 1987 as his cleaning lady was also cleaning a friend of mines house in Notting Hill, and Eric Clapton's, (my friend was MK's neighbour and he invited us for a cup of tea) ..... he was incredibly nice, but you could tell that he was obsessed with new styles, creative directions , playing with other guitarists etc.....maybe this was part of the reason that Jack wasn't involved in the recording of OES and tour.  Also, he could have turned up for Mandela stuff, I know he'd had twins but I'm sure MK was the sort of guy you'd have to continuously connect with, be near, ensure that he didn't fly off in a different direction. You also had the great Paul Franklin on the OES Album/Tour so there was a different dynamic and appreciation required from the rythm guitarist and Phil certainly had the experience of many styles and band interactions.....Let's face it the BIA Tour was much rawer than the OES sound, but it terms of technical excellence the OES Band was immensely gifted.

Not sure if Jack would agree & cannot wait for the book.....Love the forum and hope more interesting items are discussed soon...ARII
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: superval99 on April 27, 2011, 11:30:24 AM
Welcome to this great forum ARII!    What a lovely story!    :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ARII on April 27, 2011, 12:40:59 PM
Yeah, she was a Phillipino lady, very nice too (apologies if I spelt P'pino wrong, no offence...) . She got me backstage after the Earls Court Gig (one of them) on the OES Tour, but it was really quite dull. Massive room, but only 5 strangers and Tomothy Dalton were there, plus the 6 of us she invited....Mark had food-poisoning, but Guy, John, and I think Danny were there doing the DS Courtesy bit. I was 20 yrs old and remember thinking that I was really heading to a rock & roll party when the gig ended, but it was canopes and a very bored James Bond drinking alone....Quite sad but I guess DS weren't hugely Rock & Roll off stage at least.....I'll ask Guy Fletcher if he spoke to Dalton that night on his forum..

Best Live Set for the record (in order they should be played)

Ride Across the River - Farewell to Aus
Expresso Love - San Antonio '85
Industrial Disease - Adelaide '86
So far Away (Toss up between Wembley '85 (for the most excellent outro solo, and calypso vers FTA but going for former as I've heard other too many times recently)
What it Is - Shangri-La Tour (Boston/RAH either)
Romeo & Juliet - OTN Basel (superb)
Sultans (oh this is very tricky, but have to go with RAH '96 for outro and mid solos, awesome MK axe)
Done with Bonapart - GF on Guitar and all,, Boston 2005 SGL
Goldenheart - A night in London
Je suis desole - as above
TOL - San Ant/Houston '86 (the one with solo missing (cannot recall whhich king biscuit gig it is) has better backing vocals on chorus actually but they sliced off the solo (criminal offence)
Brothers - Wembley '85 for the high paced outro solo, incredible stuff
Going Home -A night in london (Electra Strings make it sweet as....)

Oooppps, forgot the Walk of Life .......Somewhere at the start - Live in Basel 92 (the one where MK has yellow shirt....it rocks and he has such presence with crowd in that gig)
Enjoy....ARII

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 27, 2011, 02:54:12 PM
Great story about Dalton - and of course he is playing Romeo and Juliet in his car in Hot Fuzz!

Welcome. :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Pottel on April 27, 2011, 03:23:23 PM
Tol was way better in uniondale, i'm gonna stick to that!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: knopfling on April 27, 2011, 07:33:28 PM
Arii, welcome, and thanks for the stories.
Timothy Dalton is very good on "Chuck" this year. Glad to know he's interested in MK.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ARII on April 28, 2011, 01:45:36 PM
OK, never seen Hot Fuss or Chuck but will check them out. He was certainly my least favourite James Bond with Sean Connery top:

1. Sean Conn
2. Rog Moore
3. Pierce Bros
4. George Lazenby
5. Dan Craig
6. Tim Dalton

It's th eroyal wedding in London and it's like Xmas Eve in the office, so anyone feel free to offer Top Bond lists......or Top MK Solo's (trying to work out some of the more difficult parts of Telegraph Road this weekend, but kind of lose the thread late on....somehow (even though I have the music books....I can't get the same note to sound the same way as MK...it's incredibly annoying actually. ) ???
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on April 28, 2011, 02:15:22 PM
Casino Royale Wedding? The Spy Who Wedded Me? Dr Yes, I Do? London Eye?

Of the Bond girls, Maud Adams was my favorite. Good grief, she was hot.

Did we digress again?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 28, 2011, 03:21:47 PM
My favourite Bond girl was teh one that turned out to be a bloke. ;)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on April 28, 2011, 03:34:06 PM
Grace Jones?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 28, 2011, 04:07:38 PM
Ha. Was thinking of this guy.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/bondgirl.asp
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Waterline Man on April 28, 2011, 11:39:45 PM
My favourite Bond girl was teh one that turned out to be a bloke. ;)

are you sure it wasnt this one ::) ::)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104036/
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: IrisRose on April 29, 2011, 06:07:15 AM
Sean Connery and only Sean Connery, with Pierce Brosnan a decent substitute.   But really, only Connery.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on April 29, 2011, 07:22:26 AM
Sean Connery and only Sean Connery, with Pierce Brosnan a decent substitute.   But really, only Connery.

Agree. I'm not a great Bond anyway, the movies are just too silly, but Connery was above them all. Muscht have been hisch Schcottischnesch.

I saw one of the last ones with Daniel Craig. Think he did a very good job, except the film didn't feel like Bond ... More like any decent action movie. Might have to do with the fact that Craig is as cool as a refrigerated cucumber and that his Bond movies are completely void of the charm that marked at least the earlier Bond movies. But give me Jason Bourne anytime.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Pottel on April 29, 2011, 10:34:24 AM
dude dusty, that is one pretty bond girl...darrn,.....
what has been seen cannot be unseen....
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 29, 2011, 11:41:17 AM
I like the current Daniel Craig, Casino Royale is excellent, Quantum of Solace is pretty good.

I hope that if the Jason Bourne saga reach the 2x number they still be able to deliver some as good as the Bonds ones currently are.
The Bonds of the 60's were much easer to make.



Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dmg on April 29, 2011, 12:46:57 PM
I like the current Daniel Craig, Casino Royale is excellent, Quantum of Solace is pretty good.

I hope that if the Jason Bourne saga reach the 2x number they still be able to deliver some as good as the Bonds ones currently are.
The Bonds of the 60's were much easer to make.

The older films were indeed not easier to make as they did not involve the filmakers sitting at a computer during postproduction!  Instead they relied on proper technicians, stuntmen and craftsmen on the scene at the time - proper filmakers.  The sort of people who unfortunately we seem to no longer have.  Remember there is a huge difference between an enjoyable film and a critically good one.

QoS was not a good film either, the action not slowing down for long enough for any story to develop and the action scenes having too many unnecessary fast cuts.  It rips off many of the older bond films too and the villian wears a Hawaiian shirt!  How menacing is that!! ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 29, 2011, 03:51:40 PM
When I say easier this is not about technique but the way of presenting the character, finding interesting idea, story...

Hitchcock did not shot a North By Northwest 2 because everything was said in the first one. For Jason Bourne episode 21 will there still be an interesting plot available?



 
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dmg on April 29, 2011, 04:39:21 PM
Coincidence that North By Northwest is my favourite film of all time.  Must have seen it over 100 times.

Bourne/Bond and NBN are surely different genre though and cannot be compared?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 29, 2011, 06:31:06 PM
Am I wrong or this topic was about "ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni"?

 ??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 29, 2011, 07:39:02 PM
Am I wrong or this topic was about "ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni"?

 ??? ??? ??? ???

Correct it was



Before



But it is a little different now




Will you report?



Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 29, 2011, 07:51:22 PM
Yes, I will report, inmediatly to the Guy
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: ds1984 on April 29, 2011, 07:56:06 PM
We could ask him who/what is his prefered Jame Bond?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 29, 2011, 08:10:49 PM
We could ask him who/what is his prefered Jame Bond?

Or open a new thread out of the MK discussion one, where we can discuss about James Bond and ask him to join us  ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 29, 2011, 09:04:29 PM
http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php/topic,1818.0.html (http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php/topic,1818.0.html)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 29, 2011, 10:33:45 PM
Jack Sonni has a legendary sense of humour and I'm also willing to bet that he has watched a Bond film at some point, therefore it's on topic. :)

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on April 29, 2011, 11:16:44 PM
I´m going to ask him if he likes Woody Allen movies, so we can talk about them in this thread  ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Rollergirl on April 30, 2011, 12:45:36 PM
Am I wrong or this topic was about "ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni"?

 ??? ??? ??? ???

That's what is great about AMIT, the conversations evolve.

And I prefer Pierce Brosnan, I don't care much about James Bond and I don't even know if he was a good James Bond or not, I just like to look at him  ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: sweetsurrender on May 02, 2011, 06:29:31 AM
rollergirl,

You and I must have the same taste for men.  Pierce Brosnan sure is HOT !! I like him played James Bond more than anybody else.  I do  not like that Craig guy at all. 
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on May 05, 2011, 06:31:29 PM
I thought about something better...

Why about ask Jack things we always wanted to know? If he doesnt came over here, we can use his facebook to let him know we are asking questions  ;)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jacksonni on May 14, 2011, 05:34:11 PM
this is too funny!! and a welcome departure from always chatting about DS...but having said that, feel free to ask any questions about that time of my life....

OK....could be because I grew up with him in the role and as a kid thought there was NO ONE cooler...Sean Connery will always be James Bond to me...and the Bond Girls from that era were beyond superb especially to a 12 yr old girl crazy boy! I sat directly behind him at a Billy Connolly show in LA a few years back and his presence is incredible....even staring at the back of head was a thrill!!

Woody Allen is one of my all-time favorite directors/writers. So many great films but "Deconstructing Harry" is my fave. It's brilliant and I have to watch it once every 6 months.

And just for the record..."Fawlty Towers" "Fistful of Traveler's Checks" & "The Office" rank amongst my top five all time fave comedies.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on May 14, 2011, 11:50:52 PM
Hello Jack,

It's really cool that you take the time to come on here and share your personal thoughts on different subjects. Even that Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler were the obvious gateways for us to you, it is really precious to get to know the people who are and were in connection with that great band. Many of us in this forum also post questions to Guy Fletcher on his website, often related to DS and Mark, but often personal questions as well. That he, and now you, bother to answer is much appreciated. So, just wanted to say thank you.

I have two questions for you (not DS related). My first impression is that you are a blues/rock n roll guy. What other types of music do you listen to? When you pick up a guitar at home, what kind of music do you like to play?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Fletch on May 15, 2011, 12:03:37 PM
"..even staring at the back of his head was a thrill!".    Ha ha! :)

I REALLY love the British series The Office, I watch it at least once every year. Its brutally painful and funny at the same time and the characters are timeless. So many quotable moments.... " I don't do sloppy seconds..." :o
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on May 15, 2011, 05:11:47 PM
"The Office", english and original version, hmmm, I'm not sure if thats a comedy or a terror tv show... I have a very very bad time every time I watch one of the episodes. When you see whats he
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Love Expresso on May 15, 2011, 07:35:44 PM
Jack, if you don't mind I would indeed ask you a question about MK today: Do you know his recent stuff and all his records that are called "solo albums" from Golden Heart on? What do you think of, let's say, Get Lucky, The Ragpicker's Dream and so on? Do you think they are great and find any development in them or is it a direction that you would not follow anymore? I wonder if you still like this direction of music and would indeed play on them if invited again, or is this folky style that comes up more and more not your cup of tea?

I can imagine Jack Sonni playing rhythm guitar on stuff like Speedway At Nazareth or Punish The Monkey or Junkie Doll very much indeed...  ;)

LE

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: koobaa on May 16, 2011, 05:39:39 AM
LE, you stole my question!  ;)
I'll just add another part to it. Jack, you played with MK during the times when DS was regarded the greatest band in the world. Could you, as a guitarist, share your opinion on whether MK has indeed developed or improved as an instrumentalist since 80's? This is what he claims in numerous interviews, however, many fans think that his playing has not improved but instead got slower, less precise, too relaxed etc. What do you think?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jacksonni on May 24, 2011, 08:26:00 PM
Greetings all...more traveling and just getting caught up here. Some interesting questions!!

@Jackal - That's pretty much me although I'd reverse the order! I am a rock n roll/blues influenced player. Although I spent a great deal of time studying/playing r &b, funk and disco as well as African & Latin music. I love rhythm guitar - locking in with the drummer, being part of the groove & creating a solid foundation for the band....whatever one I'm playing in - is where I get my kicks. I find the guitar playing on Motown, Stax & James brown recordings to be far more interesting than "rock" records. As Keith would say...they may have the rock but they forgot the roll. And it's the grooves on Howlin Wolf & Muddy Waters stuff I love rather than the soloing. Hendrix, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Nolan (James Brown) Leo Nocentelli (Meters), Carlos Alomar (Bowie), Hubert Sumlin (Howlin Wolf) these are the players I love and return to time and time again to learn & be inspired. Jimi, Duane Allman & Jeff Beck top my list of "lead" players that have influenced me and my approach to soloing although Miles Davis - who I have listened to intensely for years - is in there as well.

These days I find myself listening to singers more than anything. Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell and believe it not Bob Dylan - who has turned into a great singer IMO...I've always wanted to be a soul singer more than anything really!! and listening to these greats inspires my approach to playing solos and how to serve the song as a player.

@Jbaent - I know exactly how you feel about the high discomfort level...at times it IS painful to watch...very similar to the Larry David show - "Curb Your Enthusiasm" here in the states....but Gervais is truly a comedic genius in his ability to make that character lovable & very human at the same time. I do love "Extras" - The Bowie episode is a classic!! and agree on the US version..I can't/don't watch it at all.

@LE & Kooba - your questions regarding MK's solo recordings/playing of late. First off, I will be honest and say I have not listened to any of his solo work in any real depth,  But that fact, in of itself, should suffice as a testament to how much interest what he's doing holds for me. The internet music station "Radio Paradise" which I listen to pretty much all-day plays MK's music with quite a high frequency so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with it. At that cursory level, I don't hear much that's for ME is exciting, fresh or interesting musically enough to dive any deeper.

As far as his playing goes - what could be interpreted as his being lazy and resting on his laurels - "slower, less precise, too relaxed" - can be seen as a player honing his voice and refining his style just as easily. He's "mellowing" into a subtler approach like Sinatra's singing did as he aged. I respect him as a fantastic player, he certainly taught me a great deal (there may be a thing or two that he picked up from me as well!) but outside of a few odds and ends (the groove on "Coyote" comes to mind - it's one thing I'd like to solo over actually!!) it's not my cuppa tea.

And LE I'm flattered at your comment about hearing me play of those tunes...so I'll check them out.

Now I'm off to read the thread & reviews about my what those other FMO's got up to at the Royal Albert!

all the best & let it rock!

jack

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on May 24, 2011, 08:35:31 PM
Jack, I was at the Royal Albert Hall and I enjoyed it. I guess that with you at the stage the show would had been far funnier for the fans!

The theatre was almost full and the audience was standing on their feet in many songs and clapping, singing, lots of happy faces, so I would say that was a great night for them, as it was for me.

The secret of happiness is just being happy, isnt it?  ;D
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 24, 2011, 08:51:52 PM
Jack, I was at the Royal Albert Hall and I enjoyed it. I guess that with you at the stage the show would had been far funnier for the fans!

I certainly would have been more interested in seeing The Straits if JS was there (not just saying that to be sycophantic, Jack is my fave former DS guitar player, in the same way that Pick is my fave former drummer).

Jack, can I ask how your involvement with Line 6 came about? Nowadays the digital modelling stuff is embraced by all but a few dinosaurs, but it must have been a hard sell in the first instance.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Love Expresso on May 24, 2011, 09:00:01 PM
WOW, the great Jack Sonni answering my questions indeed...  :o what can I say? Thanks a lot man for doing it in such an open and precise, honest and
in no way huffy or bitter way! Have a good time and thanks again. Who knows, another querie might pop up soon!  :D

LE
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jacksonni on May 24, 2011, 10:17:18 PM
@jbaent - by all accounts - and I've heard from Alan & Ed B - the show was really fun & was extremely well received by everyone there. And, yes, in the end, music is about having fun and sharing an experience that lifts the spirit...which is exactly why The Straits were formed.

@dusty - thank you very much for the kind words. who knows what the future holds!!

regarding Line 6 - I have always been an "early-adopter" of guitar technology. While I love classic tone & gear, I have always been inspired from listening to Jimi Hendrix to experiment and explore new sonic possibilities. I was seriously addicted to effects pedals in my early playing days and embraced guitar synthesizers in the early 80's, at one point refusing to play anything but on sessions & live gigs in NYC. My parts on "The Man's Too Strong" were done on guitar synth/synclavier. The Schecter Strat - purple metallic finish w/chrome mini-humbuckers that MK played live during the BIA tour had Roland Gtr synth electronics and was originally built for me. From my first exposure to what Line 6 was up to, I believed that while they hadn't nailed it at that time, digital technology would eventually get there and open new avenues of expression. I was working at Guitar Center as the Guitar & Amp buyer and was so intrigued & believed so strongly in the technology (and Line 6 team) that I quit GC and went to work for L6 as marketing manager. I was responsible for the early branding/marketing and was involved directly with the development of the POD (the name & shape was mine!). I left the company to go back to GC as VP of Marketing for the chain and stayed for 6 years....until I woke up one day and said.."enough" - time to go back to being a starving artist!

@LE - the pleasure is mine!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jacksonni on May 24, 2011, 10:30:54 PM
dusty - sorry I didn't actually answer your question!! YES, it was really difficult in the beginning...and while the technology is pretty much ubiquitous these days, I constantly run into players who still remain devout "solder sniffers" and "tube addicts"!! and I still rely on my tube amp & Pensa Strat for most gigs.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Jackal on May 24, 2011, 11:00:54 PM
Thanks, Jack, for telling about the Synth Strat. The geek in me rears its ugly head hehe. I always thought that was an early Pensa guitar. Then again, didn't you and the folks at Rudy's mostly put together Schecter parts-o-casters before Rudy and John started making the Pensa Suhrs?

By the way, what did you do at Rudy's? Did you actually build as craftsman or work more as repairman (including putting together the Schecters)? It seems to me there was like little clique of great builders back then - John Suhr, Tom Anderson, Wayne Charvel, Dave Schecter and of course all the electronics wizards (Seymour Duncan). Must have been an awesome time.

Editors: Maybe we should open a new thread where the tech factor can run riot? I'm afraid we lose a lot of people following this thread.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Pottel on May 24, 2011, 11:03:34 PM
Hi jack, this sure is starting to be great fun.
My question, and something i already quizzed guy about:
What was it like back in the days, all of the sudden sharing the stage with the likes of bob dylan, david sanborn, billy joel, hank marvin, and so on, and so on? Is it : busdiness as usual, let's get it over with, or do you tend to be sttarstruck?
Also, did you join mark back on sept 14th (as far as i could trace it) 1985 to play on stage with the awesome jj calen somewhere in the sunny state?
Sorry for the typos, am writing this from my bberry

P.s. Sure as hell hoping you are gonna stay on here for a while.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 24, 2011, 11:37:53 PM
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer Jack.

I have a little Pocket Pod in my cupboard here in the North-east of Scotland and I use it to record and play while my kids are sleeping - funny to think that you came up with the name and shape, I had no idea. :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Love Expresso on May 25, 2011, 07:42:14 AM
P.s. Sure as hell hoping you are gonna stay on here for a while.

I do the same! But please, Jack, do not feel overrun by this "avalanche" of queries that comes from us!
And please feel free to ask yourself any question to US - if there are any...  ;D ;D
("what the heck is it exactly that you guys are doing with all these autographs and stuff...")

LE
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on May 25, 2011, 05:16:18 PM
I remember that some years ago a message from you was posted in the Mark Knopfler News Official Site, asking for pictures of you with all the artist you played on stage, many of them already mentioned by Pottel. I wonder if you managed to compile many of them, and if there is any online gallery of those pictures...
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: koobaa on May 30, 2011, 08:57:34 PM
@LE & Kooba - your questions regarding MK's solo recordings/playing of late. First off, I will be honest and say I have not listened to any of his solo work in any real depth,  But that fact, in of itself, should suffice as a testament to how much interest what he's doing holds for me. The internet music station "Radio Paradise" which I listen to pretty much all-day plays MK's music with quite a high frequency so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with it. At that cursory level, I don't hear much that's for ME is exciting, fresh or interesting musically enough to dive any deeper.

As far as his playing goes - what could be interpreted as his being lazy and resting on his laurels - "slower, less precise, too relaxed" - can be seen as a player honing his voice and refining his style just as easily. He's "mellowing" into a subtler approach like Sinatra's singing did as he aged. I respect him as a fantastic player, he certainly taught me a great deal (there may be a thing or two that he picked up from me as well!) but outside of a few odds and ends (the groove on "Coyote" comes to mind - it's one thing I'd like to solo over actually!!) it's not my cuppa tea.

jack

Thanks for answering, Jack! I liked the way you answered the playing part, I agree with this view.
I have another question if you don't mind. During the last BIA tour concert we could see you running around with the camcorder (MK even called you "Francis Ford Sonni", remember?  :D ) Do you still have any footage from these days? Is there any chance for us to see maybe some short clips on your website? Of course I understand if you choose not to share these, but thought it does not hurt to ask ;). Thanks for stickin' around!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on May 28, 2014, 09:01:46 PM
I'd still like to read this book.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: xardas on May 28, 2014, 11:07:02 PM
hello!

glad to see jack here on AMIT!

one question for you jack..

what is the story about the so called Calypso version of so far away? it was played in sydney, last concert of the BIA tour i think. who gave the idea, who made that awesome intro?(my quess is that was mark :)), was it specially rehearsed? any other interesting detail about it?
I have a lot other questions too about those days, i dont know why i chose that one, but it is a start no? :)
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Pottel on May 28, 2014, 11:47:52 PM
mmm, xardas, jack was on here 3 years ago, i would be happy to think he still comes here, but i guess it is not the case...or are you jack??
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: vgonis on May 29, 2014, 11:43:33 AM
maybe if we biff up this thread Jack will pay attention.  :lol
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Fletch on May 29, 2014, 12:04:26 PM
Jacks a willing conversationalist on facebook... He likes his wine, food, rocknroll and will throw a curveball comment, he's not shy. Probably a better place to catch up with him ?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on November 07, 2023, 08:45:22 AM
Sorry for bringing a very old thread back, after a conversation with Pottel, I dug in the forum and found these posts from Jack Sonni which were very interesting and I think it worths to be read again:


Greetings all...more traveling and just getting caught up here. Some interesting questions!!

@Jackal - That's pretty much me although I'd reverse the order! I am a rock n roll/blues influenced player. Although I spent a great deal of time studying/playing r &b, funk and disco as well as African & Latin music. I love rhythm guitar - locking in with the drummer, being part of the groove & creating a solid foundation for the band....whatever one I'm playing in - is where I get my kicks. I find the guitar playing on Motown, Stax & James brown recordings to be far more interesting than "rock" records. As Keith would say...they may have the rock but they forgot the roll. And it's the grooves on Howlin Wolf & Muddy Waters stuff I love rather than the soloing. Hendrix, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Nolan (James Brown) Leo Nocentelli (Meters), Carlos Alomar (Bowie), Hubert Sumlin (Howlin Wolf) these are the players I love and return to time and time again to learn & be inspired. Jimi, Duane Allman & Jeff Beck top my list of "lead" players that have influenced me and my approach to soloing although Miles Davis - who I have listened to intensely for years - is in there as well.

These days I find myself listening to singers more than anything. Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell and believe it not Bob Dylan - who has turned into a great singer IMO...I've always wanted to be a soul singer more than anything really!! and listening to these greats inspires my approach to playing solos and how to serve the song as a player.

@Jbaent - I know exactly how you feel about the high discomfort level...at times it IS painful to watch...very similar to the Larry David show - "Curb Your Enthusiasm" here in the states....but Gervais is truly a comedic genius in his ability to make that character lovable & very human at the same time. I do love "Extras" - The Bowie episode is a classic!! and agree on the US version..I can't/don't watch it at all.

@LE & Kooba - your questions regarding MK's solo recordings/playing of late. First off, I will be honest and say I have not listened to any of his solo work in any real depth,  But that fact, in of itself, should suffice as a testament to how much interest what he's doing holds for me. The internet music station "Radio Paradise" which I listen to pretty much all-day plays MK's music with quite a high frequency so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with it. At that cursory level, I don't hear much that's for ME is exciting, fresh or interesting musically enough to dive any deeper.

As far as his playing goes - what could be interpreted as his being lazy and resting on his laurels - "slower, less precise, too relaxed" - can be seen as a player honing his voice and refining his style just as easily. He's "mellowing" into a subtler approach like Sinatra's singing did as he aged. I respect him as a fantastic player, he certainly taught me a great deal (there may be a thing or two that he picked up from me as well!) but outside of a few odds and ends (the groove on "Coyote" comes to mind - it's one thing I'd like to solo over actually!!) it's not my cuppa tea.

And LE I'm flattered at your comment about hearing me play of those tunes...so I'll check them out.

Now I'm off to read the thread & reviews about my what those other FMO's got up to at the Royal Albert!

all the best & let it rock!

jack

@jbaent - by all accounts - and I've heard from Alan & Ed B - the show was really fun & was extremely well received by everyone there. And, yes, in the end, music is about having fun and sharing an experience that lifts the spirit...which is exactly why The Straits were formed.

@dusty - thank you very much for the kind words. who knows what the future holds!!

regarding Line 6 - I have always been an "early-adopter" of guitar technology. While I love classic tone & gear, I have always been inspired from listening to Jimi Hendrix to experiment and explore new sonic possibilities. I was seriously addicted to effects pedals in my early playing days and embraced guitar synthesizers in the early 80's, at one point refusing to play anything but on sessions & live gigs in NYC. My parts on "The Man's Too Strong" were done on guitar synth/synclavier. The Schecter Strat - purple metallic finish w/chrome mini-humbuckers that MK played live during the BIA tour had Roland Gtr synth electronics and was originally built for me. From my first exposure to what Line 6 was up to, I believed that while they hadn't nailed it at that time, digital technology would eventually get there and open new avenues of expression. I was working at Guitar Center as the Guitar & Amp buyer and was so intrigued & believed so strongly in the technology (and Line 6 team) that I quit GC and went to work for L6 as marketing manager. I was responsible for the early branding/marketing and was involved directly with the development of the POD (the name & shape was mine!). I left the company to go back to GC as VP of Marketing for the chain and stayed for 6 years....until I woke up one day and said.."enough" - time to go back to being a starving artist!

@LE - the pleasure is mine!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: vgonis on November 07, 2023, 10:29:59 AM
Thank you for this. It is like a memorial reading again his replies. 
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: benducret on November 09, 2023, 02:00:23 PM
R.I.P. Jack Sonni.

Despite all his speeches on stage about playin in a band, "dire straits rock 'n roll band" and all, MK never was a real "band" musician.

The live at the Rainbow 79 shows us the energy  4 musicians who have "grown" together can produce.

Turn over and changing band members made rock history, but dire straits has pushed it à bit too far in my opinion. Much too far I think for their own good.

Dire straits 2.0 with alan, Hal and Pick/Terry was an opportunity to start again. And it went downhill from there (imo) again, replacing members again and again until it became an orchestra of session musicians. Good musicians maybe, but not really a band.

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dmg on November 09, 2023, 02:20:39 PM
R.I.P. Jack Sonni.

Despite all his speeches on stage about playin in a band, "dire straits rock 'n roll band" and all, MK never was a real "band" musician.

The live at the Rainbow 79 shows us the energy  4 musicians who have "grown" together can produce.

Turn over and changing band members made rock history, but dire straits has pushed it à bit too far in my opinion. Much too far I think for their own good.

Dire straits 2.0 with alan, Hal and Pick/Terry was an opportunity to start again. And it went downhill from there (imo) again, replacing members again and again until it became an orchestra of session musicians. Good musicians maybe, but not really a band.

What's in a name?  As long as they're making good music.  What about the solo period? 
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: 2manyguitars on November 09, 2023, 04:02:54 PM
R.I.P. Jack Sonni.

Despite all his speeches on stage about playin in a band, "dire straits rock 'n roll band" and all, MK never was a real "band" musician.

The live at the Rainbow 79 shows us the energy  4 musicians who have "grown" together can produce.

Turn over and changing band members made rock history, but dire straits has pushed it à bit too far in my opinion. Much too far I think for their own good.

Dire straits 2.0 with alan, Hal and Pick/Terry was an opportunity to start again. And it went downhill from there (imo) again, replacing members again and again until it became an orchestra of session musicians. Good musicians maybe, but not really a band.

What's in a name?  As long as they're making good music.  What about the solo period?

Good points DMG. I feel also that DS was ALWAYS a vehicle for marks songs. Everything was set up that way. We should probably (As you said) be assessing the quality of the material not who played it....
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: vgonis on November 09, 2023, 09:41:58 PM
It is a truly great topic for discussion, but probably not on topic, so I will be brief.  I think that the people that play together, even if they don't have equal saying, get to spend so much common time more off than on stage in between gigs, that  bonds are inevitably created, and if they are positive they show on stage too. Like army buddies...  ;) So I think all in all a  band indeed.   
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: benducret on November 10, 2023, 01:32:24 PM
I see what you both mean but I do not agree.

The who plays with who thing is most important, it has an impact on creativity, and on the music, how it lives and sounds.

DS has always been about Mark's music and nothing else, we agree, no pb. My opinion is that in the end MK was never really opened to différent influences, to giving freedom to the musicians he plays with. Or only to a strict minimum.

And you can hear it, I hear it at least in his work. It's hard to make something sound fresh when you are in total control of eveything, with influences which are basically always the same, in a very narrow range of styles. I see him being surrounded by "yes men".

I sometimes have the impression that he fell asleep a long time ago and his music too.
With a strong will to never wake up, never be shaked or questionned by
his collaborators. Even (or mostly, and that's something) production-wise.

At one point there was not a band anymore, just session men, Guy fletcher watching over the whole thing for décades, and to my ears, with all due respect for his work and for your fandom, the whole thing froze. Quite early on imo.

Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: 2manyguitars on November 10, 2023, 03:58:09 PM
I see what you both mean but I do not agree.

The who plays with who thing is most important, it has an impact on creativity, and on the music, how it lives and sounds.

DS has always been about Mark's music and nothing else, we agree, no pb. My opinion is that in the end MK was never really opened to différent influences, to giving freedom to the musicians he plays with. Or only to a strict minimum.

And you can hear it, I hear it at least in his work. It's hard to make something sound fresh when you are in total control of eveything, with influences which are basically always the same, in a very narrow range of styles. I see him being surrounded by "yes men".

I sometimes have the impression that he fell asleep a long time ago and his music too.
With a strong will to never wake up, never be shaked or questionned by
his collaborators. Even (or mostly, and that's something) production-wise.

At one point there was not a band anymore, just session men, Guy fletcher watching over the whole thing for décades, and to my ears, with all due respect for his work and for your fandom, the whole thing froze. Quite early on imo.

The thing that you're missing is that Mark is extremely unusual in that when he writes songs by the they get in front of other musicians in general he already knows how he wants it to sound (in terms of instruments/parts/etc) . DS and solo MK were really Marks journey to translate what he hears in his head to what he hears in final playback.

Now you can argue about the benefits or not of that approach, but that to some extent is what it it (no pun intended)....
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: benducret on November 10, 2023, 06:31:21 PM
Yes, you're right. In the end, that's how he works and creates his music, that's his vision and always has been. No right or wrong.


Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: vgonis on November 11, 2023, 10:03:12 PM
Well, my take is different. Although previously  I have tried to explain the term "band" within purely a live setting, i guess in a lesser extend, but probably equally influential, it stands for the studio recordings.   Every album in their catalogue is quite different, even the first and second that most people consider that is in the same vein. The departure of David might not be considered as being the reason for the change in style of Making Movies, but then was it the producer Jimmy Iovine or MK deciding to change the sound by adding keyboards and making the compositions longer and more sparse? And the Love over gold album, was it just a continuation of Making movies to the extreme? And Brothers in arms, was it only MK trying  new technology?  I think that even with the strictest control of a person, the influences are always coming from outside. And many surely come from the other members of the band.  MK is the composer, so he has first and last say, but all players contribute in the overall sound, even by contributing ideas that are not used. As for the solo records, especially after Shangri-la, I only have to say that there is a different take of the world and what you create, when you reach a certain age.  I guess you see things in a more laid back way. An approach that is seen with many musicians, is going back to their roots, before the time they were successful. Maybe MK is doing just this, having no reason to prove anything to anyone, just doing things he likes, not even  hoping we will like it as well, which is the most sincere and pure way to create something.   

Jack Sonni wrote somewhere that he had learnt many things from MK but also MK got a thing or two from him. I think that having the need to  mention this is revealing more about the subject than we can ever imagine. The interaction among musicians is the magical thing we can hear when it works. And with DS it worked a lot. 
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: dustyvalentino on November 12, 2023, 12:38:03 AM
Well, my take is different. Although previously  I have tried to explain the term "band" within purely a live setting, i guess in a lesser extend, but probably equally influential, it stands for the studio recordings.   Every album in their catalogue is quite different, even the first and second that most people consider that is in the same vein. The departure of David might not be considered as being the reason for the change in style of Making Movies, but then was it the producer Jimmy Iovine or MK deciding to change the sound by adding keyboards and making the compositions longer and more sparse? And the Love over gold album, was it just a continuation of Making movies to the extreme? And Brothers in arms, was it only MK trying  new technology?  I think that even with the strictest control of a person, the influences are always coming from outside. And many surely come from the other members of the band.  MK is the composer, so he has first and last say, but all players contribute in the overall sound, even by contributing ideas that are not used. As for the solo records, especially after Shangri-la, I only have to say that there is a different take of the world and what you create, when you reach a certain age.  I guess you see things in a more laid back way. An approach that is seen with many musicians, is going back to their roots, before the time they were successful. Maybe MK is doing just this, having no reason to prove anything to anyone, just doing things he likes, not even  hoping we will like it as well, which is the most sincere and pure way to create something.   

Jack Sonni wrote somewhere that he had learnt many things from MK but also MK got a thing or two from him. I think that having the need to  mention this is revealing more about the subject than we can ever imagine. The interaction among musicians is the magical thing we can hear when it works. And with DS it worked a lot.

Superb post!
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Chris W on November 12, 2023, 09:23:20 AM
The DS tour was the most orchestral type gig I've ever worked on. Songs had pre-determined parts and you played those parts in the right moment every show. A lot of the parts had evolved over years, like aspects of Mark's solos that he played on every show, and the drums had to play something specific triggered by Mark's lick.
My impression was that Mark was the overall composer, but Guy and Allan had a major input on the orchestration and arrangements, both in the making of the records and the rehearsing of the live show. It was really the three of them with MK being the final boss.
On the McCartney tour (for example) I was left alone and largely did my own thing.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: JF on November 14, 2023, 09:48:14 AM
The departure of David might not be considered as being the reason for the change in style of Making Movies, but then was it the producer Jimmy Iovine or MK deciding to change the sound by adding keyboards and making the compositions longer and more sparse?

In the Oldfield book, Ed says that the band wanted a more rocking album, more in the kind of their stage performances. They wanted more "power", because they found that their 2 first studios albums were too much "smooth" and didn't sound like they sounded on stage.
And then, Ed suggested to work with Jimmy Lovine
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: MagicElliott on November 14, 2023, 12:25:09 PM
The DS tour was the most orchestral type gig I've ever worked on. Songs had pre-determined parts and you played those parts in the right moment every show. A lot of the parts had evolved over years, like aspects of Mark's solos that he played on every show, and the drums had to play something specific triggered by Mark's lick.
My impression was that Mark was the overall composer, but Guy and Allan had a major input on the orchestration and arrangements, both in the making of the records and the rehearsing of the live show. It was really the three of them with MK being the final boss.
On the McCartney tour (for example) I was left alone and largely did my own thing.

It’s fascinating to hear the difference between McCartney’s tour and the DS tours. If anything I’d have thought it was the other way round. Having listened to quite a bit of Paul’s live work (the brilliant Good Evening New York City particularly comes to mind,) it’s evident that Paul performs songs exactly the same by and large as he did with the Beatles. No extended solos or longer outros-almost the same length as the album track to the second. I know there are a few exceptions (The End for example, at the end of the Abbey Road melody.)
Whereas MK’s songs live are developed from the album track.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: Chris W on November 14, 2023, 05:10:08 PM
DS songs are more often developed in rehearsal, not so much improvised on the night. It's hard for everyone to improvise when there are 9 players on stage.
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on November 14, 2023, 06:06:56 PM
Hi,

The first parts of the introduction are available via download from  Jack's site:

http://www.jacksonni.com/ (http://www.jacksonni.com/)

The audio download is about 22 minutes long and contains more paragraphs  than the online-print-version. Mark is mentioned in a friendly way and described as a good friend. Jack is able to put a nice "cliffhanger" at the end to let the question come up how all this rock n roll hype could vanish so fast out of his life. I am very curious about the book and about further updates. Interesting, have a look!

LE

Does anyone still has these chapters and audio to share again with everyone?
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: jbaent on November 15, 2023, 08:05:54 AM
Wayback machine at the rescue:




ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni


(https://web.archive.org/web/20110713074557im_/http://www.jacksonni.com/wp-content/header-images/Picture%2012.png)

Rock n Rolled
living the dream ~ surviving reality
a memoir by Jack Sonni

In December of 1984, after struggling for ten years as a musician in New York City, Jack Sonni got The Phone Call that lifted him, literally overnight, from the obscurity of working in a Manhattan guitar shop to the blinding spotlight of fame as a guitarist with Dire Straits, the biggest band in the world at the time.

As the “Brothers In Arms” album rocketed to the top of the worldwide charts fueled by the hit “Money For Nothing,” the young musician seemed poised to fulfill every rock star fantasy he’d ever dreamed, from recording a multi-platinum album in world renowned studios, touring the world and playing with his heroes – Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan – to performing at Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000 people and a global television audience of 400 million for Live Aid. He became a fixture on MTV, appeared in Rolling Stone magazine and watched his love life become tabloid fodder. He went, in his own words, from “the invisible man to recognized-in-the-street, hanging-with-the-beautiful-people, open-velvet-rope famous in the blink of an eye.”

Eighteen months later, after 256 sold out shows in 25 countries, two Grammy awards, and selling 23 million copies of a ground-breaking album, the tour ended. For Jack Sonni, so did the dream.

But the story wasn’t over. By turns laugh-out-loud funny and head-shaking incredible, “Rock n Rolled” chronicles Jack’s unpremeditated survival as he ricochets from obscurity to fame and back again. His journey—before, during, and after his extraordinary fifteen minutes of fame—echoes the wide-eyed, hopeful innocence of an entire generation, dreamers who cherished hopes for something far different than the world they inherited.

Written with wit and brio rivaling Antony Bourdain’s bestseller, “Kitchen Confidential,” guitarist Jack Sonni’s “Rock n Rolled” is neither a tired tell-all detailing the escapades of a rocker bad boy nor a woe-is-me-blame-fest searching for villains at the helm of his fall from grace. It is an unflinching examination of a man whose dreams propel him past the brink of reality and then leave him stranded, and how he ultimately finds his way home.

(https://web.archive.org/web/20120328092548im_/http://www.jacksonni.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/JS@Rudys-211x300.jpg)

Introduction – chapter 1

SO LET ME ASK YOU THIS

“What was it like?”

The question is inevitable. Whenever anyone finds out I played guitar for Dire Straits during the time it was the biggest band in the world, they have to ask. Not that I mind, really. I know I managed to to live a portion of my life doing what millions can only dream about. Being in a famous rock band, touring the world, performing on stage in front of thousands and thousands of screaming fans. The parties, the VIP treatment, the groupies. It always comes around to the sex. Both men and women want to know.

What was it like?

Being a rock star.

Surreal comes close. Like a dream come true, which in reality, it was for me. Which made it all the more unreal. So much of what happened was so extraordinary, so pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming unbelievable, that I went through most of it as a removed observer, separated from the moment. As if I was watching a movie, viewing my life through the lens of a camera while standing just a little to the left and about three feet behind myself. Or someone who looked an awful lot like me. I see the photos or videos or concert footage now and I wonder who that is on stage. In the long red coat and wraparound shades. Or white suit, long scarf wrapped around his head and dancing barefoot.

I am the eggman. I am the walrus.

I am the rock star.

Goo goo ga joob.

Introduction – chapter 2

ONCE UPON A TIME

July 13, 1985

It is a warm, sunny Saturday; rare even for summer in London. I step out of the faux Hard Rock Cafe that has been erected backstage at Wembley Stadium as a VIP bar, raise my face to the sky, close my eyes and listen. The sound hangs in the air, like surf crashing on a not too distant beach. The deep rumbling, rising and falling and rising again is the great whooshing white noise of 72,000 people. Cheering. Applauding. Screaming. Losing their collective minds. U2 has just finished their set which Bono spent dancing with a female fan he pulled from the audience. The crowd loved it. The large screens flanking the stage have switched the broadcast feed to JFK Stadium in Philadelphia for The Beach Boys set. A billion and a half viewers are watching on televisions around the world.

I slip my sunglasses on—these funky mountain climbing goggles I found in Paris, with super dark lenses and white leather on the sides that block out all light—and make my way toward the stage to meet the rest of the band. Weaving through the open air backstage area, I pass, seated at tables and gathered in clusters of twos and threes, famous face after famous face. Paul McCartney, Freddy Mercury. Faces I have only ever seen in magazines or on television or on a concert stage from no closer than twenty rows from the front. David Gilmour. Bryan Ferry. Faces who turn and nod and mouth their good lucks in my direction. Phil Collins. Bob Geldof. Faces that seem to think I belong here. That I am a face like them.

My shades keep anyone from seeing the wild dance of incredulity my eyes are surely doing behind the black-out lenses. You know, that pupil pinwheeling that says I have done way too much acid and Holy shit, you cannot fucking believe the things I am seeing right now! Not that I’m doing any hallucinogens. There’s no need with reality like this.

Seven months ago I was working in a guitar shop in New York City. Right now, I’m less than ten minutes way from performing in front of the largest audience gathered for a rock concert in history.

My life has become an unending string of Alice-Through-The-Looking-Glass moments.

A few minutes ago, back inside the Hard Rock, I was killing time watching the live television broadcast when Pete Townshend walked into the room. Believe it or not, seeing him, while certainly a rush for me, wasn’t so unreal. That particular where’d-gravity-go moment happened earlier this month when I arrived for an afternoon sound check to find the legendary rock star, who was joining Straits for that evening’s show,  in the dressing room. Playing pinball. Seriously. The guy who wrote “Pinball Wizard” playing pinball. It’s too ridiculous to make up.

But the real mind-fuck is that when Townshend stepped into the Hard Rock trailing Roger Daltry and Kenny Jones, he glanced around and after seeing me…..(continued)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hear what happens with Pete now and get the free audio download of the complete Intro chapters below. Please leave your comments here or send an email to jack@jacksonni.com. And passing the link on to your friends is greatly appreciated.

Be well, hug them while you can &, as always, let it rock!

jack


The audio was in a flash thing that I can't recover from wayback machine, if anyone can, please check it:

https://web.archive.org/web/20100915043036/http://www.jacksonni.com/read_listen/
Title: Re: ROCK N ROLLED A Memoir by Jack Sonni
Post by: TJ on November 15, 2023, 05:03:56 PM
I wish his family would publish this.