A Platinum Producer’s Life In Music

Ted Templeman

ECW PRESS Insightful, entertaining look at Templeman’s professional life.

Ted Templeman helped shape rock in the 1970s and 80s. So his autobiography, written with Greg Renoff, must surely be revealing about what happened in that remarkable era. And it does the job admirably, sweeping through his career, striking a good balance between his personal and professional relationships with Van Halen, Little Feat, the Doobie Brothers and many more.

He details his time as a musician with successful late 60s band Harpers Bizarre, then opens up on how he became a producer. What comes across throughout is a genuine affection for those with whom he worked.

Inevitably, a lot of the book goes into his connection with Van Halen, explaining why – in his opinion – things fell apart with David Lee Roth.

Templeman gives little away about his private life. But this is about his memories as a producer, so that omission is acceptable. An absorbing and entertaining read. ■■■■■■■■■■