Comments from Readers

Reviews from Amazon

Great read. lots of fun, poignant recollections...

By: A reader

Imagine that you are an ardent Love fan, and one night you step into a bar and sitting next to you is some guy and it turns out that he was the drummer for Love and played on Da Capo and Forever Changes. All you would want is to do is sit there all night and ask: "what was it like?!" -- Well, the answer would be this book. I couldn't put it down, and basically read it straight through in two sittings. Two nights of hearing Michael Stuart tell what it was like. The chapters are short and accessible. It almost feels like he is just talking straight to you. What he describes is anecdote after anecdote, story after story, and various moments in the 1906's LA scene. There's Kim Fowley grooving out at some UCLA gig. There's Arthur yelling at Jim Morrison for skinny dipping in his pool. Laurel Canyon, the Sunset Strip, Bido Lito's....from the silly to the sublime, the memories are shared, often eloquently...it is simply the greatest human creative expression that I have ever experienced...This is a must-read for any Love fan, or anyone compelled by LA in the 1960s.

By	Judson Knight ( Madison , GA )

There isn't much I can say about this fabulous book that hasn't already been said by other reviewers here. Stuart-Ware is an exceptional storyteller, and though as one reader noted, his work lacks the polish of a professional writer's, I would read an exceptionally engrossing tale such as this one over a well-written doorstopper any day. And yes, I wish he had discussed the recording of *Forever Changes* in much greater detail, but what might be cited as a flaw in this instance points to a much greater overall virtue: this book leaves you wanting more, not because it isn't satisfying, but precisely because it is. As I see it, he could have written a book twice this long and, assuming it was as engrossing as what we see in *Pegasus Carousel*, it wouldn't take any longer to read because it would be that enthralling.

One hardly need be a Love fan to enjoy this memoir. Of course it helps, but on a much larger level, this book is for anyone who loves rock music and is fascinated by both the creativity of great musicians and their tendency toward dissipation. Likewise it's for anyone who appreciates modern American popular culture, because it gives a street-level view of a seminal time and place in the creation of that culture: the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles during the halcyon years 1965-68.

And if one should only discover *Forever Changes*, and Love's music in general, after reading this book, then not only is a great reward in store--I think FC is a very serious contender for the title "greatest rock album of all time"--but so is a great shock. To read Stuart-Ware's book is like looking into the kitchen of a five-star restaurant and seeing the piles of grease-laden dishes, the cook with a cigarette dangling from his mouth as he stands over the stove, the rats gnawing around the trash can out back--and then, when you enter the dining room, everything is all polish and pressed linen. In other words, to hear the breathtaking brilliance that is *Forever Changes,* and then to contrast that with the atmosphere of infighting, jealousy, laziness, and dangerous drug use that Stuart-Ware portrays, is to experience cognitive dissonance of a high order. And yet ultimately, of course, these revelations of self-undermining behavior only make the achievement that was FC all the more impressive.

With a book like this--especially given the great number of famous names that make cameos here, and the many extraordinary stories--there's always somebody who is going to question its veracity. Yet Stuart-Ware's account has an unmistakable ring of truth, and not just because of the extraordinarily evocative details it contains. Of greater importance is the author's attitude--his humility and his clear-headed perspective. He does not seek to make himself seem more important than he was, he has no axe to grind, and he's not reliving some mythical past that the rest of his life never equaled. In fact, as he makes clear in the preface, the really important things in his life are the ones that happened after his brief stint in the limelight. As for his portrayal of Arthur Lee, I think Stuart-Ware shows an impressive command over the age-old writers' dictum, "Show, don't tell": he never tells you what to think about this extremely troubled, enigmatic genius, but the portrait is clear enough anyway.

All in all, an extraordinary and enormously entertaining book whose greatest flaw is that it had to have an end.

By	D. Donovan, Editor/Sr. Reviewer ( California )

Michael Stuart-Ware is drummer on two of Love's albums and here shares his insights on the rock group in a coverage of the band's recording and performing career. Love's front man Arthur Lee has enjoyed much limelight but the group was far more than just his backup group: there were many incarnations and powerful musicians in the band, which Stuart-Ware explores in chapters packed with 'you are there' first-person experiences. LOVE: BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE PEGASUS CAROUSEL WITH THE LEGENDARY ROCK GROUP LOVE is a lively survey of a long-lasting, popular rock group which has played for decades.

By	Frederick Taylor ( West Hartford , CT )

When I was about fifteen, I picked up the first love album. The picture of the band standing under a chimney with only the logo LOVE on the cover enthralled me and I had to have it. I have been a Love fan ever since. Michael Stuart-Ware does a very good job at exposing why Love never became a super group like the Rolling Stones or the Doors even though Love could have easily been more popular than both those groups if Arthur Lee hadn't shot the band in the foot. My only criticism of the book is the slight undercurrent of bitterness (maybe my imagination) about what could have been. Mr. Stuart-Ware could have made a career in music in spite of Love, but he chose not to. It was probably a good move for him to leave the music business and I'm glad he has given the world of an insider's look at an truly extraordinary band.

By	andy7 ( Los Angeles , CA )

You must get this book. This book documents the Sunset Strip scene in the 60's better than any other book I can remember. The anecdotes recalled in this book are hilarious (check out the pigeon story).
Maybe the reason the book is so good is because you have the drummer of the band writing the bio as opposed to, say, Grace Slick writing a book and needing to keep details as vague as possible because you have a public image to protect. The drummer has nothing to lose, so he's going to write all the dirt that's fit to print. We, the readers, benefit because we see everything on the band, warts and all.
Even if you don't care much about Love, you should get this anyway and be surprised at how entertaining a rock bio can be.

By	Shawn Sutherland, "the lone reviewer" ( Dallas , TX )

If you are a fan of the band (especially the incarnation that created the first album, "Da Capo" and "Forever Changes"), you will thoroughly enjoy this book! (Be forewarned, however, that - as also evidenced by Barney Hoskyns' book - you might find yourself disliking Arthur Lee by the time you're finished reading it.) Written by the band's drummer, it is fun from start to finish.

An overdue document on a band that deserves your attention.

By	Brian Manley ( Portland , OR )

I'm so surprised there aren't many books or even a documentary
on the band LOVE (Ed. note: Love Story documentary was released in the U.S. in 2007). If you're into inventive and dynamic music
it doesn't get much better than LOVE. Stuart-Ware's book tells
the story of the pioneering psychedelic group in great detail without having to resort to sensationalism. He gives the reader a feel of the creative enthusiasm that blossomed in the
L.A. music scene of the 1960s. For fans, of course, this is an important work. Personally, when I read it I felt like I was transported into the past to witness the good and bad times these guys went through. Stuart-Ware satisfied my curiosity about
their career onstage and in the studio. After enjoying LOVE's music so much I finally get to know the personalities of the
band members. He also candidly shares their experiences with drugs
and in doing so provides us with an important lesson in decadence. One does not have to be a fan to enjoy this exceptional biography. Not only will you find the story interesting but you may just be prompted to discover the treasure
that is their music.

By	Lee M ( Venice , California USA )

The "Love" of the 65'-68' variety is the one I remember, and the Author, Michael Stuart-Ware "Nail's It" in this incredibly well documented and factually written book "Pegasus Carousel". I do not claim to be much of a book "critic", but being on the same bill occasionally in L.A. and the Bay Area with Love back in those days, I can certainly relate to quite a few personal experience's witnessed by myself that Stuart-Ware relates.
It is as if Michael takes you back to the fun, and troubled times of a band that was marked for destiny, by handing you a "back stage pass", and personally guiding you through the climb up the ladder of the talented musical talent's of the individuals of this group, continuing on to their "mysterious" cult L.A. Sunset Strip following and popularity, to the slow descent and disintegration of a band with a serious future.
This is a MUST READ for any past and present Love fan, of any degree. Also, an influential "guide book" for any band now, or in the future. Once you pick it up to start reading, make sure you have a few free hours. Chances are likely you won't put it down until you have finished it!

Best "rock bio" I've read

By	Bobby Covic ( Incline Village , NV United States )

This is the best "rock bio" I've read (and I've read quite a few). Michael takes an approach I haven't seen taken in a book of this type before . . . so personal and honest. In Pegasus he deals with much more than simply the literal history of the late-sixties underground rock group, LOVE. He uses the story of the band to give the readers a rare glimpse beneath the surface of an entire era, writing with an "editorial" slant and a style that borders on the "conversational." Great cast of real-life characters. Couldn't put it down.

Other Comments from Readers

“Pegasus Carousel is well written, clearly told, and simply engaging. In contrast to many rock biographies, Stuart-Ware eschews the ‘tell-all’ gossip that fills so many pages (and usually helps sell copies) in favor of an honest take on the history and circumstances of an ill-fated band…” Mark Norris, Blue Dog Press

“While critics have consistently named ‘Forever Changes’ one of the top recordings of all time, little has been documented about the group during its heyday. Apart from the British magazine The Castle, fans have had precious little material that has come direct from the source…With the release of Michael Stuart-Ware’s new memoir, Pegasus Carousel, LOVE fans finally have a chance to catch up with the drummer and glean a behind-the-scenes look at the tumultuous goings-on of the incongruously named band…” Mike Stax, Ugly Things Publications

“…I’ve been virtually unable to stop reading it since it arrived. For me to read a book from ‘cover to cover’ in three days is highly unusual. The book has to be exceptional, and this proved to be such a book…I thoroughly enjoyed the way it was written – the easy, natural style, the believable dialogue, the straightforward vocabulary of the narrative, a good beginning and a good end, and above all the ring of truth. It was a breath of fresh air…Reading Pegasus Carousel brought to life for me very vividly the individuals in the band and their relationships with each other, and it at least explained the mystifying failure of the band to gain much greater recognition. It was fascinating…” Peter Bensimon, United Kingdom

“…I started reading it today and couldn’t stop…but I am reading as slowly as possible so it doesn’t end! I really love it, and the stories are priceless. It triggers so many memories of my own…Just his descriptions alone make me almost smell the California air…Michael’s descriptions of Laurel Canyon really bring it out…The CD ROM is brilliant!…” Robert Lanzarotta, New York, New York

“…I’m halfway through and really enjoying it. Yes, it’s grim in places, but I love the ‘diary/warts and all' style. It’s like being there! Fabulous…” Martyn Samuels, Johannesburg, South Africa

“I just finished reading your book, Pegasus Carousel,’ and it’s totally outasite, fascinating, etc. Only a member of the ‘first LOVE,’ so to speak, as you were (and are), could give such an inside into Bryan, Arthur, Johnny, and the others. I totally enjoyed your style of writing…” Peter Weinberger, Eugene, Oregon

“Just wanted to write and let you know that this was a book that I could not put down…It gave me so much insight into why LOVE never reached their potential. Though I laughed a lot while reading the book, I came to the conclusion that it was truly tragic the way everyone succumbed to the power of drugs. I can now appreciate the music even more, now that I feel like I know the people who made it…Thank you for writing it all down and sharing it with the public. If this book helps one person stay away from the drugs (as it will me!) then your work will have been worthwhile.” Jason Smith, Houston, Texas

“So far, this is just SOLID GOLD STUFF, and I’m just browsing. When I read, ‘and in a preview of things to come, I discovered we were running a little late,’ I had to stop. I was laughing so hard, I think I pulled a muscle in my rib cage! Can’t wait to read on!!” Chris Utter, Yorba Linda, CA

“Wow, am I excited! I got home from teaching school today to find Michael’s Pegasus Carousel waiting for me. Brilliant! What a wonderful welcome home after a hard day. I am really pleased, but it looks like I’ll not get the early-to-bed I had promised myself whilst I explore what Michael has written. Please pass on my very grateful thanks and also for his having signed the inner sleeve. It will be treasured with my various copies of LOVE albums and magazines…Here I go exploring!" Graham Cole, United Kingdom

“Whew! What a read. Incredible, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable. I always thought I wanted to be more involved in the L.A. music scene (a little too young to get into Bido Lito’s, at the time) – now, after reading what Michael wrote, I am probably lucky I wasn’t!! Too, too much. Fun to take a trip down Nostalgia Lane, however…” Richard Schuman, Carmichael, CA

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Email for information pcarousel@aol.com

Last updated July 11, 2007