Description
MANERAS DE VIVIR. LEÑO AND THE ORIGINS OF URBAN ROCK
Book Summary
This choral work reconstructs the history of the trio Leño, a fundamental band of Spanish urban rock, through the voices of the protagonists themselves. Kike Turrón and Kike Babas gather testimonials, memories, and opinions from the musicians who lived through the musical effervescence that accompanied the country's political and social transition in the first person. The reader will discover how the group emerged from bands like Ñu and Coz, their meteoric career between 1978 and 1983, and the reasons for their abrupt dissolution at the height of their success. A historical account that documents the birth of street rock and the mutation of a society leaving behind the gray of the late Franco era.
What is it about?
The book builds a historical puzzle where the individuals involved provide the pieces. Based on interviews and statements, it narrates the rise of Leño, from their roots in previous bands to becoming the sonic standard-bearer of the streets and authentic urban rock. The work is not limited to a musical chronicle; it portrays the social context of a changing country, where long-haired and mohawked individuals sought to paint their lives with experiences, music, and color. Furthermore, it addresses, without mincing words, the factors that led to the group's split at the peak of their fame: disagreements between the three members, personal maturity, egos, drugs, and social changes. It is a direct testimony about a short but intense band that marked a turning point in rock made in Spain.
Main Topics
- History of Spanish urban rock during the Transition.
- Choral and testimonial biography of the group Leño (1978-1983).
- Sociocultural context of the transition from late-Francoism to democracy.
- Personal relationships, egos, and internal conflicts in a successful band.
- The impact of drugs and social changes on the music scene.
Who is it recommended for?
For fans and nostalgic followers of Leño and the Spanish urban rock of the 70s and 80s. Also for readers interested in the social and musical history of the Spanish Transition, as well as for those looking for a first-hand account of the inner workings of a legendary band, told unfiltered by the protagonists themselves.
What this book provides
- A unique and direct testimony from the musicians who lived through the origins of urban rock.
- Deep understanding of the social and cultural context surrounding Leño and their generation.
- Insights into the real reasons for the group's dissolution at the peak of their career.
- A choral vision that reveals the different perspectives of those involved in the story.
- Rigorous historical documentation on a key era for Spanish popular music.
Technical Details
- Author: Conde, Kike Turrón; Suarez Caycedo, Kike Babas
- Publisher: Bao Bilbao Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Music, Rock and pop music, Biography: arts and entertainment, Autobiography: arts and entertainment
- Series: Maneras de vivir. Leño y el origen del R
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication Date: April 2018
- Number of pages: 312
- Weight: 1000 g
Editorial Review
A piece of oral documentation essential for understanding not only the trajectory of Leño, but the musical and social ecosystem that made urban rock possible in Spain. The decision to give the floor exclusively to the protagonists provides an authenticity and rawness that would be difficult to find in a standard biography. It is a book that will interest both the die-hard fan and the scholar of the popular culture of the Transition, offering an unfiltered look at one of the most influential and enigmatic bands on the national scene.