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Tony KlingerTwilight of The Gods
John Blake Publishing
2009
ISBN 978-1-84454-766-1
I don't honestly know what to make of this book, apart from the fact that it is a miracle that The Kids Are Alright ever got made.
This is a story concerning the making of The Kids Are Alright film from one of the protaganists. Tony Klinger was initially hired to direct TKAA by Bill Curbishley, but unbeknownst to the rest of the band Pete Townshend had already agreed that Jeff Stein could make the film.
As the story unfolds, Bill Curbishley comes out of it very badly, motivated by money and self promotion, Pete comes out as a being a diva, the story regarding John and anti semetic comments - are disturbing, Keith totally out of control and Roger comes out of it probably better than the rest.
From the film side Sydney Rose manipulated to high heaven, Jeff Stein somewhat of a brat and Klinger himself "the victim" and scapegoat.
But this is a version of events, I suspect everyone involved could give a version.
That the film was subject to delays and huge cost over runs is generally accepted, but this book tries to explain why and to give some insight about why. It does make for an interesting read, and it could never be accused of fawning over the band.
It is not the easiest of books to read, and to put it mildly Klinger should have left well alone telling any of the background Who story, it just doesn't flow, and stick to telling the story he does have first hand knowledge about - The Kids film. The motivation would appear to be to clean the slate and show the problems on the film were not his fault, putting the book out 30 years after the event does appear to be a little pointless as there are few that still care about what happened.
Unfortunately in Klinger's version of events he comes across as the one who gave all the answers but was ignored. He does not seem to be able to accept any is his fault. His relationship with Stein is one hell of an ego clash and down to a pissing contest. Klinger doing things via Curbishley where as Stein had access to the band.
If you can pick up a cheap copy its probably worth a read, but I wouldn't spend a lot of money on this book. It is one of the few books I have ever read where everyone comes across as self serving egotistical bast@rds. That's show business
