Tony Klinger

I now, without the benefit of a safety net, shall attempt the impossible feat of reviewing my own book, Twilight of the Gods, which was published today.

I took the decision to do so, after carefully considering the alternatives. I could wait for others to review my book, but then I have no way of knowing what they might write as I don’t know them, nor do I know if they’ve even bothered to read the book. I have the advantage of knowing the material and the author with great intimacy.

First the obvious blurb which reads as follows;

The Who were at their peak in the 1970s. Few other bands in the world could touch them. But time was running out for the classic line-up and by 1979 drummer Keith Moon was dead of a prescription drug overdose. The documentary film The Kids Are Alright captured the band in their glory and producer Tony Klinger followed them in their last days of that amazing first line-up and recorded every moment in his diary. Now he tells the dramatic story in The Twilight of the Gods.

The movie showed the band as they had never been seen before, uncovering archive footage and live performances that many had thought lost. The band also played exclusively for the movie, but Keith Moon didn’t even live to see the completion of the project. Tony Klinger recounts the gripping story of filming the last ever concert the band played with Moon, plus the realities of making a film with the most unpredictable and incendiary live act on the planet.

The Who redefined rock music and have continued to inspire their fans right up to the present day. Yet these last, dramatic days with Keith Moon remain a fascinating focus to understand exactly what made the band so powerful and Tony Klinger was there for each incredible shot.

About the Author

Tony was born in London. At school he won prizes for his writing and with some friends ran a successful underground school magazine. By 18 Tony was making films that received wide public distribution. Tony lectures at universities, makes films and writes. Over a distinguished career Tony headed several media companies both in the UK and USA. He has made more than 500 media productions of all types. He ran film production courses at the Northern and Bournemouth Film Schools and was director of the Media Production Centre at the University of East London.

Perhaps I should simply leave it at that but that wouldn’t add anything much to what this book feels like nor why I wrote it.

So, some questions and answers.

Q. Why write this book now?

A. I wrote the first draft pretty much straight after it happened but I didn’t want it to feel like it was written in anger or to seek a quick profit. So I waited an entire generation so that the story would be objective as well as rich with anecdotes and laughs and sober reflection.

Q. Why did you publish with John Blake Publishing?

A. They were the only people I showed the book to. John was familiar with the background and the Who. He was a journalist who knew about rock and roll. He also knew my film and, of course, he publishes some great titles in this kind of area.

Q. Are you happy with the way Twilight of the Gods turned out?

A. Thrilled!

Q. No reservations?

A. Well nothing is perfect and no amount of drafting and re-drafting will ever get it to that state. I have told the truth and where I thought a fact was too hurtful I have edited myself. Maybe I have been a bit too kind with some of that, but then again, I want to be a human being and if that means not taking the easy shot at a vulnerable target I’ll live with that.

Q. Are you a fan of the Who?

A. Of their music, yes.

Q. Not the people themselves?

A. Well, like everyone else, they have good and not so good parts to them. Overall I am so grateful to have made the film and worked with them, but I can’t pretend that everything was wonderful all the time between us.

Q. Like what?

A. You’ll have to read the book.