About the Book
Appetite For Dysfunction: A Cautionary Tale
Appetite For Dysfunction is a self-exploratory journey through Vicky's life. A small town girl who risks everything by dropping out of art school, leaving behind the safety of loved ones and small town values, and making her way to Hollywood. When Vicky arrived, she landed a job as a mere record store clerk, to then miraculously find herself deep in the trenches of an unscrupulous, male dominated, music entertainment business, and blossomed into Hollywood's most controversial A&R woman and band manager. Vicky followed her dream and achieved it. She became the top female record company executive and personal band manager. Only to reach her aspirations while working with Guns N' Roses, to then take on the most coveted A&R position to date at Geffen Records, under David Geffen himself. It was common knowledge, that while David Geffen was relaxing at his Malibu beach house, Hamilton was busy scouring dark clubs for talent. Doing the kind of legwork many larger record labels had gotten away from.
Appetite For Dysfunction is the first time Vicky candidly speaks out about the life she lived on the front lines, deep in the heartless world of the music business. Hamilton brings to this book her unbiased observations and shrewd glimpses about who these rock stars and executives are at the core of their beings, and about herself, as well. She expresses her gratitude for her historic past and her accomplishments, as well as her own shortcomings along the way. She shares her victories, her mistakes, the horror stories, and her dark comedic approach to "making it" in the entertainment business. Even while getting her heart broken on many occasions, leading to some cataclysmic breakdowns, Vicky battles to hang on to her integrity. Painfully taking the highroad, as she loses her job at Capitol Records, while facing eviction and a phone that suddenly stopped ringing, Vicky holds her head high, humbly reinvents herself, and literally, goes on with the show.
One of the many highlights of this book is when Vicky produced and released June Carter-Cash's record, Press On>. Hamilton was so determined to get June a record deal that, when no one else wanted to make a record with June, Vicky started her own label, Small Hairy Dog. Through her relationship with Carter-Cash, while making Press On>, Vicky found herself trusting her own faith and intuition and began questioning her personal lifestyle choices and stopped looking outside of herself for happiness. No longer coming from a place of fear, Vicky finds sobriety and a new perspective on life. Vicky's persistence and shift of faith paid off when June's record won a Grammy.
This book is about a small town girl who follows her heart to Hollywood, finds success only to lose it all, after chasing a dream that becomes a nightmare, because nothing and no one are what they appear to be. Hitting the bottom of a dark and lonely abyss to then climb out triumphantly. This book shares Vicky Hamilton's undeniable optimism, hope and faith-eternal, and is a must read for anyone who is a music fan and curious about the golden era of the record business, and for anyone with a dream of their own.
Vicky Hamilton is a long time Grammy Award-Winning music industry executive and personal manager, featured on VH-1s, Biography Channel's and BBC.
She is considered one of the most successful female music executives in the industry. Pull down the safety bar, Appetite For Dysfunction is a wild and exhilarating ride.
About the Author :
Vicky Hamilton Biography Long time Grammy Award-Winning music industry executive and personal manager. Vicky has been featured in VH-1s Behind the Music and Driven, The BBC, The Biography Channel's on Guns 'N' Roses, Brett Michaels, and Motley Crüe. Considered one of the most successful music executives in the industry, Vicky has discovered, developed or managed the careers of Guns N Roses, Motley Crue, Poison, Faster Pussycat and many others. In 1988, David Geffen hired her as A&R executive at Geffen Records, where she stayed until 1992. She has also worked with famed manager Elliot Roberts at Lookout Management/ Vapor Records, before moving to Capitol Records as A&R consultant with longtime friend Gary Gersh. At the House of Blues after watching Johnny Cash perform, Rick Rubin (Def Jam, American, Columbia Records) suggested she make a record with June Carter Cash. Hamilton shopped June's demos around to all the major labels but there was a reluctance to sign this country legend. This is when Vicky started her own label Small Hairy Dog and gave June a label to call home. Her album, Press On was released in 1999 and earned a Grammy Award in 2000. Currently (2016), Vicky owns and operates Aesthetic V management and productions, which represents and develops bands, artist and special projects. www.vickyhamilton.com Vicky also produces and hosts a vlog, www.AestheticVblog.com that focuses on the creative process. Vicky Hamilton has just released her autobiography Appetite For Dysfunction, which is getting a lot of attention and praise. Hamilton is also planning a second workshop for the musical play she co-wrote with Robbie Quine Glitter Beach.
Review :
Top Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 starsI was just going to flip through it and read the goods she had on the acts like Motley, Stryper By fletch gorman on March 1, 2016 A definitive read for any music lover of the 80's glam metal scene. Initially, I was just going to flip through it and read the goods she had on the acts like Motley, Stryper, Poison and GNR, but then I became enthralled at her humble beginnings, her stories of working at records stores and as a cocktail waitress in Hollywood and her (lack of) business acumen and money to support and manage these bands solely on a handshake and her firm belief they had what it takes to make it. She doesn't hold back. She names names. She slams the assholes and schmucks, yet praises those with honesty, integrity and genuineness. Most captivating, is her insight and description of learning about, managing and eventually living with Axl Rose's Bi-Polar Disorder. This book will take you on a captivating, whirlwind ride of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. The title of her book encapsulates it all, Appetite for Dysfunction; and Vicky Hamilton takes you to an all-you-can-eat-buffet, where you leave stuffed and satisfied. Good job Vicky, thanks for telling your story. Have not seen you since Dallas Junction! Enjoying your book and it's bringing back memories of my own life on the road. Nice to see all your success. Keep up the good work! having first-hand knowledge of the in's and out's of this male dominated field of band management i found this journey of one extraordinary woman's dreams, and pitfalls along with her generous gift of her struggles, demons and being tossed aside by the gods of the glam rock era after she was clearly the one responsible for everything they have today. ms. hamilton takes you with her brilliantly with her raw honesty..... ROCK ON VICKY!!!
