Is This Live?: Inside the Wild Early Years of MuchMusic: The Nation's Music Station

This was such a good read. This book brought back lots of fun memories from all those hours I spent watching Much as a teen

A great read.If MuchMusic was your go-to when growing up, you'll remember many of the stories in this book.But these back stories are even better.

MuchMusic was a music station that launched in 1984 in Canada (three years after MTV) with a focus on music programming, including blocks of music videos and original series focusing on musicians and artists. Before MuchMusic, there were very few shows to watch music videos so it was quite exciting when the station started (I was in my early 20s). Christopher Ward was one of the original VJs at MuchMusic.This book is about the beginnings of MuchMusic. The chapters include discussions about the VJs, the shows, the artists (singers, groups, etc.), best and worst interviews, special events and more, plus the impact that MuchMusic had on the artists' careers. In addition to Ward's thoughts and experiences, he also includes snippets of interviews with other MuchMusic VJs and their guests. Also scattered throughout the book are pictures of the VJs with various singers and groups.I rarely watch Much now as it's changed its format and plays less music. It was interesting reading this book and remembering the VJs and thinking, "I forgot all about him/her and I wonder what they are doing today." Plus it provides a behind the scene peak at what some singers and groups are really like.It's an interesting book if you were a fan of MuchMusic and 80s music in general, with more focus on Canadian talent. I liked the writing style. As a head's up, there is swearing.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm a huge music fan, roughly "of this era", but I grew up in the U.S. watching MTV, not Much. It was really interesting to read about how a music video station was grown essentially from scratch, and to read the stories describing how the VJ's and crew would pull things off by the seat of their pants. A good insight into Canadian culture and character as well. A fun read that is fresh, insightful and well told.

This was a delightful book for me to read. It brings the 1980's Music Scene from Much Music. I loved all the inside things about the VJ's, the pictures of all the bands who basically showed up and had fun with the fans and the staff. Lots of funny stories, creepy stories and what bands everyone had to interview. I really liked Christopher Ward, Steve Anthony and Erica Ehm. Lots of good times from Toronto and great bands!

Christopher Ward went from Toronto's Second City to become one of the early central hosts of MuchMusic alongside Steve Anthony, Erica Ehm, and Michael Williams, among others.This book tells the story from the inside, in a light, breezy and amusing style. It's not an exhaustive history, more a series of rock and roll anecdotes gathered from the archives combined with modern reminisces, grouped thematically rather than chronologically. Anyone who's worked in and around the Canadian music industry - in radio, TV, or as a performer - will find something they recognize here.

I read this right after a long book about Can Rock. It was a good supplementary read. The book focuses on the real beginnings of Much Music. If you watched the show at that time this will bring back memories.

I think that the book could have been edited a bit better as it tends to lose pace in the 90’s. Still, some great stories and reveals by Chris Ward, and in the end worth your time if you grew up on Much Music as I did.

Great look back at the formative years of MuchMusic and it's influence on the music and video production industries. Lots of amusing anecdotes and recollections.