One Step Closer: From Xero to #1: Becoming Linkin Park

I have followed Linkin Park since the beginning. I have the band’s 20th anniv box set, but this book is a must for for any LP Fan! I recently read the article about LP in Forbes. I wasn’t expecting to read the whole book immediately as I am an attorney in Dallas and am very busy, but it was really engaging. It is written like a movie script, and I couldn’t put it down. A lot of work went into this band and how they were assembled--it's an incredible journey. It is amazing that they were rejected so many times by so many labels but still came out on top. It just goes to show that it only takes one person to believe and to work hard to help make something a success. Reading the story from the A&R veiwpoint gives this book an authenticity and genuine behind the scenes perspective that you normally dont hear about. I found it very interesting, educational, and thought-provoking. It really tells a great story, about a great band, and how with the help of great people who believed in them, the band rose up through it all and made one of my favorite ablums of all time--Hybrid Theory--and became a huge success. God bless CB, and wishing the Band more success for another 20 years.

I recently had the pleasure of reading Jeff Blue's incredible book, "One Step Closer," and I cannot express enough how much it has impacted me both From the very first page, it was evident that Jeff Blue poured his heart and soul into this book. His writing style is engaging and captivating, making it impossible to put the book down. Each chapter is filled with invaluable insights and experiences, offering a glimpse into the world of music that few have the privilege to witness.What struck me most about Jeff Blue's story is the passion that radiates from every page. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering belief in the power of music are truly awe-inspiring. Reading about his journey through the ups and downs of the industry, the challenges he faced, and the triumphs he achieved gave me a newfound sense of determination and resilience.But "One Step Closer" goes beyond the music industry. Jeff Blue's story transcends professional boundaries and delves into the realm of personal growth and self-discovery. His unwavering belief in his dreams and his ability to overcome obstacles resonated deeply with me, encouraging me to pursue my own passions and never settle for less than what I truly desire.This book has been life-changing for me. It has ignited a fire within me, pushing me to strive for greatness and never back down from a challenge. Jeff Blue's unwavering dedication to his craft and his ability to navigate the complex world of music with grace and integrity have become a blueprint for success in both my professional and personal life.In conclusion, I cannot recommend "One Step Closer" enough. Jeff Blue's book is a true masterpiece that will leave you feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to conquer the world. Whether you are a music enthusiast or simply someone seeking inspiration, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be captivated by Jeff Blue's incredible journey and be forever changed by his unwavering professionalism and dedication to the music industry.

It took me quite some time to finish Jeff Blue’s ‘One Step Closer’ for the simple reason that this incredible account of Linkin Park’s debut and rise to stardom is so chock full of useful tips and life lessons that I re-read some passages multiple times, underlined heavily, and wrote notes in the margins wherever I could apply these insights to my own challenges. My copy is now in a sorry state :) but I feel enriched with a beautiful, inspirational story of perseverance in the face of adversity. It is certainly a book I will keep consulting and offer to friends who need a little motivational boost.I bought this book not just as a hardcore LP fan curious about what it took to make the revolutionary Hybrid Theory album, but also as a ‘struggling artist’ trying to make it in the cruelly competitive creative industries (photography/photojournalism). I became immediately engrossed in the story of passion, hard work, laser focus, determination and resilience of all the band members and Jeff Blue himself, as he takes us through the doubts, difficulties and heart-wrenching decisions, but also the joys and exhilarating moments on the road to success. The engaging storytelling and dialogues make you feel like you are a direct witness to the action and suspense, a fly on the wall listening to the delicate conversations surrounding Mark Wakefield, the impassioned arguments to keep Mike in the band, the band members’ fight to keep control of their artwork, and Chester cheerleading his bandmates at their most vulnerable moment. You also get a front-row seat to see the stark realities of this cut-throat industry and the vultures that start circling around you to get a piece of the action at the first signs of success.This is also a very personal story, with Blue being very open about his own struggles, private and professional, and giving us little glimpses into the band members’ souls, such as when Chester immediately notices when Blue feels down and offers an empathetic shoulder, or when Rob gives Chester a hand with his move.Last but not least, we now not only know whom to thank for the creation of this historic band, but we also have a towering example of someone who pursued his passion for music and stayed true to his dream and beliefs.As ‘One Step Closer’ could certainly have its place among academic books for music students and scholars, I wished there was an Index of names and subjects for quick reference. But my scribblings and the eloquent chapter titles help me find those precious quotes pretty quickly :)A nice surprise was the archival photos of the band’s relaxed moments and crucial successes!All in all, this book is a must-read for anyone with a dream or goal, be it professional, artistic or personal, and who wants to echo Chester’s confident proclamation “We are gonna be the biggest band in the world, and no one is gonna stand in our way.”

I loved all of it

I like that the more I read it, the more I learn about them from their beginning of their career. It is a special book that is more than a biography. I would really recommemd this to anyone who wants to learn to start a career as a band musician.

O material do livro no geral é muito bom. O texto traz muitos detalhes interessantes sobre a banda e conta de muitos acontecimentos que aconteceram antes de se tornarem conhecidos. A visão é bem parcial do ponto do autor, mas o meu maior problema é no formato em que a história é contada. Jeff Blue optou por contar a história como se fosse um livro de romance normal, com diálogos inventados da cabeça dele (pois é impossível alguém se lembrar de todos os detalhes tantos anos depois), ao invés de uma narração mais direta dos acontecimentos. No geral, eu recomendo a experiência de leitura para fãs da banda.

In terms of the format, Jeff created short snappy chapters that make points effectively and helps cover the long timespan of the story. Other than that the last third of book had some serious editing errors.I highly recommend this book to any LP fan or people interested in the music industry in general. Jeff does a great job recalling details and describes scenes in a way that makes you feel like you're in the room with them. There was so much pain and grit described that I can't help but look at everyone involved through a brand new more humanized lens. It appears as everyone involved managed to alchemize all the failures they experienced to their benefit. This story is a testament to their perseverance. As a fan, probably the hardest part to read was how Chester didn't feel included in the beginning, however it is also understandable considering the stress the rest of the band have been under and for how much longer, then their youth, the differences in their backgrounds, etc. For example, when that executive called Mike's rapping 'pedestrian' my soul left my body for a second. Then they tried to get rid of him, even though he was half the band himself. I can't imagine him being in the headspace to make friends during those times. However, there are endless amounts of footage of the band, Mike and Chester in particular, that shows how close they grew overtime.I really appreciate Jeff's honesty about his own mistakes as well. It is really sad (spoiler here) that he never really recovered the relationship with the band. Mike's recent interview on the Zach Sang Show made that apparent.Bottom line, differences aside, Jeff comes across as a lovely great guy who had the band's best interest at heart and who knows if we would have ever gotten to know them without him. Thank you Jeff!Also, Diet Coke is mentioned so often that I went out and got a six pack :D

Amo i Linkin Park sin da piccolissima. Ho amato questo libro!!

As a Linkin Park fan since 2001, I was excited to get a book. I was not sure how much unknown it will bring back, so expectations were not set up high. In the end, it is quick and fun read. It speaks from Jeff perspective, mostly daily work routine, but related to our beloved band and it's journey to debut LP release.I really like the part about Chester joining the band and his adoptation. It would be nice to hear comments from Mike and others about their relationship with Jeff and leadership chalanges. And yes, we finally know who wanted to drop Mike rapping :)