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The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin
01/03/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Bantam Spectra. 340 page enlarged paperback. Price: $15.00 (US), $19.95 (CAN). ISBN: 978-0-553-38307-2. Buy The Armageddon Rag in the USA - or Buy The Armageddon Rag in the UK  check out websites: www.bantamdell.com www.bantamdell.com
George R.R. Martin is capable of switching between Science Fiction and fantasy. 'The Armageddon Rag' happens to be neither. This one is more like a 'road movie' blended with amateur detective mixed with heavy rock and is one of the best goddamn books that I've ever read. Although originally released in 1983, it is a masterclass in how to write characters and develop them, set mood, etc. It even tells a story.
The Nazgūl were a 60s heavy rock band with a massive following until one of the band was sniper-shot dead at a massive outdoor concert at West Mesa concert and it became their final performance. George Martin is so convincing about this that I ended up looking around for a similar event in case anything resembled it with the names changed.
About two decades down the line, Sandy Blair, ex-editor/journalist and now a moderately successful author with a mental block with his latest book. He is hired by the editor of the Hedgehog, a once radical rock mag, where he was once in charge to look into the death of Jamie Lynch, former manager of The Nazgūl. His pursuit leads to members of the band, more deaths and some old pals along the way.
Blair thinks he might finally have pin-pointed down who did it but the police already have a suspect and the Hedgehog has already lost interest. Despondent, he returns home, has a relationship break-up and then discovers The Nazgūl have reformed with a lookalike replacement and he gets employed as their publicist overcoming his nightmares determined to uncover the murderer.
If anything, what threw me a lot was when the story changed from a search across the United States to where Blair started working for the enemy even if he did throw a beautiful twist on the subject. The then and now use of the characters is magnificently managed that I wonder much was based on George Martin's own experiences in the 60s. Each vignette is full of life as to ignore any hint of choosing stereotypical types. If anything, you rejoice as you recognise the type. I might never have been to an American university or even across the pond come for that but the resonances are there to say, 'I know these people.'
It might not be SF, fantasy or even horror, but its certainly an interesting story from one of our own that someone really ought to pull the movie rights for and get it on screen. As it is, this book has a hearty recommendation for anyone with a liking for rock, old lyrics and a stonking good story.
GF Willmetts
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