Best seat in the house: drumming in the '70s with Marriot, Frampton and Humble Pie

Here is a hard rock memoir - essentially an authorised bio on the endearing British rock band Humble Pie - as told from the drum throne and backstage hallways during the emerging days of the seventies classic rock era.

In 1969, Jerry Shirley was chosen to drum in a new band led by Steve Marriot and Peter Frampton.

He had just turned 17. Along with bassist Greg Ridley, and manager Dee Anthony, the Pie started a 6-year journey that stormed the US and defined Arena Rock - bigger sound, bigger contracts, and bigger parties.