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The Greatest Band that Never Was

First Shelly imagined a musical legend.
Then she brought it to life.
Careful what you wish for, Shelly.

2006, dawn of social media.

Paralegal Shelly Griffin is 43, single, stuck in small-town dead-end Rust Belt, Ohio.

When she discovers a song by a long-forgotten band about a dying local beer, she inadvertently triggers the first-ever viral clip on the internet and finds herself leading the frenzied search for the remnants of band.

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The Story Continues

Shelly sequesters the middle-aged ex-hippie remnants of the band in an idyllic farmhouse to prepare for their reunion show. But she quickly discovers that steering the runaway Decamania outside is easier than mothering the multigenerational menagerie of band and team members as long-buried skeletons emerge before prying TV cameras, new relationships evolve, and improbable bonds are forged.

The Greatest Band that Never Was is a saga of overnight celebrity, lives turned upside-down and recreated, found family, local pride, one indomitable woman changing lives with her dream, and driving it all, the magic of Rock & Roll.

Get To Know Jeff Meshel

Jeff Meshel has dedicated his life to exploring and sharing the magic of music. He’s been crafting stories that connect with fans of all genres since his high school days.

As a playwright, director, lyricist, journalist, and music producer, Jeff has worn many hats, each one adding a new layer to his understanding of the art.

His unique perspective and storytelling have captivated audiences worldwide.

 

Beyond his career, Jeff is a family man—married, a proud father of two, and a grandfather to eight curious, creative souls who bring him endless joy.
Born in Ohio and now calling Israel his home, Jeff has a global outlook with a deep passion for connecting cultures through music.

 

Join Jeff on this journey through rock, rhythm, and storytelling, where every note tells a story, and every story brings us closer to the heart of music.

Reviews that speak volumes

David Schloss Professor of Creative Writing, Miami University (Ohio)

The Greatest Band That Never Was’ is a moving, often heartwarming story that brought me to tears a handful of times. The sense of community and goodwill and a group of people working together is very striking. The book is a rushing rollercoaster of compulsive energy that makes for one feel-good experience that I’m guessing would be VERY commercially viable. Addictive reading.

Ian Boyle author of the novel
“What the Dormouse Said"

An unassuming paralegal embarks on a quest to reunite past and present by locating the members of a band that broke up almost four decades before. In the process she rescues an ailing family business, reunites a community, and reignites the unique creative spark that turns a group of forgotten musicians into living legends. The Greatest Band That Never Was deftly weaves multiple narrative strands to tell a story of self-discovery, unconquerable resilience, and the power of music to bring people together and transform lives. Meshel has written something magical — and epic. I’m immensely glad to have had the chance to read it and am definitely going to re-read it.

BE Allatt

I’ve never written a comment like this before, but I really had to: I proofread one to two books a week, and this is easily one of the absolutely best books I’ve read in the past few years. You should be so incredibly proud of it. I laughed, I cried, and I had all the feelings. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with the world. And, seriously, this would make a FANTASTIC limited series.

Yuri Gittik

The Greatest Band That Never Was’ is a warm and wise reflection on the sixties and how that era influenced and changed the American way of life. It is a humorous and thoughtful story of a small-town band who years after its demise is reincarnated to become the focus of another social movement, spreading pride, hope and American values.

Netta Druckman

By page 50 I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want it to end, and when it did I wanted to start reading it again

Sally Schloss author of the novel “Helping Howard”

Jeff Meshel’s love song of a novel has the big-hearted feel of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the reality check of “Almost Famous.” This celebration of life is a fat book by contemporary standards, but you’ll wish the experience wasn’t over when you get to the last page—with a smile on your face.

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