It’s Literally Wednesday: Books That Literally Rock
Dave | October 10, 2012 | 10:50 am
Yesterday Harper published Who I Am: A Memoir, the autobiography of one of my own personal rock heroes, Pete Townshend. (Here’s the mostly positive New York Times review.) Last month brought us Marc Spitz’ Jagger: Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue, which followed last year’s Life by Keith Richards. Neil Young’s Waging Heavy Peace also came out last month, as did David Byrne’s somewhat rock biography, How Music Works. A multitude of rock biographies of and autobiographies by rockers as well as those who hung around them (Pattie Boyd, Pamela Des Barres) have come out over the past couple of decades.
I read a bunch of these once upon a time. My very favorites were Barry Miles’ Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, The Beatles Anthology, Peter Guralnick’s two biographies of Elvis, and Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band by Scott Freeman (who also wrote a bio of Georgian legend Otis Redding and co-wrote a book with Atlanta Braves’ former pitching coach Leo Mazzone – a different kind of legend).
Most were very, very bad. Frustratingly disappointing was David Ritz’ Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye, which never came close to capturing Gaye’s genius (or soul).
The bottom line is that most rock stars are not particularly interesting people. Get together with friends, make a record, fame, drugs, more records, more drugs, write book. (Paul McCartney is an exception, as I’m guessing is Pete Townshend.)
Read any good rock books?
This Week
Tad Hills, author of Rocket Writes a Story, Wednesday, October 10th, 4pm, Little Shop of Stories, free.
Carlos Andrés Gómez, author of Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood, Wednesday, October 10th, 7:15pm, Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.
Fashion event with Marjorie Galen, author of The Fashion Designer’s Handbook: Learn to Sew and Become a Designer in 33 Fabulous Projects, Friday, October 12th, 7pm, Little Shop of Stories, free.
James Patterson, author of everything, Sunday, October 14th, 3pm, Marcus JCCA, check here for ticketing information.
Pam Durbin, author of The Tree of Forgetfulness, Monday, October 15th, 7:15pm, Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.
R.L. Stine, author of Red Rain: A Novel, Monday, October 15th, 7:30pm, Marcus JCCA, check here for ticketing information.
H.W. Brands, author of The Man Who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace, Tuesday, October 16th, 7:15pm, Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.
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“I am Ozzy”
Surprisingly well written, with help from Chris Ayres. He doesn’t shy away from taking the blame for the decisions he’s made in life. I learned a lot about his dyslexia, addiction and poverty, but also about his love for Sharron, his fans and music. I remember the day Randy Rhoads was killed in the plane crash, and Ozzy fills in the details. You can tell it’s still a very painful subject for him.
One question keeps running through your mind when reading this book. “How the hell is he still ALIVE?”
A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan is an awesome fiction book that interweaves tales from the music industry from the late seventies to the near future that ring true to this “Dad who Rocks.”
Also, the lovely Ms. Durban’s (late of Georgia State University, now teaching at UNC) name is misspelled. /copyediting nitpick.
I also hear good things about the Neil Young biography Shakey, in which Mr. Young turns on his chronicler and tries to dissuade the writer from publishing the book at all. Dylan’s Chronicles Vol. 1 pretty much set the standard (when doesn’t he?) for rock memoirs and reads, remarkably, like a personal conversation with rock’s most recalcitrant interviewee…
Patti Smith’s “Just Kids” was a revelation. I came to it with low expectations and was dazzled. It’s beautifully written and a compelling story. The other recent rock book I really enjoyed is “Love Goes To Buildings On Fire” by Will Hermes. It’s a chronicle of the New York music scene from 1973-1977 focusing on how fertile and influential that scene was, from punk to disco to hiphop to classical to salsa to jazz.
Thumbs up on the Egan book, too, as well as the Dylan tome. I hope Zimmy does a few more volumes. He certainly has the material. David Hajdu’s Positively 4th Street is another good one that covers the early days of Bob.
+100 on Just Kids – an amazing book, very well written
Biographies are one of my favorite genres! I own many, including this one by Townshend you’re showing here (haven’t started reading it yet). Recent reads include Keith Richards’ bio “Life” (a bit rambling, but surprisingly lucid considering the source), Christopher Anderson’s new Jagger bio (almost a bit too fawning in places), and Paul Trynka’s book on Bowie, “Starman” (pretty intense). One of my favorites to date has to be “Pearl”, Janis Joplin’s bio from Ellis Amburn– reading it just broke my heart. Looking forward to cracking into the Townshend book!
I just got the new Gregg Allman book from the library.
Two great rock autobiographies: “The Dirt” by Motley Crue–no, I’m not kidding, and I’m not a Crue fan. But my brother recommended this book, and it is totally fascinating. The ghostwriter did a great job. Also, Slash’s autobiography is excellent. In addition to kicking much musical ass, he’s a really smart, engaging guy.
I second the recommendation for the The Dirt. Loved it. Very well done, with every chapter changing voices between Crue members.
I was hoping for more from the Slash autobiography. OK, but not as good as The Dirt.
Third on The Dirt.
If you can find it, Lunar Notes by Bill Harkleroad (aka Zoot Horn Rollo) tells one of the most amazing and terrible stories in all of rock history, that of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. Not the greatest writing, but the story more than makes up for it.
On a related note, Beefheart: Through the Eyes of Magic, by John French (aka Drumbo), tells the same story in far greater detail, but the writing and editing is atrocious.
Its not just about rock, but Making Records by Phil Ramone was a fascinating read. Part memoir, part technical how to of what goes into recording and why certain bands or artists preferred different studios for the sounds they made.
I, too, have developed a love for rock-and-roll biographies. I can’t wait to get my hands on Townsend’s book.
One of the best I’ve read recently is McCartney’s Many Years From Now.
I thought Dylan’s Chonricles Vol 1 was mediocre and, being Volume 1, didn’t cover large swaths of his life.
I recently picked up Patti Smith’s book, read a couple of chapters, but haven’t been motivated to pick it up again. I guess liking someone’s art (both Smith and Mapplethorpe’s) doesn’t translate into liking their writing.
R.L. Stine? Like, the author of Goosebumps and Fear Street??
Wow, talk about a blast from the past.