A couple of posts on the Holy Ground got me thinking about starting this thread. So, what music books have you read that you would recommend?
I’ll kick off the recommendations
Young Soul Rebels (Stuart Cosgrove) - the Northern Soul scene.
Detroit 67 (Stuart Cosgrove) - the first of a trilogy of books. Telling the story of the Mowtown label and developing Garage Rock scene in 1967 Detroit, as well as the political unrest that year.
Memphis 68 (Stuart Cosgrove) - the second book of the trilogy around the soul scene and civil right movement in 1968.
Harlem 69 - (Stuart Cosgrove) haven’t got round to reading it yet but loved the other two books above.
Hacienda - How Not To Run A Club (Peter Hook). Humorous and interesting story of the fortunes New Order lost, and didn’t know they were losing, in owning the Hacienda nightclub.
Japrocksampler (Julian Cope) - the 60s rock n roll scene in post war Japan
Krautrocksampler (Julian Cope) - the 60s & 70s music scene in Germany
Other biographies that were decent enough were Rick Buckler (The Jam), Louise Werner (Sleeper). Tim Book Two: Vinyl Adventures from Istanbul to San Francisco (Tim Burgess).
Think Santa is bringing me Roger Daltrey’s recent biography (Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite) which should be interesting.
Results 1 to 30 of 45
Thread: Music Book Recommendations
-
23-12-2018 10:30 PM #1
Music Book Recommendations
Last edited by The Modfather; 23-12-2018 at 10:32 PM.
-
24-12-2018 01:49 AM #2
- Join Date
- May 2018
- Posts
- 2,100
For the older members..."1971, never a dull moment" by David Hepworth.
"This wheel's on fire" A book about Levon Helm and The Band.
-
24-12-2018 09:11 AM #3This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I’ve got the “Music From Big Pink” album from The Band but couldn’t tell you anything else about them or who was in the band. Will have a look at that book though 👍
-
24-12-2018 09:29 AM #4This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
But that's another thread.
Back to you.... have you read Ian McLagen's autobiography?
Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
-
24-12-2018 09:41 AM #5
- Join Date
- Apr 2007
- Posts
- 8,345
This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Last Waltz is of course an iconic film, but I do wish that the section with Neil Diamond wasn't there.Last edited by grunt; 24-12-2018 at 09:48 AM.
-
24-12-2018 09:43 AM #6This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I do like all the intertwined bands like The Faces, The Small Faces, Spencer Davis Group etc so probably worth a read as sure he will have lots of good stories.
-
24-12-2018 09:46 AM #7
- Join Date
- Apr 2007
- Posts
- 8,345
One of the funniest books about rock music and life on the road is Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics: The Legend of Man, a Rock'n'Roll Band by the sadly departed Deke Leonard.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhinos-Wino.../dp/1900711001Last edited by grunt; 24-12-2018 at 09:49 AM.
-
24-12-2018 09:49 AM #8This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I concur about Diamond, but it gives him a bit of credibility.
Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
-
24-12-2018 09:55 AM #9This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
So I read Mac's book, which was a great read. When I finished, I dropped an email on to his site, thanking him for the stories and the means to settle arguments with my 15 year old son.
The next morning (Mac was living in the States) I awoke to an email. Not a generic one from his PA, but from the man himself. Thanking me for my comments, and amazed that a 15 year old had even heard of the Small Faces
Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
-
24-12-2018 12:27 PM #10
A few of my favourites:-
Diary of a Rock and Roll Star, Ian Hunter.
Detroit 67, as mentioned. Memphis 68 better be in my stocking tomorrow.
Hardcore Troubadour, the Life and Near Death of Steve Earle.
The Hacienda, as mentioned.
Hotel California, Barney Hoskyns
Musgrave of the Marshes, John and Sheila Peel.
Reelin In The Years, Mark Radcliffe
Born To Run, Bruce.
Ronnie, Ronnie Wood
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Crystal Zevon.
Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
-
24-12-2018 01:12 PM #11
- Join Date
- May 2013
- Posts
- 1,430
The Dirt by Motley Crue
Took them ages to get their heads together and release it. A fantastic read.
-
24-12-2018 01:41 PM #12
- Join Date
- May 2012
- Posts
- 1,349
This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
The Guns N Roses books are also very good Slash,Duff & Steven Adler.
Also Keith Richards
-
24-12-2018 03:51 PM #13This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
-
24-12-2018 04:28 PM #14
- Join Date
- Apr 2007
- Posts
- 8,345
This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
What's left of the band is returning to play in Kinross at Backstage at the Green Hotel in February, launching a new album apparently.
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/man-b...ickets/8721695
-
24-12-2018 04:35 PM #15
- Join Date
- Apr 2002
- Posts
- 1,911
Redemption Song - Joe Strummer
Cured - Two Ordinary Boys, Lol Tolhurst and Robert Smith from the Cure
Then Came the Great Divide (A reflection of the post Stuart Adamson years of Big Country) by Bassist Tony Butler
A couple of Pogues books
On my wish list - Adventures of a Waterboy from Mike ScottLast edited by MSK; 24-12-2018 at 04:37 PM.
-
24-12-2018 06:07 PM #16This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
-
24-12-2018 10:27 PM #17
- Join Date
- Oct 2018
- Posts
- 3,988
If your into the Britpop scene then Luke Haines book 'Bad Vibes' is a good read about the whole scene.
Luke Haines was in a fairly obscure band called the Autuers.
-
24-12-2018 11:42 PM #18This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
-
24-12-2018 11:45 PM #19This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Meet Me In the Bathroom is essential for anyone with any interest in the New York music scene. Really interesting account as it’s all quotes from interviews with the guilty partners including the Strokes descending into heroin
Have Gun Will Travel: The Rise And Fall Of Death Row Records is amazing.
-
25-12-2018 10:54 AM #20
- Join Date
- Oct 2018
- Posts
- 3,988
This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Also Alex James biography when he was in Blur is enjoyable, he led a very hedonistic lifestyle for a while. Models, drinks and drugs.
-
25-12-2018 11:31 AM #21This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Need to get the Alex James book. Also got Kim Gordon and Johnny Rottene books that I’ve not read yet
-
25-12-2018 08:01 PM #22
I enjoyed War and Peace about the Stone Roses.
Their story is an interesting one.
-
25-12-2018 09:25 PM #23
I would also recommend Wonderland Avenue: Tales of Glamour and Excess by Danny Sugarman, a fascinating look at life with the Doors and later Iggy Pop
-
25-12-2018 09:32 PM #24This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
-
26-12-2018 12:16 AM #25
Ozzy Osbourne’s book is great, and often really funny. Recommend it highly. ‘I Am Ozzy’ I think it is called.
-
28-12-2018 09:17 AM #26
Julian Cope's books on German and Japanese music were mentioned earlier. His two autobiographical volumes "Head On" and "Repossessed" are worth a read too. Great for the Liverpool / NW England post-punk scene, as well as general acid fueled psychosis.
Speaking of which, I'm currently reading "Catch a Wave" by Peter Ames Carlin, about the Beach Boys with a focus on Brian Wilson. Enjoying it so far.
-
28-12-2018 09:17 AM #27
Bagged the audiobook of Life - by Keith Richards the other week. Really enjoying it :)
-
29-12-2018 12:14 AM #28
Set the boy free by Johnny Marr was an enjoyable read.
Freaky Dancin' by Bez
The Hacienda - How not to run a club by Peter Hook.
-
29-12-2018 07:51 AM #29
- Join Date
- Aug 2012
- Posts
- 2,206
Our band could be your life - good read about the American Post punk/indie scene with bands such as Fugazi, minuteman, black flag.
Kill your friends by John Niven - Fiction but it does have an air of authenticity about his experiences in the music industry.
-
02-01-2019 01:54 PM #30This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Another is My Magpie eyes are hungry for the prize in depth story of Creation Records from the very start of the wee club early 80's London through to the excess days of Oasis. Sadly the author died over the Xmas period.
Seems to be out of print at the mo but worth picking up 2nd hand if any come up.
Log in to remove the advert |
Bookmarks