Musicians, singers, bands and groups Books

Book Synopsis'Before the sixties, you were a child and then you were a man. You went to school and then you went to work. That changed. Our generation changed it.'Roger Daltrey is the voice of a generation, and this is his story.This is the story of his tempestuous school days and his expulsion, age 15, thanks to his authoritarian headmaster, Mr Kibblewhite. That could have been where the story ended, as the life of a factory worker beckoned, but then came rock and roll. Making his first guitar from factory off-cuts, Roger formed a band that would become The Who, one of the biggest bands on the planet.This is the story of My Generation, Tommy and Quadrophenia, of smashed guitars, exploding drums, cars in swimming pools, fights, arrests and redecorated hotel rooms, but also how all those post-war kids redefined the rules of youth.This is not just a hilarious and frank account of more than 50 wild years on the road, it is the definitive story of The Who and of the sweeping revolution that was British rock 'n' roll.

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Book SynopsisInterest in Pink Floyd remains as intense as ever even 40 years after the release of Dark Side of the Moon, with lavish box-sets collecting demos and out-takes, and Roger Waters' world tours of The Wall playing to packed stadiums. Now, Mark Blake's superbly comprehensive and engrossing history of the group, rightly acclaimed as the definitive book on the band, has been fully revised and extended with new interviews to bring the story up to date with the recent appearances of David Gilmour and Nick Mason with Roger Waters at a London date on his The Wall tour.Trade Review'A biography rich in anecdotal detail' Classic Rock 'Blake's account, newly updated, may well be definitive... It's a fascinating tale of destructive egos.' Sun 'Such is Blake's achievement in leaving no band affiliate's tale untold the author virtually redefines the term 'definitive biography.' Mojo * 'Dutiful and thorough... paints a picture of a generation, helps us in some way towards understanding the decline and enigma of Syd Barrett, and gives us a picture of a band which, although trapped by their own devices into becoming the most lumbering of rock behemoths, at least were one of the few of their vintage who carried on giving a s***. We also get a portrait of one of rock's great Difficult Characters (Waters) - as well as one of its most decent and generous (Gilmour). And a kid of happy ending.' -- Nicholas Lezard Guardian 'The definitive account of one of Britain's best-loved bands.' Choice 'No fan will feel short-changed by the welter of detail.' Independent 'A superb, incredibly detailed, and essential look at the band's history - an indispensable addition to your bookshelves.' Brain Damage - Pink Floyd news 'Mark Blake brings Floydology into the 21st Century with this handsomely produced volume...' The Sunday Telegraph 'A detailed, orderly, first-rate read...' Q 'Thorough and well-researched... Lots of new material...' Observer 'The most complete and extensive work on the history of Pink Floyd yet' - Book of the Year Record Collector 'This is, in short, an easy and enthralling read...what really makes Blake's book one of the finest on Floyd there is, is the minutiae of the detail it offers...tasty morsels for Pink Floyd fans to feed on.' Classic Rock

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Book Synopsis''I will always believe in the strength we have as women.'' As the queen of pop music since the glory days of Destiny''s Child to her incredible solo career, Beyoncé is one of the most inspiring and powerful women in music. The Little Book of Queen Bey is a collection of the most iconic quotes from a woman who needs no introduction. When it comes to self-love, empowerment and sisterhood, Beyoncé has more wisdom than anybody. From how to be an independent woman to positive affirmations that will give you hope, The Little Book of Queen Bey is the perfect gift for fans of the goddess of pop. Prepare to be inspired.

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Book SynopsisThe story of a remarkable time and place: Los Angeles from the dawn of the singer-songwriter era in the mid-Sixties to the peak of The Eagles' success in the late Seventies.Hotel California' is an epic tale of songs and sunshine, drugs and denim, genius and greed, and is the first in-depth account of the LA Canyons scene between 1967 and 1976.Hoskyn''s history of this vital period in the development of today''s great musical influences spans the rise of Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, The Eagles, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, and focuses on the brilliance and determination of David Geffen, the man who linked them all.Covering genius, drug-crazed disintegration, and the myriad relationships between these artists and the songs that issued from them, and drawing on extensive interviews with countless stars, singers, writers, managers, executives and scenesters, Hotel California' is a pop-culture classic.Trade Review‘Hoskyns impresses with the sheer weight of testimony he has amassed and the skill with which he has woven it into a tightly coiled and elegiac narrative.’ Christopher Silvester, Sunday Times ‘A terrific account of the interface between idealism and squalor, art and commerce.’ Guardian ‘The author skillfully teases out the complex web of relationships between the artists, managers, and record executives who made up the West Coast’s self-styled bohemian elite.’ Ben Thompson, Independent ‘if you are looking for the ingredients traditionally required of a good rock'n'roll story, then “Hotel California” has got the lot… An ambitious and authoritative account which makes overdue sense of a spectacularly decadent period of pop history’ David Sinclair, Guardian

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Book SynopsisIn 1991, five wannabe Mancunian musicians came together and cracked a spark that was to ignite the explosion which became Oasis. The band went from obscurity to become a global phenomenon in the space of a year, achieving world-wide recognition and selling over 70 million records. Pre Oasis, drummer Tony McCarroll joined a band called The Rain, linking up with guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, bassist Paul McGuigan and singer Chris Hutton. Hutton was later replaced by Liam Gallagher who in turn brought brother Noel along. What started out as five young lads with a common dream of becoming rock stars eventually disintegrated into in-fighting, clashes of egos and finanical disputes. In 1995, following the release of Definitely Maybe - the fastest-selling debut of all time - things came to a head and Tony left the band. In this candid and hilarious book, Tony tells one of the most in-depth rock 'n' roll stories of modern times. He reveals the truth about the early years before the band was even formed; he tells of the drinking and drug consumption. Plus, he talks of his much-publicised rift with Noel Gallagher. Tony's recollections include stories involving David Beckham, Prince, Eric Cantona and John McEnroe.

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Book SynopsisToday, Metallica are known as consummate musicians, but it wasn t always that way. Their early career is marked by a gradual evolution from garage thrash to sophisticated, progressive heights an evolution driven by their bass player, Cliff Burton, who pushed the band to new heights with his songwriting ability and phenomenal bass skills across the band s first three albums, including their undisputed masterpiece, Master Of Puppets. Cliff s life was short but influential; his death at the age of 24 in a tour bus crash on a Swedish mountain road was sudden and shocking. Following his passing, Metallica went on to huge global success, but by their own admission they never pushed the creative envelope as radically as they had done during the first four years of their career. The cult of Burton grows year on year, and so too the list of bassists acknowledging his influence in metal and beyond. Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Metallica s debut album, Kill Em All, this revised and updated edition of To Live Is To Die adds a new chapter on Cliff s enduring legacy as well as a preface from Testament bass master Steve Di Giorgio.Trade ReviewOne of the best biographies you ll ever read. - Robb Flynn, Machine Head

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Book SynopsisTHE ULTIMATE EDITION - EXPANDED AND UPDATED WITH MORE THAN 70,000 WORDS OF NEW MATERIALCritically acclaimed in its previous editions, The Complete David Bowie is recognized as the foremost source of analysis and information on every facet of Bowie's work. The A-Z of songs and the day-by-day dateline are the most complete ever published. From his boyhood skiffle performance at the 18th Bromley Scouts' Summer Camp, to the majesty of his final masterpiece Blackstar, every aspect of David Bowie's extraordinary career is explored and dissected by Nicholas Pegg's unrivalled combination of in-depth knowledge and penetrating insight.* The Albums - detailed production history and analysis of every album.*The Songs - hundreds of individual entries reveal the facts and anecdotes behind not just the famous recordings, but also the most obscure of unreleased rarities - from 'Absolute Beginners' to 'Ziggy Stardust', from 'Abdulmajid' to 'Zion'.* The Tours - set-lists and histories of every live show.* The Actor - a complete guide to Bowie's career on stage and screen.* Plus - the videos, the BBC radio sessions, the paintings, the internet and much more.Trade Review"I can't imagine how this nook could be better...the definitive read for Bowiephiles." Uncut. "The complete David Bowie certainly lives up to its title... Pegg's opinionated and witty prose turns it into that rare thing: a reference book that sparkles." MOJO. "Pegg has a keen critical intelligence." Sunday Telegraph.

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Book SynopsisThe diary and essays of Brian Eno republished twenty-five years on with a new introduction by the artist in a beautiful hardback edition.''One of the seminal books about music . . . an invaluable insight into the mind and working practices of one of the industry's undeniable geniuses.''GUARDIANAt the end of 1994, musician, producer and artist Brian Eno resolved to keep a diary. His plans to go to the cinema, theatre and galleries fell through quickly. What he did do and write however, was astonishing: ruminations on his collaborative work with artists including David Bowie, U2, James and Jah Wobble, interspersed with correspondence and essays dating back to 1978. These appendices' covered topics from the generative and ambient music Eno pioneered to what he believed the role of an artist and their art to truly be, alongside razor-sharp commentary on his day-to-day tribulations and happenings around the world.A fascinatTrade Review''A Year with Swollen Appendices is by turns fascinating, engaging and wonderfully mundane. Our world has changed in profound ways, but Eno's ideas are remarkably durable, his perspectives still feel fresh with possibility. This writing hasn't lost any of its power to entertain, persuade and inspire.'', Leah Kardos, The Wire'"A cranium tour of one of the most creative minds of our age ... [Eno] delivers razor-sharp commentary with devilish snarkiness and brutal honesty."', Colin Berry, Wired

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Book SynopsisHe is one of the greatest musical talents Britain has ever produced. But even as the principle songwriter and lead guitarist for The Who, it would be unjust to define Pete Townshend's life simply through his achievements with bandmates Daltrey, Moon and Entwistle.Noting that he has sold over 100 million records over a fifty-year period goes some way to quantifying his accomplishments, but numbers only scratch the surface of his contribution to popular culture.An avid student of his profession, during his career he has been credited with the creation of the concept album, worked as a literary editor, developed scripts for television and the stage, and written songs that have defined a generation. The thinking man's rock star with a dedication to his craft unlike any other in the business, he continues to inspire new generations of performers and writers with a continuing commitment to his art.Now, in one of the most eagerly awaited autobiographies of recent times, this icon tells about Trade Review‘More honest than any fan would have hoped. Maybe nobody knows what it’s like to be the bad man, to be the sad man, behind blue eyes—but Who I Am is as close as we are likely to get.’ Rolling Stone ‘Astonishingly frank, detailed and heartfelt.’ The Sun ‘Whatever the subject, he writes passionately and eloquently.’ The Times

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword by MARK KNOPFLER''An uplifting journey through the sheer hard work, pitfalls and thrills of navigating a great rock band to the pinnacle of success. I so enjoyed the ride!'' ROGER TAYLOR__________Dire Straits filled giant stadiums around the world and sold hundreds of millions of records. Throughout the eighties they were one of the biggest bands on the planet. Their classic songs - ''Sultans of Swing'', ''Romeo and Juliet'', ''Money for Nothing'', ''Brothers In Arms'' - formed the soundtrack of a generation and live on today: still racking up sales, still being played on the radio on every continent. In My Life in Dire Straits, John Illsley - founding member, bassist and mainstay - evokes the spirit of the times and tells the story of one of the great live acts of rock history.Starting with his own unlikely beginnings in Middle England, he recounts the band''s rise from humble origins in London''s spit-and-sawdust pubs to the best-known venues in the world, the working man''s clubs to Madison Square Garden, gigging with wild punk bands to the Live Aid stage at Wembley. Until, ultimately, the shattering demands of touring on a global scale and living life in the spotlight took their inevitable toll.John''s story is also a tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band''s lead singer, songwriter and gifted guitarist - the only band members to stay the fifteen-year distance. Told with searching honesty, soulful reflection and wry humour, this is the first and only account of that incredible story.Trade ReviewAn uplifting journey through the sheer hard work, pitfalls and thrills of navigating a great rock band to the pinnacle of success. I so enjoyed the ride! * Roger Taylor *Captures the early days of the "English bands" and their story. The ups and downs, relationships, craziness and fun... This really happened! * Mike Rutherford *A wry and witty account of life in one of the world's biggest and unlikeliest supergroups and the music industry in its heyday... John Illsley is a charming, amusing and observant companion. * Mariella Frostrup *Frank, funny and tender. If you loved their music, you'll adore this book. * Nicholas Evans *Fans will be mesmerized. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEARA LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEAR'Fascinating'-MOJO'As close as anyone was ever going to get to really understanding Pete Shelley'-UNCUT'The memoir that Pete Shelley never had a chance to write'-LOUDER THAN WAR'Lots of great stories... A fascinating insight.'-JOHN MAHER, Buzzcocks When Pete Shelley, lead singer of legendary punk band Buzzcocks, passed away in 2018 we lost the chance to hear one of music's brightest stars tell his story. Or so it seemed.Now, recordings have surfaced of a series of remarkable interviews in which Pete tells the story of his life, his band and his place at the beating heart of the punk explosion in fascinating detail.Recorded over a series of late-night calls with a close friend, the tapes hear Pete talk song-by-song through Buzzcocks releases to reveal the personal memories behind the music and the inspiration for masterpieces such as 'Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)' and 'What Do I Get?'.Published for the first time and with the blessing of Pete's estate, Ever Fallen In Love: The Lost Buzzcocks Tapes is a tribute to a founding member of punk and a chance to hear one of music's true visionaries tell his own story at last.'Perfectly executed, highly detailed, incredibly interesting.'-HENRY ROLLINS, Black Flag'Shot through with self-doubt and mild regret, Pete Shelley's lovesick pop classics have a bittersweet charm that will forever speak to the young romantic'-JOHN COOPER CLARKE

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Book SynopsisThis book starts at the very beginning and ends with some remarkably profound insights on conductorial subtleties. An experienced conductor is one in whom detection, diagnosis, and remedy take place simultaneously; as he hears the error, he realizes where the fault lies and what to do about it. This book gives valuable hints about these three basic conductorial functions from the viewpoint of chorus and orchestra alike. McElheran leads the student toward mastery of the problems at hand, with firmness and gentle humour.Table of ContentsForeword ; Preface to the third edition ; Preface to the revised edition ; Preface to the first edition ; Inspiration ; Other studies ; Conducting technique - general ; The baton ; Odds and ends ; Beat patterns - theory ; Beat patterns - specific ; The left hand ; Dynamics, accents, phrasing, tempo, character ; Cues ; Off-beat cues, accents, and syncopations ; Conducting to records ; More odds and ends ; Starts and stops ; Subdivision and 'merging' ; Moulding the music ; Fermatas ; Ears ; Nerves ; Thoughts and interpretation ; Some rehearsal suggestions ; Solos and recitatives ; Changing beat units ; The avant-garde ; The concert ; Non-musical chores ; On teaching conducting ; Additions and amplifications for the third edition ; Index

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Book SynopsisIn what was a momentous year of social change, the Rolling Stones experienced the most significant twelve months of their career. At the start of 1969, they were a successful blues band returning to their rock’n’roll roots after a recent experiment with psychedelia. By December, they had released the classic album Let It Bleed, lost one of their founding members, played an era-defining concert at Hyde Park to half a million people and witnessed a fan stabbed to death at Altamont Speedway. With a notorious 1967 drug bust on their CV and a career finally coming out from under the shadow of their rivals The Beatles, everything – the good, the bad and the ugly – suddenly crystallised for the Stones as the Swinging Sixties stumbled to a close. Rolling Stones 69 is the definitive account of the transformative year that saw the Stones truly earn their reputation as “the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world”.

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Book SynopsisIn 1972, the rock’n’roll messiah ZIGGY STARDUST was born. His provocative play on sexual identity and gender roles laid the foundation for David Bowie’s ascent to becoming one of the most successful pop musicians of all time. Reinhard Kleist’s Starman weaves the gripping tale of this outrageous character’s genesis, rise, and fall, as well as of David Bowie’s hapless efforts in the London music scene before Ziggy’s arrival, and of the struggles he experienced with his own creation at the height of his fame. As Bowie transforms himself, ever more frenetically, into the egocentric rock star he first conceived, the extravagant lifestyle he had only ever imagined threatens to engulf him, and bring everything down before his eyes… [This publication has not been prepared, approved, authorized or licensed by the David Bowie estate or any related entity.]

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Book SynopsisTen chapters, chronicling Cliff''s journey in music from getting kicked off "American Idol" to finding success with his hit song "Confident". It tells people how to start doing more passion projects while continuing to work their day job. It describes a detailed and realistic approach, unlike those which promise that you can become a multi-millionaire with minimal effort. Rather than setting lofty, unobtainable goals, Cliff embodies the "every man", taking slow and strategic, methodical steps to my version of success, which the readers can also aspire to and achieve in their own right.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate 40 years of WHAM! with the Sunday Times bestseller from one half of the world''s most famous bands ''I couldn''t put it down. Such a fantastic book'' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio ________ School mates. Band mates. Soul mates . . . When Andrew Ridgley took George Michael, the new boy at school, under his wing, he discovered a soul mate. In Wham! George and Me, Andrew tells the story of how they rode a rollercoaster of success around the world while making iconic records and surviving superstardom with their friendship intact. It is a memoir of love, music, the flamboyant 1980s and living in a pop hurricane. No one else can ever tell their story - because no one else was there . . .Forty years on from their explosion into pop music, Andrew Ridgeley tells the inside story of Wham!, his life-long friendship with George Michael and the formation of a band that changed music. ________ ''A joyous celebration of the Wham! years. For anyone who was a teenager in the early 1980s, it will take you on a nostalgia trip. It''s an honest but affectionate account of a remarkable duo who remained true to their origins and their friendship throughout it all'' Daily Express ''As infectious as their music'' Daily Mirror ''A remarkably generous memoir. In more than one sense, the biography of a friend'' Spectator ''A great story'' Saturday Live, Radio 4 ''A lovely book. A love letter to George'' Graham Norton, BBC One ''Charming, heartfelt . . . there''s a real poignancy to Ridgeley''s description of Wham!''s glory days'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewEven before the first page of this charming, heartfelt memoir, Ridgeley's eloquent dedication to his "dearest friend" George Michael will have you in tears. This is more than a gleeful shuttlecocks-in-shorts account of young guns having some fun: there's a real poignancy to Ridgeley's description of Wham!'s glory days, the knowledge of what will be lost - a band, a best friend - chilling in the Club Tropicana sunshine. * The Sunday Times *A touching account of male friendship * The Times *Celebrity Memoirs of the Year * Guardian *A remarkably generous memoir....in more than one sense, the biography of a friend * Spectator *It's a joyous celebration of the Wham! years. For anyone who was a teenager in the early 1980s, it will take you on a nostalgia trip, with dozens of comically captioned photos of the band during the white espadrille years. It's an honest but affectionate account of a remarkable duo who remained true to their origins and their friendship throughout it all * Daily Express *Packed full of nostalgia, heart and insight, Wham! George & Me is a lovingly written ode to friendship and a celebration of one of the greatest pop acts of all time. A superb tribute * Classic Pop Magazine *In this moving memoir, which is also a vivid nostalgia trip for anyone who was a teenager in the 70s and 80s, he tells the story of his friendship and musical collaboration with George Michael. Engaging * Sunday Express *The Wham! star charts his treasured friendship with George Michael, from their meeting at school in 1975 to George's untimely death in 2016. The duo left a legacy of pop classics from the exuberant Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go to the evergreen Last Christmas, and Ridgeley's enthusiasm for life in a chart-topping band is as infectious as their music * Daily Mirror *This book is all you could want and more! * Magic Book Club *I couldn't put it down. Such a fantastic book * Chris Evans, Virgin Radio *A great story * Saturday Live, Radio 4 *A lovely book. A love letter to George * Graham Norton, BBC1 *A touching and vivid nostalgia trip - with great photos * Best *Top 50 gift picks for the book lovers in your life * The Herald *A fond look back at the Wham! star's life in the group that helped define Eighties pop * Choice Magazine *Will no doubt appeal to the fanbase . . . Humorous and touching * Times Literary Supplement *Joyful nostalgia * Daily Express *As a hard-nosed ex-detective, it was a source of much hilarity that I am such a Wham! fan but my copy of this is a prized possession * Peter Bleksley *

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Book SynopsisBorn the son of Scotland''s last telescope-maker, Stuart Braithwaite was perhaps always destined for a life of psychedelic adventuring on the furthest frontiers of noise in MOGWAI, one of the best loved and most ground-breaking post-rock bands of the past three decades.Modestly delinquent at school, Stuart developed an early appetite for ''alternative'' music in what might arguably be described as its halcyon days, the late ''80s. Discovering bands like Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, and Jesus and Mary Chain, and attending seminal gigs (often incongruously incognito as a young girl with long hair to compensate for his babyface features) by The Cure and Nirvana, Stuart compensated for his indifference to school work with a dedication to rock and roll . . . and of course the fledgling hedonism that comes with it.Spaceships Over Glasgow is a love song to live rock and roll; to the passionate abandon we''ve all felt in the crowd (and some of us, if lucky enough, from the stage) at a truly incendiary gig. It is also the story of a life lived on the edge; of the high-times and hazardous pit-stops of international touring with a band of misfits and miscreants.

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Book SynopsisA new large-format 400-page collectible art book curated by the band’s three surviving founding members. When the Byrds released “Mr. Tambourine Man” in 1965, they introduced Bob Dylan’s songs to a new audience and launched a career that would make them among the most influential rock bands of all time. With their unmistakable harmonies and Roger McGuinn’s innovative 12-string Rickenbacker guitar, the Byrds never stopped experimenting. They incorporated folk, country, and jazz, influences into a fresh blend that helped define an era. “And not to be too shallow,” Tom Petty once wrote, “but they also were just the best-dressed band around. They had those great clothes and hairdos.” Now the band’s three surviving founding members—Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby—have come together to present The Byrds: 1964-1967, a large format tabletop book that offers a unique visual history of the group. Featuring more than 500 images from legendary photographers such as Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, Curt Gunther, Jim Marshall, Linda McCartney, Tom Gundelfinger O’Neal, and Guy Webster, the book also includes a detailed oral history from McGuinn, Hillman, and Crosby.

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Book SynopsisBOB DYLAN: MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is an unprecedented glimpse into the creative life of one of America’s most groundbreaking, influential and enduring artists. 'If there is anything new to be discovered about Bob Dylan, you can probably find it in The Bob Dylan Centre… Now the Bob Dylan Centre is publishing its first book, essentially the archive in miniature: Bob Dylan: Mixing up the Medicine. It is a 608-page tome examining over 1000 images and objects culled from the collection by archivists and curators Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel.' - The Telegraph Several years ago, a treasure trove containing some 6,000 original Bob Dylan manuscripts was revealed to exist. Their destination? Tulsa, Oklahoma. The documents, as essential as they are intriguing—draft lyrics, notebooks, and diverse ephemera— comprise one of the most important cultural archives in the modern world. Along with countless still and moving images and thousands of hours of riveting studio and live recordings, this priceless collection now resides at The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, just steps away from the archival home of Dylan’s early hero, Woody Guthrie. Nearly all the materials preserved at The Bob Dylan Center are unique, previously unavailable, and, in many cases, even previously unknown. As the official publication of The Bob Dylan Center, BOB DYLAN: MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is the first wide-angle look at the Dylan archive, a book that promises to be of vast interest to both the Nobel Laureate’s many musical fans as well as a broader cultural audience. Edited by Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel, BOB DYLAN: MIXING UP THE MEDICINE focuses a close look at the full scope of Dylan’s working life, particularly from the dynamic perspective of his ongoing and shifting creative processes—his earliest home recordings in the mid-1950s right up through Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020), his most recent studio recording, and into the present day. The centerpiece of BOB DYLAN: MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is a carefully curated selection of over 600 images including never-before-circulated draft lyrics, writings, photographs, drawings and other ephemera from the Dylan archive. With an introductory essay by Sean Wilentz and epilogue by Douglas Brinkley, the book features a surprising range of distinguished writers, artists and musicians, including Joy Harjo, Greil Marcus, Michael Ondaatje, Gregory Pardlo, Amanda Petrusich, Tom Piazza, Lee Ranaldo, Alex Ross, Ed Ruscha, Lucy Sante, Greg Tate and many others. After experiencing the collection firsthand in Tulsa, each of the authors was asked to select a single item that beguiled or inspired them. The resulting essays, written specifically for this volume, shed new light on not only Dylan’s creative process, but also their own. BOB DYLAN: MIXING UP THE MEDICINE is the magnum opus every Bob Dylan fan has been waiting for since the 60s and will be a landmark publication for the ages.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1941–1960: An Accident of Geography 1961–1964: A Way of Life 1965–1966: The Sound of the Streets 1967–1973: Everybody’s Song 1974–1978: The Constant State of Becoming 1979–1987: Surviving in a Ruthless World 1988–2000: As Natural as Breathing 2001–2013: Themes, Dreams, and Schemes 2014–Present: The Here and Now Epilogue Contributors Acknowledgements Source Credits Index

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Book SynopsisDuring the five years it has taken to collate this work, authors Weird and Gilly have spoken to over fifty family members, close friends and colleagues including exclusive interviews with Suzi Ronson, David and Maggi Ronson (brother and sister), Minnie Ronson (mother), Steve Popovich (manager), Lou Reed, Mick Jones, Ian Hunter, Chrissie Hynde, Glen Matlock, Cherry Vanilla, Steve Harley, Bob Harris, Joe Elliott and a host of others. As a result, this book provides a deeply intimate and compelling insight into the life and times of an extraordinarily talented guitarist. A man who was tender and caring off the stage, yet fierce and electrifying on it. Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Ian Hunter and Annette Peacock are just a few of the names that were to become associated with the Mick Ronson legend. He toured with Bob Dylan, played with Mott The Hoople, worked with Lou Reed and produced an impressive number of albums with arresting originality. From his days as a mobile grocer to his performances at Wembley Stadium, this minutely detailed biography also includes scores of unpublished photographs and unseen rarities including: a hand-written six-page autobiography by the man himself, love letters to his first girlfriend, family album photographs and an exhaustive discography. After losing his battle with cancer, Mick passed away in the spring of 1993 at the young age of 46. This book is a salute to his remarkable music and legacy. Fully revised and updated with scores of new unpublished photographs and even more rare memorabilia.

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Book Synopsis______________________________________'Engaging, entertaining, brilliantly recounted' Mirror 'Captivating . . . an incredible story' i paper__________________________________MUSIC, FAME AND A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPSara Dallin and Keren Woodward met in the school playground when they were four. They went on to become international stars and inspired a generation with their music, DIY-style and trailblazing attitudes.Told with humour and authenticity, and filled with never-before-seen photos, Really Saying Something takes us behind the scenes of their early days, the world tours, party games with George Michael, a close friendship with Prodigy's Keith Flint, and hanging out with Andy Warhol in New York.This is a celebration of a life-affirming friendship, with an unbeatable soundtrack.__________________________________'Like something from a movie' Dermot O'Leary'A brilliant autobiography' Martin Kemp'A blast' Metro'What a nostalgia-fest' Kate ThorntonTrade Review[A] touching testament to their lifetime's work, a delightful bedtime story for the Smash Hits generation. -- Best Music Books of 2020 * Sunday Times *Really Saying Something is not the most explicit rock memoir ever, but it may be the happiest. Written in alternate passages over the lockdown, it reassures fans that their idols were having as much fun as they looked like they were in their big hair, floppy dungarees and not quite matching stripy T-shirts on Top of the Pops. * The Times *It's that friendship between Dallin and Woodward that lies at the heart of this engaging, entertaining memoir that recounts career highs and lows, motherhood, break-ups and the menopause....It's all brilliantly recounted. * Mirror *[P]romises to be one of the most entertaining celebrity memoirs of the year * i paper *A blast. * Metro *

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Book SynopsisTravis Barker’s soul-baring memoir chronicles the highlights and lowlights of the renowned drummer’s art and his life, including the harrowing plane crash that nearly killed him and his traumatic road to recovery—a fascinating never-before-told-in-full story of personal reinvention grounded in musical salvation and fatherhood.After breaking out as the acclaimed drummer of the multiplatinum punk band Blink-182, everything changed for Travis Barker. But the dark side of rock stardom took its toll: his marriage, chronicled for an MTV reality show, fell apart. Constant touring concealed a serious drug addiction. A reckoning did not truly come until he was forced to face mortality: His life nearly ended in a horrifying plane crash, and then his close friend, collaborator, and fellow crash survivor DJ AM died of an overdose.In this blunt, driving memoir, Barker ruminates on rock stardom, fatherhood, death, loss, and redemption, sharing stories shaped by decTrade Review"(A) riveting, brutally honest memoir." -- Billboard "Written with ROLLING STONE contributor Gavin Edwards, Can I Say is a fascinating look into the life of a talented, hard-partying musician who has beaten the odds several times." -- Rolling Stone

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Book SynopsisWe Love K-Pop is a true celebration of Korean Wave music. Packed with vibrant photos, readers will journey through the songs, styles and stories behind all their favourite K-Pop groups and solo artists. Discover more about the process of transforming from trainee to idol, rate the best music videos, and compare key stats. Whether you''re a Blink, a Carat, or part of the Army, there''s something for every K-Pop fan!

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Book Synopsis'WHICH IS THE BEST BAND I'VE BEEN IN? THE SMALL FACES WERE THE MOST CREATIVE, THE FACES WERE THE MOST FUN,THE WHO WERE THE MOST EXCITING. THESE WERE ELECTRIFYING DAYS IN MUSIC. WE WERE ALL UNTRIED, UNTESTED. WHAT WAS STOPPING US? NOTHING.'As drummer with the Small Faces, Faces and later The Who, Kenney Jones' unique sense of rhythm was the heartbeat that powered three of the most influential rock bands of all time.Beginning in London's post-war East End, Kenney's story takes us through the birth of the Mod revolution, the mind-bending days of the late-1960s and the raucous excesses of the '70s and '80s. In a career spanning six decades, Kenney was at the epicentre of many of the most exciting moments in music history and has experienced everything the industry has to offer. He jointly created some of the world's most-loved records, hung out with the Stones, Beatles, David Bowie, Keith Moon and Rod Stewart, and suffered the loss of close friends to rock 'n' roll excess and success. The legacy created by Kenney and his band mates has influenced acts as diverse as Led Zeppelin, the Sex Pistols and Oasis. Now, for the very first time, Kenney tells the full story of how a young Cockney Herbert played his part in the biggest social transformation in living memory - the people, the parties, the friendships, the fall-outs, the laughter, the sadness, the sex, drugs, and a lot of rock 'n' roll, while also opening up about his own deeply personal battles and passions, too. This is a vivid and breath-taking immersion into the most exciting era of music history and beyond.

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Book SynopsisThe only Official ABBA book: now with a brand new chapter featuring never-seen-before pictures from ABBA VoyageABBA THE OFFICIAL PHOTO BOOK is the only authorised and official book about one of the greatest pop groups of the 20th century. Covering their entire career, with a foreword and captions from Björn, Benny, Frida and Agnetha, the book features never-seen-before pictures spanning the band's entire career.With unprecedented behind-the-scenes access and first-hand accounts, this is the perfect gift for ABBA fans everywhere.

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Book SynopsisTelling Stories by Tim Burgess of The Charlatans is one of the decade''s most revealing rock books ''Clear, honest. An unusually frank and well-written rock memoir'' The TimesThe Charlatans. Madchester. Britpop. Taking on the world. Here are the highs, the lows, the joys, the agonies, and the stories of what it''s like to be in a rock band, as told by front man and survivor, Tim Burgess. ''Like the best bits of every cautionary rock star tale . . . there is armed robbery and smuggling. There''s serious fraud. There are near and actual death experiences, divorce, industrial cocaine consumption and magnificent cameos from Madonna, Alan McGee, Ronnie Wood, Joe Strummer, LA drug dealer Harry The Dog, and Joaquin Phoenix. A minor classic'' QFor readers who enjoyed Life by Keith Richards and Bit of a Blur by Alex James, Telling Stories is one of the finest music books of recent times. It''s a story of achievement and survival, from London to LA. ''A vivid read'' Independent on Sunday''The Charlatans'' frontman recalls the heyday of Britpop and Madchester with endearing exuberance. He''s unflinchingly honest about the bad times but also peppers his story with anecdotal nuggets about the pitfalls of rock ''n'' roll excess'' Metro''Burgess keeps a level head, a sharp eye and a nice turn of phrase'' Independent''Written with the stylish flow of a novel - light and dark, hilarious and melancholic'' Emma Forrest''For a man whose behaviour borders on the suicidal, Timothy Burgess, the people''s friend, is what you call a life enthusiast. He is also mad. It''s a much-abused word, mad . . . but he really is proper coo-ee clouds pan-dimensional mad mad'' Syliva Patteerson, SkyTim Burgess was born in Salford but grew up in a village near Northwich, Cheshire. Leaving school at 16 to work at ICI, his real love was music and soon afterwards he was invited to join new band The Charlatans. For twelve years Burgess lived in Los Angeles but he has recently returned to the UK.

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Book SynopsisWith Duran Duran, John Taylor has created some of the greatest songs of our time. From the disco dazzle of debut single ''Planet Earth'' right up to their latest number one album All You Need is Now, Duran Duran has always had the power to sweep the world onto its feet.It''s been a ride - and for John in particular, the ride has been wild, thrilling... and dangerous. Now, for the first time, he tells his incredible story - a tale of dreams fulfilled, lessons learned and demons conquered. A shy only child, Nigel John Taylor wasn''t an obvious candidate for pop stardom and frenzied girl panic. But when he ditched his first name and picked up a bass guitar, everything changed. John formed Duran Duran with his friend Nick Rhodes in the spring of 1978, and they were soon joined by Roger Taylor, then Andy Taylor and finally Simon Le Bon. Together they were an immediate, massive global success story, their pictures on millions of walls, every single a worldwide hit.

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Book SynopsisOne morning in March 2021 with the second wave of infections ripping through Ireland where he was newly resident, Mark Lanegan woke up breathless, fatigued beyond belief, his body burdened with a gigantic dose of Covid-19. Admitted to Kerry Hospital and initially given little hope of survival, Lanegan''s illness has him slipping in and out of a coma, unable to walk or function for several months and fearing for his life.As his situation becomes more intolerable over the course of that bleakest of springs he is assaulted by nightmares, visions and regrets about a life lived on the edge of chaos and disorder. He is prompted to consider his predicament and how, in his sixth decade, his lifelong battle with mortality has led to this final banal encounter with a disease that has undone millions, when he has apparently been cheating death for his whole existence.Written in vignettes of prose and poetry, DEVIL IN A COMA is a terrifying account of illness and the remorse thaTrade ReviewDevil in a Coma offers a pleasingly bitter counterpoint to the clap-for-carers mood of the times * Uncut *Compelling . . . When he eventually does sing again, Mark Lanegan has the record of a lifetime to make * Mojo *Devil in a Coma is fired by Lanegan's expressionistic prose and visceral poetry . . . his writing is exhilarating and unexpectedly funny * i newspaper *This slight but weighty volume only adds to the man's muscular and vivid - in every sense of the word - body of work -- Kitty Empire * Observer *Lanegan doesn't tread softly or treat himself easily. Maintaining the commitment to the unvarnished truth of Sing Backwards..., he presents himself as a nightmare hospital patient and a flawed human being. But shades of humour illuminate the darkness judiciously * Record Collector *Shades of humour illuminate the dark judiciously. -- Kevin Harley * Record Collector *This latest title is a must-have for Lanegan fans, or anyone left hungry for more of his pitch-black wit -- DAVID NOBAKHT * Buzz Mag *

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Book SynopsisUpdated to include details of the group's recent concerts under the direction of Ralf Hutter. David Buckley examines the cult enigma that is Kraftwerk, including their beginnings in the avant-garde musical terrain of late-Sixties Germany and their Anglo-American breakthrough with Autobahn in 1975, as well as their astonishingly prescient work, which drew the musical template for techno, ambient, dance and all manner of electronic pop.Includes an interview with former member Wolfgang Flur.The inner workings of this most secretive of bands are revealed through interviews with friends and close associates, whilst the story of their incredible impact on modern music is traced up to the present day using interviews with a host of musicians, from original electro pioneers such as Gary Numan, the Human League, OMD and John Foxx, to contemporary acts still in awe of the original Man Machines.Trade Review'...manages to get to the clockwork heart of the group, working out what makes them tick.' Record Collector ****

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Book SynopsisDora Bright was a 'stage star' before the term 'star' had even been invented. After a successful period at the Royal Academy of Music, reports of her ability circulated the globe from America, across Europe and as far as Australia. She became known as one of the finest pianists of her generation and was the first woman to be invited to perform at a Philharmonic Society concert in 1892, where she performed her newly composed Fantasia No. 2. A woman of considerable determination and stamina, she was at the forefront of the English Musical Renaissance at the turn of the twentieth century, and an avid supporter of the music of her friends and colleagues. Marriage did not prevent her from performing and composing, but the death of her husband made her turn away from public view for a time as she mourned his loss. Returning to the stage, she became friends with Adeline Genee, and together they returned English ballet to the centre of London Theatre, and were key to the creation of the Royal Academy of Dancing. This book takes the reader from the arrival of Dora Bright's grandfather in Sheffield in 1769 through to her death in 1951 providing, through a rich variety of archival materials, a public perspective on the life of this important, but now little-known, musician and composer.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1 Contemporaries Chapter 2 The Bright’s of Sheffield Chapter 3 The Bright Family Chapter 4 The early years 1880 - 1891 Chapter 5 Mrs. Knatchbull 1892 - 1900 Chapter 6 The Dancing Girl 1900 - 1907 Chapter 7 London Calling 1908 - 1920 Chapter 8 Return to the Country 1920 - 1939 Chapter 9 Swansong 1940 – 1951 Chapter 10 Women in Music Today Chapter 11 Major Works Catalogue Raisonné 2021 Appendices Appendix 1 – Dora Bright Family Tree Appendix 2 – Music written by Maurice Delara Bright (1825 – 1902) Appendix 3 – Royal Academy of music Prizes Appendix 4 – Dedicated Works Appendix 5 – Recorded Works

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Book Synopsis'Just be yourself, there is no one better.' From her girl squad to the Swifties to the world at large, Taylor's the BFF of the pop music world. As the go-to shoulder to cry on and chronicler of heartbreak, she relates her personal life and experiences in a 'dear diary' style in her music, but the artist is even more popular than her hit songs. One of the most followed on social media, she is a defender of the underdog, open about her feminist and pro-choice views and frequently speaks up against sexism and LGBTQ discrimination.This collection of Taylor's relatable, inspiring and hugely optimistic quotes and lyrics reveals a caring, generous personality who is all about 'the feels' and following your dreams. Sparkling with positivity and feel-good vibes, Taylor is always there to give you the best advice and lift you up when you're down – she's your own personal cheerleader.SAMPLE FACT: Swift has so far won a whopping 11 Grammys, smashing several records for the most wins as artist and as female artist.Table of ContentsMusic & Memories: Focusing on her recordings and music career, home life and background, these quotes reveal her favourite memories and what inspires her music • Family & Friendship: From the magical, enchanted world of fairytale love to squad goals, here is Taylor coaching you through romantic love, family, friends and frenemies • Heartache: Whether it's toxic relationships and gaslighting, jealousy and lies or just your basic breakup, here's your therapy session courtesy of Tay Tay • Proud & Loud: Taylor at her most fearless: here she's standing up for others, telling you how to stand up for yourself and dealing with the bullies and haters. Self-esteem, survival, empowerment and body image are all themes in this chapter • On the Way to Greatness: In need of motivation or inspiration? Here are Taylor's words of wisdom on success, rejection, failure, chasing goals and dreams, reputation and fame • Kindness & Karma: Uplifting life lessons on the value of being kind and caring to others –and yourself.

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Book SynopsisGeorge Michael is the single most played artist on UK radio for the last two decades. He has sold 100 million albums world-wide and had seven UK number one singles and albums. This paperback edition of the biography tells his story from the formation of Wham! in the early 1980s with friend Andrew Ridgley. Their success with hits including Young Guns (Go For It), and Club Tropicana and their split in 1986. His success as a solo artist with albums including Faith and Listen Without Prejudice. His legal battle with Sony which cost him millions of his own money. His personal life including his secret boyfriend Anselmo Feleppo who died in 1993, his former muse Kathy Jeung and art dealer Kenny Goss. Careless Whispers is the final word on a true original.

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Book SynopsisI was spotty, wore an anorak, had biro-engraved flared blue jeans with purple and Sabbath written on the thighs, and rode an ear-splittingly uncool moped. Oh yes, and I wanted to be a drummer'Bruce Dickinson Iron Maiden's legendary front man is one of the world's most iconic singers and songwriters. But there are many strings to Bruce's bow, of which larger-than-life lead vocalist is just one. He is also an airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, motivational speaker, beer brewer, novelist, radio presenter, film scriptwriter and an international fencer: truly one of the most unique and interesting men in the world.In What Does this Button Do? Bruce contemplates the rollercoaster of life. He recounts in his uniquely anarchic voice the explosive exploits of his eccentric British childhood, the meteoric rise of Maiden, summoning the powers of darkness, the philosophy of fencing, brutishly beautiful Boeings and firmly dismissing cancer like an uninvited guest.Bold, honest, intelligent Trade Review‘A chatty and anecdote-filled autobiography… There is much fun to be had, such as trying to put a certain part of his anatomy in the ear of the singer in rival band Quiet Riot (clue:not his finger) Sunday Times Books of the Year ‘The entertaining chronicle of a spotty anorak who escaped his grey existence into the absurd drama of life as Iron Maiden’s frontman’ Daily Telegraph Books of the Year ‘What Does This Button Do? is a genuinely fascinating and funny look back at Dickinson’s life. From his early days growing up in the Nottinghamshire mining town of Worksop (where he was raised by his grandparents until the age of six) to his roller-coaster 40-year music career, it paints a candid picture of a life well lived.’ Classic Rock Magazine ‘If you only read one book this year, it absolutely must be Bruce Dickinson’s new autobiography, What Does This Button Do? … The book is every bit as entertaining and bursting with energy as you might expect.’ Metal Hammer ‘Whether you are a Maiden fanatic, an aviation enthusiast, a fencing aficionado or none or even all of the above, you will most definitely get something from this extremely well written and entertaining book, such is the calibre of the man, his philosophies and the level of his accomplishments.’ Metaltalk

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Book SynopsisPhotographs and Reflections by Paul McCartney''Millions of eyes were suddenly upon us, creating a picture I will never forget for the rest of my life.''In 2020, an extraordinary trove of nearly a thousand photographs taken by Paul McCartney on a 35mm camera was re-discovered in his archive. They intimately record the months towards the end of 1963 and beginning of 1964 when Beatlemania erupted in the UK and, after the band''s first visit to the USA, they became the most famous people on the planet. The photographs are McCartney''s personal record of this explosive time, when he was, as he puts it, in the ''Eyes of the Storm''.1964: Eyes of the Storm presents 275 of McCartney''s photographs from the six cities of these intense, legendary months - Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington, D.C. and Miami - and many never-before-seen portraits of John, George and Ringo. In his Foreword and Introductions to these city portfolios,

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Book Synopsis''A masterpiece, as fresh and shocking as if it were written yesterday'' Craig BrownI''ve been told that no one sings the word ''hunger'' like I do. Or the word ''love''.Lady Sings the Blues is the inimitable autobiography of one of the greatest icons of the twentieth century. Born to a single mother in 1915 Baltimore, Billie Holiday had her first run-in with the law at aged 13. But Billie Holiday is no victim. Her memoir tells the story of her life spent in jazz, smoky Harlem clubs and packed-out concert halls, her love affairs, her wildly creative friends, her struggles with addiction and her adventures in love. Billie Holiday is a wise and aphoristic guide to the story of her unforgettable life.Trade ReviewIts value is in its witness to the grinding humiliation of the racism that tainted every moment of her louche life -- John Lahr * London Review of Books *A wrenchingly authentic account of Holiday's turbulent trajectory from abused child to jazz genius -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *Her troubles are long behind her now. Her genius however, shows no sign of dimming any time soon. -- Nick Hornby * Sunday Times *A searing account of her life as a brilliant artist, a heroin addict, simultaneously worshipped as a siren of sorrow and persecuted by a legal system structured by systemic racism. Booze runs like a glimmering ribbon through these pages - she even makes moonshine from potato peelings while incarcerated - but Holiday emerges as a figure far more nuanced and human than her mythic image. -- Guardian * Leslie Jamison *

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for Nick Cave fans! Discover the complete lyrics, spanning his entire career to date, with a new foreword by Andrew O''HaganFrom Nick Cave''s writing for The Birthday Party, through highly acclaimed albums like Murder Ballads, Henry''s Dream, DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!! and Ghosteen, this is a must-have book for all fans of the dark, the beautiful and the defiant - for all fans of the songs of Nick Cave.''The greatest living songwriter'' NME''A glowing wire, a mainline to meaning ad feeling and art'' New Yorker''Nick Cave is a true lyrical master. He can conjure empathy and hope out of thin air, light out of darkness'' Cillian Murphy''His lyrics - so rich in the toils of love, so committed to memory and everlasting presence - are the best-made of his generation'' Andrew O''Hagan''A poetic craftsman'' Will Self''Alternative rock legend'' Billboard''Cave''s genius rings loud and clear'' Evening StandardCover art by Aleksandra WaliszewskaTrade ReviewNick Cave is surely Australia's finest living songwriter * Mail *He is an Australian artist like Sidney Nolan is an Australian artist - beyond comparison, beyond genre, beyond dispute * Evening Standard *Cave's lyrics deal with passion on the edge, are peopled with mad bayou preachers, black-hearted lovers and killers. His language is rich, poetic, apocalyptic * Guardian *Richly poetic creations which live a second life on the page. Essential reading * Vox *

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Book SynopsisKnown for the classics “Knock on Wood,” “634-5789,” “Raise Your Hand,” “Big Bird,” and “I’ve Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do),” among others, Eddie Floyd’s career as a soul legend spans over sixty years. His professional singing career began in Detroit in the 1950s as a founding member of the Falcons, considered “The First Soul Group.” A solo artist and songwriter for Memphis’s famed Stax Records from 1966 until 1975, Floyd has subsequently been the singer for the Blues Brothers Band and for Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, while continuing to perform and record solo. In Knock! Knock! Knock! On Wood, Floyd recounts how a three-year stint in an Alabama reform school shaped his young life; recalls the early years of R&B in Detroit alongside future Motown and Stax legends; discusses the songwriting sessions with Steve Cropper and Booker T. Jones that produced his biggest hits; addresses his complicated life-long relationship with the often-unpredictable Wilson Pickett; shares his memories of friend Otis Redding; reveals his unlikely involvement in the rise of southern rock darlings Lynyrd Skynyrd; and offers an insider perspective on the tragic downfall of Stax Records. With input from Bruce Springsteen, Bill Wyman, Paul Young, William Bell, Steve Cropper, and others, Knock! Knock! Knock! On Wood captures Eddie’s tireless work ethic and warm personality for an engrossing first-hand account of one of the last true soul survivors.Trade Review"A biography that has it all - the joys, adventures and challenges of being a consistent hitmaker and soul superstar. I've had the privilege of performing alongside Eddie in the Blues Brothers Band touring show and he'll always move faster than me." Dan Aykroyd, aka Elwood Blues

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Book Synopsis'...probably the best book written about grunge' Paul Brannigan, Classic Rock 'Mudhoney are the jewel of Seattle.' Thurston Moore, Sonic Youth If rock fans associate Seattle primarily with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, time has shown that the city's most influential grunge band may well have been Mudhoney. They're still going strong and this is their story. Formed in early 1988 Mudhoney originally comprised Mark Arm, Matt Lukin, Dan Peters and Steve Turner and their debut single, 'Touch Me I'm Sick', was the catalytic force behind Nirvana and Pearl Jam who took grunge global. Mudhoney's would have been another story of half-forgotten pioneers paving the way for others who grabbed the prize... except they not only survived all the classic rock band excesses, but they also kept on producing great music. Bolstered by new member Guy Maddison, they celebrated their quarter-century with a superb 2013 album, Vanishing Point, and showed no signs of slowing down with the release of Digital Garbage in 2018 and Morning In America in 2019. Updated with a new chapter drawing on fresh interviews with the group, this book tells an unconventional tale of rock heroism about a band that missed out on superstardom but kept control of the music and triumphantly outlived their more famous disciples.Trade Review'A great book about a great, undervalued band. It's a romp. It's sad in places. It's quite brilliant. And as an encapsulation of Sub Pop, Seattle, grunge, euphoria, great music and devilish **** attitude that long ago defined Mudhoney as one of America's greatest rock bands, full stop, it's hard to beat' Everett True, Classic Rock 8/10 'An informative, detailed yet lively and easy to read book. Highly recommended.'HiFi World 'The definitive book on nineties Seattle music and scene pioneers Mudhoney. They lit the fuse that set off an explosion' Mark Lanegan

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Book SynopsisAlbum by album and track by track, this first-of-its-kind catalog of David Bowie's entire 50-year and 27-album career tells the story of one of rock's all-time greatest artists.A lovingly thorough dissection of every album and every track ever released by David Bowie over the span of his nearly 50 year career, David Bowie All the Songs follows the musician from his self-titled debut album released in 1967 all the way through Blackstar, his final album.Delving deep into Bowie's past and featuring new commentary and archival interviews with a wide range of models, actors, musicians, producers, and recording executives who all worked with and knew the so-called 'Thin White Duke', David Bowie All the Songs charts the musician's course from a young upstart in 1960s London to a musical behemoth who collaborated with everyone from Queen Latifah and Bing Crosby, to Mick Jagger and Arcade Fire.This one-of-a-kind book draws upon years of research in order to recount how each song was written, composed, and recorded, down to the instruments used and the people who played them. Featuring hundreds of vivid photographs that celebrate one of music's most visually arresting performers, David Bowie All the Songs is a must-have book for any true fan of classic rock. 

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Book Synopsis''Brilliant biography of an undersung late-blooming treasure . . . subtly profound as well as wickedly entertaining, this biography does its subject scintillating justice'' MojoCruel to Be Kind is the definitive account of Nick Lowe''s uncompromising life as a songwriter and entertainer, from his days at Stiff Records, to becoming the driving force behind Rockpile, to the 1979 smash hit ''Cruel To Be Kind''.Nick''s original compositions have been recorded by the best in the business, from enfant terrible of the New-Wave, Elvis Costello, to ''The Godfather of Rhythm and Soul'', Solomon Burke; from household names, including Engelbert Humperdink, Diana Ross, and Johnny Cash, to legendary vocalists such as Curtis Stigers, Tom Petty, and Rod Stewart.His reputation as one of the most influential musicians to emerge from that most formative period for pop and rock music is cast in stone. He will forever be the man they call the ''JesuTrade ReviewEven the Jesus of Cool needs a St. Paul to spread his gospel and Will Birch is more than up to the task in Cruel to Be Kind. In this intimate, engrossing, and eye-opening biography of Nick Lowe, Birch reveals deep insights into the man and his work. It's a book as elegant as one of Lowe's songs: filled with just the right combination of pathos, humor, and wit, told with an economy of style, and nary a wasted word or sentence. Absolutely brilliant * Bob Mehr, author of the New York Times bestseller Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements *Brilliant biography of an undersung late-blooming treasure . . . subtly profound as well as wickedly entertaining, this biography does its subject scintillating justice * Mojo *Birch also knows a good Spinal-Tappish anecdote when he hears one and, drawing on Lowe's formidable skill as a raconteur, this book is stuffed with them * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisDo you remember how we used to live? British indie favourites Saint Etienne do. But they also remember a load of other stuff that never happened, so maybe they aren’t the best people to ask. Saint Etienne have spent three decades making music out of memories for people who make memories out of music. How We Used Saint Etienne to Live is the story of that reciprocal process, told in the wrong order but the right time. It’s about the methods we use to remember, and what happens when those methods become outdated. It’s a tale that involves tape splicing, town planning, Now compilations and Saint Etienne’s 1995 UK singles chart peak, ‘He’s On The Phone’. Featuring original interviews with Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell, How We Used Saint Etienne To Live shows Saint Etienne’s minds at work as they make and manipulate history and nostalgia. Expect to be shown the receipts. Expect selective recollections and shameless revisionism. Expect concrete facts and flights of fancy. Don’t expect it to be immediately clear which is which.Trade Review"A vivid collection of memories and lists about the savoir vivre of Saint Etienne — a wonderful book about a wonderful band.""An essential, loving read for Saint Etienne fans — an exploration that’s half Sherpa Tenzing in its commitment to the task, half sunshine girl in its loveliness.""How We Used Saint Etienne to Live beautifully negates the archetypal veteran band biography. Ramzy Alwakeel’s analytical account is insightful and poignant, and this book is a timely, anti-nostalgic reminder of why Saint Etienne have such a special place in so many hearts."

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Book SynopsisDescribed as 'the one authentic masterpiece of rock 'n' roll writing' by Peter Guralnick, this portrait of the 60s has cemented itself in the literary and musical canonTrade ReviewStanley Booth's book is the only one I can read and say, 'Yeah, that's how it was' -- KEITH RICHARDSIf you've never bought a book about rock and roll, no matter - this is the one you've been waiting for * * Playboy * *The most brutally compelling book about rock'n'roll and its casualties ever written * * Guardian * *An epic, behind-the-scenes record of life with the greatest rock band in the world, capturing both the carnivalesque excess and the mundane grind of the rock tour * * Observer * *Stanley Booth's affection for the band did not keep him from writing about the seamy underside of the Stones' world in the Sixties . . . It is the only book about the Stones that I would recommend both to the general reader and to the most devoted fan. Booth will find an epiphany on almost every page * * New York Times Book Review * *By far the best book on its subject (including Richards's own well received effort), Booth's book is also easily the most convincing account of life inside the monster created by the rock revolution of the 1960s * * Guardian * *Shattering . . . Booth has found his voice and momentum with a pitch and passion I've never seen equalled in pop journalism . . . His book outdistances anything the Stones have wrought since Let It Bleed * * Los Angeles Herald Examiner * *Remains one of the most gripping accounts ever written about the band . . . so awash with tumult and drama it at times has much in common with reportage from the front lines of the war in Vietnam, like Michael Herr's Dispatches * * Uncut * *Booth's strong, sound prose brings to life the out-of-control process through which an age intoxicated by its own passions found a hard-driving music to live hard by. In all the annals of the '60s, there is nothing on paper that so evokes those days and nights * * Salon * *Astonishing . . . part oral history and part midnight diary in a world where midnight goes on forever * * Los Angeles Reader * *One of the truly great rock books * * Hot Press * *A marvellous book, Booth is a fine writer, and has a strong style that perfectly complements his engaging subject. Canongate have also included an introduction from Greil Marcus, a fine writer in his own right, which just adds to the value of this fine book. Highly recommended to anyone who now only loves music, but an engaging story well told * * Destructive Music * *

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Book SynopsisRemain in Love tells the story of two bands and a love story (and marriage) that survived them bothTrade ReviewFrom the first time I saw Talking Heads live (CBGB, 1976), I've had a huge thing for Tina Weymouth. And since then I've been biding my time, waiting for the right moment to make my move. But after reading Remain in Love: Talking Heads: Tom Tom Club: Tina by Chris Frantz, it's become pretty clear to me that she's already in a relationship (see pages 1, 3-7, 9, etc.), and what's more, it looks to be serious (pages 18, 20-26, and especially 114). But you know something? That's OK. I'm happy for Tina, and for Chris, a great drummer who has written a great book, though I wish he'd done it a few years earlier -- Bill Murray[Remain in Love] has great storytelling and amazing detail about adventures that Chris and I have shared in our parallel universes. As the Brits say: I'm gobsmacked. I devoured this book and all the memories and all the love Chris has for Tina . . . One of the most potent examples of living the dream -- Debbie Harry, musician and author of 'Face It'Crackling with verve, comedy, calamity, crisp detail, forward motion, and abiding affection, speckled with an all-star cast of punk legends and pop idols, Chris Frantz's Remain in Love is a rock music memoir like none other--a candy kiss with a kick to it. From the grime and tumult of CBGB to the Valhalla gloriosky of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Remain in Love gives the reader a magic carpet ride on the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club express. It is also a valentine to Frantz's wife, creative partner, and bass guitarist in excelsis, Tina Weymouth, before whom we all gladly curtsey -- James Wolcott, author of the memoir 'Lucking Out'This swift-paced, well written book has the upbeat tone of dreams coming true. Frantz conveys the excitement of his adventures from boyhood to art school to international rock-stardom with honesty and enthusiasm. He didn't miss much in these cherished years. That he managed to keep his joyous spirit alive (and "remain in love") as his various bands accelerate across the globe is a testament to his intelligence and decency. I dare any drummer to write a better book! -- Duncan Hannah, author of '20th Century Boy'Heads and drums and funk and roll: herewith Chris Frantz outs himself as a Writing Head and Raconteur First Class, bringing it on an engaging narrative which combines an enchanting love story with an eye-opening disquisition on the upsides and downsides of being in bands with unsual people -- Charles Shaar Murray, author of 'Crosstown Traffic: Jimi Hendrix and Post-War Pop'I commend Remain in Love to discerning rock fans everywhere * Observer *Frantz has done an effective job of rebalancing the Talking Heads story, offering an angle on the band that fans will relish * Sunday Times *A revealing inside account of the highs and lows of a band who looked and sounded like nobody else -- Olivia Laing * Guardian *a memoir as sharp and sometimes caustic as the music they made * Daily Express *Amidst the bad blood, Frantz offers charming detail of the band's early years * Uncut *A book by a man who is giving the best impression of someone having all the fun * The Herald *The drummer with Talking Heads, one of rock's trailblazing bands, has written a memoir as sharp and sometimes caustic as their music. It's a love letter to both Talking Heads and his wife, the band's bassist Tina Weymouth . . . The book captures 1970s New York, with cameos from Andy Warhol, Brian Eno and James Brown, and makes being in a band sound the most exciting job ever * Daily Mirror *

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Book Synopsis''The greatest rock ''n'' roll biography ever written'' Rolling Stone''You''re lookin'' at a livin'' legend.'' He said, and then fell silent for a moment. ''Y''know, that really worries me. I always thought a legend was somethin'' dead.''The tormented life of Jerry Lee Lewis is the most fabled in rock ''n'' roll history.Demon-shadowed and God-fearing, his relentless, all-consuming pursuit of self-destruction clouded his life and his music.Born in deep south Louisiana and raised on the Old Testament, ''The Killer'' was continually torn between a harsh Pentecostal God and the worship of alcohol, drugs, and rock ''n'' roll. Nick Tosches''s electrifying account chronicles the monumental highs and lows of the ever indomitable and ever wild Jerry Lee, who rises to dizzying heights as a rock ''n'' roll icon, only to lose it time and time again to his inner demons.Searing, mythic and gloriously written, Hellfire is an evocaTrade ReviewThe number one greatest music book ever * Observer *Quite simply the best rock and roll biography ever written * Rolling Stone *The best rock 'n' roll biography ever written . . . There is a novelistic intensity to this story of tragedy, triumph and love. Its portrayal of a society alien to mainstream America is riveting * Newsday *Brilliant . . . the best account we have of how the first rock and rollers were torn between salvation and the Devil's music * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis'Glorious' Guardian'Revelatory' New Yorker'Evocative' Los Angeles TimesIn 1971, as her groundbreaking album Blue emerged as a singular commercial and critical success around the world, Joni Mitchell puzzled over what gift to give her friends that Christmas. The result was a handmade book, with only one hundred copies produced, filled with Joni's hand-written lyrics and reproductions of many of her stunning drawings - portraits, abstracts, random concertgoers, and more. Each was given to a friend and, until now, the edition has remained private. Today, with Morning Glory on the Vine, Joni's long-ago personal Christmas present is a present to us all.Trade ReviewGlorious * * Guardian * *I became engrossed in Mitchell's drawings while browsing the book - they're vivid, intimate - but her handwritten lyrics and poems are just as revelatory . . . Morning Glory on the Vine feels like an extension of Mitchell's already considerable reach - it's a way of better understanding what she found beautiful, and worth holding onto. It is also a reassuring, almost palliative object on its own: these drawings and writings, arranged so artfully and carefully, feel like an anchor in an increasingly unsteady world * * New Yorker * *The peerless Joni Mitchell isn't only one of the 20th century's greatest songwriters, she's also a water colourist of some distinction . . . It contains a rare intimacy and candour, as well as a unique gateway into Mitchell's inimitable music itself * * Metro, Books of the Year * *A collection of more than thirty original paintings steeped in a bygone era . . . Evocative . . . A revelation for her devoted listeners, Morning Glory on the Vine is a comforting and intimate look at what caught an artist's eye when she was at the peak of her chaparral mountain * * Los Angeles Times * *A showcase for another side of Joni Mitchell's prodigious talent * * Washington Post * *A warm, water-coloured invitation to Mitchell's Laurel Canyon years . . . Think of the book as an artful expression of friendship, a personal time capsule unearthed * * The Globe and Mail * *

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Book SynopsisKISS has released thirty-seven records and sold 80 million albums worldwide. Gene Simmons has also acted in films and on television, has written and produced albums for other recording artists, has managed the recording career of, among others, Liza Minelli, and was founder and president of his own recording label, Simmons Records/RCA. He also launched his film and TV producing career with Detroit Rock City for New Line Cinema. Gene Simmons lives in Beverley Hills, California, and was recently the rock star teacher on Channel 4''s Rock School.Here for the first time Gene Simmons, the notorious mainman of the explosive rock and roll group KISS, tells his story. Delivered in Gene''s own honest, outrageous and uncensored voice, he tells of his early beginnings in Israel, of his arrival in New York at the age of eight, his first taste of 1950s pop culture and his developing thirst for fame, fun and girls. Undoubtedly one of the most infamous rock and roll legends alive, GTrade ReviewReaders may be surprised by Simmons's clarity and candour. How did Chaim Witz, the overprotected Israel-born son of Hungarian Jewish Holocaust survivors, become Gene Simmons, fire-breathing, tongue-flexing, blood-spitting rocker? * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisRush: Album by Album, from rock journalist and Rush authority Martin Popoff, pays tribute to the band's discography by moderating frank, entertaining conversations about all 20 of Rush's studio albums.Trade ReviewAnother strength is that these conversations really make the reader want to go back and revisit the lesser-loved albums, with a closer eye to detail than maybe was afforded before. Wrap it all up in a nice hardcover package with lots of fun eye candy, and this is an extremely enjoyable package, one of Popoff’s best books as of late (and he's been on a roll) * Bravewords.com *No stone is left unturned with what we learn here, from instrumentation the band used, to what was happening ‘behind-the-scenes’ with Rush and its record companies, to what songs were played on subsequent tours and how the fans felt about those set lists. * ShortAndSweetNYC.com *It is not just the words that make this such a winner. The book layout is killer with loads of rare pics of the band, as well as photographs of cool ass memorabilia and album art. Rating: A * Classic Rock Revisited *

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