Popular music Books

Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER**A Times Best Music Book of 2023*'This is the most glorious of books. I am besotted by the life I never knew he had.' -Elton John'Every page of Scattershot is a delight, a joy, a name-dropper fan's delight. Divine. I couldn't put it down.' -Pete Townshend'Hilarious and so emotionally true, Scattershot is like a letter from a cherished friend. You'll want to keep it close, so you can read it again and again.' -Cameron Crowe'Touching. Charming. Humble. Witty. And exquisitely written. Taupin's words need no musical accompaniment. They sing with a poets voice.' -Gary Oldman'Eloquent and inspiring' -Robert Hilburn, author of Johnny Cash: The Life'A funny, zippy narrative' -MOJO'An entertaining ride that doesn't spare the horses' -RTE Guide'Sharply written' -The Independent'Self deprecating and refreshingly honest' - Sunday TimesThis is the memoir music fans have been waiting for. Half of one of the greatest creative partnerships in popular music, Bernie Taupin is the man who wrote the lyrics for Elton John, who conceived the ideas that spawned countless hits, and sold millions and millions of records. Together, they were a duo, a unit, an immovable object. Their extraordinary, half-century-and-counting creative relationship has been chronicled in biopics (like 2019's Rocketman) and even John's own autobiography, Me. But Taupin, a famously private person, has kept his own account of their adventures close to his chest, until now.Written with honesty and candour, Scatterhot allows the reader to witness events unfolding from Taupin's singular perspective, sometimes front and center, sometimes from the edge, yet always described vibrantly, with an infectious energy that only a vivid songwriter's prose could offer. From his childhood in the East Midlands of England whose imagination was sparked and forever informed by the distinctly American mythopoetics of country music and cowboys, to the glittering, star-studded fishbowl of '70s and '80s Beverly Hills, Scattershot is simultaneously a Tom Jones­-like picaresque journey across a landscape of unforgettable characters, as well as a striking, first-hand account of a creative era like no other and one man's experience at the core of it.An exciting, multi-decade whirlwind, Scattershot whizzes around the world as we ride shotgun with Bernie on his extraordinary life. We visit New York with him and Elton on the cusp of global fame. We spend time with him in Australia almost in residency at an infamous rock 'n' roll hotel in an endless blizzard of drugs. And we spend late, late night hours with John Lennon, with Bob Marley, and hanging with Frank Sinatra. And beyond the world of popular music, we witness memorable encounters with writers like Graham Greene, painters like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, and scores of notable misfits, miscreants, eccentrics, and geniuses, known and unknown. Even if they're not famous in their own right, they are stars on the page, and we discover how they inspired the indelible lyrics to songs such as "Tiny Dancer," "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and The Jets," and so many more.Unique and utterly compelling, Scattershot will transport the reader across the decades and around the globe, along the way meeting some of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century, and into the vivid imaginings of one of music's most legendary lyricists.Trade ReviewOrgasmic. Every page of Scattershot is a delight, a joy, a name-dropper fan's delight. Divine. I couldn't put it down * Pete Townshend *In Bernie Taupin's miraculous memoir Scattershot you'll meet legends, cowboys, geniuses, unforgettable faces in the night, shady purveyors of outrageous fortune, warriors of the heart, and most of all, Taupin himself. Hilarious and so emotionally true, Scattershot is like a letter from a cherished friend. You'll want to keep it close, so you can read it again and again * Cameron Crowe *Touching. Charming. Humble. Witty. And exquisitely written. Taupin's words need no musical accompaniment. They sing with a poets voice. * Gary Oldman *Eloquent and inspiring, Scattershot is a freewheeling memoir that is as warm and evocative as Bernie Taupin's most memorable lyrics. A born storyteller, Taupin gives us the life of an artist whose outlook was shaped by a rare but fascinating blend of lifelong innocence and endless intellectual curiosity * Robert Hilburn, author of Johnny Cash: The Life *I simply wouldn't write songs without Bernie Taupin. I've read every word he's ever written and there could never be enough of them to satiate my need for Bernie's way of seeing the world. Scattershot, though, is a lifting of the veil, as beautifully written as it is honest and rugged. Reading this book brought me face to face with who he truly is: an empathic genius who speaks to the everyman. * Brandi Carlile *This is the most glorious of books. I am besotted by the life I never knew he had. * Elton John *Written in a highly entertaining, articulate style with a wickedly acidic sense of humor, this book sets a new standard for rock biographies. * LIBRARY JOURNAL *Scattershot takes a non-linear approach and is all the better for it. It's funny too (one cokey chapter is titled Days Of Wine And Noses), and encounters with Salvador Dali and Princess Margaret colour the zippy narrative. There's a sense Taupin can't quite believe it all happened... * MOJO *An entertaining ride that doesn't spare the horses -- RTE GuideSharply Written * The Independent *Evocative * The Guardian *Engaging and poetic * The Times *Compellingly written - Scattershot is a thoroughly enjoyable read * Record Collector Magazine *Bernie is well-read, highly literate and, on the evidence of his memoir, a man of wise, sensitive intelligence. -- Roger Lewis, Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisFlea, the iconic bassist and co-founder, alongside Anthony Kiedis, of the immortal Red Hot Chili Peppers finally tells his fascinating origin story, complete with all the dizzying highs and the gutter lows you''d expect from an LA street rat turned world-famous rock star.Michael Peter Balzary was born in Melbourne, Australia, on October 16, 1962. His more famous stage name, Flea, and his wild ride as the renowned bass player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers was in a far and distant future. Little Michael from Oz moved with his very conservative, very normal family to Westchester, New York, where life as he knew it was soon turned upside down. His parents split up and he and his sister moved into the home of his mother''s free-wheeling, jazz musician boyfriend - trading in rules, stability, and barbecues for bohemian values, wildness, and Sunday afternoon jazz parties where booze, weed, and music flowed in equal measure. There began Michael''s life-long jourTrade Review[Flea creates] a rhythm for his prose as curt and distinct as his bass playing. -- Jim Farber * The Guardian *Acid for the Children is not an as-told-to, nor is it written "with" someone. These are Flea's words-excitable, jazzy, regretful, disarming, popping and writhing away in his biological bass zone. Insecurities to the fore: He worries that he may be producing "a thorny jumble of trash." But he's actually a lovely writer, with a particular gift for the free-floating and reverberant. He writes in Beat Generation bursts and epiphanies, lifting toward the kind of virtuosic vulnerability and self-exposure associated with the great jazz players....Flea-elegant nutcase, funk-at-high-pressure bassist, wildly cultured and culturedly wild man-has written a fine memoir. You'll put down Acid for the Children with your human sympathies expanded; you'll feel less alone. * The Atlantic *Acid For the Children's closest analog is, somewhat surprisingly, Patti Smith's Just Kids...The prose frequently mimics [Flea's] playing: occasionally beautiful, occasionally outrageous, in conversation with a small group of predecessors but unwilling to follow anyone else's rules. This is what gives Acid for the Children its considerable charm... * AV Club *[An] electric, surprisingly moving memoir...Flea is an enlightened narrator, and this passionate, smart memoir will resonate with readers whether they're fans of the band or not. * Publisher's Weekly *A wild ride through the coming-of-age wilderness of the famed rock bassist...Relentlessly honest, untamed, and often revelatory. * Kirkus *He's the iconic bassist and co-founder of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The one you couldn't take your eyes off, despite Anthony Kiedis' enormous stage presence. Flea finally reveals his fascinating story, complete with everything you'd expect - the "highs" and the gutter lows from an "LA street rat turned world-famous rock star". A must for all music fans everywhere. * Creative Boom *Its hard not to warm to his openhearted embrace of jazz, funk and his eventual bromance with bandmates. * Best Music Books of the Year, Daily Telegraph *A frenzied, beat-ish telling of his pre-RCHP existence * Strong Words *

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Book Synopsis''Absolutely hilarious'' - Neil Gaiman''One of the funniest musical commentators that you will ever read . . . loud and thoroughly engrossing'' - Alan Moore''A man on a righteous mission to persuade people to lay down your souls to the gods rock and roll.'' - The Sunday Times''As funny and preposterous as this mighty music deserve'' - John HiggsThe history of heavy metal brings brings us extraordinary stories of larger-than-life characters living to excess, from the household names of Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Bruce Dickinson and Metallica (SIT DOWN, LARS!), to the brutal notoriety of the underground Norwegian black metal scene and the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. It is the story of a worldwide network of rabid fans escaping everyday mundanity through music, of cut-throat corporate arseholes ripping off those fans and the bands they worship to line their pockets. The expansive pantheon of heavy metal musicians iTrade ReviewOne of the funniest musical commentators that you will ever read. A History of Heavy Metal is a comprehensive, landmark analysis of an enormous area of music that has been too long without such a thing, and has the massive advantage of the funny being turned up to twelve. A loud and thoroughly engrossing love-story. * Alan Moore *Loud, unapologetic and full of love, Andrew O'Neill's essential and much-needed History of Heavy Metal is as funny and preposterous as this mighty music deserves. * John Higgs - author of The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds *This, then, is the work of a fan first and foremost, driven by his prejudices and passions . . . a man on a righteous mission to persuade people to "lay down your souls to the gods rock and roll", as Newcastle's Venom would have it. * The Sunday Times *O'Neill's knowledge is nothing short of impressive. His chronological expedition through the ages, as seen through his own eyes, is backed up by constant witticisms and footnotes of in-jokes and opinions. He has obviously gone to great effort to leave no plectrum unturned in the pantheon of heavy metal. * TeamRock.com *

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Book Synopsis***NOMINATED FOR THE NME BEST BOOK AWARD 2017 *** The first and only OFFICIAL book from ZAYN, for his ultimate fans. Zayn''s autobiography features exclusive, never-before-seen photographs alongside his story. -------------------------------- ''This book is my diary of a period that I would like to share with you all. I hope that there are things in the book that contextualise some of the moments and memories we have all shared together. There are things I address in the book that are very personal to me, things that I have never told anyone, things I still find hard to talk about. It''s a part of a journey I''m still on'' - ZAYN ZAYN opens up with this collection of thoughts, inspiration, and never-before-seen personal photographs. After five years of massive success with One Direction, ZAYN launched his career as a solo artist with Mind of Mine, becoming one of the most successful artists in the world. NowTrade ReviewThe first and only official book from ZAYN. Global superstar ZAYN shares a photographic journey of his life since leaving One Direction. from the publisher's description

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Book SynopsisMick Middles is the author of nineteen books, most of which have concentrated on Manchester's music artists from punk to the present. He was the Manchester correspondent for Sounds magazine and his work has appeared in publications as diverse as the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, the Express, Manchester Evening News, the Face, Kerraang, Classic Rock, Record Collector and Rock'n'Reel. He lives in Warrington.Trade ReviewInformed and informative ... a smart, well-researched view of the Manchester music scene * Maxim *A fascinating account ... richly detailed * Q *

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Book SynopsisMore than a band, the Cramps are a uniquely special rockn'roll phenomenon that has endured for over 35 years.

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Book Synopsis''An indispensable compendium for Steely Dan fans'' The WireAt its core a creative marriage between Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, Steely Dan are one of the defining and bestselling American rock acts of the last half-century, recording several of the cleverest and best-produced albums of the ''70s - from the breathlessly catchy Can''t Buy a Thrill to the sleekly sinister Gaucho.In the ''90s they returned to remind us of how sorely we had missed their elegance and erudition, subsequently recording Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go during the following decade. They have sold close to forty-five million albums.''A lot of people think of them as the epitome of boring ''70s stuff,'' novelist William Gibson said in 1993, when Becker and Fagen toured for the first time in nineteen years. ''They don''t realize this is probably the most subversive material pop has ever thrown up.''Now fully embraced by the ''Trade ReviewAn indispensable compendium for Steely Dan fans -- Greeta Dayal * The Wire *

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Book SynopsisCollects lyrics from the popular rap artist's two albums and includes his commentary on the origin of each song.

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Book Synopsis**WINNER OF THE NME BEST BOOK AWARD**''This book is going to try and get as close as possible to the full story of what informed the noise of The Streets. Obviously that''s something I should be fairly well-qualified to know about, and I''m going to be as honest as the publisher''s lawyers will allow.''With the 2001 release of The Streets'' debut single ''Has It Come To This?'' the landscape of British popular music changed forever. No longer did homegrown rappers have to anxiously defer to transatlantic influences. Mike Skinner''s witty, self-deprecating sagas of late-night kebab shops and skunk-fuelled Playstation sessions showed how much you could achieve simply by speaking in your own voice.In this thoroughly modern memoir, the man the Guardian once dubbed ''half Dostoevsky . . . half Samuel Pepys'' tells a freewheeling, funny and fearlessly honest tale of Birmingham and London, ecstasy and epilepsy, Twitter-fear and Spectrum joysticks, Trade ReviewCleverer, funnier, more illuminating and beautifully written than anything I have read in the longest time -- Decca Aitkenhead * Guardian *Skinner is still only thirty-three and, with his talent and eclectic tastes, it is easy to imagine him becoming one of Britain's national music treasures * Times Literary Supplement *A playful description of what pop stardom allows you to get away with, it's a gem * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThe definitive story of The Stone Roses by Simon Spence, with an updated final chapter covering the reunion rollercoaster ride. From the Manchester backwaters to the worldwide 2012 tour, War and Peace lays bare the irresistible tale of the last of the great bands..Based on 400 hours of interviews with over seventy of The Stone Roses'' closest associates, including six former band members, War and Peace is the first major biography of the band that defined a generation.Originally planned in collaboration with Reni, the reclusive drummer, this book had been a year in the making when the Roses, against all odds, announced their re-formation. It is a remarkable coda to an astonishing story. In 1989 their debut album and the single ''Fools Gold'' made them the most exciting British export since the Sex Pistols. With their incendiary aura the Roses became figureheads of the ''Madchester'' movement.War and Peace traces the band''sTrade ReviewThis is the one. It's the definitive biography of the band, stuffed with photos that have never been seen before. The writing feels really fresh and definitive. It's a classic -- Alex Heminsley * BBC 6 Music Book of the Month *A comprehensive, no-holds-barred account... details with steely, forensic precision the story of the group's ascent, heyday and spectacular implosion. All the triumphs and disasters are here * The Sunday Times *A forensic, detailed and beautifully researched history of the Stone Roses.... full of new stuff -- John HarrisFor the casual listener, or die-hard fanatic, this is a genuine masterpiece * What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision *This is the one Stone Roses book fans will want to read. Copies of this superb biography will not remain on shop shelves for long * The Bookseller *An era-defining, definitive biography * Q *A loving and detailed biog * Mojo *Cute on the machinations of the industry and internal band politics * The Times, Book of the Week *Brilliant... forensically put together -- Gordon Smart * XFM *Simon Spence's Stone Roses compendium has it all - interviews with the Manc group's closest confidants, unseen photos and a timeline that stretches all the way back to the group's inception . . . The definitive word on the band * NME Music Book of the Year 2013 *

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Book SynopsisThe definitive biography of Joe Strummer, released with a new epilogue to mark the 60th anniversary of his birth.Chris Salewicz was an intimate friend of Strummer's for over 25 years. Drawing on more than 300 interviews with family, friends and associates, this is a comprehensive, compelling insight into the man behind The Clash.The Clash was the most influential band of its generation, producing punk anthems including London Calling', White Riot' and Tommy Gun'. For countless fans across the world, they are the ultimate iconic mainstays of their generation.With his talent, extreme good looks and laid-back attitude Joe Strummer was the driving force behind the band: he was the archetypal punk frontman. His untimely death in December 2002 shook the world to its core.Written with full approval and co-operation of relatives, companions and fellow musicians, this is the ultimate account of one of British rock & roll's most fascinating idols: his life, his work and his immeasurable impact oTrade Review‘Salewicz knew and loved his subject well, and that shows on every page… One of the most rivetingly detailed, revealing music biographies ever written.’ The Sunday Times 'A great read. Brutally frank and full of insights.' Mojo ‘A riveting read that will keep you gripped to the end.’ Daily Mirror 'The Clash front man gets the epic biography he deserves from rock journalist, Chris Salewicz.' Independent ‘Conjures up the excitement of the punk era.’ Sunday Telegraph Seven Magazine

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Book SynopsisCentral to this was the power and presence of Albert Grossman - manager for Dylan, Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, The Band and Todd Rundgren - who turned Woodstock into his own personal fiefdom.

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Book SynopsisRobbie Robertson''s singular contributions to popular music have made him one of the most beloved songwriters and guitarists of his time. With songs like The Weight', The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' and Up on Cripple Creek', he and his partners in the Band fashioned a music that has endured for decades, influencing countless musicians.In this captivating memoir, written over five years of reflection, Robbie employs his unique storyteller''s voice to weave together the journey that led him to some of the most pivotal events in music history. He recounts the adventures of his half-Jewish, half-Mohawk upbringing on the Six Nations Indian Reserve and on the gritty streets of Toronto; his odyssey at sixteen to the Mississippi Delta, the fountainhead of American music; the wild, early years on the road with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks; his unexpected ties to the Cosa Nostra underworld; the gripping trial-by-fire of ''going electric'' with Bob Dylan on his 1Trade ReviewRobbie Robertson’s Testimony is a book of memories and wonders, a personal testament of a magical time in American music from someone who was there, at the centre of it all, playing and casting spells and writing songs that helped define those great lost years. There’s history here, and anecdote, regret and reminiscence, a long fond look back at the trials and triumphs of finding your voice then holding your ground. The tone is easy, conversational, like reminiscing with a friend about things you never realized you were part of too. Robbie brings you along with him, keeps you right by his side first to last, just the way his songs do, drawing you close, spellbound by his easy sorcery. You can feel the music in every word. -- Martin Scorsese[An] elegant, evocative memoir … Robertson was particularly suited to a supporting role, happiest pulling the strings in the background. It’s the perfect vantage point for a memoirist, and he makes the most of it … The first half of the book is a hugely atmospheric song of the road … Midway, Dylan hits the narrative like a firework tossed through a window … Robertson brings the chaos vividly to life … He tells it with style and affection, showing a keen eye for detail. * Mail on Sunday *An entertaining and valuable description of a rock’n’roll apprenticeship punctuated by encounters with such historic figures as Sonny Boy Williamson, Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters. He casts light on a vital phase of Dylan’s career and, of course, on the history of the Band. * Guardian *For real insight into a musical unit’s workings, it would be hard to beat the Canadian guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson’s Testimony…packed with fascinating anecdote. -- Neil McCormick * Telegraph *'We’re deep into the golden age of the classic-rock memoir … Testimony ends when its author was still relatively young, but it is packed with incident … His memoir is confident and well oiled. At times it has the mythic sweep of an early Terrence Malick movie … Mr. Dylan blows into this memoir like a blazing tumbleweed … [Robbie Robertson's] writing is wonderfully perceptive. * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA no-nonsense guide on how to cope with mental-health issues.

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Book SynopsisGlobal iconSix-time Grammy winnerHeadline-makerThe most talented recording artist of her generationMuch has been said about Amy Winehouse since her tragic death aged just 27. But who was the real Amy?Amy Winehouse: In Her Words shines a spotlight on her incredible writing talent, her wit, her charm and lust for life. Bringing together Amy's own never-before-seen journals, handwritten lyrics and family photographs together for the first time, this intimate tribute traces her creative evolution from growing up in North London to global superstardom, and provides a rare insight into the girl who became a legend.*The Estate of Amy Winehouse will donate 100% of the advance and royalties it receives (net of agency fees charged) from the production and sale of this book to The Amy Winehouse Foundation (registered charity number 1143740). The minimum donation will be 70,000. These funds will assist the charity in continuing their vital work helping thousands of young people to feel supported in managing their emotional wellbeing and making informed life choices. Initiatives include Amy's Place, which provides addiction recovery housing for young women; resilience-building programmes in schools and music therapy programmes supporting children with special educational needs and life-limiting conditions. More information can be found at https://amywinehousefoundation.org.

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES, ROUGH TRADE, ROLLING STONE, MOJO AND UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEARLONGLISTED FOR THE PENDERYN MUSIC BOOK PRIZENew York, 2001. 9/11 plunges the US into a state of war and political volatilityand heralds the rebirth of the city's rock scene. As the old-guard music industry crumbles, a group of iconoclastic bands suddenly become the voice of a generation desperately in need of an anthem.In this fascinating and vibrant oral history, acclaimed journalist Lizzy Goodman charts New York's explosive musical transformation in the early 2000s. Drawing on over 200 original interviews, Goodman follows the meteoric rise of the artists that revolutionised the cultural landscape and made Brooklyn the hipster capital of coolincluding The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, LCD Soundsystem, Interpol, and Vampire Weekend.Joining the ranks of classics like Please Kill Me, Our Band Could Be Your Life, and Can't St

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Book SynopsisA story of becoming an artist, by the godmother of rock''n''roll: the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids Patti Smith ''A poet of distinction'' New York Times''Glorious'' NPR''Rare and ferocious'' Salon''Shockingly beautiful'' New York MagazineEverything contained in this little book is true, and written just like it was. The writing of it drew me from my strange torpor and I hope that in some measure it will fill the reader with a vague and curious joy...In this small, luminous memoir, the National Book Award-winner Patti Smith revisits the most sacred experiences of her early years, with truths so vivid they border on the surreal. The author entwines her childhood self - and its ''clear, unspeakable joy'' - with memories both real and envisioned from her twenties on New York''s MacDougal Street, the street of cafés. Woolgathering was completed in Michigan, on Patti Smith''s 45th birthday and origTrade ReviewA poet of distinction * New York Times *Smith pares down her prose to a state of vivid impressionism, so enigmatic that even ordinary acts - preparing mint tea, nodding off while sewing - take on spiritual weight ... The passages evoking her childhood do reverberate with serene joy ... Writing was not Smith's first choice ... But any fans of her music will not be surprised by her mastery of it here * Observer *

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Book SynopsisRonnie Wood has been a member of the Rolling Stones for over thirty years. His other bands include The Birds, The Creation, The Jeff Beck Group, The Small Faces and The Faces. He's married to Jo Wood and lives in Surrey and Ireland.

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Book SynopsisPicking up where the critically acclaimed Salad Daze left off, Heady Daze sees Wayne Hussey revisit the years from 1985 to 1990 leading The Mission through their formation to global success.

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Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER*As seen on Apple TV - 1971: The Year That Music Changed EverythingThe Sixties ended a year late - on New Year's Eve 1970, when Paul McCartney initiated proceedings to wind up The Beatles. Music would never be the same again.The next day would see the dawning of a new era. 1971 saw the release of more monumental albums than any year before or since and the establishment of a pantheon of stars to dominate the next forty years - Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, the solo Beatles and more.January that year fired the gun on an unrepeatable surge of creativity, technological innovation, blissful ignorance, naked ambition and outrageous good fortune. By December rock had exploded into the mainstream. How did it happen? This book tells you how. It's the story of 1971, rock's golden year.Trade ReviewDavid Hepworth's argument is simple: 1971 was "the most febrile and creative time in the entire history of popular music". It's an enormous assertion but he makes his point with infectious enthusiasm . . . Whether you agree is beside the point. This is a compelling love letter to a year of timeless music. * Q *A clever and entertaining book . . . Hepworth proves a refreshingly independent thinker. His style is pithy and his eye for anecdotal detail sharp . . . a thoroughly provoking delight * Daily Telegraph *This is no ‘my generation is cooler than yours’ nostalgia trip. Just as movements in art, jazz or TV undeniably had Golden Ages then so too with the long-playing record and its seismic effect on subsequent generations. David Hepworth’s forensic sweep of this astonishing twelve months is thoroughly absorbing and appropriately rollicking, expertly guiding us through one miraculous year in all its breathless tumble of creation. -- Danny BakerA good mix of entertainment, insight and odd facts. Hepworth’s thesis is largely convincing * Mojo *An engaging and thought-provoking read. It’s a dry-eyed but deeply felt love note to the date when rock was still busy inventing itself. Hepworth points out more than once that at the time he had no idea how lucky he hwas. He knows now – and so do we * Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER**A Times Best Music Book of 2023*''Glorious! I am besotted by the life I never knew he had.'' -Elton John''Self deprecating and refreshingly honest'' - Sunday Times''Divine. I couldn''t put it down.'' -Pete Townshend''Hilarious and so emotionally true'' -Cameron Crowe''Taupin''s words need no musical accompaniment. They sing with a poets voice.'' -Gary Oldman''Eloquent and inspiring'' -Robert Hilburn, author of Johnny Cash: The LifeThis is the memoir music fans have been waiting for. Half of one of the greatest creative partnerships in popular music, Bernie Taupin is the man who wrote the lyrics for Elton John, who conceived the ideas that spawned countless hits, and sold millions and millions of records. Together, they were a duo, a unit, an immovable object. Their extraordinary, half-century-and-counting creative relationship has been chron

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Book SynopsisEvening Standard Book of the Year. Observer Book of the Year. Guardian Book of the Year. Sunday Times Book of the Year. Telegraph Book of the Year. New Statesman Book of the Year. Herald Book of the Year. Mojo Book of the Year.Brett Anderson came from a world impossibly distant from rock star success, and in Coal Black Mornings he traces the journey that took him from a childhood as ''a snotty, sniffy, slightly maudlin sort of boy raised on Salad Cream and milky tea and cheap meat'' to becoming founder and lead singer of Suede.Anderson grew up in Hayward''s Heath on the grubby fringes of the Home Counties. As a teenager he clashed with his eccentric taxi-driving father (who would parade around their council house dressed as Lawrence of Arabia, air-conducting his favourite composers) and adored his beautiful, artistic mother. He brilliantly evokes the seventies, the suffocating Trade ReviewA remarkable feat, utterly true. This decade's Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius -- Douglas Coupland, author of Generation X and Girlfriend in a ComaCoal Black Mornings is a triumph . . . a bracingly honest work raised way above the celeb book fray by Anderson's obvious talent for writing . . . revelatory and delivered with writerly panache -- John Harris * Mojo *Fascinating . . . gorgeously written. On more than one occasion it made we well up . . . most certainly not just for the fan club * Guardian *A rich, sad and honest tale -- Olivia Cole * GQ *Beautifully crafted and brilliantly well-written . . . his memoir is a thought-provoking meditation on how our childhoods form the people we become, as well as a love letter to London . . . The book is perfect as it is, but there's no question that we need a second volume -- Anna van Praagh * Evening Standard *Coal Black Mornings is excellent: evocative, thoughtful and frank; an instant hit in a minor key. Anderson is particularly good on his unusual upbringing . . . as accomplished a writer of elegant prose as he was of narcotically enhanced lyrics about urban ennui -- Neil Armstrong * Mail on Sunday *a thrillingly energetic, bracingly entertaining snapshot of a writer hitting his first full flush, leaving you wishing two things. One: that you'd formed a band. Two: that he changes his mind about documenting the coke-blurred mornings to come * Record Collector *An ineffably romantic coming-of-age story; a beautiful reminder of the magic that happens round the edges * Sunday Times *Generous, funny, poignant * Financial Times *Perfect prose, thanks to which Coal Black Mornings does the job of describing the beauty in the banality better than any music memoir since Patti Smith's sublime Just Kids * Classic Pop *His memoir is melancholy and evocative, a dreamy ballad recalling the time before the drugs and the band break-up * Sunday Express *Personal and moving, unpolished and demure . . . Coal Black Mornings is a bravura performance * Times Literary Supplement *Revealing, funny and moving * Mail on Sunday *As an antidote to all the drug-fuelled destruction, I recommend Brett Anderson's elegant Coal Black Mornings, in which the Suede frontman looks back on his pre-fame days * Telegraph *Few rock memoirs are worthy of critical note. Brett Anderson's richly melancholic Coal Black Mornings was an exception. Eschewing the "coke and gold discs" template, the Suede singer recounts a childhood of bohemian poverty and traces his band's vivid prehistory -- George Eaton * New Statesman *It shouldn't have come as a surprise that one of British pop's most original lyricists would write a book almost poetic in its language and painterly in its eye for detail, but this illuminating, moving and generous memoir by the Suede frontman still had the power to confound . . . Coal Black Mornings is a thing of beauty and a work of art * Sunday Times *Richer and stranger than any tale of narcotic excess and success * Guardian *a tough-minded and emotionally acute account of the Suede singer's childhood and teenage years, about his relationship with his parents and the route map that pop music provided for him to march away from his suburban origins * Herald *2018 Music Book of the Year: A brilliant account of how growing up can be impossible and full of possibility, all at the same time -- Victoria Segal * Q *

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Book SynopsisThe second volume in this highly collectable series covers the years 196970, offering album sleeves, interviews and more. -- .

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Book SynopsisA widely acclaimed biography of one of rock''s most compelling, uncompromising and influential singer-songwriters, Ian Johnston''s BAD SEED offers a superb overview of Nick Cave''s career to date. Through Cave''s fronting of the incendiary bands The Birthday Party and The Bad Seeds, producing music of unfettered expression and explosive intensity, to his creative collaborations outside of the rock industry in film and literature, BAD SEED illustrates a life lived in barely controlled chaos: and unravels the motivation and unique appeal of a reluctant icon whose songs, according to the Rolling Stones, possess the authority of the most primal kind of myth.

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Book SynopsisNow for the first time, Eric tells the story of his personal and professional journeys in this pungent, witty and painfully honest autobiography.These are the memoirs of a survivor, someone who has reached the pinnacle of success, who has had it all, but whose demons have never left him.Trade ReviewEric Clapton has produced a gem of a rock memoir, in which he lays bare the painful roots of his music. Clapton speaks honestly and touchingly not only about the external course of his life but of what music has meant to him. That makes it much the best of this season's rock memoirs. Clapton delivers himself profoundly. It's extremely moving. * Evening Standard *Clapton relates what happened with painful honesty. In other rock stars, such plump contentment might seem hypocritical, even vulgar. But with Eric Clapton, you feel that a little comfort is the least he deserves. * Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday (4 star review) *This is an essential read * Observer *It's a raw and remarkable piece of self-exposure * Daily Telegraph *It is a pity more autobiograophers don't have Clapton's grounding in the blues. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisStanley is both a fine writer and an impassioned celebrant of pop in all its mongrel, misfit glory.'STUART MACONIE, THE TIMESThere have been many books on pop music but none have attempted to chart its entire story, from the dawn of the charts in the fifties to pop's digital switchover in the year 2000, from Billy Fury and Roxy Music to TLC and Britney via Led Zeppelin and Donna Summer. Audacious and addictive, Yeah Yeah Yeah is a landmark work that will remind you why you fell in love with it in the first place.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling hit memoir from Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker.'It's real gold... its storytelling first class' Sunday TimesWhat if the things we keep hidden say more about us than those we put on display?We all have a random collection of the things that made us - photos, tickets, clothes, souvenirs, stuffed in a box, packed in a suitcase, crammed into a drawer. When Jarvis Cocker starts clearing out his loft, he finds a jumble of objects that catalogue his story and ask him some awkward questions:Who do you think you are?Are clothes important?Why are there so many pairs of broken glasses up here?From a Gold Star polycotton shirt to a pack of Wrigley's Extra, from his teenage attempts to write songs to the Sexy Laughs Fantastic Dirty Joke Book, this is the hard evidence of Jarvis's unique life, Pulp, 20th century pop culture, the good times and the mistakes he'd rather forget.This is not a life story. It's a loft story.'Nostalgic, playful and beautifully designed' Daily Mail'Brilliant...lurid, entertaining' Daily Telegraph'Terrific... Very funny' Guardian* A Book of the Year in the Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, Daily Mail and Uncut *Trade ReviewBrilliant... accessible, pithy, lurid, entertaining, even laugh-out-loud funny... we can only hope that Cocker has enough tat for a second volume. * Telegraph *Poignant in a subtle, understated way; Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time for the age of the Ford Cortina... This book is about a very normal childhood and the everyday detritus it left behind. Common people indeed. * Times *Incredibly entertaining...a trip through the things that have made him who he is. * Evening Standard, *Books to Look Out For 2022* *Rummage through its pages - through the plastic and nylon, the tin and vinyl - and it's real gold, its shirts second-hand, of course, but its storytelling first class. * Sunday Times *Brilliant... Good Pop, Bad Pop is more than anyone dared hope for * i *

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Book SynopsisTHE #1 NEW YORK TIMES, GRAMMY-NOMINATED BESTSELLERA SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, OBSERVER, ROLLING STONE, AND ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR A panoramic experience that tells the story of Beastie Boys, a book as unique as the band itselfby band members AD-ROCK and Mike D, with contributions from Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Luc Sante, and more.THE INSPIRATION FOR THE 5-TIME EMMY NOMINATED, SPIKE JONZE-DIRECTED BEASTIE BOYS STORYOne of the greatest music books ever published.'MAX PORTERFormed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip hop superstardom. Here is their story, told for the first time in the words of the band. Adam AD-ROCK Horovitz and Michael Mike D Diamond offer revealing and very funny accounts of their transition from teenage punks t

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Book SynopsisK-Pop: The Ultimate Fan Book is your essential guide to all the bands, songs and styles behind the most diverse and exciting genre in pop music today. 2018 was a breakout year for K-Pop (Korean Pop) on the global stage, with boy-band BTS reaching number 1 in the UK album chart and selling out live shows around the world including Wembley in June 2019. But there's so much more to this cultural movement. Featuring all the hottest K-Pop bands, from BTS and Red Velvet to TWICE and EXO, K-Pop: The Ultimate Fan Book is packed with dozens of vibrant photos and a colourful, eye-catching design. Table of ContentsMeet the Bands. Profiles of all the hottest K-Pop acts, including: BTS • Red Velvet • BLACKPINK • Wanna One • TWICE • EXO • iKon • Seventeen • Monsta X • Astro • GOT7 • Mamamoo • EXID • TVXQ • GFriend • Cherry Bullett • G-IDLE • TXT • ITZY. World of K-Pop. The Big Bang! • Classic K-Pop • Masters of K-Pop • K-Pop Dance Class • K-Pop Style Guide • The Next Generation.

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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_______________ 'A coolly literary masterpiece' - Greil Marcus, Esquire 'Sad, funny, brilliant' - The Daily Telegraph 'In classic fish-out-of-water fashion Young writes with wry amusement alongside a fair bit of affection for his icy boss' - The Times _______________ Fully updated with a new introduction, this is the story of Nico, former model, film actress, singer with the Velvet Underground and darling of Andy Warhol's factory, when the world had all but forgotten her. In 1982 Nico was living in Manchester, interested mainly in feeding her heroin habit. Local promoter Alan Wise (‘Dr Demetrius’) hired musicians, rented a van and set off with the band on a tour of Italy. James Young played keyboards for Nico throughout this period. Over six years, until her death in 1988, Nico toured the world, encountering poets, artists, gangsters, losers and drifters. Fellow-spirits including John Cale, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and John Cooper Clarke are among those who appear in this classic memoir of Nico ‘the last bohemian’. _______________ 'Stunning ... Nico is so HERE in this wonderful narrative; I recognized her right away. James Young was the keyboard player in Nico's very insane bande à part on the last tours of her life and is a spectacular writer; let him be your perfect witness from the nomadic court of the once and future goddess of the musical underground' - Danny Fields, friend of Nico, and manager of The Ramones, Iggy Pop and The StoogesTrade ReviewA coolly literary masterpiece * Greil Marcus, Esquire *Stunning! May be the best rock and roll road story ever! Nico is so HERE in this wonderful narrative; I recognized her right away. James Young was the keyboard player in Nico's very insane bande à part on the last tours of her life and is a spectacular writer; let him be your perfect witness from the nomadic court of the once and future goddess of the musical underground * Danny Fields: friend of Nico, manager of The Ramones, Iggy Pop and The Stooges *Sad, funny, brilliant * The Daily Telegraph *Songs They Never Play On The Radio really encapsulates for me Manchester at that period of time (1980s). It was very dark and industrial but with a thriving artistic scene. James Young’s memoir is very funny, it’s very dark, it’s very beautiful, it’s very romantic in the darkness of evoking that era * Maxine Peake *In classic fish-out-of-water fashion Young writes with wry amusement alongside a fair bit of affection for his icy boss * The Times *A very funny book about my favourite singer * John Waters director: Hairspray, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble *

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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 SynopsisA lover of books like The Alchemist and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Russ delivers a short, potent, inspirational, raw, and honest book that gives readers a way to find self-belief and unlock their potential.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsA Foggy Day; A Night In Tunisia; Ain’t Misbehavin’; April In Paris; Believe, Beleft, Below; Blue And Sentimental; Blue In Green; Blue Monk; Embraceable You; Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye; God Bless The Child; Good Bait; Honeysuckle Rose; How High The Moon; I Can’t Get Started; I Can’t Give You Anything But Love; I Get A Kick Out Of You; I Got Rhythm; I Think It’s Going To Rain Today; I’ve Got You Under My Skin; It Ain’t Necessarily So; It’s Only A Paper Moon; The Kerry Dance; Let There Be Love; Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off; Lilac Wine; Little Girl Blue; Lullaby Of Birdland; Magic; Misty; Moanin’; My Baby Just Cares For Me; My Foolish Heart; My Funny Valentine; My Wish; Night Train; One For My Baby (And One For The Road); Please Send Me Somebody To Love; Portrait Of Jenny; Prelude No. 3; P.S. I Love You; Round Midnight; Satin Doll; The Seventh Son; Stella By Starlight; Stormy Weather; Summer Song; Summertime; Swanee; Sweet Sixteen Bars; Take The ‘A’ Train; They Can’t Take That Away From Me; Unsquare Dance; The Way You Look Tonight; What Is This Thing Called Love; Where We Used To Live; Witchcraft

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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 SynopsisFor many fans, David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era remains the most extraordinarily creative period in his career. As a member of Bowie's legendary band at the time - The Spiders From Mars - Woody Woodmansey played drums on four seminal albums: The Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane. Woody's memoir, which he started work on in 2014, focuses on this key period and brings it to glorious life. With the confidence of youth, Woody always thought he'd be in a famous band but the nineteen-year-old rocker from Hull never expected to be thrust into London's burgeoning glam rock scene, and also into a bottle-green velvet suit and girl's shoes. Playing with Bowie took him on an eye-opening and transformative journey. In Spider From Mars he writes candidly about the characters who surrounded Bowie, recalling the album sessions as well as behind-the-scenes moments with one of the world's most iconic singers. The result is an insightful, funny, poignant memoir that lovingly evokes a seminal moment in music history and pays tribute to one of the most outstanding and innovative talents of our time.

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Book SynopsisSUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEARROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEARMOJO BOOK OF THE YEARIn 1975, Viv Albertine was obsessed with music but it never occurred to her she could be in a band as she couldn''t play an instrument and she''d never seen a girl play electric guitar.A year later, she was the guitarist in the hugely influential all-girl band the Slits, who fearlessly took on the male-dominated music scene and became part of a movement that changed music.A raw, thrilling story of life on the frontiers and a candid account of Viv''s life post-punk - taking in a career in film, the pain of IVF, illness and divorce and the triumph of making music again - Clothes Music Boys is a remarkable memoir.

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Book SynopsisFrom bass player to lead guitarist, member, Steve Diggle has been the driving force keeping Buzzcocks alive since he first met Pete Shelley in 1976. Together they would ignite the Manchester music scene, kickstart indie and become one of the best loved and most influential punk groups of all time.

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Book SynopsisA ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR''A joy to read'' Guardian''I loved this book'' Irvine Welsh ''What a story! I adored it'' Lauren LaverneAs a DJ and broadcaster on radio, tv and the live music scene, Annie has been an invigorating and necessarily disruptive force. She walked in the door at Radio One in 1970 as its first female broadcaster. Fifty years later she continues to be a DJ and tastemaker who commands the respect of artists, listeners and peers across the world.Hey Hi Hello tells the story of those early days at Radio One, the Ground Zero moment of punk and the arrival of acid house and the Second Summer of Love in the late 80s. Funny, warm and candid to a fault, including encounters with Bob Marley, Marc Bolan, The Beatles and interviews with Little Simz and Billie Eilish, this is a portrait of an artist without whom the past fifty years of British culture would have looked very different indeed.Trade ReviewI loved this book. Annie Nightingale is my heroine. The woman is a legend -- Irvine WelshAbsolutely terrific. A memoir, an overview of the pop and rock eras, and a great deal of wisdom and insight -- David Quantick, writer, Veep and The Thick of ItAnnie was important to me back when I was a teenager, when not only was she one of the few people playing records I liked, she was a WOMAN doing it, which was inspirational to me. I wrote about her in my book Another Planet, where I quote a diary entry from 1978 which listed things I was loving in between watching Bowie on tv and taping a Bruce Springsteen album, the entry simply says, 'Listened to Annie Nightingale' -- Tracey ThornIt wasn't until I heard Annie Nightingale on Sunday evenings after the chart rundown that I understood what music radio could be. Nightingale had a broader music taste than, say, John Peel, but was alternative enough to introduce me to songs I never would otherwise have heard. She's still on Radio 1 now, at the very Nightingale time of 2am. She still plays tracks I hate, tracks I love. She's still the best -- Miranda Sawyer * Observer *Many of her stories are entertaining [...] and the book includes short, funny, informative interviews with leading lights of the day. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Sunday Express *Full of brilliant anecdotes, this autobiography offers a rare insight into a woman who has lived at the forefront of pop culture. * The Sun *What a marvellous memoir. From the very start, Nightingale engages directly with her reader. She welcomes us into an intimate conversation like those she has been creating for decades on the radio . . . as we read, it's almost as if we're listening to the voice that's so distinctive, warm, funny, and honest * Louder Than War *Nightingale was the first female broadcaster on Radio 1 in 1970 and her tales of surviving in a stifling, male-dominated arena are told vividly within Hey Hi Hello . . . Jam-packed with stories and events that span decades of music and culture, from the Beatles via Marc Bolan to Primal Scream and Little Simz . . . very hard to put down * Buzz Magazine *Eccentric but entertaining -- Jude Rogers * Guardian *I can't imagine what growing up without Annie Nightingale would have been like. I don't want to contemplate the limitations that would have been imposed on my cultural life and my own ambitions in that sphere without her presence. Thank god I don't have to and she was there every step of the way from a voice on the radio to an enthusiastic comrade in the chill out zone and post-rave party -- Irvine Welsh

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Book SynopsisWhat would Taylor do?Songwriting genius, poised performer, warm-hearted friend-we''d all love to be a bit more like Taylor Swift. This brilliant guide will show you how.Whether it is standing up for yourself and your friends, opening your heart to love, or refusing to let others write your reputation, these life lessons will help you shake off your troubles and become folklore for Swifties everywhere.Containing advice on love, friendship, overcoming fears, being yourself, and finding creative inspiration, Be More Taylor Swift is the perfect gift for Taylor Swift fans.

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Book SynopsisBecoming Elektra tells the incredible true story of the pioneering Elektra Records label and its far-sighted founder, Jac Holzman, who built a small folk imprint into a home for some of the most groundbreaking, important, and enduring music of the rock era. Placing the Elektra label in a broader context, the book presents a gripping narrative of musical and cultural history that reads like an inventory of all that is exciting and innovative about the 60s and 70s: The Doors, Love s Forever Changes, Tim Buckley s Goodbye and Hello, The Stooges, The MC5 s Kick Out The Jams, Queen and Queen II, The Incredible String Band, Carly Simon s No Secrets, and many, many more. First published in 2010, Becoming Elektra was praised as 'eye-opening (Q) and a 'dazzling narrative (The Sun), and for 'perfectly encapsulating the enigmatic, unpredictable spirit of the label (Record Collector). This fully revised and expanded edition includes a brand new foreword by John Densmore of The Doors and draws on extensive new interviews with a wide range of Elektra alumni, including Tom Paley, Judy Henske, Johnny Echols, Jean Ritchie, and Bernie Krause, as well as further conversations with Holzman himself. It also adds two new chapters: a look at Elektra in Britain in the 60s and a reappraisal of the label s 70s output.

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Book SynopsisSpanning Tom Waits'' extraordinary 40-year career, from Closing Time to Orphans, Lowside of the Road is Barney Hoskyns'' unique take on one of rock''s great enigmas. Like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, Waits is a chameleonic survivor who''s achieved long-term success while retaining cult credibility and outsider mystique. From his perilous jazzbo years in ''70s Los Angeles to the multiple-Grammy winner of recent years - by way of such shape-shifting ''80s albums as Swordfishtrombones - this exhaustive biography charts Waits'' life step-by-step and album-by-album. Affectionate and penetrating, and based on a combination of assiduous research and deep critical insight, this is a outstanding investigation of a notoriously private artist and performer - the definitive account to date of Tom Waits'' life and work.

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Book SynopsisA Rough Trade Book of the YearA Resident Book of the YearA Classic Pop Book of the Year'A wonderful book' ELTON JOHN'Beautiful, insightful and honest' CILLIAN MURPHY'A love letter to a charmed life lived through music' OBSERVERAs one-third of seminal band Cocteau Twins, Simon Raymonde helped to create some of the most beautiful and memorable albums of the '80s and '90s - music that continues to cast a spell over millions. This is the story of the band, in his words. Beginning with Simon's remarkable childhood and exploring his relationship with his father, Ivor Raymonde (the legendary producer, musician and arranger for acts such as the Walker Brothers and songwriter for artists including Dusty Springfield), the book will journey through the musician's rise to prominence and his time with Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil. It will also chart the successful career he has forged running his own label, Bella Union, for the past twenty-seven years, discovering, developing and working with globally renowned artists like Beach House, Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty and John Grant. And the narrative will lead us back to the present day, reflecting on Simon's most recent experiences in the music industry - all while going deaf in one ear. A must-read for music fans, this is the incredible tale of Simon's life and legacy.

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