Tuesday, January 11, 2005
I know they're only rock biographies but I like them
In 2004 the majority of my reading concerned rock biographies, and oh how many there where. In roughly chronological order, Touching From a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division (To be made into a movie God help us...), Nick Drake: The Biography, Patti Smith, Cash: The Autobigraphy, The Life of William Blake, Serge Gainsbourg: View from the Exterior, A Drink with Shane McGowan, Phil Lynott: The Rocker, two Bill Hicks ones, Love All The People: Letters, Lyrics, Routines and American Scream and last but not least On The Road With The Ramones and Ramones: The Complete Twisted Hiostory.
Oh, and a John Cale biography.
So pub quiz music rounds beware, I have a new bank of useless music trivia.
I have to recommend the Shane McGowan one, its full of fantastic stories and benefits greatly from being more of an autobiography than the others (Written in the form of conversations between him and his long term and long suffering partner). Same with the Johnny Cash one, more great stories, including a great tale of how he was almost killed by an Ostrich.
The Gainsbourg one was an amazing introduction to an artist and music scene I knew nothing about, and only cost £1.99 in the local Music Zone.
William Blake may not be consider a rock 'n' roller by most, but read this perhaps to deep for a beginner book and you'll learn otherwise. This is a man who joined a Christian sect that held its meetings in pubs for Christs' sake.
American Scream and The Rocker also have amazingly depressing endings, but then perhaps that what rock 'n' roll is about.
Any other good recommendations?
But that '04, for '05 I'm starting a new reading list, which I will update you on soon
Oh, and a John Cale biography.
So pub quiz music rounds beware, I have a new bank of useless music trivia.
I have to recommend the Shane McGowan one, its full of fantastic stories and benefits greatly from being more of an autobiography than the others (Written in the form of conversations between him and his long term and long suffering partner). Same with the Johnny Cash one, more great stories, including a great tale of how he was almost killed by an Ostrich.
The Gainsbourg one was an amazing introduction to an artist and music scene I knew nothing about, and only cost £1.99 in the local Music Zone.
William Blake may not be consider a rock 'n' roller by most, but read this perhaps to deep for a beginner book and you'll learn otherwise. This is a man who joined a Christian sect that held its meetings in pubs for Christs' sake.
American Scream and The Rocker also have amazingly depressing endings, but then perhaps that what rock 'n' roll is about.
Any other good recommendations?
But that '04, for '05 I'm starting a new reading list, which I will update you on soon
