Music biography recommendations?

[Larry F]

I've finished a bunch of bios of musicians and would be interested in hearing recommendations for further reading.

I've recently bios for:

Beatles
Levon Helm
Neil Young
Clapton
SRV
Winwood
Jeff Beck
Beach Boys
Wrecking Crew
Laurel Canyon scene
Zappa
Stones
Morrison
Andy Summers (brilliant)
Mike Bloomfield
Roy Buchanan

Ideas for more books that you'd like I'd like?

 

[casterway]

'Behind Blue Eyes' The Pete Townshend bio is absolutely excellent.

 

[getbent]

sing me back home merle haggard bio
southwest shuffle a history of texas swing in california

jazz of the southwest an oral history of western swing

I'd get to the limit an eagles bio... the john einarson books are good if you haven't read them...

I'm assuming you read the miles --> zappa book it is really good...

just a couple off the top o my head...

oh yeah ... you gotta read the Brother Ray bio... read it at the same time you read the Hag one... misery! and Glory!

 

[casterway]

'Hamp', about vibraphonist Lionel Hampton is very good too. His career went from the 20's to the 90's. How many people can say that? He also created music schools and scholarships in his name.

 

[furrfurrfurr]

Keith Richards by Victor Bockris (Awesome)

THe Keith Moon Bio is supposed to be incredible, but I haven't read yet.

 

[weelie]

I really liked the BB King, Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, Morrison books I read some years ago. The Eric Clapton one I read was a bit boring. Some friends have read the Hendrix one several times, I was never into his stuff, so I've skipped so far. Recently read Aerosmith's book, which was a light read (interview style) but enjoyable.

 

[bluetele54]

...Billy Strayhorn...

...it's called "Lush Life"...written by David Hajdu...Duke Ellington's right hand man,left hand man,friend and co-composer (or flat out composer),of many of Dukes' greatest recordings...Although he wasn't a musician,he swung hard,and lived like one;look for "Dig Infinity",a great bio (w' bonus cd) of Lord Buckley,written by Oliver Trager...I think you may not be disappointed,with either...oh,find "Bix--Man and Legend"-by Richard Sudhalter and Philip R. Evans with William Dean-Myatt,about the supremely musical cornetist,Bix Beiderbecke...if you ever get a bit curious about classical composers,when you're in a used book store,in the music section (of course)browse through some of the titles about the various composers...it's always interesting to read about the quirks of someone like,say, Eric Satie,who was quite the character!!!...go outside the genre you're more familiar with,obviously for a different perspective...Richie Unterberger wrote several books,"Unknown Legends of Rock and Roll",and "Urban Spacemen and Wayfaring Strangers"...both have some interesting details about the life of specific musicians,as well as some bands...look also for the yearly publication called "Ugly Things",as it has a bunch of cool info about obscure bands,and musicians...enjoy!!!

 

[ralphie]

I thoroughly enjoyed Bob Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles Volume One."

 

[O- Fender]

I really enjoyed Gene Simmon's biography and I'm not a fan of KISS.

I also liked Randy Bachman's book. Not a larger than life person by any means but it is interesting how his life unfolded.

 

[Telemarkman]

THe Keith Moon Bio is supposed to be incredible, but I haven't read yet.

If you're thinking of "Dear Boy : The Life Of KEITH MOON" by Tony Fletcher, I can strongly recommend it. Both very funny and very painful to read.

 

[Chris S.]

"Bird Lives! The High Life and Hard Times of Charlie (Yardbird) Parker" by Ross Russell

http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Lives-Charlie-Yardbird-Parker/dp/0306806797

Pretty much set the standard by which other jazz biographies are measured. Since it was first written (nearly 35 years ago) some inaccuracies have come to light, but it's still a great read, and really gives you an insight into both the man and the way in which he changed the music: "jazz" likely wouldn't sound the way it does today had it not been for Charlie Parker. It was also the book on which the film "Bird" starring Forest Whitaker was based. Highly recommended. All IMO, of course. CS

 

[bassbuster33]

Heavier than Heaven - Kurt Cobain
Room Full of Mirrors - Jimi Hendrix

Both are by Charles R. Cross who is an excellent writer. Kurt's story takes some 'stomach' to read, but it is a very well researched story and is worth the read. Jimi's story is fascinating and very much worth the read.

 

[WallyArms]

I thoroughly enjoyed Bob Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles Volume One."

+1 ..... Just don't expect to really know any more about Bob when you are done

"Conversations With Tom Petty" was a great read

 

[celtobilly]

Check out Space is the Place by John Szwed, a brilliantly researched, well-written look at Sun Ra, jazz composer, band leader, and wierdo genius. The book touches on everything from the musical life in 1920's & 30's Birmingham, AL to avant garde jazz in '60's East Village, numerology, African American occultism, and UFOs!

We're all just cowboys in the Ark of Ra!

 

[Dave Hicks]

"Will You Miss Me" - Carter Family
"Can't Be Satisfied" - Muddy Waters
"Can't You Hear Me Callin" - Bill Monroe
"Moanin at Midnight" - Howlin Wolf

Great books about some of the real characters of roots music.

D.H.

 

[Jorge]

I am not a fan at all but I enjoyed Lemmy's "white line fever"

Hendrix's "Room full of mirror's" is good to!

 

[The Bone]

The autobiography

of Bill Graham is an incredible book. He was quite a person. You cannot put it down.

Also, a biography of Jimi Hendrix that I read. I don't believe it was the one quoted previously.

Also, "Jimi Hendrix in his own words" (see my quote).

 

[furrfurrfurr]

How could I forget: The Dirt, The Motley Crue Autobiography.

Love em or hate em you will not find a funnier rock and roll story. Nonstop hysterics.

 

[Tnek23]

I enjoyed reading "Hammer of the Gods" about Led Zep.

 

[kyle1167]

I enjoyed reading "Hammer of the Gods" about Led Zep.

+1 I think I've read it at least three or four times now.