Iâve curated a list of music memoirs that resonate deeply with me, particularly because they strip away the polished veneer of fame and expose the raw, imperfect humanity of their subjects. My book, Asshole, explores similar territory, delving into the complexities and contradictions that make us who we are.
These memoirs, much like my book, aren't about celebrating flawless heroes. Instead, they offer unflinching accounts of individualsâwhether artists, managers, or those behind the scenesânavigating the extraordinary and often turbulent landscape of the music industry. These stories delve into the imperfections, challenges, and moments of accountabilityâ sometimes even outright acts that might be considered, well, asshole-ishâthat shape these fascinating lives, leaving a lasting impression.
Ultimately, it's a sad story of a fiercely independent and deeply emotional individual who often seemed unfairly castigated, and I truly appreciated her raw energy and unfiltered perspective in the book. Her loss is a significant one.
This book shares the author's intimate experiences managing the band Nirvana during their meteoric and transformative rise to global fame.
Having been a journalist before transitioning into management, Danny offers a poignant and complex portrait of a troubled genius, delving into Kurtâs artistic brilliance, his internal struggles, and the tragic events that ultimately unfolded. Having worked in the music industry for decades myself, I knew some of the people within Dannyâs management company and witnessed much of this era from an insider's perspective.
While Dannyâs account is undoubtedly shaped by his personal experiences, it provides valuable insight into the complex circumstances surrounding Nirvana. It's not presented as a definitive truth, but rather as a thoughtful and honest tribute and opinion from someone who was closely involved. I found his straightforward approach refreshing.
In early 1991, top music manager Danny Goldberg agreed to take on Nirvana, a critically acclaimed new band from the underground music scene in Seattle. He had no idea that the band's leader, Kurt Cobain, would become a pop-culture icon with a legacy arguably at the level of John Lennon, Michael Jackson, or Elvis Presley. Danny worked with Kurt from 1990 to 1994, the most impactful period of Kurt's life. This key time saw the stratospheric success of Nevermind turn Nirvana into the most successful rock band in the world and make punk and grunge household names; Kurt met andâŠ
Patti Smithâs book beautifully chronicles her intense and formative friendship with the groundbreaking artist Robert Mapplethorpe as they navigated the vibrant and often gritty art scene of late 1960s and 1970s New York City.
Theirs wasnât a fairytale romance, but a complex, evolving bond between two flawed yet undeniably brilliant creatives. Reading about their struggles, their artistic pursuits within the legendary Chelsea Hotel, and the wider New York City scene evoked a strong sense of nostalgia for me, a time and place I've always found artistically inspiring.
The exploration of their creative partnership, the push and pull between them as individuals finding their artistic voices, is something Iâve often yearned for but havenât quite experienced in such a profound way.
âReading rocker Smithâs account of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, itâs hard not to believe in fate. How else to explain the chance encounter that threw them together, allowing both to blossom? Quirky and spellbinding.â -- People
It was the summer Coltrane died, the summer of love and riots, and the summer when a chance encounter in Brooklyn led two young people on a path of art, devotion, and initiation.
Patti Smith would evolve as a poet and performer, and Robert Mapplethorpe would direct his highly provocative style toward photography. Bound in innocenceâŠ
This is a deeply personal story from a friend who witnessed firsthand Tom Pettyâs journey from being nearly discarded by his record label to achieving legendary status, a testament to unwavering belief and sheer persistence.
Having known Jon for years as a dedicated community builder with an exceptional ability to bring people together, it came as no surprise to me that his account of discovering and championing Tom Petty's music to a massive American audience is such a compelling and well-told story.
Jonâs authenticity and trustworthiness shine through, and his narrative feels like a genuine recounting of a pivotal moment in music history, coming from someone who was there and believed from the start, rather than someone trying to capitalize on Tomâs fame posthumously.
Tom Petty And Me is a new book by Jon Scott, Tom's friend for 40 years. Jon has been credited with "breaking" the career of this 'iconic' rock n roller. This book is an inside look of a former deejay, turned Promotion Man, who met Tom when he was about to be dropped by his record label, ABC Records. Through many serendipitous moments, Jon appeared at the right time to help get Tom's first album played on the radio and that changed the careers of both men. Tom's first album had been out for eight months when Jon arrived onâŠ
Debbie Harry, the iconic frontwoman of Blondie, offers a strikingly frank and visually rich account of her life in Face It.
From her early days to the explosion of Blondieâs popularity, she doesn't shy away from revealing the grit, glamour, and vulnerability that lay beneath the cool, confident persona. As a teenager, I admired Debbie for her captivating looks, but it was Blondie's music that truly cemented her in my mind.
Learning the backstory behind her journey, including the surprising revelation that she worked as a waitress at the Playboy Club in NYC before finding fame, and gaining insight into her complex relationship with Chris Stein, resonated deeply.
Her honesty in recounting her experiences was truly compelling.
'I was saying things in songs that female singers didn't really say back then. I wasn't submissive or begging him to come back, I was kicking his ass, kicking him out, kicking my own ass too. My Blondie character was an inflatable doll but with a dark, provocative, aggressive side. I was playing it up, yet I was very serious.'
BRAVE, BEAUTIFUL AND BORN TO BE PUNK
DEBBIE HARRY is a musician, actor, activist and the iconic face of New York City cool. As the front-woman of Blondie, she and the band forged a new sound that brought together theâŠ
Born into a dysfunctional household, âRockinâ Robâ Tonkin started his music career in radio at the age of 14. He went on to produce the two-decade-long Honda Civic Tour, which included bands such as The Black Eyed Peas, blink-182, and One Direction.
Driven by trauma surrounding his parentsâ divorce and his harrowing experience with childhood sexual assault, Rob buried himself in his work. His memoir, Asshole, shows what it took for him to dig himself back out, documenting his self-destruction and eventual redemption.
