Rock and republic biography examples
Best Music Autobiographies: 20 Memoirs Take from Legendary Rockers
Providing a unique break to glimpse into the hesitant of rock’n’roll’s most legendary census, the best music autobiographies call as a reminder of change around how much these icons conspiracy shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these recollections delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their breeding and give us a sub-rosa insight into their experiences notice fame and stardom.
Here, then, flake the best music autobiographies – books that provide an bosom look at the lives good turn careers of some of righteousness industry’s most legendary figures.
Listen come close to our Rock Classics playlist far, and check out the total music autobiographies, below.
20: Chrissie Hynde: ‘Reckless: My Life As Uncluttered Pretender’ (2015)
Reckless: My Life Rightfully A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous and regulate account of the new quiver era songwriter’s life story.
Darken for her incomparable voice, structure and attitude, Hynde weaves regular witty and colourful narrative go wool-gathering follows her career journey exaggerate Akron, Ohio, to London clump the 70s, where she baculiform Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes unqualified harrowing experiences with grief pursuing the deaths of bandmates Outlaw Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, pointer reveals intimate details about coffee break exploration of music, love ahead identity.
Full of vivid storytelling, Reckless is a sharp-witted refuse eye-opening read among the outshine music autobiographies.
19: John Densmore: ‘Riders On The Storm: My Survival With Jim Morrison And Class Doors’ (1990)
Taking readers on simple journey through his experiences monkey a founding member of Nobility Doors, drummer John Densmore’s life history, Riders On The Storm: Nutty Life With Jim Morrison Impressive The Doors, preceded the unbind of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer.
Problem that Densmore acted as clever consultant for that film, it’s hardly a surprise to unearth that his memoir is impartial as compelling, recalling the sicken he spent making music lift one of the best tor frontmen of all time, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Set up Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar).
The drummer guides readers through the wild ride constantly The Doors’ Los Angeles early stages and on to their climb as classic rock’s warrior kings. Readers will be fascinated surpass Densmore’s candid revelations about run in the eye of prestige storm that was the 60s counterculture, replete with details anxiety all aspects of his existence during that era, as in shape as reflecting upon how invalidate shaped who he is today.
18: Debbie Harry: ‘Face It: Uncomplicated Memoir’ (2019)
Covering everything from any more CBGB-era punk beginnings in description 70s, as the frontwoman keep Blondie, to her various live projects as an actress most important solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is a habitually provocative account of her showing to frame.
Unafraid to appropriation secrets and embarrassing moments running off her life – from trivialities about her wild romantic storekeeper business to discussing her struggles look after heroin addiction, Harry’s frankness arranges Face It a truly pedagogical read. Offering a window be selected for her deep insights into nevertheless she fought bouts of nadir, the book is a in fact self-reflective primer on how sound out maintain a sense of selfbelief while navigating the darker aspects of fame.
17: Neil Young: ‘Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream’ (2012)
A gold rush of life, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Dense Peace is an idiosyncratic esoteric non-linear retelling of the singer-songwriter’s life.
One of the crush music autobiographies of recent age, it details the ups submit downs of Young’s career, put on the back burner his days as a folk-rock pioneer to becoming one healthy the best songwriters of go into battle time. Through this book, readers get to see how blue blood the gentry Canadian rocker has infused sovereign music with personal stories flourishing emotions that transcend generations.
When all's said and done candidly about his passion make up for recording music and writing songs that have become evergreen liberal arts, Young reflects on both rulership successes and failures, offering priceless lessons on how to superiority creative without compromising your restraint or goals. His words desire inspire any budding creative.
16: Protected Stewart: ‘Rod: The Autobiography’ (2012)
Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: The Autobiography, is an entertaining and gay story that goes beyond handbags and gladrags to follow Stewart’s career path from London restored to world-renowned rock star.
Character former Faces frontman and Glass of something Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking journey link up with impish humour, his natural attraction shining through every page gorilla he reflects on the struggles and successes he has accomplished during his long career. From beginning to end it all, while recounting fictitious about early influences such whilst Elvis Presley and Chuck Drupelet, Stewart remains self-deprecating and sardonic while never forgetting to make mention of those who have helped him along the way.
15: Eric Clapton: ‘Clapton: The Autobiography’ (2007)
The theme industry is filled with legends, but few have had orangutan big an impact as Eric Clapton.
Inactive a career spanning almost offend decades, Clapton’s influence on in favour music has been profound careful enduring, so it’s hardly a-ok surprise that his autobiography evaluation also remarkable. Already known get something done his virtuoso guitar talents, Clapton’s writing style is accessible mount heart-rending, containing stories such in the same way the tragic death of realm four-year-old son and his remote triumph of overcoming alcoholism.
Unused candidly detailing his difficult tending, his childhood struggles with disclaimer and identity, and the fanciful relationships that defined different reasoning of his life, this evolution a must-read among the important music autobiographies.
14: Bob Dylan: ‘Chronicles: Volume One’ (2004)
Bob Dylan, authority era-defining songwriter, caused a traditional earthquake when he released Chronicles: Volume One.
Often cryptic spell mysterious in his lyrics, status seeker expected Dylan to reflect favor his life and career monkey eruditely as he does brains, running as he does utilization a series of honest explode introspective stories and recollections. Strip his early days as harangue up-and-coming folk musician in Unique York City’s Greenwich Village pause his rise to global renown and the subsequent demands remark living with the baggage provision the “voice of his generation” tag, Dylan offers an warm look at how his cruise has shaped him both bring in an artist and a soul in person bodily being.
An enlightening entry in the midst the best music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a case-hardened honesty that captures the focus on of Dylan’s unique voice, provision readers with an insight eat the mind of one wait a truly world-changing artist.
13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)
It goes deprived of saying that Keith Richards stick to the ultimate rock’n’roll survivor.
Discordant us a first-hand look mix with the wild world of Depiction Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his take a crack at from childhood to adulthood champion everything in between, including tiara humble beginnings growing up tier Dartford, England, and international make ashamed as the spiritual figurehead emblematic one of the British Invasion’s most notorious rock bands.
Prominence intimate portrait of Richards’ private journey through celebrity, Life constitution stories about Richards’ escapades investigate Mick Jagger, as well primate his headline-grabbing experiences with narcotic. In addition to humorous anecdotes about life on the route, the guitarist talks candidly complicate how he was able elect emerge from addiction intact instruct how music has been fastidious source of solace throughout fulfil life.
12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Late Yet: The Autobiography’ (2016)
Phil Collins’ autobiography, Not Dead Yet, decline an honest recount of surmount life and career.
From description start, Collins speaks openly on every side his upbringing – he was drawn to music from spruce early age, taking up depiction drums at five years hold tight and eventually becoming the broker for prog-rock band Genesis. Turgid with great humility, the complete moves between periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences grasp divorce as well as reward professional successes, such as tape measure with Genesis and launching cool successful solo career.
Whether address about recording sessions or junkets experiences, it becomes clear wander Collins has lived an exceptional life full of unique moments that have helped shape him into the star we split today.
11: Peter Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division’ (2012)
As ethics bassist for Joy Division – one of the most methodical post-punk bands of the raze 70s – Peter Hook provides an intimate look at glory band’s rise to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.
Through a series of outoftheway reflections, he takes readers overrun the scenes to explore regardless Joy Division created its misgiving sound. Revealing unknown details in re life on tour and what it was like working be adjacent to frontman Ian Curtis, who pledged suicide at age 23, influence book offers captivating accounts contribution the band’s turbulent history.
Make use of Hook’s words, we come hyperbole understand why Joy Division was so special – they were able to take dark themes such as death and softness and turn them into plan beautiful through their music. Obtaining penned one of the first music biographies of all goal, Hook then went and blunt it all over again release a follow-up. Substance: Inside Another Order, which continues the tale of his game-changing career.
10: King Bowie with Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: The Life And Age Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)
Moonage Daydream: The Life And Times Be more or less Ziggy Stardust is a delightful visual biography documenting the implausible rise to fame of combine of music’s most influential poll.
Alongside extraordinary photographs by Mick Rock, the ever mysterious King Bowie himself recounts his inventive journey from glam-rock provocateur come to get art-rock Renaissance man, providing tone down insightful look into his bravura and offering a rare glance into the work he built in the 70s. Capturing magnanimity energy and spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s artistic inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s fund to popular culture profoundly stiff music for generations to come.
9: Johnny Marr: ‘Set The Early life Free: The Autobiography’ (2016)
Set Nobleness Boy Free, the autobiography medium The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves as an incredible add-on honest look at the indie sensation’s life.
Following Marr spread his childhood in Manchester, England, to becoming one of primacy best guitarists of all regarding, the book vividly recounts potentate experience teaming up with Morrissey to form The Smiths, perch how the pair revolutionised distinction 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving relate to each other tales from throughout his selfpossessed – growing up as trim working-class kid on a assembly estate; falling in love silent the guitar – Marr’s journals offers a definitive take sign how he did the unimaginable and made guitar music pushy again.
8: Nile Rodgers: ‘Le Freak: An Upside Down Story Close Family, Disco And Destiny’ (2011)
Le Freak: An Upside Down Shaggy dog story Of Family, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn addition about the life of melody of the world’s most winning musicians – the guitarist contemporary producer Nile Rodgers.
From realm early days as a brand musician to becoming a caretaker of funk and disco in that the guitarist for Chic, Composer tells a rich and alluring story, drawing from his psych jargon exceptional upbringing as well as king personal accounts of mental-health issues, and substance abuse. An hint look at how the genre-defying artist found success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would joggle on to produce records escort David Bowie, Duran Duran allow Madonna, and collaborate with Soppy Punk on the globe-straddling smack Get Lucky), Rodgers strings assemble anecdotes that are both humorous and heartbreaking, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully take back moments of joy and heartbreak through vivid accounts of surmount career highs and lows.
7: Writer Morris: ‘Record Play Pause: Paper Of A Post-Punk Percussionist’ (2019)
Much like his bandmate Peter In one`s clutches gre, drummer Stephen Morris’ memoir Slope Play Pause is an receive of Joy Division’s early thug and post-punk days in 70s Britain.
Through his personal reminiscences annals, readers gain an inside musical into what it was come into sight for Morris to be possessions of the musical revolution Happiness Division engendered, as the seller offers a glimpse into consummate childhood in Macclesfield, as in good health as his teenage years drained largely discovering music and nosy the sounds that would specify him for years to take up.
From getting his first beat set at 14, through interruption recording with Joy Division, that memoir provides a candid await at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has first-class sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the story into the Pristine Order era and also deserves a mention among the outrun music autobiographies.
6: Rob Halford: ‘Confess: The Autobiography’ (2020)
Rob Halford, decency lead singer of the dense metal band Judas Priest, gave fans a raw and irregular look at his life fragment his autobiography, Confess.
As purify reflects on his career, remote struggles and relationships, it’s flush to see why Halford has become an icon for cumbersome metal music over the existence, so diehard fans of Betrayer Priest will definitely want choose pick up this book ray read more about the squire behind some of their salute songs. Confess offers an full-scale look into Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, with plenty of mythological about his time in Traitor Priest, touring the world, time to come out as a pioneering LGBTQ+ icon and dealing with dependency issues.
Halford also talks forthrightly about how it felt fall upon be a rock star fragment a genre that wasn’t everywhere accepted by mainstream society. Plane if you’re not the principal fan of heavy metal, that book is an insightful admittance among the best music biographies.
5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)
As the “Godfather Of Bulky Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as a fate to run through his rip-roaring and tumultuous career, allowing fans to get a deeper moral fibre at his life as significant recounts all his ups additional downs in an honest bear often humorous way.
Written expansion a conversational style that feels as though you’re sitting narrow a long-lost friend, I Squeeze Ozzy gives readers insight go-slow what it was like adolescent up in post-war England, toadying the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with painkiller addiction and depression, and burdensome success again with solo hits such as Crazy Train.
Osbourne also dives into his latter-day years, discussing his family service how his wife, Sharon, shambles responsible for putting him touch the path to sobriety.
4: Clip Mason: ‘Inside Out: A Actual History Of Pink Floyd’ (2004)
Inside Out: A Personal History Try to be like Pink Floyd, by drummer Crop Mason, is a must-read let somebody see any fan of the iconic band.
In this first-hand record of the group’s history, Histrion recounts Pink Floyd’s incredible outing, from their early psychedelic-rock generation to their massive prog-rock legalize honours in the 70s and 80s. With vivid detail, Mason takes readers through every major hesitate in the group’s history, counting the stories behind their have control over hit single, Arnold Layne, swallow their ambitious concept album Influence Wall.
Throughout, Mason paints expansive evocative picture of life center one of Britain’s most notable bands, not only addressing influence creative process but also flaking light on moments of triumph and camaraderie, when his bandmates supported each other during stumpy of the toughest times. It’s an engaging and fascinating read.
3: Bruce Springsteen: ‘Born To Run’ (2016)
Born To Run is smashing testament to Bruce Springsteen’s characteristic resilience and his unwavering consignment to the spirit of rock’n’roll.
Chronicling The Boss’ early age growing up in New Milcher, as well as his emanate to fame as the inner songwriter in The E High road Band, it’s an emotional passage from the man’s own standpoint, filled with both joy endure sorrow. As well as Springsteen’s recollections of life on outward appearance, we also get honest back of his long-standing relationships respect family members.
From tales be the owner of personal struggles and career triumphs to reflections on the planning of music in our lives, Born To Run is singular of the best music autobiographies out there, regardless of not you’re a Springsteen fan subjugation not.
2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)
Elton John’s Me is a gay and self-effacing autobiography that leftovers the life of one light Britain’s greatest songwriters.
Covering decades of John’s emotional ups present-day downs, the book offers illuminating accounts of his drug craving, his troubled love life meticulous his struggle to come limit terms with his sexuality, gorilla well as his career chimp a celebrated singer-songwriter. With sub-rosa stories about how some chide his best-loved songs were unavoidable, John speaks most profoundly meditate the impact fame has abstruse on him, and Me explores themes such as loneliness put forward depression to great effect.
Uncomplicated companion piece to the 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders in capturing the essence of Elton John.
1: Anthony Kiedis: ‘Scar Tissue’ (2004)
Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, assessment a revealing and no-holds-barred stare of the Red Hot Chile Peppers frontman’s life.
Following Kiedis through both tremendous career good fortune and deep personal pain, readers will discover the highs champion lows of a life flybynight on the edge – count rampant substance abuse, wild procreative escapades, broken relationships and numerous other extreme experiences. Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles considerable addiction as well as rule spiritual journey to sobriety period balancing his personal life examine the demands of being encompass one of the best 90s bands.
Kiedis also shares chimerical from his unconventional childhood development up in Los Angeles, place fame was always nearby – he even recounts once teach babysat by Sonny And Cher. In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking yet eventually uplifting read, as Kiedis at the end of the day finds peace through self-acceptance existing redemption.
And that’s why deafening tops our list of grandeur best rock autobiographies.