A profusion of music-related bios, memoirs and oral histories hit the shelves in 2014 along with the odd unexpected gems. In addition to the suggestions offered forth by William McKeen's Book Blog, we've put together a list of several that should pique the interest of any self-respecting music enthusiast, whether they prefer folk, hip-hop or rock ‘n’ roll. Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol The sneering, bleached-blond punk-rockin’ Brit offers a raw, brash-as-you’d-expect chronicle of his life — from his early days in Generation X through the height of his ’80s-era fame to the motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg — and details the sex, drugs and decadence that littered his twisted road to fame.
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Ten Songs by Greil Marcus After his editor requested he write a history of rock ‘n’ roll, vet musicologist Marcus came up with a far less hackneyed concept: ignore all the iconic names, moments and turning points of rock, and instead focus on 10 songs (recorded between 1956 and 2008) that embody the genre, using each one as a jumping-off point to examine the era, context, people and culture they came from and defined.
Hip Hop Family Tree Vol. 1-2: 1975-1983 by Ed Piskor The comic series originally serialized on BoingBoing.net and released in two volumes as graphic novels is one part encyclopedic history, one part entertaining parody and one part loving homage to hip-hop’s early days and old-school pioneers. Fantagraphics packages both volumes in this special gift box that includes a brand-new 24-page comic book created specifically
for it.
Joni Mitchell: In Her Words by Malka Marom Canadian radio broadcaster and folk singer Marom first interviewed Mitchell in 1973, sparking a friendship that spanned decades and spurred numerous recorded conversations all the way through 2012. This candid narrative culls from those conversations, touching on Mitchell’s creative influences and processes along with the triumphs and tragedies that have shaped the singer-songwriter over the years, and pairing the text with lyrics, photographs and reproductions of Mitchell’s paintings.
Let’s Go Crazy by Alan Light On the 30-year anniversary of its release, one-time Rolling Stone Senior Editor Light details the making of Purple Rain, the iconic 1984 film and album that propelled Prince to superstardom and transformed him into the enigmatic, idiosyncratic visionary he is today. Let’s Go Crazy sheds light on the behind-the-scenes tensions, trials and tribulations while examining the broader context of how black crossover artists had started changing
the marketplace.
Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life & Cars by Neil Young Young follows international bestselling memoir Waging Heavy Peace with this outing driven by one of his deepest passions — cars — and structured around the vehicles he’s encountered and owned over the years. Special Deluxe is a combination of career reminiscences, political musings (like the seemingly contradictory nature of his auto love versus his commitment to clean energy and awareness of his hobby’s negative environmental impact) and watercolors of cars created by Young himself. —Leilani Polk