Books on music (biography, non-fiction, fiction)

x Cheez iT · 08-30-2009, 12:29 PM

Hey guys, I have had more free time lately at school this year because my classes are a little easier, and was looking for anotehr book to read. I was thinking of getting the book on Elliott Smith. Are there any really good ones that are must reads? Or some you think I might like based on what kind of music I like? Thanks all!

SATCHMO · 08-30-2009, 01:58 PM

LoathsomePete · 08-30-2009, 02:03 PM

It's mostly the history of punk from the the '60's through to the '70's with hardly a mention of the American Hardcore scene in the '80's or punk's rise to mainstream in the '90's. Regardless it's a very good read and you get to learn a lot about the background of musicians as well as finding new bands. This was how I found out about the band Television.

Bulldog · 08-30-2009, 02:05 PM

^ Provided you don't passionately hate the music they concern (with the far-left one, that's a very broad scope of music), you're in for some good reading with these.

Burning Down · 08-30-2009, 02:19 PM

If you like the Beatles, read this!

Ticket to Ride by Larry Kane

This book chronicles the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 U.S. tours. Kane was a journalist who followed them on the tours, and in this book he tells of the experience in his own words, and includes excerpts from interviews he did with the Beatles, both as a group and individually.

Here's the summary from the back.

Quote:

It was the world's first major rock 'n' roll tour and the beginning of a revolution. Larry Kane, the only American journalist in the official Beatles press corps, tells the inside story.

In 1964, the Beatles invaded America: thirty-two shows in twenty-five cities in thirty-one days, record-smashing attendance, unimaginable fan reactions. It was the first major rock 'n' roll concert tour ever, and the world would never be the same.

Ticket to Ride tells the story of this tour like it's never been told before and charts the transformation of four young Liverpudlian innocents into world-renowned musical legends and cultural icons. Larry Kane was the only American journalist to travel to every stop of the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 North American tours. He saw it all - on the Beatles' airplane, in their hotel suites and limousines, and backstage. Witness through his eyes some of John's, Paul's, George's, and Ringo's most personal moments, their views on the changing world around them, and the world's greatest rock band in their finest moments. Enjoy the ride!

right-track · 08-30-2009, 02:20 PM

right-track · 08-30-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog

That looks like a good read...

Bulldog · 08-30-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

That looks like a good read.

It covers just about everything you could think of that counts as post-punk quite elaborately; the Two Tone ska revival, the Ohio scene of Devo and Pere Ubu, PIL, Joy Division, the Fall, electronica like the Human League and Gary Numan, pop-punk, no-wave, early REM and U2 - it's absolute gold in other words. Well worth a look.

Bucket Foot · 09-02-2009, 07:38 PM

Other than the Harry Potter series and a select few other books, I can only read biographies.

A few books to look into are: Motley Crue : The Dirt (my favorite book of all time. A great read.), Aerosmith : The Biography, Slash : The Autobiography, Guns N' Roses : Watch You Bleed.

x Cheez iT · 09-03-2009, 10:48 PM

Nice, a lot of these I will definitely check out. Thanks everyone.

08-30-2009, 12:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
x Cheez iT Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oh Hi Oh Posts: 105	Books on music (biography, non-fiction, fiction) Hey guys, I have had more free time lately at school this year because my classes are a little easier, and was looking for anotehr book to read. I was thinking of getting the book on Elliott Smith. Are there any really good ones that are must reads? Or some you think I might like based on what kind of music I like? Thanks all!

08-30-2009, 02:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	It's mostly the history of punk from the the '60's through to the '70's with hardly a mention of the American Hardcore scene in the '80's or punk's rise to mainstream in the '90's. Regardless it's a very good read and you get to learn a lot about the background of musicians as well as finding new bands. This was how I found out about the band Television. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

09-02-2009, 07:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bucket Foot Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada Posts: 126	Other than the Harry Potter series and a select few other books, I can only read biographies. A few books to look into are: Motley Crue : The Dirt (my favorite book of all time. A great read.), Aerosmith : The Biography, Slash : The Autobiography, Guns N' Roses : Watch You Bleed. __________________ www.myspace.com/darcycudmore

08-30-2009, 01:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708

08-30-2009, 02:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	^ Provided you don't passionately hate the music they concern (with the far-left one, that's a very broad scope of music), you're in for some good reading with these.

08-30-2009, 02:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723

09-03-2009, 10:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
x Cheez iT Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oh Hi Oh Posts: 105	Nice, a lot of these I will definitely check out. Thanks everyone.