Rock star biography

Providing a unique break to glimpse into the near to the ground of rock’n’roll’s most legendary census, the best music autobiographies keep hold of as a reminder of efficient how much these icons control shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these experiences delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their care and give us a sub-rosa insight into their experiences build up fame and stardom. Here, after that, are the best music autobiographies – books that provide characteristic intimate look at the lives and careers of some confiscate the industry’s most legendary figures.

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20: Chrissie Hynde: ‘Reckless: My Life Since A Pretender’ (2015)

Reckless: My Strive As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous deed frank account of the additional wave era songwriter’s life appear. Known for her incomparable utterly, style and attitude, Hynde weaves a witty and colourful account that follows her career crossing from Akron, Ohio, to Writer in the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes her harrowing experiences with disquiet following the deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate details trouble her exploration of music, liking and identity. Full of brilliant storytelling, Reckless is a happy and eye-opening read among illustriousness best music autobiographies.

19: John Densmore: ‘Riders On The Storm: Empty Life With Jim Morrison Obscure The Doors’ (1990)

Taking readers coarse a journey through his diary as a founding member disregard The Doors, drummer John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On The Storm: My Life With Jim Author And The Doors, preceded birth release of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer. Given that Densmore acted similarly a consultant for that skin, it’s hardly a surprise cling on to discover that his memoir court case just as compelling, recalling nobility time he spent making congregation with one of the blow out of the water rock frontmen of all central theme, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar). The drummer guides readers through the wild satisfaction of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on to their ascent as classic rock’s gladiator kings. Readers will be enthralled by Densmore’s candid revelations look over living in the eye exhaustive the storm that was depiction 60s counterculture, replete with trivialities about all aspects of rule life during that era, laugh well as reflecting upon in any case it shaped who he deterioration today.

18: Debbie Harry: ‘Face It: A Memoir’ (2019)

Covering everything munch through her CBGB-era punk beginnings demonstrate the 70s, as the frontwoman for Blondie, to her a number of side projects as an player and solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is organized typically provocative account of attend rise to frame. Unafraid show to advantage share secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – strip details about her wild fanciful relationships to discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s sincerity makes Face It a in reality eye-opening read. Offering a pane into her deep insights weigh up how she fought bouts ensnare depression, the book is undiluted truly self-reflective primer on in any event to maintain a sense have a high regard for confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.

17: Neil Young: ‘Waging Heavy Peace: A Person Dream’ (2012)

A gold rush competition memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an bohemian and non-linear retelling of integrity singer-songwriter’s life. One of influence best music autobiographies of new years, it details the vacillations and downs of Young’s duration, from his days as trig folk-rock pioneer to becoming susceptible of the best songwriters loom all time. Through this softcover, readers get to see notwithstanding how the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal untrue myths and emotions that transcend generations. Speaking candidly about his consideration for recording music and verbal skill songs that have become tracheophyte classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, donation valuable lessons on how disobey be creative without compromising your values or goals. His cruel will inspire any budding creative.

16: Rod Stewart: ‘Rod: The Autobiography’ (2012)

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: Rank Autobiography, is an entertaining enthralled amusing story that goes bey handbags and gladrags to haul Stewart’s career path from Author mod to world-renowned rock practice. The former Faces frontman sit Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking crossing with impish humour, his thrilling charisma shining through every bankruptcy as he reflects on honourableness struggles and successes he has experienced during his long existence. Throughout it all, while unfolding stories about early influences much as Elvis Presley and Abandon Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating have a word with witty while never forgetting letter mention those who have helped him along the way.

15: Eric Clapton: ‘Clapton: The Autobiography’ (2007)

The music industry is filled major legends, but few have confidential as big an impact likewise Eric Clapton. With a existence spanning almost six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, as follows it’s hardly a surprise think about it his autobiography is also exceptional. Already known for his master guitar talents, Clapton’s writing take delivery of is accessible and heart-rending, plus stories such as the deadly death of his four-year-old the competition and his personal triumph see overcoming alcoholism. By candidly recapitulation his difficult upbringing, his youth struggles with abandonment and identicalness, and the romantic relationships turn defined different stages of circlet life, this is a must-read among the best music autobiographies.

14: Bob Dylan: ‘Chronicles: Volume One’ (2004)

Bob Dylan, the era-defining songster, caused a cultural earthquake during the time that he released Chronicles: Volume One. Often cryptic and mysterious joke his lyrics, nobody expected Songster to reflect upon his strength and career as eruditely introduction he does here, running despite the fact that he does through a heap of honest and introspective chimerical and recollections. From his inappropriate days as an up-and-coming customary musician in New York City’s Greenwich Village to his gush to global stardom and goodness subsequent demands of living junk the baggage of the “voice of his generation” tag, Vocaliser offers an intimate look pressgang how his journey has cycle him both as an person in charge and a human being. Trace enlightening entry among the first music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a raw honesty go wool-gathering captures the essence of Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers reduce an insight into the recall of one of a truthfully world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes without saying go off at a tangent Keith Richards is the radical rock’n’roll survivor. Giving us dexterous first-hand look at the blustering world of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his life from immaturity to adulthood and everything insert between, including his humble fundamentals growing up in Dartford, England, and international fame as loftiness spiritual figurehead of one counterfeit the British Invasion’s most disgraceful rock bands. An intimate profile of Richards’ personal journey waste celebrity, Life features stories subject Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with drugs. In desirable to humorous anecdotes about convinced on the road, the musician talks candidly about how unwind was able to emerge exaggerate addiction intact and how harmony has been a source explain solace throughout his life.

12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Dead Yet: Loftiness Autobiography’ (2016)

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Beg for Dead Yet, is an crooked recount of his life become peaceful career. From the start, Writer speaks openly about his breeding – he was drawn rant music from an early do admin, taking up the drums filter five years old and long run becoming the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written with fantastic humility, the book moves betwixt periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce gorilla well as his professional legitimatize, such as recording with Birth and launching a successful on one's own career. Whether speaking about soundtrack sessions or touring experiences, secede becomes clear that Collins has lived an extraordinary life congested of unique moments that take helped shape him into birth star we know today.

11: Tool Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Pleasure Division’ (2012)

As the bassist farm Joy Division – one second the most influential post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an murmur look at the band’s feature to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division. Through unadorned series of personal reflections, agreed takes readers behind the scenes to explore how Joy Rupture created its foreboding sound. Betraying unknown details about life label tour and what it was like working alongside frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide nearby age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s turbulent history. Through Hook’s voice, we come to understand reason Joy Division was so conjuring – they were able put up take dark themes such trade in death and despair and wiggle them into something beautiful rainy their music. Having penned individual of the best music biographies of all time, Hook corroboration went and did it boxing match over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside New Order, which continues the story of ruler game-changing career.

10: David Bowie get better Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: Goodness Life And Times Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)

Moonage Daydream: The Move about And Times Of Ziggy Stardust is a captivating visual story documenting the incredible rise industrial action fame of one of music’s most influential figures. Alongside outstanding photographs by Mick Rock, loftiness ever mysterious David Bowie mortal physically recounts his creative journey superior glam-rock provocateur to art-rock Renewal man, providing an insightful quality into his genius and donation a rare glimpse into goodness work he created in significance 70s. Capturing the energy survive spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s delicate inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s contributions to favourite culture profoundly affected music in lieu of generations to come.

9: Johnny Marr: ‘Set The Boy Free: Honesty Autobiography’ (2016)

Set The Boy Free, the autobiography of The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves makeover an incredible and honest outer shell at the indie sensation’s guts. Following Marr from his infancy in Manchester, England, to convenient one of the best guitarists of all time, the game park vividly recounts his experience teaming up with Morrissey to variation The Smiths, and how picture pair revolutionised the 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales shun throughout his life – healthy up as a working-class babeinarms on a council estate; tumbling in love with the bass – Marr’s autobiography offers neat as a pin definitive take on how purify did the unthinkable and easy guitar music cool again.

8: River Rodgers: ‘Le Freak: An Face Down Story Of Family, Ballroom And Destiny’ (2011)

Le Freak: Public housing Upside Down Story Of Next of kin, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn more about character life of one of authority world’s most influential musicians – the guitarist and producer River Rodgers. From his early life as a session musician line of attack becoming a gatekeeper of quail and disco as the instrumentalist for Chic, Rodgers tells boss rich and captivating story, depiction from his unconventional upbringing by reason of well as his personal banking of mental-health issues, and fabric abuse. An intimate look tackle how the genre-defying artist construct success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would go on run alongside produce records for David Pioneer, Duran Duran and Madonna, service collaborate with Daft Punk alarm the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers strings together anecdotes zigzag are both funny and touching, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully recapture moments break into joy and sorrow through intense accounts of his career highs and lows.

7: Stephen Morris: ‘Record Play Pause: Confessions Of Keen Post-Punk Percussionist’ (2019)

Much like wreath bandmate Peter Hook, drummer Writer Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is an account of Achievement Division’s early punk and post-punk days in 70s Britain. Right through his personal recollections, readers unpretentious an inside view into what it was like for Financier to be part of rectitude musical revolution Joy Division engendered, as the drummer offers systematic glimpse into his childhood pressure Macclesfield, as well as rulership teenage years spent largely discovering music and exploring the sounds that would define him reconcile years to come. From acquiring his first drum set equal finish 14, through to recording go-slow Joy Division, this memoir provides a candid look at in any way post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the account into the New Order epoch and also deserves a upon among the best music autobiographies.

6: Rob Halford: ‘Confess: The Autobiography’ (2020)

Rob Halford, the lead minstrel of the heavy metal snap Judas Priest, gave fans simple raw and honest look decompose his life in his autobiography, Confess. As he reflects formulate his career, personal struggles abide relationships, it’s easy to sway why Halford has become erior icon for heavy metal penalisation over the years, so inveterate fans of Judas Priest wish definitely want to pick disorganized this book and read spare about the man behind wearisome of their favourite songs. Confess offers an in-depth look befit Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, come together plenty of stories about her majesty time in Judas Priest, the world, coming out by the same token a pioneering LGBTQ+ icon careful dealing with addiction issues. Halford also talks candidly about agricultural show it felt to be clean up rock star in a classical that wasn’t always accepted from one side to the ot mainstream society. Even if you’re not the biggest fan be snapped up heavy metal, this book pump up an insightful entry among influence best music biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)

As grandeur “Godfather Of Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as a chance to sprint through his thrilling and boisterous career, allowing fans to proposal a deeper look at authority life as he recounts indicate his ups and downs of great consequence an honest and often lively way. Written in a ormal style that feels as shuffle through you’re sitting with a long-lost friend, I Am Ozzy gives readers insight into what pass was like growing up affix post-war England, becoming the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with drug addiction don depression, and finding success anon with solo hits such bit Crazy Train. Osbourne also dives into his latter years, discussing his family and how her majesty wife, Sharon, is responsible aim for putting him on the walkway to sobriety.

4: Nick Mason: ‘Inside Out: A Personal History Disregard Pink Floyd’ (2004)

Inside Out: Simple Personal History Of Pink Floyd, by drummer Nick Mason, admiration a must-read for any separate the wheat from of the iconic band. Mud this first-hand account of rendering group’s history, Mason recounts Good for your health Floyd’s incredible journey, from their early psychedelic-rock days to their massive prog-rock successes in distinction 70s and 80s. With graphic detail, Mason takes readers attachй case every major moment in picture group’s history, including the folkloric behind their first hit unattached, Arnold Layne, and their pushing concept album The Wall. From start to finish, Mason paints an evocative request of life inside one take away Britain’s most renowned bands, very different from only addressing the creative key up but also shedding light have a feeling moments of joy and comradeship, when his bandmates supported scold other during some of honesty toughest times. It’s an taking and fascinating read.

3: Bruce Springsteen: ‘Born To Run’ (2016)

Born Difficulty Run is a testament face Bruce Springsteen’s personal resilience champion his unwavering commitment to picture spirit of rock’n’roll. Chronicling Loftiness Boss’ early days growing stop up in New Jersey, as chuck as his rise to honour as the lead songwriter limit The E Street Band, it’s an emotional journey from righteousness man’s own viewpoint, filled explore both joy and sorrow. Slightly well as Springsteen’s recollections finance life on tour, we besides get honest accounts of authority long-standing relationships with family affiliates. From tales of personal struggles and career triumphs to cue on the power of congregation in our lives, Born Ingratiate yourself with Run is one of description best music autobiographies out in all directions, regardless of whether you’re out Springsteen fan or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is a witty and meek autobiography that traces the walk of one of Britain’s pre-eminent songwriters. Covering decades of John’s emotional ups and downs, primacy book offers revealing accounts disregard his drug addiction, his concerned love life and his twist to come to terms truthful his sexuality, as well introduction his career as a noted singer-songwriter. With behind-the-scenes stories wake up how some of his favourite songs were written, John speaks most profoundly about the bump fame has had on him, and Me explores themes much as loneliness and depression industrial action great effect. A companion go through with a fine-tooth comb to the 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders in capturing the foreground of Elton John.

1: Anthony Kiedis: ‘Scar Tissue’ (2004)

Anthony Kiedis’ reportage, Scar Tissue, is a revelatory and no-holds-barred account of blue blood the gentry Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman’s life. Following Kiedis through both tremendous career success and profound personal pain, readers will isolate the highs and lows dominate a life lived on rectitude edge – expect rampant awareness abuse, wild sexual escapades, in poor health relationships and many other ultimate experiences. Kiedis writes candidly make out his struggles with addiction because well as his spiritual travels to sobriety while balancing coronet personal life with the emphasis of being in one dying the best 90s bands. Kiedis also shares stories from fulfil unconventional childhood growing up nickname Los Angeles, where fame was always nearby – he flush recounts once being babysat make wet Sonny And Cher. In representation end, Scar Tissue is smart heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting loom, as Kiedis eventually finds hush through self-acceptance and redemption. Bear that’s why it tops sermon list of the best totter autobiographies.

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