Sex, drugs, egos, money, fans, music, god and who we love and hate... the rock stars have their say. Featuring over 2,000 words of wisdom and stupidity from all your favourite rock stars and five decades of rock'n'roll. ¿Quotes include: 'Don't interpret me. My songs don't have any meaning. They're just words.' - Bob Dylan. 'I was a veteran before I was a teenager.' - Michael Jackson. 'I would rather eat my own testicles than reform The Smiths, and that's saying something for a vegetarian.' - Morrissey. 'I am the only man who can say he's been in Take That and at least two members of the Spice Girls.' - Robbie Williams. 'Rehab is a cop-out.' - Amy Winehouse.
Soul icon James Brown died on Christmas Day, 2006, fifty years after his recording debut. Despite a career slump in the seventies and only intermittent success during his eighties and nineties revival, James Brown had more hits than any other black artist in the history of recording music. At the same time he was the most sampled musician of all time.This is the definitive biography of this extraordinary and controversial superstar, written by Geoff Brown, a former editor of Black Music magazine.For three decades James Brown dominated the changing face of post-war popular black music. Others were as inspirational in the short term, andseveral of his successors have been bigger pop stars, but none matched Brown's independent authority, sustained influence or commercial longevity. But while another generation danced to the pulse of James Brown, at the end of the eighties the man himself was back in a southern US jail, a country mile or so from where he was first incarcerated in his teens. Between the two internments is the compelling story of a man who, by reaching from his roots and striving determinedly for himself, came to represent in music and personal power the post-war emancipation of black America. Illustrated with many rare photographs, and including a comprehensive discography.
Nine Inch Nails are the forerunners of the nu metal genre, having defined industrial rock in the 1990s. From the release of the acclaimed Pretty Hate Machine through its darker, multi-platinum sequels, they have sold over 10 million albums worldwide. 2007's album Year Zero is regarded as their strongest work in over a decade. Frontman, creative force and producer Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails. In this book, Reznor's life and music are examined in detail. Analyzing his tortured writing process, on-the-road touring antics with protégé Marilyn Manson and Courtney Love, collaborations with David Lynch and Oliver Stone and meticulous recording techniques, Nine Inch Nails is the definitive book on the musician who brought industrial rock from the underground to the mainstream. New edition - completely revised and updated in 2007.
Death Rap chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of the notorious hip-hop superstar Tupac Shakur, the figurehead of a musical movement that came to define black culture in America and beyond. Sharp, poignant and glossy; this explosive graphic novel traces the events leading up to the death of one of modern music's most charismatic performers. The collaboration between provocative and combustible writers Barnaby Legg and Jim McCarthy, and renowned artist Flameboy; with his potent, gritty and up-front visual imagery; produce a new perspective on the controversial events surrounding the rise of Death Row records and the brutality of street Gang warfare. From hazy blue skies over south central Los Angeles to the bleak back streets of New York, the book has all the intrigue of great crime literature, all the shadows of film noir, and all the tragedy of a unique talent cut down at just 25 years of age. Contains some explicit content.
In a world dominated by industry created pop idols, the story of David Gray is a heartwarming one of passionate belief in music and a healthy mistrust of celebrity. In this first major account of Gray's life and work, author Michael Heatley examines the cult singer/songwriter's Manchester roots, his Welsh upbringing, and his unique popularity in Ireland. Here too are the stories behind the four legendary albums that preceded the phenomenally successful White Ladder, recorded in the summer of 1998. Heatley assesses the impact of global success on Gray who, faced with following up his surprise multi million-seller, achieved the near-impossible. The chart-topping A New Day At Midnight, critically-acclaimed as darker, stronger, and more powerful than White Ladder, reflected personal changes in Gray's life and pointed to a fascinating future. Fully illustrated with a comprehensive discography.
The latest edition of the highly controversial Hendrix biography.From Seattle and his years in the US Air Force to London in the Sixties, here is the full Jimi Hendrix story: the songs, the concerts, the flaming guitars, the drugs, the booze and the women and, of course, the unforgettable musical legacy.'Scuse Me While I Kiss The Sky remains the definitive biography of a musical phenomenon who died young after a dazzling career that fused blues and jazz into a unique brand of drug-fuelled psychedelic rock.Personal tensions and betrayals are explored alongside a catalogue of memorable live performances, showbiz duplicity and personal excess that led to Hendrix's controversial death at the age of 27.There was only one Jimi and more than 50 years since his passing David Henderson's brilliant book is the closest thing we have to catching the Hendrix brand of lightning in a bottle.
Wrestler turned rock manager, the late Peter Grant made his name as the manager of Led Zeppelin, helping to turn them into rock's biggest attraction by the mid Seventies. The book reveals the facts about his suspended prison sentence, his dispute with the group over unpaid royalties and his retiring from the music industry , and his rumoured heroin addiction. Written with the full co-operation of Grant's family and friends to give a unique access into the most fabled and feared man in the music business.
Biographer Patricia Butler unravels the strange stories behind Manilow's Brooklyn upbringing, his shortlived marriage, his cautious career change from youthful executive to freelance musician and his dramatic partnership with Bette Midler formed in the gay Continental Baths in Manhattan.The softcover edition of the bestseller, is an assessment and record of both Manilow's personal life and almost a quarter of a century of chart and touring triumphs. Features exclusive family photos and childhood pictures.
The definitive biography of the Scottish singer who graduated from The Tourists to The Eurythmics and went on to international solo stardom. From Love is a Stranger through Diva to the reformed Eurythmics 1999 album Peace, this is the revealing story of an extraordinary female singer.At last, here is the definitive biography of one of pop's most private stars. Annie Lennox has always been an enigma, ill at ease with the trappings of fame and giving away little of herself. Now Bryony Sutherland and Lucy Ellis have delved deep to find the woman behind her masks.
A comprehensive A-Z of over 100 Rap-Rock, Rap-Metal and Funk-Metal bands, including acts from the hip-hop and hardcore punk branches of metal. A full history of the events that led to the birth of nu-metal, starting with the story of grunge and the early rap-rockers, and bringing the story bang up to date with the latest generation of bands.The essential reference book for 21st century metal fans.Includes a foreword by Casey Chaos of Amen.
Having introduced the world to LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, DMX and Jay-Z, the label formed by hustler-incarnate Russell Simmons and A & R maverick Rick Rubin has now successfully marketed what was a ghetto phenomenon into the most pervasive youth culture of the late 20th century. This book documents the growth of Def Jam from humble origins to its current status as the preeminent black music label of the 80s and 90s.
Witold Lutoslawski is widely regarded as one of the foremost composers of the post-war era and one of the truly great musicians of the 20th century. Charles Bodman Rae's examination of Lutoslawski's life and work draws on wide-ranging and meticulous research, including hours of recorded conversation with the composer himself. Now expanded for this third edition to include an additional chapter and many more photographs, The Music of Lutoslawski is an absorbing study of the man and his music.
Richard and Fred Fairbrass, better known as Right Said Fred, scored a global Number 1 hit in 1991 with their debut single ‘I'm Too Sexy', selling 30 million albums, being showered with industry awards, and earning plaudits from admirers such as Madonna and Prince. Before that breakthrough, though, the brothers spent over a decade in London and New York, trying to make it in the music industry. Fred played guitar with Bob Dylan and Richard played bass in several David Bowie videos, with the brothers appearing on stage with Joy Division and Suicide, and on film with Mick Jagger. Once fame hit, the good times rolled, the substances mounted up and the groupies formed an orderly queue, but it wasn't long before the brothers realised that fame and fortune is not for everyone. Still Too Sexy is their story, with a foreword by the legendary stunt motorcyclist Eddie Kidd, OBE.
Swimming with the Blowfish is the definitive account of the rise, fall and rebirth of the band that offered an irresistible alternative to the grunge music of the early '90s.
Over 50 years of Queen memorabilia has been brought together by the band's archivist Greg Brooks for the very first time in this official, fully illustrated coffee table book.
Skip Spence was a soldier, a rock star, a folkie, a husband and father, a biker, an innovator, an addict, a cult phenomenon, and a ward of the state. The cast of characters in his story includes some of the biggest stars in music: Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, and many more. However, the highs and lows of fame took their toll, and Spence spent much of his life battling addiction and mental illness. He was in and out of hospitals and group homes, but would perform in various bands during his lucid moments and is best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and as the co-founder of Moby Grape. Songs from his cult solo album Oar have been covered by Tom Waits, Beck and Robert Plant. Weighted Down is the first book to tell the full story. With family photos and accounts from his friends, bandmates, and family, this biography offers new revelations about Spence that illuminate the troubled life of a complicated man.
The story of The Who's momentous first tours of America told through fabulous photos by the band's official photographer and tour manager Tom Wright.Tom Wright first met Pete Townshend at Ealing Art School in the early 60s. He became The Who's official tour photographer and manager from 1967 in the US, also managing the Grande Ballroom in Detroit where The Who's rock opera Tommy premiered. He was much more than the band's photographer, he was a friend and photographed them right up to their farewell tour in 1991. Tom's vast record collection and musical influences had a big impact on the band in their early years.Their Generation covers The Who's first tours of North America, a hugely creative time with explosive performances both on and off stage, the time of their US hit 'I Can See for Miles' and much more.Through the fabulous photographs, many of which have never been seen before, we see the band backstage, onstage, on tour, at rehearsal, at ease, in studio, at home. The photos will be accompanied by extended captions providing background details of the time, the people and the places.As well as The Who, Tom Wright toured with the Rolling Stones, the Faces, The James Gang, J. D. Elvis Costello, The Eagles and many more, documenting their performances and life on the road."One thing is certain, had I not met Tom Wright, The Who would never have become successful." Pete Townshend
The long-awaited memoir of Booker T. Jones, leader of the famed Stax Records house band, architect of the Memphis soul sound, and one of the most legendary figures in music.
Deals with The Beatles and their contemporaries. Focusing on one of the most exciting periods in British rock history, this title provides comprehensive family trees for the quintessential groups of the Liverpool and London scenes.
This is the first English monograph of legendary French musique-concrete pioneer Luc Ferrari (1929-2005).
A new year for David Bowie means new clothes, new boots, new hair and a new name: Ziggy Stardust. To the gloomy blacked-out Britain of powercuts and three-day weeks he may as well be from outer space - if that's what it takes to make him famous, far be it from him to tell anyone he isn't. Bowie's success as the bisexual Starman soon rubs off on his new friends Mott The Hoople and his hero Lou Reed as 1972 becomes Annus Glamrockus. Music, fashion and the old codes of gender will never be the same again. But as his runaway fame quickly blurs all lines between fantasy and reality, neither will David. The third volume of the Bowie Odyssey series offers a wild and revelatory snapshot of the year of Ziggy as Simon Goddard continues his vivid real-time journey through the decade Bowie changed pop forever.
Pride, Pop and Politics charts the development of gay culture and the rise of LGBTQ politics in the UK, from the formation of the Gay Liberation Front to the present day, through the music that provided the soundtrack.Fifty years on from Britain's first Pride march, the long road to LGBT equality continues. Through protest songs and gay club nights, street theatre activism and fundraising concerts, the performing arts have played an influential role in each great stride made.With new interviews with musicians and DJs, performers and activists, including Andy Bell, Jayne County, John Grant, Horse McDonald and Peter Tachell, Pride, Pop and Politics hears from those whose art has been influenced by the campaign for LGBT rights – and helped push it forward.This informative, eye-opening book is the first to focus on the relationship between gay nightlife and political activism in Britain.Darryl W. Bullock won the prestigious Penderyn Music Book Prize in 2022 with The Velvet Mafia, a thrilling account of the gay men who ran the swinging sixties.
Celebrating a remarkable 40 years in the music business, Tony Hadley looks back on all aspects of his spectacular career, from Spandau Ballet to Chicago, to his successful solo work and tours with The Fabulous TH Band. This deluxe photobook includes a wealth of unseen images and extended captions from Tony.
Electric Dreams is the definitive history of the hugely influential bands The Human League and Heaven 17, from Sheffield beginnings to world-renowned synth-pop pioneers.
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