Reading Bob Spitz’ completely insanely in-depth book about the Beatles has me realizing that it reads like a completely mad novel more than it reads like a true story - but it’s true!
Are there any good novels out there that follow a fictional band?
The Armageddon Rag by George R. R. Martin.
So real-feeling that you’ll swear you’ve seen some of these groups at Winterland. If you are “of an age,” of course.
The Commitments by Roddy Doyle
Salman Rushdie’s The Ground Beneath Her Feet takes place in an alter-world with the same rock history as our world, but diverges as the the main characters’ band/group interacts with it.
Probably not what you’re looking for, but I thought worth mentioning.
Fantasy novel, War For The Oaks by Emma Bull. Mix a rock band with a Sidhe war and find out what happens.
Great Jones Street, by Don DeLillo, about a Dylan-like character. Probably the best mainstream novel about rock I’ve read.
The worst, if anyone cares, is probably Jerzy Kosinski’s Pinball.
A bit short for a novel, but there’s Norman Spinrad’s “The Big Flash.”
S.P. Somtow’s Vampire Junction is about a rock star/vampire.
There’s the group Frozen Gold in Espedair Street by Iain Banks.
My favourite rock’n’roll novel has to be Jambeaux by Laurence Gonzales. It’s set in the early 70’s and features a Creedence-like band from the Gulf Coast…
The Dwarves of Death by Jonathan Coe is good fun, although reviews are mixed. It’s set in the London punk scene of 1990 or so
Lewis Shiner wrote Say Goodbye: The Laurie Moss Story about a hopeful solo artist trying to hit the big time - it’s very good. And he also wrote Glimpses, which features actual groups so isn’t quite what you’re looking for, but it’s excellent as well…
The Big Wheel by Bruce Thomas (bass player for Elvis Costello & the Attractions) is a mostly-fictional account of the trials of a new wave band not unlike his actual band. It’s funny as hell sometimes. Apparently, Elvis C. thought it too close for comfort and was displeased with it.
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett is a rock band (and a few others) trying to make it in the Big Wahoonie (Ankh Morpork).
Hardcore Logo is a fairly interesting novel about the reunion of a Canadian punk band. But it’s the source of an almost great movie.
Hardcore Logo is a fake documentary of the band’s reunion tour. It was marketed as the next Spinal Tap. But, while the movie has black humor (especially for those who’ve been on any music scene)–it’s definitely not a comedy.
Who can forget Joe Dick & Billy Talent?
There’s The Doubleman by Christopher Koch. The ‘Doubleman’ of the title is a creepy, charismatic occultist guitarist, and although I don’t remember the book being great, it has some good characterisation and recreates the muso/groupy dynamic well in places.
William Deverell wrote a legal thriller called Platinum Blues, about the seamy side of the music business. It was a pretty good read, though not Deverell’s best novel. The details are hazy, but it involves a druggy/alky singer/songwriter whose great new tune has been stolen by another band. The main character is the lawyer who takes up the songwriter’s case.
I’ve not read it, but intend to…*Time Won’t Let Me * by Bill Scheft
Evan Hunter’s Streets of Gold is about a blind jazz musician.
Wow, I’ll have to tell the author! I took a class from him in college - loved the course and liked him as a teacher. I think that’s his only fiction book, but I’d like to check it out.
Be Cool, the sequel to Get Shorty, is about the music industry, but more from the vantage point of a producer than the band itself.
Great? I don’t know, but I’ll offer up Brian Aldiss’ Brothers of the Head. The movie adaptation was disappointing, but worth a viewing if you’re in just the right mood. (what mood that would be, I couldn’t say)
For a variation, how about Mid-life Confidential: The Rock Bottom Remainders Tour America with Three Chords and an Attitude, which is a bunch of novelists and writers playing in a rock band.