# What is a good Rock n Roll (auto)biography? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 15, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982 "2011-05-15T13:52:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/1 "2011-05-15T13:52:24Z")
I am debating between grabbing the new Steven Tyler book and the recent Keith Richards offering. Any opinions on either of these? Any others I should consider?\* mmm \*(don’t necessarily have to be recent) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/2 "2011-05-15T14:05:11Z")
The best one ever is Dylan’s Chronicles. Hands down. As for others, it depends on why you want to read them. Are you looking for flash, and sex, and road tales? Are you looking for what it’s like to before fame sets in? Are you looking for how a band works and evolves? Are you looking for how the music business works? There are books in all these categories and more, and just because you like one doesn’t mean you’ll like the others. Can you give us an idea of what you want? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/3 "2011-05-15T14:17:14Z")
Keith’s book was very entertaining. And he was surprisingly literate. I know he had help writing it, but he definitely dispelled for me the caricature I had of him–the cackling, addled, brain-dead reprobate. Not to say the volume of drugs he imbibed over his lifetime wasn’t astounding, and there was no lack of drug and wild party stories. But he could turn a phrase, he’s pretty well-read, clearly intelligent–not the cartoon character he was in my head. A very interesting life… Just bought the Tyler book , but haven’t read it yet. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/4 "2011-05-15T14:27:05Z")
I tried to read Red by Sammy Hagar and gave up about halfway through. It’s like listening to Trump. My coworkers liked it, though, but they have a higher opinion of Hagar than I do in the first place. YMMV, as always. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/5 "2011-05-15T14:34:30Z")
The Clapton book was good Also Dear Boy which is about Keith Moon is good. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/6 "2011-05-15T15:56:44Z")
I’ve read a kazillion of them, they’re one of my special subjects. A lot of them are trashy, but there are some gems. My favourite? Andy Summers’ [One Train Later](http://www.amazon.com/One-Train-Later-Andy-Summers/dp/B001O9CFUO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305474296&sr=1-1). I’m not a huge fan of the Police, though I always liked them. I admire Andy Summers as a guitarist. But, as it turns out, the guy can _write_. His story is interesting enough on its own, but what makes his book great is that he manages to write about being a musician, and eventually a _very_ successful one, in a way that is both humble and full of insight. His book is one of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read, and not just in the “musician” category. The Keith Richards one is entertaining, worth reading just to get Keith’s personal take on the story. Bob Dylan’s Chronicles is very good, and I hope he writes more autobiography. The Sammy Hagar one is trash; Sammy has far too high an opinion of himself and far too low an opinion of anyone who ever disagreed with him. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/7 "2011-05-15T16:01:46Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > The best one ever is Dylan’s Chronicles. Hands down. Ya know, I am huge into Dylan and I completely forgot about this one, thanks for the reminder. > [@Stratocaster](#): > > Keith’s book was very entertaining. And he was surprisingly literate. I know he had help writing it, but he definitely dispelled for me the caricature I had of him–the cackling, addled, brain-dead reprobate. Not to say the volume of drugs he imbibed over his lifetime wasn’t astounding, and there was no lack of drug and wild party stories. But he could turn a phrase, he’s pretty well-read, clearly intelligent–not the cartoon character he was in my head. A very interesting life…Just bought the Tyler book , but haven’t read it yet. You’ve sold me. I am going to Kindle-ize both of these for my upcoming time on the beach in the Dominican Republic. Thanks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/8 "2011-05-15T16:05:18Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > I’ve read a kazillion of them, they’re one of my special subjects. A lot of them are trashy, but there are some gems. > > My favourite? Andy Summers’ [One Train Later](http://www.amazon.com/One-Train-Later-Andy-Summers/dp/B001O9CFUO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305474296&sr=1-1). > > I’m not a huge fan of the Police, though I always liked them. I admire Andy Summers as a guitarist. But, as it turns out, the guy can _write_. His story is interesting enough on its own, but what makes his book great is that he manages to write about being a musician, and eventually a _very_ successful one, in a way that is both humble and full of insight. His book is one of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read, and not just in the “musician” category. > > The Keith Richards one is entertaining, worth reading just to get Keith’s personal take on the story. Bob Dylan’s Chronicles is very good, and I hope he writes more autobiography. > > The Sammy Hagar one is trash; Sammy has far too high an opinion of himself and far too low an opinion of anyone who ever disagreed with him. I’m not a bit Police fan either. And I doubt that I could read an entire book that has anything to do with Van Halen. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/9 "2011-05-15T16:18:11Z")
If you never read about Connie Francis, read a bio on her. She had so much happen to her, you can’t help but have an interesting read. From her failed relationships, to massive stage fright, to being raped at a hotel. It’s a shame people forgot her for the most part. She was to pop music from 1955 - 1964 what Madonna was to pop music in the 80s and 90s. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/10 "2011-05-15T16:18:41Z")
Mick Fleetwood’s [autobiography](http://www.amoeba.com/blog/2009/05/all-the-news-that-s-fit-to-sing/mick-fleetwood-s-autobiography-fleetwood-my-life-and-adventures-with-fleetwood-mac.html) is pretty good, as is [Grace Slick’s](http://www.amazon.com/Somebody-Love-Rock-Roll-Memoir/dp/044652302X). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/11 "2011-05-15T16:23:50Z")
Has anyone read Neil Peart’s book that he wrote about the prolonged motorcycle journey he took after losing both his daughter and his wife in the space of a year? Is it any good? I guess it’s not really a convetional rock memoir, but I’m curious about it. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/12 "2011-05-15T16:53:38Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > I’ve read a kazillion of them, they’re one of my special subjects. A lot of them are trashy, but there are some gems. > > My favourite? Andy Summers’ [One Train Later](http://www.amazon.com/One-Train-Later-Andy-Summers/dp/B001O9CFUO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305474296&sr=1-1). > > I’m not a huge fan of the Police, though I always liked them. I admire Andy Summers as a guitarist. But, as it turns out, the guy can _write_. His story is interesting enough on its own, but what makes his book great is that he manages to write about being a musician, and eventually a _very_ successful one, in a way that is both humble and full of insight. His book is one of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read, and not just in the “musician” category. When I saw the thread title, that was the book I immediately thought of. Great writing by a guy who credits luck and circumstance more than his own talent (which is considerable IMO), thus the title. Patty Boyd’s book is also excellent. It is about her relationships with Clapton and Harrison, but has some excellent and graceful writing. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/13 "2011-05-15T17:06:36Z")
The best rock biography I’ve ever read is [Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley](http://www.amazon.com/Last-Train-Memphis-Elvis-Presley/dp/0316332259) by Peter Guralnick. (There’s a sequel, Careless Love, covering his later life, equally good.) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/14 "2011-05-15T17:33:32Z")
Previous thread: [rock biographies](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=523900) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/15 "2011-05-15T17:40:30Z")
I always liked the Jim Morrison biography _No One Here Gets Out Alive_, by Jerry Hopkins, who lives in Thailand now and whom I may have met in Madrid Bar in the Patpong red-light district. Details are fuzzy. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/16 "2011-05-15T17:55:50Z")
“Redemption Song-The Ballad Of Joe Strummer” is a very well written book by Chris Salewicz, an English music journalist and a longtime friend of Strummer’s. It gives a lot of details of The Clash’s early years in London, and offers an unvarnished look at Joe Strummer’s personal life and the various musical influences working in the seminal British Punk scene back in the 1970-1980’s. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/17 "2011-05-15T18:01:47Z")
I read Frank Zappa’s autobiography years ago–so long I don’t remember the title. I think it might be [The Real Frank Zappa](http://www.amazon.com/Real-Frank-Zappa-Book/dp/0671705725), but don’t know if he has more than one autobiography. Make what you will of his music, but the man was a genius–and is a fantastic writer with an interesting worldview to share. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/18 "2011-05-15T18:29:16Z")
Agreed, The Real Frank Zappa Book is a fun read. I also enjoyed Nick Mason’s Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd. Ronnie Woods’ autobiography was enjoyable. He’s very entertaining and upbeat, even about his low times. My favorite is The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx. Yes, yes, I know… Motley Crue. The book is very intense. It’s his diaries and notes from his last year of severe heroin and cocaine addiction. It also has comments from the people in his life. No punches are pulled. It’s brutally honest. There’s also an album he released as a soundtrack to the book. The band is Sixx:AM, and not very much like Crue. It’s one of the CDs I don’t take out of my car. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/19 "2011-05-15T18:36:45Z")
I’m reading “X-Ray” (the _unauthorized autobiography_) of Ray Davies right now. I’m a big Kinks fan so I’m enjoying it thoroughly, although the style may not be to everyone’s taste. One nugget I found fascinating as someone who grew up on on classic rock: at one show in 1964, 3 of the acts were The Kinks, The Highlanders (aka The Who), and The Beatles. What a show that must have been! ETA: I also just bought “Kink” the autobiography of Dave Davies. I can’t wait to read that next to see the other side of the story… ---
**Author:** ![canterburyales](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@canterburyales](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/canterburyales)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/20 "2011-05-15T19:04:53Z")
[Things the Grandchildren Should Know](http://www.amazon.com/Things-Grandchildren-Should-Oliver-Everett/dp/B002M3SP0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305486062&sr=8-1) is a quick read by Mark “E” Everett of the Eels. Not a big name rocker, but an interesting read. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982.md?page=2)