# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/21 "2011-05-15T19:31:35Z")
Dr. John’s autobiography (_Under a Hoodoo Moon_ is excellent. I know he plays a bunch of different music, but I think of him as a rock and roll guy. If Keith can sing “The Nearness of You,” then Dr. John gets a rock and roll pass as well, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/22 "2011-05-15T19:36:18Z")
I too liked Zappa’s. Kieth Emerson’s made me cringe - he was brutally honest, and as a result I lost a lot of respect for him. The one I’ve liked the most in many year is [Bill Bruford’s.](http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Bruford-Autobiography/dp/1906002231). The man lived his career backwards, starting out in supergroup Yes and then intentionally going more and more “niche” in pursuit of playing the music that most appealed to him. I very much admire the guy now. ---
**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, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/23 "2011-05-15T20:24:12Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Dr. John’s autobiography (_Under a Hoodoo Moon_ is excellent. I know he plays a bunch of different music, but I think of him as a rock and roll guy. If Keith can sing “The Nearness of You,” then Dr. John gets a rock and roll pass as well, I say. I just saw Dr. John perform a few days ago down in New Orleans, and while he sounded great, he really looked frail and not in great health. The rumor is that he is facing some very serious health issues, and whatever the actual situation is, I hope he is going to be able to make a recovery. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/24 "2011-05-15T20:53:46Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Previous thread: [rock biographies](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=523900) Thanks **Thudlow** - great minds, **Shakester** ---
**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, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/25 "2011-05-15T22:46:51Z")
> [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](#): > > I too liked Zappa’s. Kieth Emerson’s made me cringe - he was brutally honest, and as a result I lost a lot of respect for him. The one I’ve liked the most in many year is [Bill Bruford’s.](http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Bruford-Autobiography/dp/1906002231). The man lived his career backwards, starting out in supergroup Yes and then intentionally going more and more “niche” in pursuit of playing the music that most appealed to him. I very much admire the guy now. Please elaborate a bit on the Keith Emerson stuff. And what sort of music is Bruford playing these days? mmm ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/26 "2011-05-16T05:52:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > 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. “Ghost Rider” is a pretty good book. It’s part travelogue, part personal evaluation and so much more. I’d give it a whirl. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/27 "2011-05-16T07:16:00Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I just saw Dr. John perform a few days ago down in New Orleans, and while he sounded great, he really looked frail and not in great health. > > The rumor is that he is facing some very serious health issues, and whatever the actual situation is, I hope he is going to be able to make a recovery. You just saw Dr. John in New Orleans? Well, I guess you could say you saw him in the right place… _puts on sunglasses_ _clears throat_ but it must have been the wrong time. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/28 "2011-05-16T09:14:18Z")
_Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival_ by Hank Bordowitz. Great book about the band and it’s nasty breakup. \*For the Record 7: Up around the Bend: The Oral History Of Creedence Clearwater Revival \* Craig Werner ---
**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 16, 2011, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/29 "2011-05-16T09:43:07Z")
I have already loaded the Keith Richards and Dylan bios into my Kindle, but this: > [@](#): > > Bad Moon Rising: The Unauthorized History of Creedence Clearwater Revival by Hank Bordowitz. …sounds like another contender. mmm ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/30 "2011-05-16T11:52:19Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I have already loaded the Keith Richards and Dylan bios into my Kindle, but this: Here was a prior thread where [I reviewed Keith’s book](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=583435). ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/31 "2011-05-16T12:07:47Z")
I agree that the Richards and Summers books are very good. Shakey, by Jimmy McDonough, is a good biography of Neil Young. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/32 "2011-05-16T12:20:16Z")
_When Giants Walked The Earth: A Biography Of Led Zeppelin_ is a really good book. Much better than that _Hammer Of The Gods_ one. ---
**Author:** ![groovie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d6d6ee/32.png) [@groovie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groovie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/33 "2011-05-16T13:04:00Z")
Chuck Berry and BB King both have very good autobiography(s), highly recommended if your taste in music extends anywhere towards them. Neil Peart has some good books too. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/34 "2011-05-16T13:13:51Z")
> [@groovie](#): > > Chuck Berry and BB King both have very good autobiography(s), highly recommended if your taste in music extends anywhere towards them. > Neil Peart has some good books too. Chuck’s is, um, well, a bit short on detail. It’s a Disney version - sacrificing detail and insight to make sure that the overall themes of Chuck’s legend get burnished. There is an important, historical biography required of Berry, given his seminal importance as a musician, guitarist, rock innovator, crossover success at the dawn of the teenager as a target population, AND given all of the…complications…he has had in his life - but his autobiography is not that book. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/35 "2011-05-16T13:50:20Z")
**[The Beatles: A Biography](http://tinyurl.com/3oee9dp)** by Bob Spitz. Well written, and extensively researched. You will discover plenty of things you never knew, a notable feat since the group has been so well documented. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/36 "2011-05-16T14:04:14Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > 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… If you’d like the trifecta, look for Pete Quaife’s _Veritas, Vol 1_. It’s not an autobiography, but a fictional account of a guy growing up in north London during the '50s and joining a band in the early '60s, based on Quaife’s experiences in joining up with the Kinks. ---
**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 16, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/37 "2011-05-16T14:05:03Z")
> [@Ms\_Boods](#): > > If you’d like the trifecta, look for Pete Quaife’s _Veritas, Vol 1_. It’s not an autobiography, but a fictional account of a guy growing up in north London during the '50s and joining a band in the early '60s, based on Quaife’s experiences in joining up with the Kinks. Thanks, I’ll look for it! ---
**Author:** ![groovie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d6d6ee/32.png) [@groovie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groovie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/38 "2011-05-16T14:08:18Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Chuck’s is, um, well, a bit short on detail. It’s a Disney version - sacrificing detail and insight to make sure that the overall themes of Chuck’s legend get burnished. There is an important, historical biography required of Berry, given his seminal importance as a musician, guitarist, rock innovator, crossover success at the dawn of the teenager as a target population, AND given all of the…complications…he has had in his life - but his autobiography is not that book. I was thinking more how he wrote - he has quite the turn of phrase, but you’re right it was Chuck writing for Chuck first and foremost. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/39 "2011-05-16T16:32:21Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > 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). I have to say I didn’t care for the Grace Slick one that much. Too much of it was just her spouting off about various topics. I really liked Levon Helms’ _This Wheel’s On Fire,_ but I must say it makes it hard to enjoy watching _The Last Waltz_… Levon really tears Robbie Robertson a new one. He essentially says that Robbie Robertson is the reason Richard Manuel is dead. If you like the Grateful Dead, _Searching for the Sound_ by Phil Lesh is really good. _Please Kill Me_ is a riveting first-person account of punk. ---
**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 16, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982/40 "2011-05-16T16:42:40Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > I really liked Levon Helms’ _This Wheel’s On Fire,_ but I must say it makes it hard to enjoy watching _The Last Waltz_… Levon really tears Robbie Robertson a new one. He essentially says that Robbie Robertson is the reason Richard Manuel is dead. Well, we need to remember that Levon Helm is a National Treasure and is universally beloved by his fellow musicians, while Robbie Robertson is a vain, shallow, egotistical pariah who is now shunned by the vast majority of those he once worked with. It isn’t just Levon Helm who has no use for Robbie Robertson… (That said, I watch The Last Waltz every few months and still think it is the finest live concert film of all time) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-rock-n-roll-auto-biography/581982.md?page=3)