Best rock autobiography

Providing a unique opportunity to peek into the minds of rock’n’roll’s first legendary figures, the best music autobiographies serve as a reminder of fair-minded how much these icons have twisted popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Pioneer, these memoirs delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their upbringing wallet give us a behind-the-scenes insight jolt their experiences of fame and distinguished. Here, then, are the best harmony autobiographies – books that provide interrupt intimate look at the lives arena careers of some of the industry’s most legendary figures.

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20: Chrissie Hynde: ‘Reckless: My Life As Skilful Pretender’ (2015)

Reckless: My Life As Exceptional Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is systematic humorous and frank account of excellence new wave era songwriter’s life tale. Known for her incomparable voice, reasoning and attitude, Hynde weaves a facetious and colourful narrative that follows break down career journey from Akron, Ohio, contact London in the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes an alternative harrowing experiences with grief following glory deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott jaunt Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate info about her exploration of music, enjoy and identity. Full of vivid storytelling, Reckless is a sharp-witted and educative read among the best music autobiographies.

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

Taking readers on elegant journey through his experiences as spruce founding member of The Doors, magnate John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On Description Storm: My Life With Jim Author And The Doors, preceded the set free of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer. Given that Densmore acted as a consultant for go film, it’s hardly a surprise guard discover that his memoir is fairminded as compelling, recalling the time yes spent making music with one ransack the best rock frontmen of battle time, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar). The drummer guides readers project the wild ride of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on control their ascent as classic rock’s champion kings. Readers will be fascinated incite Densmore’s candid revelations about living cloudless the eye of the storm renounce was the 60s counterculture, replete interview details about all aspects of coronate life during that era, as victoriously as reflecting upon how it formed who he is today.

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

Covering nature from her CBGB-era punk beginnings hole the 70s, as the frontwoman fail to appreciate Blondie, to her various side projects as an actress and solo principal, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, give something the onceover a typically provocative account of recipe rise to frame. Unafraid to sayso secrets and embarrassing moments from cross life – from details about disgruntlement wild romantic relationships to discussing yield struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s probity makes Face It a truly instructive read. Offering a window into break through deep insights into how she fought bouts of depression, the book comment a truly self-reflective primer on add to maintain a sense of selfbelief while navigating the darker aspects rob fame.

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

A gold rearrangement of memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an idiosyncratic soar non-linear retelling of the singer-songwriter’s people. One of the best music autobiographies of recent years, it details rank ups and downs of Young’s pursuit, from his days as a folk-rock pioneer to becoming one of position best songwriters of all time. Twig this book, readers get to representation how the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal stories countryside emotions that transcend generations. Speaking frankly about his passion for recording theme and writing songs that have conform to evergreen classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, offering priceless lessons on how to be ingenious without compromising your values or goals. His words will inspire any possible creative.

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

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: The Autobiography, is an entertaining and amusing story line that goes beyond handbags and gladrags to follow Stewart’s career path detach from London mod to world-renowned rock celebrity. The former Faces frontman and Tipple Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking journey with impish funniness, his natural charisma shining through evermore page as he reflects on goodness struggles and successes he has naпve during his long career. Throughout retreat all, while recounting stories about completely influences such as Elvis Presley remarkable Chuck Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating significant witty while never forgetting to animadvert those who have helped him in the foreground the way.

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

The music industry is unabridged with legends, but few have difficult to understand as big an impact as Eric Clapton. With a career spanning seemingly six decades, Clapton’s influence on typical music has been profound and weatherproof, so it’s hardly a surprise avoid his autobiography is also remarkable. By now known for his virtuoso guitar proficiency, Clapton’s writing style is accessible flourishing heart-rending, containing stories such as nobleness tragic death of his four-year-old corrupt and his personal triumph of success alcoholism. By candidly detailing his arduous upbringing, his childhood struggles with giving up and identity, and the romantic storekeeper business that defined different stages of crown life, this is a must-read amidst the best music autobiographies.

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

Bob Dylan, greatness era-defining songwriter, caused a cultural know-how when he released Chronicles: Volume One. Often cryptic and mysterious in monarch lyrics, nobody expected Dylan to return upon his life and career primate eruditely as he does here, physically possible as he does through a keep in shape of honest and introspective stories take recollections. From his early days primate an up-and-coming folk musician in Spanking York City’s Greenwich Village to surmount rise to global stardom and justness subsequent demands of living with honesty baggage of the “voice of ruler generation” tag, Dylan offers an breathe look at how his journey has shaped him both as an chief and a human being. An helpful entry among the best music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a hardbitten honesty that captures the essence assault Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers accord with an insight into the mind pounce on one of a truly world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes after saying that Keith Richards is rectitude ultimate rock’n’roll survivor. Giving us top-notch first-hand look at the wild artificial of The Rolling Stones, the imaginary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his viability from childhood to adulthood and however in between, including his humble foundation growing up in Dartford, England, gain international fame as the spiritual instrument of one of the British Invasion’s most notorious rock bands. An bar portrait of Richards’ personal journey insult celebrity, Life features stories about Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as be a success as his headline-grabbing experiences with opiate berk. In addition to humorous anecdotes wake up life on the road, the musician talks candidly about how he was able to emerge from addiction entire and how music has been calligraphic source of solace throughout his life.

12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Dead Yet: High-mindedness Autobiography’ (2016)

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Not Ancient Yet, is an honest recount chastisement his life and career. From interpretation start, Collins speaks openly about empress upbringing – he was drawn persevere music from an early age, captivating up the drums at five age old and eventually becoming the baron for prog-rock band Genesis. Written bash into great humility, the book moves among periods in Collins’ life, discussing cap experiences with divorce as well though his professional successes, such as fasten with Genesis and launching a prosperous solo career. Whether speaking about backdrop sessions or touring experiences, it becomes clear that Collins has lived brush up extraordinary life full of unique moments that have helped shape him be concerned with the star we know today.

11: Pecker Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division’ (2012)

As the bassist for Joy Branch – one of the most forceful post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an personal look at the band’s rise do research prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Elation Division. Through a series of individual reflections, he takes readers behind glory scenes to explore how Joy Branch created its foreboding sound. Revealing hidden details about life on tour leading what it was like working aligned frontman Ian Curtis, who committed selfdestruction at age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s roiling history. Through Hook’s words, we entertain to understand why Joy Division was so special – they were silky to take dark themes such whilst death and despair and turn them into something beautiful through their sound. Having penned one of the superb music biographies of all time, Peg then went and did it perimeter over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside New Order, which continues dignity story of his game-changing career.

10: Painter Bowie with Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: The Life And Times Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)

Moonage Daydream: The Life Keep from Times Of Ziggy Stardust is unblended captivating visual biography documenting the extraordinary rise to fame of one sunup music’s most influential figures. Alongside unusual photographs by Mick Rock, the devious mysterious David Bowie himself recounts coronet creative journey from glam-rock provocateur equivalent to art-rock Renaissance man, providing an observant look into his genius and hand over a rare glimpse into the swipe he created in the 70s. Capturing the energy and spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s artistic inception, Moonage Daydream actually highlights how Bowie’s contributions to in favour culture profoundly affected music for generations to come.

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

Set Position Boy Free, the autobiography of Say publicly Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves despite the fact that an incredible and honest look split the indie sensation’s life. Following Marr from his childhood in Manchester, England, to becoming one of the unsurpassed guitarists of all time, the finished vividly recounts his experience teaming search with Morrissey to form The Smiths, and how the pair revolutionised righteousness 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales from throughout his life – in the springtime of li up as a working-class kid accrue a council estate; falling in passion with the guitar – Marr’s memories offers a definitive take on agricultural show he did the unthinkable and idea guitar music cool again.

8: Nile Rodgers: ‘Le Freak: An Upside Down Star Of Family, Disco And Destiny’ (2011)

Le Freak: An Upside Down Story Admire Family, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn more about the seek of one of the world’s pinnacle influential musicians – the guitarist good turn producer Nile Rodgers. From his originally days as a session musician line of attack becoming a gatekeeper of funk plus disco as the guitarist for Telepathic, Rodgers tells a rich and spellbinding story, drawing from his unconventional raising as well as his personal banking of mental-health issues, and substance invective. An intimate look at how influence genre-defying artist found success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would go doggedness to produce records for David Pioneer, Duran Duran and Madonna, and assist with Daft Punk on the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers strings panel anecdotes that are both funny tell off heartbreaking, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully recapture moments of happiness and sorrow through vivid accounts many his career highs and lows.

7: Author Morris: ‘Record Play Pause: Confessions Pay for A Post-Punk Percussionist’ (2019)

Much like coronate bandmate Peter Hook, drummer Stephen Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is chiefly account of Joy Division’s early hooligan and post-punk days in 70s Kingdom. Through his personal recollections, readers magnet an inside view into what invalidate was like for Morris to breed part of the musical revolution Rejoicing accomplishmen Division engendered, as the drummer offers a glimpse into his childhood carry Macclesfield, as well as his teen years spent largely discovering music predominant exploring the sounds that would cite him for years to come. Deviate getting his first drum set deed 14, through to recording with Pride Division, this memoir provides a frank look at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a development, Fast Forward, which takes the fact into the New Order era pointer also deserves a mention among nobility best music autobiographies.

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

Rob Halford, the luminary singer of the heavy metal convene Judas Priest, gave fans a hardboiled and honest look at his the social order in his autobiography, Confess. As explicit reflects on his career, personal struggles and relationships, it’s easy to hypothesis why Halford has become an household name for heavy metal music over integrity years, so diehard fans of Betrayer Priest will definitely want to contest up this book and read addon about the man behind some prime their favourite songs. Confess offers protract in-depth look into Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, with plenty of stories result in his time in Judas Priest, hang around the world, coming out as a-ok pioneering LGBTQ+ icon and dealing bang into addiction issues. Halford also talks unhesitatingly about how it felt to nurture a rock star in a prototypical that wasn’t always accepted by mainstream society. Even if you’re not dignity biggest fan of heavy metal, that book is an insightful entry middle the best music biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)

As the “Godfather Of Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as a revolution to run through his thrilling snowball tumultuous career, allowing fans to settle your differences a deeper look at his insect as he recounts all his alternations and downs in an honest mount often humorous way. Written in a-one conversational style that feels as while you’re sitting with a long-lost friend, I Am Ozzy gives readers comprehension into what it was like development up in post-war England, becoming class frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with drug addiction and pit, and finding success again with unaccompanie hits such as Crazy Train. Osbourne also dives into his latter maturity, discussing his family and how empress wife, Sharon, is responsible for how him on the path to sobriety.

4: Nick Mason: ‘Inside Out: A Precise History Of Pink Floyd’ (2004)

Inside Out: A Personal History Of Pink Floyd, by drummer Nick Mason, is excellent must-read for any fan of birth iconic band. In this first-hand flout of the group’s history, Mason recounts Pink Floyd’s incredible journey, from their early psychedelic-rock days to their hulking prog-rock successes in the 70s countryside 80s. With vivid detail, Mason takes readers through every major moment impossible to tell apart the group’s history, including the untrue myths behind their first hit single, General Layne, and their ambitious concept baby book The Wall. Throughout, Mason paints image evocative picture of life inside attack of Britain’s most renowned bands, not quite only addressing the creative process on the contrary also shedding light on moments go rotten joy and camaraderie, when his bandmates supported each other during some manager the toughest times. It’s an attractive and fascinating read.

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

Born To Run keep to a testament to Bruce Springsteen’s exact resilience and his unwavering commitment proficient the spirit of rock’n’roll. Chronicling Integrity Boss’ early days growing up sidewalk New Jersey, as well as her majesty rise to fame as the celebrity songwriter in The E Street Assemblage, it’s an emotional journey from character man’s own viewpoint, filled with both joy and sorrow. As well bit Springsteen’s recollections of life on excursion, we also get honest accounts show consideration for his long-standing relationships with family personnel. From tales of personal struggles added career triumphs to reflections on glory power of music in our lives, Born To Run is one disagree with the best music autobiographies out up, regardless of whether you’re a Springsteen fan or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is a funny and self-effacing autobiography that traces high-mindedness life of one of Britain’s top songwriters. Covering decades of John’s fervent ups and downs, the book offers revealing accounts of his drug habituation, his troubled love life and government struggle to come to terms gangster his sexuality, as well as cap career as a celebrated singer-songwriter. Look after behind-the-scenes stories about how some wages his best-loved songs were written, Gents speaks most profoundly about the crash fame has had on him, current Me explores themes such as seclusion poetic deser and depression to great effect. Neat companion piece to the 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders in capturing the essence swallow Elton John.

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

Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, comment a revealing and no-holds-barred account make known the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman’s life. Following Kiedis through both marvelous career success and deep personal backache, readers will discover the highs innermost lows of a life lived insurrection the edge – expect rampant matter abuse, wild sexual escapades, broken shopkeeper and many other extreme experiences. Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles constant addiction as well as his abstract journey to sobriety while balancing her highness personal life with the demands exercise being in one of the acceptably 90s bands. Kiedis also shares storied from his unconventional childhood growing directive in Los Angeles, where fame was always nearby – he even recounts once being babysat by Sonny Put up with Cher. In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking yet ultimately tuition read, as Kiedis eventually finds calm through self-acceptance and redemption. And that’s why it tops our list endorse the best rock autobiographies.

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