* Take a glimpse at the human behind the legends
* Rare and unique portraits of iconic musical geniuses
* Volumes of knowledge for Rock ‘N Roll fans
If you’re a rock and roll enthusiast, the lives of rock stars hold a unique power. Musician biographies, naturally, are a great way to get closer to the lives behind the icons, and they offer amazing glimpses into history as a whole, too. Here are 7 of the best musician bios for rock and roll and classic rock fans.
1. Life: Keith Richards
Keith Richards’ autobiography affords Rolling Stones fans the rare chance to see one of the most iconically hedonistic heroes of the 1960s recount life in the midst of the “crossfire hurricane” of sex, drugs and rock ’n roll. It gets arguably even more interesting when the subject matter gets serious and readers get to witness Richards’ own meditations on family, loss and love.
2. Petty: The Biography
Written by Tom Petty’s friend, the rocker, journalist and writer Warren Zanes, this book is a fitting tribute to the rock icon we lost just last year. While his songs are some of the most famous ever recorded, the singer’s life story is worthy of its legendary status as well.
3. No One Here Gets out Alive: A Biography of Jim Morrison
The product of both personal experience and exhaustive research, this lucid, literary biography portrays Jim Morrison as a restless explorer of the limits of human consciousness. Taking his cue from poets such as Rimbaud, outré artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and from the blues singers who influenced The Doors’ music, Morrison emerges as a consummate romantic.
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4. Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix
Charles R. Cross’ national bestselling biography of Jimi Hendrix is one of the most detailed and immersive portraits of the iconic yet always-elusive guitar legend. Collecting lots of never-before printed interviews, period documents and first-hand accounts, Room Full of Mirrors also emerges as a work of history at once spectacular and intimate.
5. Love, Janis
Written by Laura Joplin, Janis’ younger sister, this book offers a unique and intimate look at the life of a rock ’n roll legend. At its heart is a collection of previously unpublished letters by Janis Joplin. Both moving and inspiring, these letters are practically required reading for anyone interested in writing, rock or 60s psychedelia.
6. I am Brian Wilson
Few acts have had as complicated or controversial afterlives as the Beach Boys, and in this autobiography co-written with writer Ben Greenman, the inimitable Brian Wilson adds his own voice to the chorus. A fascinating look into the mind of a singular, troubled genius, this book gives us for the first time Wilson’s own take on the wild ride that was life between “Surfer Girl” and “Smile.”
7. The Beatles Anthology
A true glimpse into the archives and a must-have for anyone who’s ever had Beatlemania, The Beatles Anthology brings together a vast collection of behind-the-scenes stories, rare photographs and interview transcripts including personal reflections from Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and, thanks to incredible historical research and contributions from Yoko Ono, John Lennon as well.