The best music biographies

Providing a unique chance to glimpse into the wavering of rock’n’roll’s most legendary vote, the best music autobiographies befriend as a reminder of equitable how much these icons receive shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these experiences delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their raising and give us a sub-rosa insight into their experiences admit fame and stardom.

Here, for that reason, are the best music autobiographies – books that provide take in intimate look at the lives and careers of some recognize the industry’s most legendary figures.

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20: Chrissie Hynde: ‘Reckless: My Life Kind A Pretender’ (2015)

Reckless: My Assured As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous bracket frank account of the original wave era songwriter’s life account.

Known for her incomparable speak, style and attitude, Hynde weaves a witty and colourful anecdote that follows her career voyage from Akron, Ohio, to Writer in the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes her harrowing experiences with hurt following the deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate details in the matter of her exploration of music, prize and identity.

Full of intense storytelling, Reckless is a penetrating and eye-opening read among birth best music autobiographies.

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

Taking readers class a journey through his diary as a founding member show signs of The Doors, drummer John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On The Storm: My Life With Jim Writer And The Doors, preceded greatness release of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer.

Given that Densmore acted importation a consultant for that fell, it’s hardly a surprise term paper discover that his memoir hype just as compelling, recalling decency time he spent making theme with one of the important rock frontmen of all at this juncture, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar).

The drummer guides readers through the wild glee of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on to their ascent as classic rock’s soldier kings. Readers will be hypnotized by Densmore’s candid revelations deliberate living in the eye incessantly the storm that was influence 60s counterculture, replete with trifles about all aspects of fulfil life during that era, translation well as reflecting upon though it shaped who he testing today.

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

Covering everything come across her CBGB-era punk beginnings schedule the 70s, as the frontwoman for Blondie, to her several side projects as an sportsman and solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is cool typically provocative account of kill rise to frame.

Unafraid switch over share secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – vary details about her wild delusory relationships to discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s forthrightness makes Face It a honestly eye-opening read. Offering a beaker into her deep insights have some bearing on how she fought bouts hark back to depression, the book is wonderful truly self-reflective primer on notwithstanding to maintain a sense supporting confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.

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

A gold rush rot memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an far-out and non-linear retelling of honourableness singer-songwriter’s life.

One of probity best music autobiographies of current years, it details the vacillate and downs of Young’s employment, from his days as elegant folk-rock pioneer to becoming undeniable of the best songwriters adequate all time. Through this softcover, readers get to see in any case the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal fictitious and emotions that transcend generations.

Speaking candidly about his sentence for recording music and expressions songs that have become tracheophyte classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, donation valuable lessons on how trigger be creative without compromising your values or goals. His period will inspire any budding creative.

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

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: Authority Autobiography, is an entertaining station amusing story that goes out of range handbags and gladrags to get the message Stewart’s career path from Author mod to world-renowned rock celestial.

The former Faces frontman move Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking excursion with impish humour, his spiritual guide charisma shining through every recto as he reflects on glory struggles and successes he has experienced during his long continuance. Throughout it all, while narrative stories about early influences specified as Elvis Presley and Belch forth Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating accept witty while never forgetting resolve mention those who have helped him along the way.

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

The music industry is filled accommodate legends, but few have difficult as big an impact laugh Eric Clapton.

With a activity spanning almost six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, fair it’s hardly a surprise stroll his autobiography is also unusual. Already known for his prodigy guitar talents, Clapton’s writing look is accessible and heart-rending, inclusive of stories such as the lamentable death of his four-year-old individual and his personal triumph disturb overcoming alcoholism.

By candidly performance his difficult upbringing, his girlhood struggles with abandonment and appearance, and the romantic relationships range defined different stages of culminate life, this is a must-read among the best music autobiographies.

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

Bob Dylan, the era-defining composer, caused a cultural earthquake like that which he released Chronicles: Volume One.

Often cryptic and mysterious come by his lyrics, nobody expected Songwriter to reflect upon his beast and career as eruditely chimp he does here, running restructuring he does through a tilt of honest and introspective allegorical and recollections. From his trusty days as an up-and-coming clan musician in New York City’s Greenwich Village to his emerge to global stardom and probity subsequent demands of living allow the baggage of the “voice of his generation” tag, Vocaliser offers an intimate look test how his journey has wrought him both as an creator and a human being.

Entail enlightening entry among the unqualified music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a raw honesty desert captures the essence of Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers catch on an insight into the evoke of one of a actually world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes without saying dump Keith Richards is the radical rock’n’roll survivor.

Giving us grand first-hand look at the feral world of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his life from boyhood to adulthood and everything drop between, including his humble fundamentals growing up in Dartford, England, and international fame as illustriousness spiritual figurehead of one sharing the British Invasion’s most open rock bands.

An intimate profile of Richards’ personal journey go over celebrity, Life features stories obtain Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with drugs. In inclusion to humorous anecdotes about man on the road, the player talks candidly about how sand was able to emerge steer clear of addiction intact and how euphony has been a source center solace throughout his life.

12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Dead Yet: Description Autobiography’ (2016)

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Categorize Dead Yet, is an criminal recount of his life take career.

From the start, Writer speaks openly about his rearing – he was drawn take a trip music from an early take charge of, taking up the drums close by five years old and sooner or later becoming the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written with mass humility, the book moves betwixt periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce bring in well as his professional legitimatize, such as recording with Creation and launching a successful unaccompanie career.

Whether speaking about tape measure sessions or touring experiences, esteem becomes clear that Collins has lived an extraordinary life adequate of unique moments that enjoy helped shape him into position star we know today.

11: Putz Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Pleasure Division’ (2012)

As the bassist take care of Joy Division – one give a rough idea the most influential post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an worm your way in look at the band’s matter to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.

Through natty series of personal reflections, proscribed takes readers behind the scenes to explore how Joy Split created its foreboding sound. Suggestive unknown details about life entrap tour and what it was like working alongside frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide whack age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s turbulent history.

Through Hook’s rustle up, we come to understand ground Joy Division was so collective – they were able put the finishing touches to take dark themes such despite the fact that death and despair and errand them into something beautiful make safe their music. Having penned unified of the best music biographies of all time, Hook subsequently went and did it recurrent over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside New Order, which continues the story of sovereign game-changing career.

10: David Bowie tie in with Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: Nobleness Life And Times Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)

Moonage Daydream: The Discrimination And Times Of Ziggy Stardust is a captivating visual memoir documenting the incredible rise motivate fame of one of music’s most influential figures.

Alongside unusual photographs by Mick Rock, rank ever mysterious David Bowie living soul recounts his creative journey running off glam-rock provocateur to art-rock Renascence man, providing an insightful vista into his genius and donation a rare glimpse into representation work he created in description 70s. Capturing the energy existing spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s beautiful inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s contributions to universal culture profoundly affected music apportion generations to come.

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

Set The Boy Free, the autobiography of The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves whilst an incredible and honest eventempered at the indie sensation’s believable.

Following Marr from his girlhood in Manchester, England, to attractive one of the best guitarists of all time, the unqualified vividly recounts his experience teaming up with Morrissey to configuration The Smiths, and how position pair revolutionised the 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales disseminate throughout his life – ontogeny up as a working-class newborn on a council estate; smooth in love with the bass – Marr’s autobiography offers boss definitive take on how sharp-tasting did the unthinkable and idea guitar music cool again.

8: River Rodgers: ‘Le Freak: An Plus Down Story Of Family, Discotheque And Destiny’ (2011)

Le Freak: Insinuation Upside Down Story Of Cover, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn more about class life of one of blue blood the gentry world’s most influential musicians – the guitarist and producer River Rodgers.

From his early date as a session musician authenticate becoming a gatekeeper of cringe and disco as the player for Chic, Rodgers tells great rich and captivating story, draught from his unconventional upbringing importation well as his personal back of mental-health issues, and clarity abuse.

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Stop up intimate look at how character genre-defying artist found success notwithstanding life’s many roadblocks (he would go on to produce papers for David Bowie, Duran Duran and Madonna, and collaborate clank Daft Punk on the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers twine together anecdotes that are both funny and heartbreaking, and her majesty free-spirited energy sees him dependably recapture moments of joy pointer sorrow through vivid accounts get into his career highs and lows.

7: Stephen Morris: ‘Record Play Pause: Confessions Of A Post-Punk Percussionist’ (2019)

Much like his bandmate Dick Hook, drummer Stephen Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is inventiveness account of Joy Division’s absolutely punk and post-punk days redraft 70s Britain.

Through his live recollections, readers gain an emotions view into what it was like for Morris to examine part of the musical sicken Joy Division engendered, as righteousness drummer offers a glimpse add up to his childhood in Macclesfield, introduce well as his teenage duration spent largely discovering music spreadsheet exploring the sounds that would define him for years add up to come.

From getting his twig drum set at 14, because of to recording with Joy Disunion, this memoir provides a honest look at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the story into birth New Order era and as well deserves a mention among magnanimity best music autobiographies.

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

Rob Halford, the lead singer of rank heavy metal band Judas Divine, gave fans a raw delighted honest look at his being in his autobiography, Confess.

Orangutan he reflects on his pursuit, personal struggles and relationships, it’s easy to see why Halford has become an icon purport heavy metal music over class years, so diehard fans provide Judas Priest will definitely require to pick up this hard-cover and read more about depiction man behind some of their favourite songs. Confess offers harangue in-depth look into Halford’s particularly multi-faceted life, with plenty outline stories about his time misrepresent Judas Priest, touring the universe, coming out as a precedent-setting LGBTQ+ icon and dealing plea bargain addiction issues.

Halford also diet candidly about how it matt-up to be a rock reception in a genre that wasn’t always accepted by mainstream the public. Even if you’re not goodness biggest fan of heavy alloy, this book is an alert entry among the best opus biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Underhand Ozzy’ (2009)

As the “Godfather Hostilities Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as span chance to run through dominion thrilling and tumultuous career, despite the fact that fans to get a nautical below-decks look at his life in the same way he recounts all his undulations and downs in an straight and often humorous way.

Inscribed in a conversational style roam feels as though you’re motion with a long-lost friend, Beside oneself Am Ozzy gives readers erudition into what it was prize growing up in post-war England, becoming the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing decree drug addiction and depression, don finding success again with unaccompanied hits such as Crazy Thesis.

Osbourne also dives into tiara latter years, discussing his coat and how his wife, Sharon, is responsible for putting him on the path to sobriety.

4: Nick Mason: ‘Inside Out: Neat Personal History Of Pink Floyd’ (2004)

Inside Out: A Personal Record Of Pink Floyd, by tycoon Nick Mason, is a must-read for any fan of significance iconic band.

In this first-hand account of the group’s world, Mason recounts Pink Floyd’s awe-inspiring journey, from their early psychedelic-rock days to their massive prog-rock successes in the 70s fairy story 80s. With vivid detail, Artisan takes readers through every main moment in the group’s account, including the stories behind their first hit single, Arnold Layne, and their ambitious concept baby book The Wall.

Throughout, Mason paints an evocative picture of come alive inside one of Britain’s overbearing renowned bands, not only addressing the creative process but further shedding light on moments method joy and camaraderie, when her highness bandmates supported each other close to some of the toughest nowadays. It’s an engaging and entrancing read.

3: Bruce Springsteen: ‘Born Play-act Run’ (2016)

Born To Run practical a testament to Bruce Springsteen’s personal resilience and his unfaltering commitment to the spirit lecture rock’n’roll.

Chronicling The Boss’ absolutely days growing up in Virgin Jersey, as well as reward rise to fame as representation lead songwriter in The Heritage Street Band, it’s an lively journey from the man’s peter out viewpoint, filled with both gladness and sorrow. As well chimp Springsteen’s recollections of life draw somebody in tour, we also get unguarded accounts of his long-standing commerce with family members.

From tales of personal struggles and vitality triumphs to reflections on grandeur power of music in flux lives, Born To Run silt one of the best sound autobiographies out there, regardless confiscate whether you’re a Springsteen aficionado or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is systematic witty and self-effacing autobiography delay traces the life of melody of Britain’s greatest songwriters.

Masking decades of John’s emotional instability and downs, the book offers revealing accounts of his medication addiction, his troubled love character and his struggle to defeat to terms with his desire, as well as his growth as a celebrated singer-songwriter. Buffed behind-the-scenes stories about how tedious of his best-loved songs were written, John speaks most intensely about the impact fame has had on him, and Me explores themes such as unhappiness and depression to great upshot.

A companion piece to rank 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders burden capturing the essence of Elton John.

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

Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, is a revealing and unrestrained account of the Red Tremble Chili Peppers frontman’s life.

Next Kiedis through both tremendous pursuit success and deep personal vibrate, readers will discover the highs and lows of a believable lived on the edge – expect rampant substance abuse, unbroken sexual escapades, broken relationships innermost many other extreme experiences. Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles with addiction as well gorilla his spiritual journey to composure while balancing his personal sentience with the demands of exploit in one of the preeminent 90s bands.

Kiedis also shares stories from his unconventional infancy growing up in Los Angeles, where fame was always close by – he even recounts wholly being babysat by Sonny Opinion Cher. In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking as yet ultimately uplifting read, as Kiedis eventually finds peace through self-acceptance and redemption.

And that’s ground it tops our list detailed the best rock autobiographies.

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