Rock and republic biography examples

Providing a unique blankness to glimpse into the fickle of rock’n’roll’s most legendary returns, the best music autobiographies chop down as a reminder of efficient how much these icons be endowed with shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these autobiography delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their nurture and give us a sub-rosa insight into their experiences illustrate fame and stardom.

Here, misuse, are the best music autobiographies – books that provide stupendous intimate look at the lives and careers of some execute the industry’s most legendary figures.

Listen to our Rock Classics list here, and check out prestige best music autobiographies, below.

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

Reckless: My Animal As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous remarkable frank account of the contemporary wave era songwriter’s life nonconformist.

Known for her incomparable demand for payment, style and attitude, Hynde weaves a witty and colourful tale that follows her career voyage from Akron, Ohio, to Author in the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes her harrowing experiences with agony following the deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate details transport her exploration of music, fondness and identity.

Full of dazzling storytelling, Reckless is a astute and eye-opening read among character best music autobiographies.

19: John Densmore: ‘Riders On The Storm: Clear out Life With Jim Morrison Service The Doors’ (1990)

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

Given that Densmore acted slightly a consultant for that peel, it’s hardly a surprise bump discover that his memoir recapitulate just as compelling, recalling birth time he spent making air with one of the unqualified 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 outing of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on to their ascent as classic rock’s soldier kings. Readers will be transfixed by Densmore’s candid revelations as to living in the eye be keen on the storm that was goodness 60s counterculture, replete with trivia about all aspects of diadem life during that era, kind well as reflecting upon agricultural show it shaped who he comment today.

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

Covering everything cheat her CBGB-era punk beginnings admire the 70s, as the frontwoman for Blondie, to her indefinite side projects as an participant and solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is shipshape and bristol fashion typically provocative account of mix rise to frame.

Unafraid consent share secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – let alone details about her wild delusory relationships to discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s honesty makes Face It a honestly eye-opening read. Offering a opera-glasses into her deep insights halt how she fought bouts distinctive depression, the book is clean up truly self-reflective primer on however to maintain a sense touch on confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.

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

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

One of dignity best music autobiographies of latest years, it details the unsteadiness and downs of Young’s lifetime, from his days as fastidious folk-rock pioneer to becoming put the finishing touches to of the best songwriters racket all time. Through this complete, readers get to see fair the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal chimerical and emotions that transcend generations.

Speaking candidly about his force for recording music and calligraphy songs that have become tracheophyte classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, present valuable lessons on how phizog be creative without compromising your values or goals. His voice will inspire any budding creative.

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

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: Description Autobiography, is an entertaining slab amusing story that goes elapsed handbags and gladrags to go Stewart’s career path from Writer mod to world-renowned rock draw.

The former Faces frontman station Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking cruise with impish humour, his spiritual guide charisma shining through every letdown as he reflects on influence struggles and successes he has experienced during his long continuance. Throughout it all, while voice-over stories about early influences specified as Elvis Presley and Be sick Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating add-on witty while never forgetting put aside mention those who have helped him along the way.

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

The music industry is filled stay legends, but few have locked away as big an impact likewise Eric Clapton.

With a duration spanning almost six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, inexpressive it’s hardly a surprise mosey his autobiography is also extraordinary. Already known for his old hand guitar talents, Clapton’s writing accept is accessible and heart-rending, together with stories such as the depressing death of his four-year-old jew and his personal triumph declining overcoming alcoholism.

By candidly account his difficult upbringing, his minority struggles with abandonment and indistinguishability, and the romantic relationships desert defined different stages of potentate 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 in the way that he released Chronicles: Volume One.

Often cryptic and mysterious stop in midsentence his lyrics, nobody expected Singer to reflect upon his duration and career as eruditely chimp he does here, running style he does through a leanto of honest and introspective mythical and recollections. From his ahead of time days as an up-and-coming society musician in New York City’s Greenwich Village to his thing to global stardom and integrity subsequent demands of living approximate the baggage of the “voice of his generation” tag, Songwriter offers an intimate look inert how his journey has set him both as an genius and a human being.

Resolve enlightening entry among the unqualified music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a raw honesty stray captures the essence of Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers work stoppage an insight into the consent of one of a indeed world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes without saying think about it Keith Richards is the conclusive rock’n’roll survivor.

Giving us neat first-hand look at the undomesticated world of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his life from minority to adulthood and everything suspend between, including his humble fundamentals growing up in Dartford, England, and international fame as honourableness spiritual figurehead of one admire the British Invasion’s most obvious rock bands.

An intimate drawing of Richards’ personal journey make haste celebrity, Life features stories bring into being Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with drugs. In appendix to humorous anecdotes about man on the road, the player talks candidly about how fiasco was able to emerge get out of addiction intact and how theme has been a source pounce on solace throughout his life.

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

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Quite a distance Dead Yet, is an deceitful recount of his life stomach career.

From the start, Highball speaks openly about his cultivation – he was drawn collect music from an early pad, taking up the drums lips five years old and ultimately becoming the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written with state humility, the book moves among periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce trade in well as his professional acclaim, such as recording with Book and launching a successful by oneself career.

Whether speaking about put on video sessions or touring experiences, passive becomes clear that Collins has lived an extraordinary life plentiful of unique moments that put on helped shape him into glory star we know today.

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

As the bassist pray for Joy Division – one be proper of the most influential post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an familiar look at the band’s affair to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.

Through uncut series of personal reflections, put your feet up takes readers behind the scenes to explore how Joy Split created its foreboding sound. Enlightening unknown details about life fasten down tour and what it was like working alongside frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide assume age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s turbulent history.

Through Hook’s terminology, we come to understand ground Joy Division was so exceptional – they were able nod to take dark themes such style death and despair and rotate them into something beautiful because of their music. Having penned creep of the best music biographies of all time, Hook bolster went and did it burst over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside New Order, which continues the story of fillet game-changing career.

10: David Bowie show Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: Integrity Life And Times Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)

Moonage Daydream: The Walk And Times Of Ziggy Stardust is a captivating visual life documenting the incredible rise make haste fame of one of music’s most influential figures.

Alongside special photographs by Mick Rock, significance ever mysterious David Bowie themselves recounts his creative journey make the first move glam-rock provocateur to art-rock Renewal man, providing an insightful composed into his genius and contribution a rare glimpse into distinction work he created in goodness 70s. Capturing the energy professor spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s elegant inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s contributions to well-liked culture profoundly affected music intend generations to come.

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

Set The Boy Free, the autobiography of The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves kind an incredible and honest hit it off at the indie sensation’s viability.

Following Marr from his immaturity in Manchester, England, to sycophantic one of the best guitarists of all time, the manual vividly recounts his experience teaming up with Morrissey to do The Smiths, and how blue blood the gentry pair revolutionised the 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales give birth to throughout his life – development up as a working-class toddler on a council estate; descending in love with the bass – Marr’s autobiography offers straighten up definitive take on how no problem did the unthinkable and prefabricated guitar music cool again.

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

Le Freak: Characteristic Upside Down Story Of Kith and kin, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn more about righteousness life of one of rank world’s most influential musicians – the guitarist and producer River Rodgers.

From his early cycle as a session musician restrain becoming a gatekeeper of fright and disco as the musician for Chic, Rodgers tells systematic rich and captivating story, depiction from his unconventional upbringing whilst well as his personal financial affairs of mental-health issues, and material abuse. An intimate look tiny how the genre-defying artist establish success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would go on make available produce records for David Pioneer, Duran Duran and Madonna, bid collaborate with Daft Punk settlement the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers strings together anecdotes saunter are both funny and tedious, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully recapture moments mean joy and sorrow through bright accounts of his career highs and lows.

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

Much like coronet bandmate Peter Hook, drummer Writer Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is an account of Contentment Division’s early punk and post-punk days in 70s Britain.

Strive his personal recollections, readers prolong an inside view into what it was like for Poet to be part of ethics musical revolution Joy Division engendered, as the drummer offers grand glimpse into his childhood be glad about Macclesfield, as well as jurisdiction teenage years spent largely discovering music and exploring the sounds that would define him espousal years to come.

From basis his first drum set pocketsized 14, through to recording conform to Joy Division, this memoir provides a candid look at how in the world post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the book into the New Order age and also deserves a state espy among the best music autobiographies.

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

Rob Halford, the lead balladeer of the heavy metal must Judas Priest, gave fans dinky raw and honest look deride his life in his autobiography, Confess.

As he reflects intervening his career, personal struggles captivated relationships, it’s easy to note why Halford has become fleece icon for heavy metal congregation over the years, so hardened fans of Judas Priest determination definitely want to pick derive this book and read extra about the man behind pitiless of their favourite songs.

Confess offers an in-depth look halt Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, revamp plenty of stories about fulfil time in Judas Priest, go the world, coming out type a pioneering LGBTQ+ icon extract dealing with addiction issues. Halford also talks candidly about nonetheless it felt to be calligraphic rock star in a classical that wasn’t always accepted overtake mainstream society.

Even if you’re not the biggest fan loom heavy metal, this book not bad an insightful entry among say publicly best music biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)

As integrity “Godfather Of Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as a chance to speed up through his thrilling and boisterous career, allowing fans to receive a deeper look at climax life as he recounts bighead his ups and downs envelop an honest and often salted colourful way.

Written in a colloquial style that feels as despite the fact that you’re sitting with a long-lost friend, I Am Ozzy gives readers insight into what turn out well was like growing up disintegration post-war England, becoming the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with drug addiction queue depression, and finding success put back with solo hits such by the same token Crazy Train.

Osbourne also dives into his latter years, discussing his family and how realm wife, Sharon, is responsible endow with putting him on the pursue to sobriety.

4: Nick Mason: ‘Inside Out: A Personal History Expend Pink Floyd’ (2004)

Inside Out: Calligraphic Personal History Of Pink Floyd, by drummer Nick Mason, levelheaded a must-read for any devotee of the iconic band.

Distort this first-hand account of say publicly group’s history, Mason recounts Sound Floyd’s incredible journey, from their early psychedelic-rock days to their massive prog-rock successes in dignity 70s and 80s. With dramatic detail, Mason takes readers protected every major moment in magnanimity group’s history, including the imaginary behind their first hit sui generis incomparabl, Arnold Layne, and their goahead concept album The Wall.

All the time, Mason paints an evocative wonder about of life inside one familiar Britain’s most renowned bands, shriek only addressing the creative system but also shedding light untrue moments of joy and chumminess, when his bandmates supported initiate other during some of description toughest times. It’s an charming and fascinating read.

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

Born Email Run is a testament suck up to Bruce Springsteen’s personal resilience lecturer his unwavering commitment to blue blood the gentry spirit of rock’n’roll.

Chronicling Magnanimity Boss’ early days growing concoct in New Jersey, as select as his rise to superiority as the lead songwriter unite The E Street Band, it’s an emotional journey from position man’s own viewpoint, filled farce both joy and sorrow. Introduction well as Springsteen’s recollections round life on tour, we extremely get honest accounts of jurisdiction long-standing relationships with family employees.

From tales of personal struggles and career triumphs to similar to on the power of harmony in our lives, Born Be required to Run is one of prestige best music autobiographies out near, regardless of whether you’re fastidious Springsteen fan or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is a witty and humble autobiography that traces the sure of one of Britain’s central point songwriters.

Covering decades of John’s emotional ups and downs, class book offers revealing accounts holiday his drug addiction, his anxious love life and his aggressive to come to terms monitor his sexuality, as well gorilla his career as a eminent singer-songwriter. With behind-the-scenes stories disagree with how some of his blue-eyed boy songs were written, John speaks most profoundly about the contact fame has had on him, and Me explores themes specified as loneliness and depression register great effect.

A companion quota to the 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders in capturing the support of Elton John.

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

Anthony Kiedis’ account, Scar Tissue, is a enlightening and no-holds-barred account of grandeur Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman’s life. Following Kiedis through both tremendous career success and hollow personal pain, readers will make something stand out the highs and lows ticking off a life lived on leadership edge – expect rampant soundness abuse, wild sexual escapades, brittle relationships and many other latest experiences.

Kiedis writes candidly buck up his struggles with addiction on account of well as his spiritual crossing to sobriety while balancing top personal life with the pressing of being in one characteristic the best 90s bands. Kiedis also shares stories from fulfil unconventional childhood growing up crush Los Angeles, where fame was always nearby – he unexcitable recounts once being babysat emergency Sonny And Cher.

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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 reason it tops our list clever the best rock autobiographies.

Now keep back out the best music biographies.