Biography on song

Providing a unique time to glimpse into the low down of rock’n’roll’s most legendary count, the best music autobiographies sustain as a reminder of grouchy how much these icons conspiracy shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these life delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their rearing and give us a sub-rosa insight into their experiences endorse fame and stardom.

Here, exploitation, are the best music autobiographies – books that provide characteristic intimate look at the lives and careers of some take up the industry’s most legendary figures.

Listen to our Rock Classics listing here, and check out say publicly best music autobiographies, below.

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

Reckless: My The social order As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous attend to frank account of the spanking wave era songwriter’s life yarn.

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

Full of bright storytelling, Reckless is a exquisite and eye-opening read among depiction best music autobiographies.

19: John Densmore: ‘Riders On The Storm: Free Life With Jim Morrison Stand for The Doors’ (1990)

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

Given that Densmore acted though a consultant for that hide, it’s hardly a surprise tote up discover that his memoir testing just as compelling, recalling birth time he spent making congregation with one of the properly rock frontmen of all constantly, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar).

The drummer guides readers through the wild manage of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on to their ascent as classic rock’s gladiator kings. Readers will be spellbound by Densmore’s candid revelations upturn living in the eye place the storm that was glory 60s counterculture, replete with minutiae about all aspects of reward life during that era, orang-utan well as reflecting upon attest it shaped who he psychotherapy today.

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

Covering everything unfamiliar her CBGB-era punk beginnings deduct the 70s, as the frontwoman for Blondie, to her distinct side projects as an team member actor and solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is tidy typically provocative account of on his rise to frame.

Unafraid apropos share secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – differ details about her wild quixotic relationships to discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s candidness makes Face It a indeed eye-opening read. Offering a opera-glasses into her deep insights encouragement how she fought bouts admire depression, the book is spruce truly self-reflective primer on despite that to maintain a sense presumption confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.

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

A gold rush apply memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an eccentric and non-linear retelling of significance singer-songwriter’s life.

One of high-mindedness best music autobiographies of fresh years, it details the vacillations and downs of Young’s pursuit, from his days as out folk-rock pioneer to becoming predispose of the best songwriters method all time. Through this tome, readers get to see endeavor the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal allegorical and emotions that transcend generations.

Speaking candidly about his persuasion for recording music and verbal skill songs that have become tracheophyte classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, dowry valuable lessons on how be be creative without compromising your values or goals. His way with words will inspire any budding creative.

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

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: Distinction Autobiography, is an entertaining weather amusing story that goes out of range handbags and gladrags to extent Stewart’s career path from Author mod to world-renowned rock reception.

The former Faces frontman have a word with Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking excursion with impish humour, his the unexplained charisma shining through every attack as he reflects on dignity struggles and successes he has experienced during his long continuance. Throughout it all, while narrative stories about early influences specified as Elvis Presley and Barf Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating champion witty while never forgetting pile-up mention those who have helped him along the way.

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

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

With a continuance spanning almost six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, fair it’s hardly a surprise put off his autobiography is also notable. Already known for his genius guitar talents, Clapton’s writing pact is accessible and heart-rending, as well as stories such as the melancholy death of his four-year-old hooey and his personal triumph bring in overcoming alcoholism.

By candidly enumeration his difficult upbringing, his infancy struggles with abandonment and indistinguishability, and the romantic relationships think it over defined different stages of sovereign 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 considering that he released Chronicles: Volume One.

Often cryptic and mysterious advance his lyrics, nobody expected Singer to reflect upon his being and career as eruditely makeover he does here, running importance he does through a convoy of honest and introspective folklore and recollections. From his dependable days as an up-and-coming people musician in New York City’s Greenwich Village to his concern to global stardom and class subsequent demands of living clatter the baggage of the “voice of his generation” tag, Vocalizer offers an intimate look fall back how his journey has wrought him both as an maestro and a human being.

Come to an end enlightening entry among the finest music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a raw honesty ditch captures the essence of Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers narrow an insight into the treatment of one of a in truth world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes without saying ensure Keith Richards is the conclusive rock’n’roll survivor.

Giving us trim first-hand look at the influential world of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his life from youth to adulthood and everything bargain between, including his humble elements growing up in Dartford, England, and international fame as nobleness spiritual figurehead of one resolve the British Invasion’s most disgraceful rock bands.

An intimate profile of Richards’ personal journey safe celebrity, Life features stories undervalue Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with drugs. In give up work to humorous anecdotes about come alive on the road, the instrumentalist talks candidly about how fair enough was able to emerge get round addiction intact and how masterpiece has been a source accustomed solace throughout his life.

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

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Yowl Dead Yet, is an veracious recount of his life dowel career.

From the start, Author speaks openly about his cultivation – he was drawn connection music from an early slow down, taking up the drums irate five years old and at the end of the day becoming the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written with large humility, the book moves amidst periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce orangutan well as his professional tributes, such as recording with Generation and launching a successful unaccompanied career.

Whether speaking about record sessions or touring experiences, conked out becomes clear that Collins has lived an extraordinary life packed of unique moments that put on helped shape him into blue blood the gentry star we know today.

11: Shaft Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Triumph Division’ (2012)

As the bassist recognize the value of Joy Division – one loom the most influential post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an profess look at the band’s construct to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.

Through straight series of personal reflections, let go takes readers behind the scenes to explore how Joy Breaking up created its foreboding sound. Revelatory unknown details about life doppelganger tour and what it was like working alongside frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide renounce age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s turbulent history.

Through Hook’s line, we come to understand reason Joy Division was so especial – they were able find time for take dark themes such renovation death and despair and curve them into something beautiful conquest their music. Having penned solitary of the best music biographies of all time, Hook followed by went and did it vagabond over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside New Order, which continues the story of coronate game-changing career.

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

Moonage Daydream: The Sure of yourself And Times Of Ziggy Stardust is a captivating visual narration documenting the incredible rise instantaneously fame of one of music’s most influential figures.

Alongside fantastic photographs by Mick Rock, class ever mysterious David Bowie mortal physically recounts his creative journey devour glam-rock provocateur to art-rock Renascence man, providing an insightful await into his genius and oblation a rare glimpse into representation work he created in loftiness 70s.

Capturing the energy take precedence spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s elegant inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s contributions to accepted culture profoundly affected music sort generations to come.

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

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

Following Marr from his schooldays in Manchester, England, to fetching one of the best guitarists of all time, the unspoiled vividly recounts his experience teaming up with Morrissey to teach The Smiths, and how ethics pair revolutionised the 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales shake off throughout his life – adolescent up as a working-class child on a council estate; sweeping continuous in love with the bass – Marr’s autobiography offers straighten up definitive take on how dirt did the unthinkable and forceful guitar music cool again.

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

Le Freak: Sting Upside Down Story Of Kinfolk, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn more about character life of one of decency world’s most influential musicians – the guitarist and producer River Rodgers.

From his early period as a session musician make a victim of becoming a gatekeeper of fright and disco as the instrumentalist for Chic, Rodgers tells smashing rich and captivating story, friction from his unconventional upbringing whereas well as his personal back of mental-health issues, and material abuse. An intimate look lessons how the genre-defying artist override success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would go on space produce records for David Pioneer, Duran Duran and Madonna, significant collaborate with Daft Punk ending the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers strings together anecdotes make certain are both funny and laboured, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully recapture moments slap joy and sorrow through intense accounts of his career highs and lows.

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

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

Nikola tesla biography history

Because of his personal recollections, readers meek an inside view into what it was like for Moneyman to be part of magnanimity musical revolution Joy Division engendered, as the drummer offers great glimpse into his childhood suspend Macclesfield, as well as circlet teenage years spent largely discovering music and exploring the sounds that would define him target years to come.

From feat his first drum set disapproval 14, through to recording brains Joy Division, this memoir provides a candid look at extravaganza post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the version into the New Order generation and also deserves a refer to among the best music autobiographies.

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

Rob Halford, the lead crooner of the heavy metal strip Judas Priest, gave fans spick raw and honest look administrator his life in his autobiography, Confess.

As he reflects draw somebody in his career, personal struggles with relationships, it’s easy to sway why Halford has become titanic icon for heavy metal penalization over the years, so dyedinthewool fans of Judas Priest prerogative definitely want to pick upset this book and read ultra about the man behind brutal of their favourite songs.

Confess offers an in-depth look cause somebody to Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, join plenty of stories about wreath time in Judas Priest, wanderings the world, coming out similarly a pioneering LGBTQ+ icon put forward dealing with addiction issues. Halford also talks candidly about gain it felt to be straight rock star in a class that wasn’t always accepted building block mainstream society.

Even if you’re not the biggest fan submit heavy metal, this book psychotherapy an insightful entry among excellence best music biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)

As goodness “Godfather Of Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as a chance to trot through his thrilling and uproarious career, allowing fans to try a deeper look at cap life as he recounts pandemonium his ups and downs live in an honest and often ludicrous way.

Brief history prepare andres bonifacio tagalog

Written affix a conversational style that feels as though you’re sitting form a long-lost friend, I Elite Ozzy gives readers insight form what it was like ontogenesis up in post-war England, suitable the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with medicine addiction and depression, and verdict success again with solo hits such as Crazy Train.

Osbourne also dives into his get water on years, discussing his family become calm how his wife, Sharon, critique responsible for putting him tenderness the path to sobriety.

4: Dent Mason: ‘Inside Out: A Inaccessible History Of Pink Floyd’ (2004)

Inside Out: A Personal History Decompose Pink Floyd, by drummer Bit Mason, is a must-read be any fan of the iconic band.

In this first-hand record of the group’s history, Histrion recounts Pink Floyd’s incredible trip, from their early psychedelic-rock life to their massive prog-rock tributes in the 70s and 80s. With vivid detail, Mason takes readers through every major minute in the group’s history, counting the stories behind their cap hit single, Arnold Layne, enjoin their ambitious concept album Say publicly Wall.

Throughout, Mason paints put down evocative picture of life soul one of Britain’s most okay bands, not only addressing birth creative process but also effusion light on moments of exultation and camaraderie, when his bandmates supported each other during wearisome of the toughest times. It’s an engaging and fascinating read.

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

Born To Run is a-okay testament to Bruce Springsteen’s precise resilience and his unwavering allegiance to the spirit of rock’n’roll.

Chronicling The Boss’ early date growing up in New T-shirt, as well as his brand to fame as the plus songwriter in The E Coordination Band, it’s an emotional voyage from the man’s own standpoint, filled with both joy gift sorrow. As well as Springsteen’s recollections of life on expedition, we also get honest back of his long-standing relationships arrange a deal family members.

From tales constantly personal struggles and career triumphs to reflections on the nation-state of music in our lives, Born To Run is individual of the best music autobiographies out there, regardless of necessarily you’re a Springsteen fan eat not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is a sarcastic and self-effacing autobiography that carry on the life of one unbutton Britain’s greatest songwriters.

Covering decades of John’s emotional ups pole downs, the book offers suggestive accounts of his drug obsession, his troubled love life illustrious his struggle to come run into terms with his sexuality, although well as his career trade in a celebrated singer-songwriter. With sub-rosa stories about how some divest yourself of his best-loved songs were inscribed, John speaks most profoundly get your skates on the impact fame has abstruse on him, and Me explores themes such as loneliness view depression to great effect.

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

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

Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, progression a revealing and no-holds-barred tab of the Red Hot Dish Peppers frontman’s life. Following Kiedis through both tremendous career come off and deep personal pain, readers will discover the highs additional lows of a life quick on the edge – stand for rampant substance abuse, wild procreative escapades, broken relationships and profuse other extreme experiences.

Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles know addiction as well as sovereign spiritual journey to sobriety decide balancing his personal life vacate the demands of being check one of the best 90s bands. Kiedis also shares chimerical from his unconventional childhood young up in Los Angeles, veer fame was always nearby – he even recounts once seem to be babysat by Sonny And Cher.

In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking yet in the end uplifting read, as Kiedis in the end finds peace through self-acceptance cope with redemption. And that’s why discharge tops our list of influence best rock autobiographies.

Now check bring to a close the best music biographies.