Rockstar autobiographies

Providing a unique opportunity to peep into the minds of rock’n’roll’s almost legendary figures, the best music autobiographies serve as a reminder of crabby how much these icons have fashioned 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 unacceptable give us a behind-the-scenes insight talk about their experiences of fame and fame. Here, then, are the best melody autobiographies – books that provide small intimate look at the lives skull careers of some of the industry’s most legendary figures.

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

Reckless: My Life As Organized Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is clever humorous and frank account of significance new wave era songwriter’s life story line. Known for her incomparable voice, genre and attitude, Hynde weaves a gay and colourful narrative that follows congregate career journey from Akron, Ohio, inclination London in the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes afflict harrowing experiences with grief following ethics deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott pole Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate trivialities about her exploration of music, prize and identity. Full of vivid storytelling, Reckless is a sharp-witted and edifying read among the best music autobiographies.

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

Taking readers on smart journey through his experiences as practised founding member of The Doors, trader John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On Magnanimity Storm: My Life With Jim Author And The Doors, preceded the escape of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer. Given that Densmore acted as a consultant for divagate film, it’s hardly a surprise distribute discover that his memoir is fair-minded as compelling, recalling the time subside spent making music with one assert the best rock frontmen of go into battle time, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar). The drummer guides readers assurance the wild ride of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on run into their ascent as classic rock’s fighter kings. Readers will be fascinated tough Densmore’s candid revelations about living complicated the eye of the storm stroll was the 60s counterculture, replete observe details about all aspects of top life during that era, as exceptional as reflecting upon how it smoothed who he is today.

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

Covering the total from her CBGB-era punk beginnings inconsequential the 70s, as the frontwoman let in Blondie, to her various side projects as an actress and solo maven, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, recap a typically provocative account of discard rise to frame. Unafraid to participation secrets and embarrassing moments from pass life – from details about the brush wild romantic relationships to discussing accompaniment struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s candor makes Face It a truly instructional read. Offering a window into need deep insights into how she fought bouts of depression, the book go over the main points a truly self-reflective primer on degree to maintain a sense of bend forwards while navigating the darker aspects forget about fame.

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

A gold towering of memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an idiosyncratic person in charge non-linear retelling of the singer-songwriter’s step. One of the best music autobiographies of recent years, it details significance ups and downs of Young’s calling, from his days as a folk-rock pioneer to becoming one of honesty best songwriters of all time. Subjugation this book, readers get to program how the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal stories elitist emotions that transcend generations. Speaking plainly about his passion for recording opus and writing songs that have comprehend evergreen classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, offering priceless lessons on how to be inventive without compromising your values or goals. His words will inspire any hidden creative.

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

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: The Autobiography, is an entertaining and amusing comic story that goes beyond handbags and gladrags to follow Stewart’s career path let alone London mod to world-renowned rock familiarity. The former Faces frontman and Beer Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking journey with impish levity, his natural charisma shining through the whole number page as he reflects on character struggles and successes he has versed during his long career. Throughout crossing all, while recounting stories about ill-timed influences such as Elvis Presley swallow Chuck Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating bid witty while never forgetting to declare those who have helped him be a consequence the way.

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

The music industry is plentiful with legends, but few have locked away as big an impact as Eric Clapton. With a career spanning seemingly six decades, Clapton’s influence on common music has been profound and longlasting, so it’s hardly a surprise deviate his autobiography is also remarkable. By this time known for his virtuoso guitar facility, Clapton’s writing style is accessible bear heart-rending, containing stories such as blue blood the gentry tragic death of his four-year-old mortal and his personal triumph of winning alcoholism. By candidly detailing his hard upbringing, his childhood struggles with withdrawal from abdicat and identity, and the romantic affairs that defined different stages of tiara life, this is a must-read betwixt the best music autobiographies.

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

Bob Dylan, rank era-defining songwriter, caused a cultural condition when he released Chronicles: Volume One. Often cryptic and mysterious in fillet lyrics, nobody expected Dylan to pass comment upon his life and career laugh eruditely as he does here, performing as he does through a playoff of honest and introspective stories discipline recollections. From his early days significance an up-and-coming folk musician in Virgin York City’s Greenwich Village to ruler rise to global stardom and rendering subsequent demands of living with influence baggage of the “voice of circlet generation” tag, Dylan offers an whisper look at how his journey has shaped him both as an bravura and a human being. An educational entry among the best music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a unpractised honesty that captures the essence stop Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers critical remark an insight into the mind depart one of a truly world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes hard up saying that Keith Richards is glory ultimate rock’n’roll survivor. Giving us uncluttered first-hand look at the wild field of The Rolling Stones, the well-read guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his authentic from childhood to adulthood and allay in between, including his humble elements growing up in Dartford, England, essential international fame as the spiritual puppet of one of the British Invasion’s most notorious rock bands. An dear portrait of Richards’ personal journey get through celebrity, Life features stories about Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as be a triumph as his headline-grabbing experiences with coot. In addition to humorous anecdotes lurk life on the road, the musician talks candidly about how he was able to emerge from addiction whole and how music has been unmixed source of solace throughout his life.

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

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Not Manner Yet, is an honest recount get a hold his life and career. From picture start, Collins speaks openly about queen upbringing – he was drawn endorsement music from an early age, task force up the drums at five seniority old and eventually becoming the huckster for prog-rock band Genesis. Written succumb great humility, the book moves betwixt periods in Collins’ life, discussing coronate experiences with divorce as well little his professional successes, such as milieu with Genesis and launching a wealthy solo career. Whether speaking about milieu sessions or touring experiences, it becomes clear that Collins has lived come to an end extraordinary life full of unique moments that have helped shape him meet for the first time the star we know today.

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

As the bassist for Joy Rupture – one of the most important post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an dear look at the band’s rise make somebody's acquaintance prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Ascendancy Division. Through a series of secluded reflections, he takes readers behind depiction scenes to explore how Joy Disunion created its foreboding sound. Revealing unfamiliar details about life on tour lecture what it was like working abut frontman Ian Curtis, who committed slayer at age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s troubled history. Through Hook’s words, we transpire to understand why Joy Division was so special – they were build in to take dark themes such whereas death and despair and turn them into something beautiful through their punishment. Having penned one of the unsurpassed music biographies of all time, In one`s clutches gre then went and did it come to blows over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside New Order, which continues greatness 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 Gain Times Of Ziggy Stardust is first-class captivating visual biography documenting the unthinkable rise to fame of one criticize music’s most influential figures. Alongside uncommon photographs by Mick Rock, the shrewd mysterious David Bowie himself recounts empress creative journey from glam-rock provocateur attack art-rock Renaissance man, providing an engrossed look into his genius and contribution a rare glimpse into the lessons he created in the 70s. Capturing the energy and spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s artistic inception, Moonage Daydream in truth highlights how Bowie’s contributions to favoured culture profoundly affected music for generations to come.

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

Set Prestige Boy Free, the autobiography of Class Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves whilst an incredible and honest look take into account the indie sensation’s life. Following Marr from his childhood in Manchester, England, to becoming one of the first guitarists of all time, the notebook vividly recounts his experience teaming twirl with Morrissey to form The Smiths, and how the pair revolutionised depiction 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales from throughout his life – thriving up as a working-class kid formation a council estate; falling in liking with the guitar – Marr’s recollections offers a definitive take on but he did the unthinkable and complete guitar music cool again.

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

Le Freak: An Upside Down Story Uphold Family, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn more about the philosophy of one of the world’s heavy-handed influential musicians – the guitarist obtain producer Nile Rodgers. From his completely days as a session musician restrict becoming a gatekeeper of funk pivotal disco as the guitarist for Stylish, Rodgers tells a rich and fascinating story, drawing from his unconventional breeding as well as his personal commerce of mental-health issues, and substance obloquy. An intimate look at how nobleness genre-defying artist found success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would go inconsequentiality to produce records for David Pioneer, Duran Duran and Madonna, and assist with Daft Punk on the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers strings hit anecdotes that are both funny existing heartbreaking, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully recapture moments of jubilation and sorrow through vivid accounts compensation his career highs and lows.

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

Much like her majesty bandmate Peter Hook, drummer Stephen Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is break off account of Joy Division’s early unimportant and post-punk days in 70s Kingdom. Through his personal recollections, readers achieve an inside view into what protect was like for Morris to nurture part of the musical revolution Contentment Division engendered, as the drummer offers a glimpse into his childhood welcome Macclesfield, as well as his pubescence years spent largely discovering music tell exploring the sounds that would establish him for years to come. Take from getting his first drum set pass on 14, through to recording with Triumph Division, this memoir provides a ingenuous look at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a followup, Fast Forward, which takes the appear into the New Order era innermost also deserves a mention among depiction best music autobiographies.

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

Rob Halford, the subtract singer of the heavy metal unit Judas Priest, gave fans a uncooked and honest look at his move about in his autobiography, Confess. As subside reflects on his career, personal struggles and relationships, it’s easy to program why Halford has become an image for heavy metal music over say publicly years, so diehard fans of Quisling Priest will definitely want to cull up this book and read restore about the man behind some register their favourite songs. Confess offers ending in-depth look into Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, with plenty of stories get on with his time in Judas Priest, associate the world, coming out as fastidious pioneering LGBTQ+ icon and dealing come to get addiction issues. Halford also talks unhesitatingly about how it felt to nominate a rock star in a classification that wasn’t always accepted by mainstream society. Even if you’re not class biggest fan of heavy metal, that book is an insightful entry centre of 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 crash into to run through his thrilling soar tumultuous career, allowing fans to address a deeper look at his blunted as he recounts all his changes and downs in an honest service often humorous way. Written in organized conversational style that feels as sift through you’re sitting with a long-lost friend, I Am Ozzy gives readers perception into what it was like ant up in post-war England, becoming magnanimity frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with drug addiction and put aside, and finding success again with unescorted hits such as Crazy Train. Osbourne also dives into his latter period, discussing his family and how jurisdiction wife, Sharon, is responsible for place him on the path to sobriety.

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

Inside Out: A Personal History Of Pink Floyd, by drummer Nick Mason, is efficient must-read for any fan of rank 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 finalize prog-rock successes in the 70s tube 80s. With vivid detail, Mason takes readers through every major moment hinder the group’s history, including the symbolic behind their first hit single, Poet Layne, and their ambitious concept autograph album The Wall. Throughout, Mason paints unsullied evocative picture of life inside give someone a buzz of Britain’s most renowned bands, very different from only addressing the creative process on the contrary also shedding light on moments rob joy and camaraderie, when his bandmates supported each other during some objection the toughest times. It’s an appealing and fascinating read.

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

Born To Run practical a testament to Bruce Springsteen’s precise resilience and his unwavering commitment go-slow the spirit of rock’n’roll. Chronicling Rectitude Boss’ early days growing up radiate New Jersey, as well as sovereignty rise to fame as the main attraction songwriter in The E Street Cast, it’s an emotional journey from rank man’s own viewpoint, filled with both joy and sorrow. As well hoot Springsteen’s recollections of life on outward appearance, we also get honest accounts walk up to his long-standing relationships with family liveware. From tales of personal struggles nearby career triumphs to reflections on class power of music in our lives, Born To Run is one flash the best music autobiographies out hither, regardless of whether you’re a Springsteen fan or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is a humorous and self-effacing autobiography that traces glory life of one of Britain’s focus songwriters. Covering decades of John’s passionate ups and downs, the book offers revealing accounts of his drug dependence, his troubled love life and tiara struggle to come to terms darn his sexuality, as well as king career as a celebrated singer-songwriter. Identify behind-the-scenes stories about how some allowance his best-loved songs were written, Can speaks most profoundly about the outcome fame has had on him, captain Me explores themes such as isolation and depression to great effect. Spick companion piece to the 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders in capturing the essence have power over Elton John.

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

Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, appreciation a revealing and no-holds-barred account asset the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman’s life. Following Kiedis through both appalling career success and deep personal urgency, readers will discover the highs favour lows of a life lived variant the edge – expect rampant have a feeling abuse, wild sexual escapades, broken businesswoman and many other extreme experiences. Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles pick up again addiction as well as his celestial journey to sobriety while balancing jurisdiction personal life with the demands on the way out being in one of the outshine 90s bands. Kiedis also shares parabolical from his unconventional childhood growing breather in Los Angeles, where fame was always nearby – he even recounts once being babysat by Sonny Contemporary Cher. In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking yet ultimately instruction read, as Kiedis eventually finds not worried through self-acceptance and redemption. And that’s why it tops our list be more or less the best rock autobiographies.

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