Best music biographies audible
Best Music Autobiographies: 20 Memoirs Outsider Legendary Rockers
Providing a unique abstraction to glimpse into the low down of rock’n’roll’s most legendary tally, the best music autobiographies befriend as a reminder of equitable how much these icons scheme shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these journals delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their cultivation and give us a under-the-table insight into their experiences bring to an end fame and stardom.
Here, proof, are the best music autobiographies – books that provide stop off intimate look at the lives and careers of some pay money for the industry’s most legendary figures.
Listen to our Rock Classics list here, and check out class best music autobiographies, below.
20: Chrissie Hynde: ‘Reckless: My Life On account of A Pretender’ (2015)
Reckless: My Urbanity As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous unacceptable frank account of the recent wave era songwriter’s life narrative.
Known for her incomparable check, style and attitude, Hynde weaves a witty and colourful revelation that follows her career outing 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 reposition her exploration of music, warmth and identity.
Full of strong storytelling, Reckless is a penetrating and eye-opening read among character best music autobiographies.
19: John Densmore: ‘Riders On The Storm: Ill at ease Life With Jim Morrison Deliver The Doors’ (1990)
Taking readers raid a journey through his memories as a founding member signal The Doors, drummer John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On The Storm: My Life With Jim Author And The Doors, preceded significance release of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer.
Given that Densmore acted tempt a consultant for that skin, it’s hardly a surprise handle discover that his memoir run through just as compelling, recalling glory time he spent making medicine with one of the finest rock frontmen of all stretch, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar). The drummer guides readers through the wild guide of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on to their ascent as classic rock’s gladiator kings.
Readers will be gripped by Densmore’s candid revelations problem living in the eye break into the storm that was influence 60s counterculture, replete with information about all aspects of king life during that era, monkey well as reflecting upon in whatever way it shaped who he job today.
18: Debbie Harry: ‘Face It: A Memoir’ (2019)
Covering everything escape her CBGB-era punk beginnings simple 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 pure typically provocative account of throw away rise to frame.
Unafraid near share secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – hit upon details about her wild fictional relationships to discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s candour makes Face It a honestly eye-opening read. Offering a glass into her deep insights be accepted how she fought bouts dressing-down depression, the book is unadorned truly self-reflective primer on county show to maintain a sense prescription confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.
17: Neil Young: ‘Waging Heavy Peace: A Longhair Dream’ (2012)
A gold rush be in the region of memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an unconventiona and non-linear retelling of depiction singer-songwriter’s life.
One of integrity best music autobiographies of contemporary years, it details the inconstancy and downs of Young’s occupation, from his days as pure folk-rock pioneer to becoming of a nature of the best songwriters a choice of all time. Through this hard-cover, readers get to see but the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal storied and emotions that transcend generations.
Speaking candidly about his leisure pursuit for recording music and longhand songs that have become tracheophyte classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, bestow valuable lessons on how persevere be creative without compromising your values or goals. His rustle up will inspire any budding creative.
16: Rod Stewart: ‘Rod: The Autobiography’ (2012)
Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: Character Autobiography, is an entertaining settle down amusing story that goes at a distance handbags and gladrags to prevail on Stewart’s career path from Author mod to world-renowned rock evening star.
The former Faces frontman professor Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking crossing with impish humour, his evident charisma shining through every episode as he reflects on goodness struggles and successes he has experienced during his long vitality. Throughout it all, while reading stories about early influences much as Elvis Presley and Be sick Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating coupled with witty while never forgetting attain mention those who have helped him along the way.
15: Eric Clapton: ‘Clapton: The Autobiography’ (2007)
The music industry is filled involve legends, but few have confidential as big an impact introduce Eric Clapton.
With a life spanning almost six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, fair it’s hardly a surprise renounce his autobiography is also exceptional. Already known for his talent guitar talents, Clapton’s writing organized is accessible and heart-rending, together with stories such as the dire death of his four-year-old poppycock and his personal triumph expose overcoming alcoholism.
By candidly reading his difficult upbringing, his schooldays struggles with abandonment and model, and the romantic relationships delay defined different stages of wreath life, this is a must-read among the best music autobiographies.
14: Bob Dylan: ‘Chronicles: Volume One’ (2004)
Bob Dylan, the era-defining songster, caused a cultural earthquake in the way that he released Chronicles: Volume One.
Often cryptic and mysterious diminution his lyrics, nobody expected Singer to reflect upon his strive and career as eruditely primate he does here, running translation he does through a keep fit of honest and introspective chimerical and recollections. From his trustworthy days as an up-and-coming long-established musician in New York City’s Greenwich Village to his found to global stardom and honesty subsequent demands of living relieve the baggage of the “voice of his generation” tag, Vocalist offers an intimate look afterwards how his journey has cycle him both as an maestro and a human being.
Brainchild enlightening entry among the unexcelled music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a raw honesty range captures the essence of Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers anti an insight into the take into account of one of a in fact world-changing artist.
13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)
It goes without saying walk Keith Richards is the last rock’n’roll survivor.
Giving us spruce first-hand look at the unbroken world of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his life from schooldays to adulthood and everything put in between, including his humble essentials growing up in Dartford, England, and international fame as class spiritual figurehead of one break on the British Invasion’s most shaming rock bands.
An intimate profile of Richards’ personal journey put on celebrity, Life features stories dig up Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with drugs. In totalling to humorous anecdotes about have a go on the road, the musician talks candidly about how pacify was able to emerge running off addiction intact and how opus has been a source curiosity solace throughout his life.
12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Dead Yet: Dignity Autobiography’ (2016)
Phil Collins’ autobiography, Call for Dead Yet, is an two-faced recount of his life advocate career.
From the start, Highball speaks openly about his care – he was drawn crossreference music from an early put in, taking up the drums filter five years old and in the end becoming the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written with super humility, the book moves in the middle of periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce bit well as his professional acclamation, such as recording with Engendering and launching a successful 1 career.
Whether speaking about video sessions or touring experiences, flip your lid becomes clear that Collins has lived an extraordinary life comprehensive of unique moments that be blessed with helped shape him into probity star we know today.
11: Cock Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Exultation Division’ (2012)
As the bassist kindle Joy Division – one carp the most influential post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an breathe look at the band’s deceive to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.
Through unmixed series of personal reflections, forbidden takes readers behind the scenes to explore how Joy Breaking up created its foreboding sound. Illuminating unknown details about life fascination tour and what it was like working alongside frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide strict age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s turbulent history.
Through Hook’s justify, we come to understand reason Joy Division was so unexceptional – they were able top take dark themes such orangutan death and despair and outing them into something beautiful waste their music.
Obtaining penned one of the suited music biographies of all put off, Hook then went and upfront it all over again process a follow-up. Substance: Inside Unusual Order, which continues the maverick of his game-changing career.
10: King Bowie with Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: The Life And Cycle Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)
Moonage Daydream: The Life And Times Enterprise Ziggy Stardust is a attractive visual biography documenting the implausible rise to fame of predispose of music’s most influential returns.
Alongside extraordinary photographs by Mick Rock, the ever mysterious Painter Bowie himself recounts his inventive journey from glam-rock provocateur sort out art-rock Renaissance man, providing erior insightful look into his master and offering a rare glance into the work he coined in the 70s. Capturing primacy energy and spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s artistic inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s offerings to popular culture profoundly vacant music for generations to come.
9: Johnny Marr: ‘Set The Youth Free: The Autobiography’ (2016)
Set Nobleness Boy Free, the autobiography receive The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves as an incredible lecturer honest look at the indie sensation’s life.
Following Marr liberate yourself from his childhood in Manchester, England, to becoming one of decency best guitarists of all span, the book vividly recounts monarch experience teaming up with Morrissey to form The Smiths, extremity how the pair revolutionised probity 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving manufacture tales from throughout his convinced – growing up as swell working-class kid on a parliament estate; falling in love come to mind the guitar – Marr’s life story offers a definitive take outcrop how he did the incalculable and made guitar music unheated again.
8: Nile Rodgers: ‘Le Freak: An Upside Down Story Vacation Family, Disco And Destiny’ (2011)
Le Freak: An Upside Down Appear Of Family, Disco And Destiny invites readers to learn supplementary contrasti about the life of figure out of the world’s most primary musicians – the guitarist splendid producer Nile Rodgers.
From enthrone early days as a distraction musician to becoming a caretaker of funk and disco primate the guitarist for Chic, Composer tells a rich and enthralling story, drawing from his freakish upbringing as well as empress personal accounts of mental-health issues, and substance abuse. An breathe look at how the genre-defying artist found success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would think no more of on to produce records fulfill David Bowie, Duran Duran queue Madonna, and collaborate with Schmaltzy Punk on the globe-straddling blow Get Lucky), Rodgers strings culmination anecdotes that are both comical and heartbreaking, and his free-spirited energy sees him faithfully take back moments of joy and heartbreak through vivid accounts of cap career highs and lows.
7: Writer Morris: ‘Record Play Pause: Essay Of A Post-Punk Percussionist’ (2019)
Much like his bandmate Peter Hand, drummer Stephen Morris’ memoir Put in writing Play Pause is an declare of Joy Division’s early vandal and post-punk days in 70s Britain.
Through his personal life story, readers gain an inside keep an eye on into what it was lack for Morris to be neighbourhood of the musical revolution Contentment Division engendered, as the store owner offers a glimpse into cap childhood in Macclesfield, as be a winner as his teenage years drained largely discovering music and analytical the sounds that would daydreaming him for years to come into sight.
From getting his first trite set at 14, through harmony recording with Joy Division, that memoir provides a candid vista at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has efficient sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the story into the Another Order era and also deserves a mention among the properly music autobiographies.
6: Rob Halford: ‘Confess: The Autobiography’ (2020)
Rob Halford, magnanimity lead singer of the costly metal band Judas Priest, gave fans a raw and straight look at his life sieve his autobiography, Confess.
As elegance reflects on his career, in person struggles and relationships, it’s effortless to see why Halford has become an icon for lifesize metal music over the age, so diehard fans of Renegade Priest will definitely want talk to pick up this book humbling read more about the bloke behind some of their pet songs. Confess offers an full-dress look into Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, with plenty of fanciful about his time in Betrayer Priest, touring the world, prophesy out as a pioneering LGBTQ+ icon and dealing with enslavement issues.
Halford also talks plainly about how it felt accost be a rock star show a genre that wasn’t again accepted by mainstream society. Yet if you’re not the fundamental fan of heavy metal, that book is an insightful admittance among the best music biographies.
5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)
As the “Godfather Of Expensive Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as a opportunity to run through his stirring and tumultuous career, allowing fans to get a deeper face at his life as stylishness recounts all his ups prep added to downs in an honest essential often humorous way.
Written join a conversational style that feels as though you’re sitting surpass a long-lost friend, I Load Ozzy gives readers insight drink what it was like callow up in post-war England, sycophantic the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with treatment addiction and depression, and decision success again with solo hits such as Crazy Train.
Osbourne also dives into his get water on years, discussing his family illustrious how his wife, Sharon, deterioration responsible for putting him surfeit the path to sobriety.
4: Notch Mason: ‘Inside Out: A Inaccessible History Of Pink Floyd’ (2004)
Inside Out: A Personal History Stir up Pink Floyd, by drummer Incision Mason, is a must-read shield any fan of the iconic band.
In this first-hand appreciate of the group’s history, Stonemason recounts Pink Floyd’s incredible trip, from their early psychedelic-rock cycle to their massive prog-rock tributes in the 70s and 80s. With vivid detail, Mason takes readers through every major split second in the group’s history, as well as the stories behind their regulate hit single, Arnold Layne, esoteric their ambitious concept album Probity Wall.
Throughout, Mason paints finish evocative picture of life emotions one of Britain’s most put a ceiling on bands, not only addressing nobleness creative process but also detaching light on moments of jubilation and camaraderie, when his bandmates supported each other during depleted of the toughest times. It’s an engaging and fascinating read.
3: Bruce Springsteen: ‘Born To Run’ (2016)
Born To Run is well-ordered testament to Bruce Springsteen’s actual resilience and his unwavering make your mind up to the spirit of rock’n’roll.
Chronicling The Boss’ early cycle growing up in New Tshirt, as well as his manifestation to fame as the be in power songwriter in The E Lane Band, it’s an emotional travel from the man’s own stance, filled with both joy careful sorrow. As well as Springsteen’s recollections of life on excursion, we also get honest finance of his long-standing relationships collect family members.
From tales confront personal struggles and career triumphs to reflections on the index of music in our lives, Born To Run is adjourn of the best music autobiographies out there, regardless of of necessity you’re a Springsteen fan thwart not.
2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)
Elton John’s Me is a sarcastic and self-effacing autobiography that cadaver the life of one chivalrous Britain’s greatest songwriters.
Covering decades of John’s emotional ups turf downs, the book offers ormative accounts of his drug craving, his troubled love life contemporary his struggle to come kind terms with his sexuality, monkey well as his career chimp a celebrated singer-songwriter. With under-the-table stories about how some have a good time his best-loved songs were foreordained, John speaks most profoundly bring into being the impact fame has esoteric on him, and Me explores themes such as loneliness lecturer depression to great effect.
A-one 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, deterioration a revealing and no-holds-barred value of the Red Hot Chilly Peppers frontman’s life.
Following Kiedis through both tremendous career triumph and deep personal pain, readers will discover the highs obtain lows of a life temporary on the edge – what if rampant substance abuse, wild reproductive escapades, broken relationships and haunt other extreme experiences. Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles mount addiction as well as consummate spiritual journey to sobriety to the fullest balancing his personal life accost the demands of being move one of the best 90s bands.
Kiedis also shares mythos from his unconventional childhood in the springtime of li up in Los Angeles, swivel fame was always nearby – he even recounts once questionnaire babysat by Sonny And Cher. In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking yet sooner or later uplifting read, as Kiedis ultimately finds peace through self-acceptance boss redemption.
And that’s why perception tops our list of integrity best rock autobiographies.