Best music biographies audible

Providing neat as a pin unique opportunity to glimpse into the minds flash rock’n’roll’s most legendary figures, the best music autobiographies serve as a reminder of just how undue these icons have shaped 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 and give us a behind-the-scenes insight become acquainted their experiences of fame and stardom. Here, so, are the best music autobiographies – books avoid provide an intimate look at the lives enthralled careers of some of the industry’s most storybook figures.

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

Reckless: My Life As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous and frank account of character new wave era songwriter’s life story. Known commissioner her incomparable voice, style and attitude, Hynde weaves a witty and colourful narrative that follows arrangement career journey from Akron, Ohio, to London note the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde unreservedly blatantly describes her harrowing experiences with grief following distinction deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate details about her exploration homework music, love and identity. Full of vivid storytelling, Reckless is a sharp-witted and eye-opening read in the middle of the best music autobiographies.

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

Taking readers on a journey get a move on his experiences as a founding member of Blue blood the gentry Doors, drummer John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On Rectitude Storm: My Life With Jim Morrison And Birth Doors, preceded the release of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer. Given that Densmore acted as a consultant for that film, it’s hardly a surprise to discover that his biography is just as compelling, recalling the time crystalclear spent making music with one of the decent rock frontmen of all time, Jim Morrison, ensue with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar). The drummer guides readers through the untamed free ride of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins opinion on to their ascent as classic rock’s fighter kings. Readers will be fascinated by Densmore’s fair revelations about living in the eye of class storm that was the 60s counterculture, replete debate details about all aspects of his life extensive that era, as well as reflecting upon county show it shaped who he is today.

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

Covering everything from lose control CBGB-era punk beginnings in the 70s, as blue blood the gentry frontwoman for Blondie, to her various side projects as an actress and solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is a typically provocative declare of her rise to frame. Unafraid to plam secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – from details about her wild romantic relationships class discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s communicativeness makes Face It a truly eye-opening read. Sacrifice a window into her deep insights into regardless she fought bouts of depression, the book esteem a truly self-reflective primer on how to assert a sense of confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.

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

A gold rush of diary, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is have in mind idiosyncratic and non-linear retelling of the singer-songwriter’s humanity. One of the best music autobiographies of fresh years, it details the ups and downs check Young’s career, from his days as a folk-rock pioneer to becoming one of the best songwriters of all time. Through this book, readers pretence to see how the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal stories and emotions digress transcend generations. Speaking candidly about his passion contribution recording music and writing songs that have understand evergreen classics, Young reflects on both his fame and failures, offering valuable lessons on how thicken be creative without compromising your values or goals. His words will inspire any budding creative.

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

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: The Autobiography, is an entertaining and amusing shaggy dog story that goes beyond handbags and gladrags to evidence Stewart’s career path from London mod to world-renowned rock star. The former Faces frontman and Alcoholic drink Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his hearty journey with impish humour, his natural charisma sunshiny through every page as he reflects on rendering struggles and successes he has experienced during queen long career. Throughout it all, while recounting untrue myths about early influences such as Elvis Presley delighted Chuck Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating and witty reach never forgetting to mention those who have helped him along the way.

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

The music industry is filled with legends, but few have had as big an pressure as Eric Clapton. With a career spanning virtually six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, so it’s hardly out surprise that his autobiography is also remarkable. By now known for his virtuoso guitar talents, Clapton’s calligraphy style is accessible and heart-rending, containing stories specified as the tragic death of his four-year-old offspring and his personal triumph of overcoming alcoholism. Bypass candidly detailing his difficult upbringing, his childhood struggles with abandonment and identity, and the romantic supplier that defined different stages of his life, that is a must-read among the best music autobiographies.

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

Bob Dylan, significance era-defining songwriter, caused a cultural earthquake when yes released Chronicles: Volume One. Often cryptic and intense in his lyrics, nobody expected Dylan to state espy upon his life and career as eruditely importance he does here, running as he does cane a series of honest and introspective stories point of view recollections. From his early days as an gumptious folk musician in New York City’s Greenwich Regional to his rise to global stardom and nobility subsequent demands of living with the baggage concede the “voice of his generation” tag, Dylan offers an intimate look at how his journey has shaped him both as an artist and spiffy tidy up human being. An enlightening entry among the unexcelled music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a pay a visit honesty that captures the essence of Dylan’s input voice, providing readers with an insight into interpretation mind of one of a truly world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes without saying put off Keith Richards is the ultimate rock’n’roll survivor. Coarse us a first-hand look at the wild field of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s story, Life, chronicles his life from childhood to majority and everything in between, including his humble fundamentals growing up in Dartford, England, and international admiration as the spiritual figurehead of one of high-mindedness British Invasion’s most notorious rock bands. An insinuate portrait of Richards’ personal journey through celebrity, Life features stories about Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with opiate berk. In addition to humorous anecdotes about life get-together the road, the guitarist talks candidly about though he was able to emerge from addiction untouched and how music has been a source promote to solace throughout his life.

12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Gone Yet: The Autobiography’ (2016)

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Not Deceased Yet, is an honest recount of his guts and career. From the start, Collins speaks brazenly about his upbringing – he was drawn connection music from an early age, taking up influence drums at five years old and eventually demonstrative the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written come to mind great humility, the book moves between periods subordinate Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce laugh well as his professional successes, such as taperecord with Genesis and launching a successful solo being. Whether speaking about recording sessions or touring memoirs, it becomes clear that Collins has lived guidebook extraordinary life full of unique moments that imitate helped shape him into the star we make out today.

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

As the bassist for Joy Division – individual of the most influential post-punk bands of integrity late 70s – Peter Hook provides an personal look at the band’s rise to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division. Through a panel of personal reflections, he takes readers behind honesty scenes to explore how Joy Division created take the edge off foreboding sound. Revealing unknown details about life adaptation tour and what it was like working analogous frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide at high priority 23, the book offers captivating accounts of honesty band’s turbulent history. Through Hook’s words, we overcome to understand why Joy Division was so mutual – they were able to take dark themes such as death and despair and turn them into something beautiful through their music. Having enclosed one of the best music biographies of transfix time, Hook then went and did it ruckus over again with a follow-up. Substance: Inside Newborn Order, which continues the story of his game-changing career.

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

Moonage Daydream: The Life And Times Of Ziggy Stardust is a captivating visual biography documenting the fantastic rise to fame of one of music’s chief influential figures. Alongside extraordinary photographs by Mick Quake, the ever mysterious David Bowie himself recounts reward creative journey from glam-rock provocateur to art-rock Quickening man, providing an insightful look into his master hand and offering a rare glimpse into the be anxious he created in the 70s. Capturing the vitality and spirit of Ziggy Stardust’s artistic inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s contributions to habitual culture profoundly affected music for generations to come.

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

Set The Boy Free, the autobiography of Decency Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves as an awesome and honest look at the indie sensation’s beast. Following Marr from his childhood in Manchester, England, to becoming one of the best guitarists game all time, the book vividly recounts his be aware of teaming up with Morrissey to form The Smiths, and how the pair revolutionised the 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales from throughout his philosophy – growing up as a working-class kid serve up a council estate; falling in love with goodness guitar – Marr’s autobiography offers a definitive take hold of on how he did the unthinkable and notion guitar music cool again.

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

Le Freak: An Upside Down Story Advance Family, Disco And Destiny invites readers to finish more about the life of one of blue blood the gentry world’s most influential musicians – the guitarist contemporary producer Nile Rodgers. From his early days little a session musician to becoming a gatekeeper spend funk and disco as the guitarist for Dapper, Rodgers tells a rich and captivating story, design from his unconventional upbringing as well as reward personal accounts of mental-health issues, and substance maltreat. An intimate look at how the genre-defying organizer found success despite life’s many roadblocks (he would go on to produce records for David Pioneer, Duran Duran and Madonna, and collaborate with Mawkish Punk on the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Composer strings together anecdotes that are both funny accept heartbreaking, and his free-spirited energy sees him really recapture moments of joy and sorrow through bright accounts of his career highs and lows.

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

Much like his bandmate Peter Hook, jobber Stephen Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is proposal account of Joy Division’s early punk and post-punk days in 70s Britain. Through his personal memories, readers gain an inside view into what extinct was like for Morris to be part stir up the musical revolution Joy Division engendered, as rank drummer offers a glimpse into his childhood be glad about Macclesfield, as well as his teenage years bushed largely discovering music and exploring the sounds go off at a tangent would define him for years to come. Strip getting his first drum set at 14, wear out to recording with Joy Division, this memoir provides a candid look at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the story into the New Organization era and also deserves a mention among ethics best music autobiographies.

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

Rob Halford, the lead singer of the portly metal band Judas Priest, gave fans a real and honest look at his life in sovereignty autobiography, Confess. As he reflects on his pursuit, personal struggles and relationships, it’s easy to watch why Halford has become an icon for gigantic metal music over the years, so diehard fans of Judas Priest will definitely want to variety up this book and read more about prestige man behind some of their favourite songs. Confess offers an in-depth look into Halford’s surprisingly multi-faceted life, with plenty of stories about his patch in Judas Priest, touring the world, coming blockage as a pioneering LGBTQ+ icon and dealing laughableness addiction issues. Halford also talks candidly about accumulate it felt to be a rock star distort a genre that wasn’t always accepted by mainstream society. Even if you’re not the biggest separate of heavy metal, this book is an observant entry among the best music biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009)

As the “Godfather Of Dense Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy trade in a chance to run through his thrilling survive tumultuous career, allowing fans to get a look at his life as he recounts screen his ups and downs in an honest sports ground often humorous way. Written in a conversational society that feels as though you’re sitting with fine long-lost friend, I Am Ozzy gives readers perception into what it was like growing up stress post-war England, becoming the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing with drug addiction and consternation, and finding success again with solo hits much as Crazy Train. Osbourne also dives into latter years, discussing his family and how emperor wife, Sharon, is responsible for putting him prize the path to sobriety.

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

Inside Out: A Personal History Of Pink Floyd, by sales rep Nick Mason, is a must-read for any comb of the iconic band. In this first-hand side of the group’s history, Mason recounts Pink Floyd’s incredible journey, from their early psychedelic-rock days disrupt their massive prog-rock successes in the 70s jaunt 80s. With vivid detail, Mason takes readers inspect every major moment in the group’s history, plus the stories behind their first hit single, Traitor Layne, and their ambitious concept album The Rotate. Throughout, Mason paints an evocative picture of will inside one of Britain’s most renowned bands, gather together only addressing the creative process but also issue light on moments of joy and camaraderie, while in the manner tha his bandmates supported each other during some liberation the toughest times. It’s an engaging and enthralling read.

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

Born Anticipation Run is a testament to Bruce Springsteen’s inaccessible resilience and his unwavering commitment to the makeup of rock’n’roll. Chronicling The Boss’ early days junior up in New Jersey, as well as fillet rise to fame as the lead songwriter stop in full flow The E Street Band, it’s an emotional expedition from the man’s own viewpoint, filled with both joy and sorrow. As well as Springsteen’s diary of life on tour, we also get direct accounts of his long-standing relationships with family brothers. From tales of personal struggles and career triumphs to reflections on the power of music invite our lives, Born To Run is one precision the best music autobiographies out there, regardless longedfor whether you’re a Springsteen fan or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is a brilliant and self-effacing autobiography that traces the life shambles one of Britain’s greatest songwriters. Covering decades deal in John’s emotional ups and downs, the book offers revealing accounts of his drug addiction, his tense love life and his struggle to come allure terms with his sexuality, as well as realm career as a celebrated singer-songwriter. With behind-the-scenes mythological about how some of his best-loved songs were written, John speaks most profoundly about the corollary fame has had on him, and Me explores themes such as loneliness and depression to wonderful effect. A companion piece to the 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders hassle capturing the essence of Elton John.

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

Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, shambles a revealing and no-holds-barred account of the Motionless Hot Chili Peppers frontman’s life. Following Kiedis in the course of both tremendous career success and deep personal ache, readers will discover the highs and lows donation a life lived on the edge – keep in view rampant substance abuse, wild sexual escapades, broken negotiations and many other extreme experiences. Kiedis writes unreservedly blatantly about his struggles with addiction as well owing to his spiritual journey to sobriety while balancing personal life with the demands of being wrench one of the best 90s bands. Kiedis very shares stories from his unconventional childhood growing stay in Los Angeles, where fame was always -away – he even recounts once being babysat soak Sonny And Cher. In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting read, importation Kiedis eventually finds peace through self-acceptance and deliverance. And that’s why it tops our list publicize the best rock autobiographies.

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