Books On Music

I've got a few of these in my library, mostly anthologies of rock criticism from the 1960s and 70s. Richard Meltzer is a personal favorite, as is Lester Bangs. Any suggestions, personal favorites, etc.?

Time was reading about music did nothing for me, and almost seemed silly when compared to the experience of listening to it, but now I devour books about music--everything from bios to criticism (I like Nick Tosches in addition to those you mention, especially Unsung heroes of rock 'n' roll and Country: Living Legends and Dying Metaphors in America's Biggest Music, which is awesome no matter what you think about country) to fan memoirs to reference tomes.

In my dreams I would like to one day be able to file the books about music in with the music (in every format) they're about...

Sound and Vision is an interesting read on music videos.

A&R by Bill Flanagan is a great Rock and Roll novel. I second the Lester Bangs appreciation. Please Kill Me is a lot of fun. How Black Was Our Sabbath has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. I have yet to get to it. The Michael Azerrad book was also good. Ray Davies autobigraphy/novel X-Ray is fun.

Seconded on A&R. I really enjoyed that one. Fargo Rock City came highly recommended to me from a friend, though I haven't read it yet.

Rock Stars Do the Dumbest Things was a light, fun read about crazy things rock stars have done.

I'm a big Motley Crue fan, so I've also read The Dirt (good read) and Tommyland (decent read). I've also just purchased and started reading The Heroin Diaries, which is worth the purchase for me because not only is it about Nikki Sixx, but part of the sales go to his charity for runaway teens in Hollywood.

Three very quick reccomendations from me - Bass Culture by Lloyd Bradley - despite some well-documented flaws, probably the best reggae book today.

Spinning the Blues Into Gold by Nadine Cohodas`I can never remember her name` - the Chess Records story.

Anything by Gene Santoro.

Are there any good books about Sun Records ? I`d love to have a `proper` book on Sam Philips et al.

currently working on a complete collection of Creem mags...no mean feat,trust me

I have quite a few books on music. My latest acquisition is Million Dollar Bash; Dylan, the Band, and the Basement Tapes by Sid Griffin.

I'd recommend anything by Peter Guralnick. Lost Highway; journeys and arrivals of American musicians is a companion to the Nick Tosches book on country music. Guralnick has a wider scope, I think.

I have not come across anything specifically on Sun Records, but there could be something out there. There's a lot appearing on the early days of rock and roll as it emerged from rhythm and blues.

there is a book on Sun records,i believe,that is called simply "Good Rockin' Tonight"....couldnt tell you the author,the book has been around for quite some time though

Thanks for that, much obliged.

There`s one or two with that name - I think the one you mean is Good Rockin` Tonight by Colin Escott.

If you like reading about 60s hedonism in the music industry, 'Wonderland avenue' and 'hammer of the gods' are great. I found Motley Crue's 'The dirt' hilarious. Strangely enough, rock memoirs are great reading whether or not you like the actual band featured. I would recommend them to anyone.

A favourite of mine is Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad, a book dealing with the US indie underground of the 1980s - chapters on Minor Threat, Fugazi, Mudhoney, Husker Du, The Minutemen, Black Flag, Big Black, Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma, The Replacements, The Butthole Surfers and Dinosaur Jr. The book's depiction of a world of limited edition vinyl singles, all ages, self promoted shows and endless touring make it seem like an historical document.

#13: I liked it too. But, I think it is a historical document now.

:(

Rip It Up and Start Again is pretty narrow in scope (post-punk between 1978-1982) but really, really good. Well-written, informative, one of my favorites.

#15: I immediately added that one to my wish list. Thanks!

Music enthusiast John Peel's autobiography margrave of the marshes, completed by his wife Sheila Ravenscroft and their children.

Margrave of the Marshes is indeed excellent. I read both that and John Peel: a Life in Music around the same time and really preferred Margrave.

If you think The Dirt was a good read then you'll think Heroin Diaries is a great read.

keyboard harmony by george a wedge

a handbook of musical knowledge by james murray brown