Still have a few music lovers to cross off your Christmas list? Here’s your last chance to get them a book you know they don’t already have. Read all about ’em:
Eddie Cochran: In Person! The Lost Treasures of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Legend
By Lee Bullman
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In the golden era of rock ’n’ roll, there was one name who rivaled Elvis Presley, both in style and talent: Eddie Cochran. In his short 21 years, Cochran changed the face of music — despite his life being cut tragically cut short when he died in a car crash on his 1960 tour of England. Born in a small town in Minnesota to humble beginnings, Eddie unleashed a wave of raw talent and energy that defied the norms of the era, becoming a trailblazer of the rockabilly sound and look. His smash hits Summertime Blues, C’mon Everybody, Somethin’ Else and 20 Flight Rock are still entertaining audiences and being covered, some 60 years after they were first recorded. Cochran’s guitar style and songwriting not only landed him in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, but also influenced everyone from Paul McCartney and Marc Bolan to Bruce Springsteen and Joan Jett. Eddie Cochran: In Person! details the life and career of a rock icon via the extraordinary story of how a collector came to possess the contents of Eddie’s childhood bedroom, which had remained undisturbed and unseen by anyone outside of the family since his death. Cochran’s fascinating story is lavishly illustrated with personal mementos, scrapbooks, and even a mockup of his never-released second album — all thought lost for more than 60 years.”
Ozzy and Black Sabbath: What Evil Lurks
By Joel Mciver
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Revel in the outrageous life of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath — the band that created the modern metal scene — through inside stories, photos, and memorabilia. Few celebrities are known only by their first name. But say the name Ozzy, and there’s only one who comes to mind: Ozzy Osbourne. In this unofficial tribute, take a comprehensive look at Ozzy and his ground-breaking band, and get a glimpse behind the scenes to discover how iconic songs like Paranoid and Iron Man came to be. All the drama, stagecraft, and fan mania comes clearly into view in Joel McIver’s engaging narrative. Learn how the Prince of Darkness developed his onstage persona and how the band’s creative process worked.”
The Who: The History of My Generation
By Mat Snow
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Explore the trailblazing history of The Who with photos, memorabilia, and stories of rock decadence like no other. Famed music journalist Mat Snow celebrates The Who’s debut album My Generation with this unofficial illustrated history of the legendary rock band — the ideal visual companion for fans all over the world. The Who formed in 1964 with lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwhistle and drummer Keith Moon, and continued on to become one of the best-selling bands of all time. The Who: The History of My Generation chronicles how the band inspired a generation and beyond-overcoming internal strife, external competition, and the death of two founding members.”
Britney: Breaking Free – The Unauthorized Biography
By Danny White
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “She has sold more than 150 million albums, wowed sell-out audiences around the globe, and starred in iconic music videos, but Britney Spears’ success has come with an unbearable price tag. This biography uncovers the story of how this church-going girl from the Deep South became an objectified teenage sensation and the princess of pop. It follows her roller-coaster existence from the top of the charts to the despair of a very public mental health crisis. Go behind the scenes of Britney’s battle to free herself from her notorious conservatorship and the impact it had on this highly talented but fragile woman, whose cultural and social influence is fast approaching that of Marilyn Monroe. This book lifts the lid on the controversies that have plagued her life, covers her romances, and celebrates her many remarkable triumphs. Along the way, we learn much about show-business and society itself. As she enters her fifth decade in the relentless glare of the spotlight, this is a compelling and intimate portrait of the real Britney and brings her story up to date, revealing what will come next for this fascinating star, who has perfected the art of reinvention.”
Before It Went Rotten: The Music that Rocked London’s Pubs, 1972-76
By Simon Matthews
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Before It Went Rotten takes a trip back to the world before punk. Until The Sex Pistols’ Anarchy In The UK appeared, London enjoyed one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world. A network of mainly Irish-owned pubs and clubs provided music every night, much of it free of charge, whilst working as a testing ground for up-and-coming talent. This book traces the evolution of what was quickly labelled pub rock: from rock ’n’ roll revival acts via late blues bands, country rock, funk, soul and art-school bands to the sound that eventually burst on the scene as punk rock in 1976. Specific chapters cover the career of Brinsley Schwarz, the Southend bands and the step-by-step rise of The Sex Pistols. Among those interviewed are former members of Fumble, Darts, John Dummer Blues Band, Blue Goose, Legend, Eddie And The Hot Rods, Bees Make Honey, Ducks de Luxe, Kokomo, Roogalator, Burlesque, Kilburn And The High Roads, GT Moore And The Reggae Guitars, Clancy, The Fabulous Poodles and Meal Ticket. Extensively researched, Before It Went Rotten is the definitive study of an overlooked era.”
The Smashing Pumpkins 1991 – 2000: Every Album, Every Song
By Matt Karpe
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Smashing Pumpkins rose to fame during the grunge movement of the early ’90s, but the Chicago quartet’s soaring guitar-driven anthems and beautifully crafted ballads instantly set them apart from their Seattle contemporaries. Possessing not one but two magnum opuses in their extensive back catalogue — the moody and reflective Siamese Dream, and the sprawling double-disc, diamond-certified Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness — the band once tipped to be the next Nirvana were entirely in a league of their own. Their career has been meticulously orchestrated by Billy Corgan, a songwriter for the ages who has never shied away from exploring and expanding the boundaries of alternative rock. Without his immeasurable creativity and irrefutable desire, The Smashing Pumpkins would never have achieved the successes which came their way. Their instalment of the Every Album, Every Song series revisits the band’s triumphant first decade, uncovering the stories behind the songs on their six studio albums released during this period, as well as standalone singles, movie soundtrack entries, EPs, and a whole host of B-sides and rarities. Also acting as a detailed biography, this book is an essential guide to the music of one of the ’90s’ biggest rock bands.”
Soft Machine: Every Album, Every Song
By Scott Meze
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Soft Machine are perceived as cold and forbidding. At their peak in the 1970s, they purposefully raised the hackles of pop journalists, the musical establishment, and even their own fans. Their music was designed to exclude all but the most devoted. Their lineup constantly churned, divesting themselves of every player that tried to make a human connection. Instead of the community of live performance, they favoured an abusive blast of ferocious noise that never ceased from the first note to the point you were driven out of the venue in shock. That all this was true only for a short period of their career and is certainly not the case for more recent incarnations is irrelevant if potential listeners are turned away before they’ve even dared to hear a note of their music. Do so, and an entirely different band emerges: One that is sly, spry, tuneful, trippy, and surprisingly welcoming, merging a glorious melange of prog rock, jazz fusion, and much more and capable of shifting on a unison beat from soul ballad to freeform skronk, from fuzz-driven pounding to aching minimalism. This book guides you through the maze of the band’s works, revealing why every album is worthy of re-evaluation, why they’re so influential, and why you should rush to assimilate as many of them as you can. It covers the live and studio material released by the parent group, all related projects with Soft in their name, and the essential extracurricular activities of every member from 1960 to the present day.”
Ralph McTell: Every Album, Every Song
By Paul Jenkins
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Best known for his international hit Streets of London, Ralph McTell has recorded over 300 songs in a career that spans more than 50 years. Due to his considerable melodic and lyrical gifts, a good many of McTell’s compositions surpass Streets in quality and have won him the admiration of fans and critics alike. This album-by-album, track-by-track review of his career explores the elements of his craft. Heavily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and dozens of American country-blues artists, McTell eventually found his own voice. In this examination of his works, distinct themes emerge. These include compassion, optimism, fathers and sons, and the struggles faced by musicians and other artists who portray not just what life is, but how it feels. If his soothing voice and delicate guitar skills make his songs enjoyable to so many, McTell tempers such grace with a definite edge. Many of his best works are protest songs. A portrait painter, McTell’s canon is populated by dozens of memorable figures that spring both from his experiences and his imagination. Yet upon listening to his recordings, perhaps the most fascinating character that emerges is McTell himself. In this book, readers meet both the man and the musician.”
Elton John Live at Dodger Stadium: Two Days That Shook The World
By Terry O’Neill
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “On Oct. 25 and 26, 1975, Elton John — the world’s biggest pop star — performed two sold-out shows in California’s Dodger Stadium. It would be the largest rock concert of its time and the first time a music act performed at the ballpark since The Beatles in 1966. In 1975, Elton released Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy, the first album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. A few days before the concert, he’d release another No. 1 album, Rock Of The Westies. His fame was at an all-time high and John was well-known for his outlandish live performances. The biggest rock star in the world was going to stage two nights in one of America’s most beloved and famous venues. This was sure to become a significant note in the history of 20th-century music. Terry O’Neill, a world-class photographer whose images of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and David Bowie were considered iconic, was on-hand to capture every moment. O’Neill was given unprecedented access to document this incredible occasion. Including an introduction by Billie Jean King, this incredible book features more than 150 photographs along with O’Neill’s own memories of the event. This book celebrates the story of a concert that was instantly dubbed an iconic moment in music history and John’s finest moment.”
Fender: The Official Illustrated History
By Dave Hunter
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Celebrate the legendary guitars and amps of Fender with this authoritatively written, lavishly illustrated, and officially licensed history of the company and the culture it inspired. Originating in Leo Fender’s modest radio and amplifier repair shop in Fullerton, CA, Fender Musical Instrument Corp. went on to become the world’s preeminent name in musical instruments. Today, Fender guitars and amplifiers are icons in popular culture, their shapes and sounds instantly recognizable even to those with only a casual interest in music. From their first instrument — a 1946 lap steel guitar — to Leo Fender’s groundbreaking early six-string guitar designs like the Esquire that set the standard for the electric guitar explosion to follow, Fender: The Official Illustrated History traces the company’s entire history to the present. All the innovations and landmark models are here, as well as legendary players who became synonymous with Fender instruments across musical genres.”
