Not gonna lie: Unless you’re in the market for anonymous biographies, graphic novels, a deep dive into George Harrison’s record label or a scrapbook of Klaus Nomi clippings, the pickings are pretty slim next week. This might be a good time to wade into some of those unread books taking up space on your shelf (or your device). Read ’em and weep:
Klaus Nomi: A Cult Icon
By George S. W. DuBose
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This book is a collection of photographs, illustrations, personal stories and media articles about the phenomenon Klaus Nomi. At a time when new wave was a wide genre, Klaus brought his contra-tenor talents to a range of cover songs, including The Boots Are Made For Walking by Nancy Sinatra, Lightning Strikes by Gene Pitney and operatic pieces such as Samson and Delilah. Klaus made his musical debut in New York City and after a short time, he landed a recording contract with RCA France and with his popularity in Europe, Klaus was on his way to stardom. Unfortunately, he contracted AIDS before the doctors even knew what it was and he died in August of 1983.”
Mad Daddy: Myers, Mintz and the Moondog and How Cleveland, Ohio Changed Rock Radio
By Janice Olszewski & Mike Olszewsk
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The story of Pete Myers and his on-air persona, Mad Daddy, is finally set straight in Janice and Mike Olszewski’s ultimate bio of this legendary Cleveland radio god. This long-anticipated tome is a bubbling brew of history and hysterics, filled with facts and foibles of the fast-talking disc jockey who unknowingly influenced generations of bop-infested no-counts, and reset the horizontal for all inspired radio to come.”
Britney Spears: The Biography
By United Library
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Delve into the extraordinary journey of Britney Jean Spears, the American singer often hailed as the Princess of Pop, in this comprehensive biography that chronicles her impact on the music industry and her enduring influence on popular culture. From her breakthrough with Jive Records at the tender age of fifteen to becoming the best-selling teenage artist of all time with chart-topping albums like …Baby One More Time (1999) and Oops!… I Did It Again (2000), Spears rapidly ascended to global stardom. With over 150 million records sold worldwide and numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and 15 Guinness World Records, Spears’ impact on the music scene is unparalleled. Her evolution from teen pop sensation to a more mature and provocative artist with albums like Britney (2001) and In the Zone (2003) is meticulously explored, alongside her ventures into film with the 2002 release of Crossroads. The narrative delves into the challenges Spears faced, including highly publicized personal problems and her involuntary placement in a conservatorship after the release of Blackout (2007), often regarded as her best work. The book captures her triumphant return with chart-topping albums like Circus (2008) and Femme Fatale (2011), leading to her successful Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me. The #FreeBritney movement, sparked by Spears’ legal battle over her conservatorship, is explored, culminating in the termination of the conservatorship in 2021 following her powerful public testimony.”
Queen: The Biography
By United Library
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Embark on an extraordinary journey through the musical odyssey of Queen, the British rock sensation that transcended genres and generations. Formed in 1970 by the dynamic trio of Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor, later joined by John Deacon, Queen’s groundbreaking sound evolved from progressive rock and heavy metal to arena rock and pop, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. Before Queen, May and Taylor collaborated in Smile, a band that caught Mercury’s attention with its experimental techniques. In 1970, Mercury joined, and the quartet adopted the name Queen. The self-titled debut album in 1973 marked the beginning of their ascent, with the chart-topping success of Queen II (1974), Sheer Heart Attack (1974), and A Night At The Opera (1975), featuring the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody. The band’s anthem-filled 1977 album, News of the World, solidified their status as stadium rock giants with hits like We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. The 1980s brought global domination, anchored by Another One Bites the Dust and the chart-topping Greatest Hits album. Queen‘s historic performance at Live Aid in 1985 remains a pinnacle in rock history. Tragedy struck with Mercury’s AIDS diagnosis in 1987, leading to his untimely death in 1991. The band continued with albums like The Miracle (1989) and Innuendo (1991), and Mercury’s final vocal contribution surfaced in 1995’s Made in Heaven. With global record sales estimated between 250 million and 300 million, Queen’s impact on popular culture is unparalleled. Honored with the Brit Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Queen‘s legacy continues to thrive.”
Pink Floyd: The Biography
By United Library
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the kaleidoscopic history of Pink Floyd, the English rock band that forever reshaped the landscape of music. Formed in London in 1965, Pink Floyd quickly emerged as pioneers of British psychedelic music. Led by the visionary Syd Barrett, the band’s early years were marked by hit singles like Arnold Layne and See Emily Play, and the groundbreaking debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967). As David Gilmour joined in 1968 and Barrett departed due to mental health struggles, Roger Waters took the reins as the primary lyricist and conceptual force. This marked the beginning of an era that would see Pink Floyd ascend to unparalleled heights of success. Albums like The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977) and The Wall (1979) solidified their status as progressive rock legends. The narrative delves into the band’s triumphs and tribulations, exploring Waters’ thematic leadership, the departure of Richard Wright and Waters in the 1980s, and the later resurgence with albums like A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994). The book navigates the personal tensions, reunions, and poignant losses of founding members Barrett and Wright, providing a comprehensive account of Pink Floyd’s enduring impact. From their cinematic ventures to protest songs against global conflicts, Pink Floyd’s influence stretches beyond music. The story continues with Gilmour and Nick Mason‘s 2022 reunion for the release of Hey, Hey, Rise Up! in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Uncover the enigmatic allure of Pink Floyd — a band that forever painted sonic landscapes that resonated across generations.”
Dark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison’s Post-Beatles Record Label
By Aaron Badgley
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In 1974, as Apple was winding down, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both wanted to help new artists, so rather than trying to salvage Apple Records, each ex-Beatle created their own label. Starr established Ring’o Records, while Harrison created Dark Horse Records, set up to be a much smaller scale label, releasing records from new artists as well as some of his old friends, with an eye to eventually releasing his own solo music. While Dark Horse had an encouraging beginning with a hit single from Splinter in 1974, the label started suffering some problems, failing to establish itself the way Harrison hoped. However, some incredible music from a variety of artists was created from 1974 to 1977 and some of Harrison’s best solo material would come out on that label. In the end, Dark Horse Records would only release Harrison’s solo work (for the most part), but since 2020, Dhani Harrison has taken over the reins and has made Dark Horse a viable label once again, signing Cat Stevens, Billy Idol and releasing music from Joe Strummer and Leon Russell. Finally, in 2023, it was announced that Harrison’s entire solo catalogue was going to be rereleased on Dark Horse. This book tells the story of the label from the beginning, through its struggles and to its new and exciting renaissance.”
Orbit: Foo Fighters
By Todd Matthy, Martin Gimenez
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Following the success of the Dave Grohl comic book, TidalWave will feature a new comic featuring the entire band. Get ready to dive deeper into the collective journey of this legendary group! Emerging from the ashes of Nirvana, a colossal rock group ascended to prominence. However, breaking free from the lingering shadow of his past musical endeavors proved to be a gradual process for Grohl. Explore the narrative of Foo Fighters, delving into the victories and tribulations encountered on their journey to establishing themselves as the standard-bearers of rock ’n’ roll. Immerse yourself in the pages of a new comic book biography, unraveling the tale of one of the globe’s most renowned bands.”
