Alex Van Halen’s memoir of his life and music with brother Edward is surely one of the most-anticipated rock books of the fall. But it’s not the only title that needs to be added to your reading list: Make some room for new tomes on Randy Newman, Eric Dolphy, John & Yoko, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Jimi Hendrix, The Ramones, Rush and more. It’s a veritable (ahem) eruption of reading matter:
Brothers
By Alex van Halen
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In this intimate and open account — nothing like any rock ’n’ roll memoir you’ve ever read— Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music and brotherly love in a remarkable tribute to his beloved brother and bandmate. Told with acclaimed New Yorker writer Ariel Levy Brothers is 70-year-old drummer Alex’s love letter to his younger brother Edward (maybe Ed but never Eddie), written while still mourning his untimely death. In his rough yet sweet voice, Alex recounts the brothers’ childhood, first in the Netherlands and then in working class Pasadena, with an itinerant musician father and a very proper Indonesian-born mother — the kind of mom who admonished her boys to “always wear a suit” no matter how famous they became — a woman who was both proud and practical, nonchalant about taking a doggie bag from a star-studded dinner. He also shares tales of musical politics, infighting and plenty of bad-boy behavior. But mostly his is a story of brotherhood, music, and enduring love. “I was with him from Day 1,” Alex writes. “We shared the experience of coming to this country and figuring out how to fit in. We shared a record player, an 800 square foot house, a mom and dad, and a work ethic. Later, we shared the back of a tour bus, alcoholism, the experience of becoming successful, of becoming fathers and uncles, and of spending more hours in the studio than I’ve spent doing anything else in this life. We shared a depth of understanding that most people can only hope to achieve in a lifetime.” There has never been an accurate account of them or the band, and Alex wants to set the record straight on Edward’s life and death.”
We All Shine On: John, Yoko, & Me
By Elliot Mintz
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In 1972, Elliot Mintz installed a red light in his bedroom in Laurel Canyon. When it started flashing, it meant that either John Lennon or Yoko Ono — or sometimes both — were calling him. Which they did almost every day for nearly 10 years, engaging Mintz in hours-long late-night phone conversations that all but consumed him for the better part of a decade. In We All Shine On, Mintz — a former radio and TV host in Los Angeles — recounts the story of how their unlikely friendship began and where it led him over the years, revealing the ups and downs of a wild, touching, heartbreaking, and sometimes shocking relationship. Mintz takes readers inside John and Yoko’s inner sanctums, including their expansive seventh-floor apartment in New York’s fabled Dakota building, where Mintz was something of a semipermanent fixture, ultimately becoming the Lennons’ closest and most trusted confidant. Mintz was with John and Yoko through creative highs, relationship and private challenges, fascinating interactions with the other former Beatles, and the happiest moment of their lives together, the birth of their son Sean. He was also by Yoko’s side during the aftermath of John’s assassination on the doorstep of the Dakota — not merely a witness to it all, but a key figure in the drama of John and Yoko’s extraordinary lives. We All Shine On offers an up-close and intimate view of one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, as well as one of the most fascinating marriages. But it’s also a relationship story that just about everyone can relate to, a tale about partnership, loyalty, and trust, and most of all, the lasting legacy of a true and deep friendship.”
A Few Words in Defense of Our Country: The Biography of Randy Newman
By Robert Hilburn
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Randy Newman is widely hailed as one of America’s all-time greatest songwriters, equally skilled in the sophisticated melodies and lyrics of the Gershwin-Porter era and the cultural commentary of his own generation, with Bob Dylan and Paul Simon among his most ardent admirers. While tens of millions around the world can hum You’ve Got A Friend In Me, many of them would be astonished to learn that the heart of Newman’s legacy is in the dozens of brilliant songs that detail the injustices, from racism to class inequality, that have contributed to the division of our nation. In A Few Words in Defense of Our Country, veteran music journalist Robert Hilburn presents the definitive portrait of an American legend. Hilburn has known Newman since his club debut at the Troubadour in 1970, and the two have maintained a connection in the decades since, conversing over the course of times good and bad. Though Newman has long refused to talk with potential biographers, he gave Hilburn unprecedented access not only to himself but also to his archives, as well as his family, friends, and collaborators. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, John Williams, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck D, James Taylor, among others, contributed to the book. In addition to exploring Newman’s prolific career and the evolution of his songwriting, A Few Words In Defense Of Our Country also dives into his childhood and early influences, his musical family that ruled Hollywood movie scores for decades, the relationships that have provided inspiration for his songs, and so much more.”
Jazz Revolutionary: The Life & Music Of Eric Dolphy
By Jonathon Grasse
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jazz Revolutionary is the first full biography of Eric Dolphy, passionately tracing his creative life from Los Angeles clubs of the late 1940s and ’50s to New York in the early 1960s, and on to Paris, where 60 years ago he died from the complications of undiagnosed diabetes. It presents an engaging examination of this innovative musician and composer, from his family background to posthumous memorials, and provides insight into his recordings both as sideman and leader. Dolphy emerged at the frontiers of post-bop and free jazz, collaborating with John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman and Gunther Schuller, among others, during the early 1960s. This book accounts for his successes, trials, and tribulations. His critical reception is presented as an element of his career’s ups and downs, ultimately leading to an attempt at a new life in Paris. The albums on which he appears are interpreted title by title, track by track, without unnecessary musical terminology or musical examples; instead of cold discographic charts, readers are brought into each recording with a descriptive prose framework reflecting Dolphy’s performances on alto saxophone, flute, and bass clarinet. Dolphy was perhaps jazz’s first true multi-instrumentalist and a pioneer of avant-garde technique. He is also widely remembered by those who knew him as a kind, gracious human being. In Jazz Revolutionary, his artistic accomplishments, his friendships and family life, and his timeless music are brought together in one place for the first time.”
The Night I got David Bowie Laid, Sorta
By Edwin Heaven
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Night I got David Bowie Laid, Sorta is the ‘shocking and hilarious’ true adventures of Edwin Heaven. It’s a no-holds-barred kiss ‘n tell-all with a star-studded cast: Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon, James Brown, Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Robin Williams, Francis Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Hillary Swank, Kim Novak, the Ramones, Deborah Harry, The Nuns, The Tubes, Led Zeppelin, Jim Morrison and, as one would expect, The Thin White Duke himself. There’s also a motley of misfits,meshuggenahsand mobsters — one, of whom, is intent on feeding the author to the fishes in bite-sized portions. Plus other amorous entanglements and madcap adventures. And, at the heart of it all is Heaven’s “comic, exuberant self.” Oh, the tea he spills!”
Patti Smith: Before • Easter • After
By Patti Smith & Lynn Goldsmith
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hundreds of rarely seen images by legendary photographer Lynn Goldsmith offer an intimate portrait of rock ’n’ roll icon Patti Smith during a transformative moment in her career. Images of Smith performing on stage combine with candid behind-the-scenes photographs and striking studio shoots to create a deeply personal look at the singer during her rise to fame. The photographs include Smith’s life-changing accident while on tour in 1977 and the aftermath, as well as closeup, empathetic portraits that reveal Smith’s self-assurance, her defiance of cultural norms, and her effortless poise. This poignant visual narrative is punctuated throughout by Smith’s original poetry and song lyrics. This book is both a glimpse into a fabled time in music history, documenting a young artist creating what turned out to be a revolutionary work, as well as a celebration of an enduring partnership between two close friends who continue to be creative collaborators to this day.”
Cretin Family: A History Of The Ramones Through Their Tribute Bands Worldwide
By Mark Leadon
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Formed in 1974 in Forest Hills, New York, The Ramones were one of the most influential bands in punk rock history. Famed for their dirty sneakers, knee-holed jeans, T-shirts, black leather jackets, and cries of “1, 2, 3, 4,” the pioneering ‘Brudders’ left a legacy few contemporaries can match with their stripped-down, hyper-paced style. Their 1976 debut album set the foundation for punk rock, inspiring countless musicians to start their own bands. Cretin Family not only traces the band’s history — covering their formation, record releases, tours, disagreements, and line-up changes up to their 1996 breakup — but also examines the numerous tribute bands worldwide that pay homage to The Ramones. This manuscript draws from global sources, offering facts about The Ramones’ tours and local venues, highlighting information often lost to fans. As the stories unfold, new narratives about the group emerge, revealing The Ramones’ colossal legacy.”
Kiss The Sky: Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970
By J.M. Dupont & Mezzo
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Before he became the legendary guitarist, Jimi Hendrix navigated a childhood reminiscent of Charles Dickens, evolving into an obscure musician and facing a journey paved with hardships. In this intimate portrait by Mezzo and J.M. Dupont, authors of the acclaimed Love In Vain, explore the dark and desperate quest for recognition that defined the early chapters of Hendrix’s life. This narrative, a perfect blend of lyricism and realism, delves not only into the tormented soul of the future rock star but also unveils his lesser-known musical odyssey. Join Hendrix on his path as he encounters legendary artists during his formative years — Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. Intriguing and captivating, this book promises a deeper understanding of the iconic figure. Uncover the story behind Hendrix’s rise from obscurity to immortality.”
When We Was Fab: Inside The Beatles Australasian Tour 1964
By Greg Armstrong & Andy Neill
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “June 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ historic — and hysterical — visit to Australasia. The importance of the tour remains deeply significant, not only in the memories of baby boomers who lived through it, but also to today’s millennials who wish they had. The Beatles’ Australasian tour is continually celebrated as a major social landmark for both Australia and New Zealand, a huge and lasting step in the advancing development of youth culture, and a major highlight of The Beatles’ remarkable career. When We Was Fab is the definitive and highly illustrated (with many previously unseen photographs) account of this extraordinary tour by the world’s most creative and influential musical force; the key moment in the coming of age of Australian and New Zealand youth as they embraced the cultural explosion of the 1960s.”
Hell On Wheels: Tour Stories: Remembered, Remixed, Remastered
By Greg Jacobs
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “As you read this, hundreds of bands are on tour, criss-crossing the country. Some are traveling in tour buses, playing huge venues to thousands of people. Others are in beat-up Ford Econoline vans, playing in tiny clubs to no one. They all have stories about their tours. Some are funny, some are nightmares. This is a compilation those stories from Adverts, ALL, The Almighty, aMiniature, Mark Arnold, Asexuals, Babes In Toyland, Bad Religion, The Bellrays, The Besnard Lakes, Big DRILL Car, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Bronx, Cadillac Tramps, Chune, Circle Jerks, Henry Cluney, Coffin Break, Crass, The Cult, The Damned, Danzig, Dead Boys, Dead Kennedys, Descendents, D.O.A., Doughboys, Dwarves, Faces, FEAR, fIREHOSE, fluf, Generation X, The Get Up Kids, The Heathens, Hirax, Hot Snakes, Inch, The Jesus Lizard, Kill Sybil, Luscious Jackson, Kevin Lyman, Ian MacKaye, MAD PARADE, Mary’s Danish, Minutemen, M.I.A., Naked Raygun, Nashville Pussy, New Model Army, No For An Answer, Overwhelming Colorfast, Petrol Girls, POPDeFECT, Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rocket from the Crypt, Scratch Acid, Screamin’ Sirens, Sharp Shock, Skin Yard, Dave Smalley, S.O.D., The Specials, Superchunk, Supersuckers, Teen Idles, T.S.O.L., Vandals, Warped Tour, Wax, Wendy O Williams, and X.
Cranking Up Rush: Their Musical Legacy in 11 Songs
By Adrien Begrand
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From the band’s early days in the Toronto music scene to their multiple Grammy wins to the aftermath of drummer Neil Peart’s death, Rush remain one of the most beloved rock bands of all time. Renowned for their stylistic range, integrity, and legendary technical skill, the band’s wry sense of humor and humility have also resonated with fans internationally. Over the course of more than four decades and 19 studio albums, they produced a rich body of work that continues to enthrall millions of listeners, new and old. From Xanadu to Time Stand Still and beyond, Cranking Up Rush provides a whirlwind tour of 11 essential tracks. It covers every era of their output — from their teenage years to their final tour in 2015 — and highlights what truly makes Rush the true Spirit of Radio.”
Roxy Music: Every Album, Every Song
By Michael Kulikowski
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In 10 short years, Roxy Music made two of the most experimental albums in popular music history and one of the most smoothly romantic. Conceived by Bryan Ferry at the turn of the 1970s, the band released its self-titled debut to wide acclaim in 1972 and swiftly followed up with the ground-breaking single Virginia Plain. Ferry, Andy Mackay and Phil Manzanera remained Roxy’s core players over seven more albums, in three distinct phases. The debut and For Your Pleasure (1973) featured all manner of electronic weirdness from Brian Eno, while Stranded (1973), Country Life (1974), and Siren (1975) marked the peak of Ferry’s songwriting and struck a delicate balance between edgy art and gorgeous craft. Finally, Manifesto (1979), Flesh + Blood (1980), and Avalon (1982), the last two without powerhouse founding drummer Paul Thompson, framed Ferry’s tales of doomed romance within a sophisticated wash of sound that used the studio itself as an instrument. The members of Roxy Music have had long and distinguished careers outside the band, but nothing can surpass the eight albums they made together. This book tells the musical story of this most enigmatic of British bands.”
Rock Classics: The Beatles’ White Album
By Opher Goodwin
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Arguably the greatest album by the best rock band ever, The Beatles — also known as The White Album — proved to be a watershed recording. Coming as it did, after manager Brian Epstein’s death; after the disillusionment with the Maharishi; in the middle of the break-up of long-term relationships, and following on from the psychedelic masterpiece Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, it heralded changes of style and the marked the start of the falling apart of the previously tight-knit group.The album’s diversity and creation are analysed and its background and dynamics revealed. This extraordinary double album reflects a remarkable time and period. As the sixties came to an end, so too did the band. They mirrored the times they lived in. The album also followed on from their first highly criticised TV flop Magical Mystery Tour, the success of the first global satellite triumph of All You Need Is Love, and the highly ambitious Apple business venture. George Martin ducked out and ructions broke out between band members. But among all the pressures and stress they found time to write and record an incredible array of songs; songs that synergised into a spectacularly successful album with a fascinating story. This is the tale of every track and every facet of this remarkable record.”
The Funk Movement: Music, Culture, And Politics
By Reiland Rabaka
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Reiland Rabaka explores funk as a distinct multiform of music, aesthetics, politics, social vision, and cultural rebellion that has been remixed and continues to influence contemporary Black popular music and Black popular culture, especially rap music and the hip-hop movement. The funk movement was a sub-movement within the larger Black power movement and its artistic arm, the Black arts movement. It was also a sub-movement within the Black women’s liberation movement between the late 1960s and late 1970s, when women’s funk, especially Chaka Khan’s and Betty Davis’s funk, was understood to be a form of “Black musical feminism” that was as integral to the movement as the Black political feminism of Angela Davis or the Combahee River Collective and the Black literary feminism of Toni Morrison or Alice Walker. This book also demonstrates that more than any other post-war Black popular music genre, the funk music of the 1960s and 1970s laid the foundation for the mercurial rise of rap music and the hip-hop movement in the 1980s and 1990s.”
Made in NuYoRico: Fania Records, Latin Music, and Salsa’s Nuyorican Meanings
By Marisol Negrón
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In Made in NuYoRico, Marisol Negrón tells the cultural history of salsa, tracing the music’s Nuyorican meanings over a 50-year period that begins with the establishment of Fania Records in 1964 and how it capitalized on salsa’s Nuyorican imaginary to cultivate a global audience. Drawing on interviews with fans, legendary musicians, and music industry figures as well as analyses of songs, albums, films, and archival documents, Negrón shows how Nuyorican cultural and social histories became embedded in and impacted salsa music’s flows during its foundational period in the mid-1960s and its boom in the 1970s. Salsa’s Nuyorican aesthetics challenged mainstream notions of Americanness and Puerto Ricanness and produced an alternative public sphere through which New York’s poor and working-class Puerto Ricans could contest racialization and colonial power. By outlining salsa’s complicated musical, cultural, commercial, racial, gendered, legal, and political entanglements, Negrón demonstrates its centrality to Nuyorican identity and subjectivity.”
Blues Mamas And Broadway Belters: Black Women, Voice, And The Musical Stage
By Masi Asare
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In Blues Mamas And Broadway Belters, songwriter, scholar, and dramatist Masi Asare explores the singing practice of Black women singers in U.S. musical theatre between 1900 and 1970. Asare shows how a vanguard of Black women singers including Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Pearl Bailey, Juanita Hall, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, Diahann Carroll and Leslie Uggams create a lineage of highly trained and effective voice teachers whose sound and vocal techniques continue to be heard today. Challenging pervasive narratives that these and other Black women possessed “untrained” voices, Asare theorizes singing as a form of sonic citational practice — how the sound of the teacher’s voice lives on in the student’s singing. From vaudeville-blues shouters, black torch singers and character actresses to nightclub vocalists and Broadway glamour girls, Asare locates Black women of the musical stage in the context of historical voice pedagogy. She invites readers to not only study these singers, but to study with them-taking seriously what they and their contemporaries have taught about the voice. Ultimately, Asare speaks to the need to feel and hear the racial history in contemporary musical theatre.”
