Some people want to spend the lazy, hazy days of summer soaking up the sun and casually flipping through breezy paperbacks about pop stars. Some people want to keep cool indoors while paging through massive coffee-table tomes filled with glossy pictures of classic rockers. And some people just want to enjoy a big-ass comic book — sorry, graphic novel — about Motörhead. Well, good news: Everybody gets their wish next week, thanks to this roster of releases. Read all about ’em:
Pink Floyd: Behind The Music
By Mike Evans
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Pioneers of what was once dubbed ‘progressive rock’ with their extended songs, technical experimentation, challenging lyrics, and spectacular stage presentations, Pink Floyd have been hailed as one of the most influential bands in the last half century of popular music. And unlike most bands of the progressive persuasion, the group has endured in the public consciousness, via a string of iconic recordings now regarded as timeless classics. Formed in 1965, the four-piece of Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Rick Wright and Nick Mason fused English pastoral whimsy with electrifying instrumental voyages. Their gigs at underground clubs such as UFO and Middle Earth are the stuff of psychedelic legend. But Barrett’s days were numbered, and in 1968 his drug dependency led to his replacement by guitarist David Gilmour, cementing the lineup that would persist through most of the band’s career. Fully illustrated throughout, Pink Floyd: Behind The Music is a history of a band molded by the vision of its various members. Its legacy lies in the group’s recorded work, with their albums — as related in these pages — marking key milestones in their history; each representing something genuinely unique and expanding the landscape of rock music forever.”
Low: David Bowie’s Berlin Years
By Reinhard Kleist
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Low traces the aftermath of David Bowie’s groundbreaking tour of America and the iconic “Berlin years” that followed. Hot on the platform heels of 2023’s Starman: Bowie’s Stardust Years, Reinhard Kleist masterfully concludes his two-part biography of Bowie. In 1976, the singer escaped the frantic madness and substance abuse of his life in Los Angeles for the Wall of the divided city of Berlin. With his friend Iggy Pop in tow, Bowie quit drugs and created Low, the first album of his Berlin Trilogy. But even here, in some of the happiest days of his life, Ziggy Stardust would not let him go. Low follows Bowie’s forays through West Berlin’s revolutionary music scene and wild club life, and takes us deep into his recording sessions at Hansa Studios. The friendship between Bowie and Iggy drives both artists to new creative heights, while Bowie’s relationship with the cabaret artist and drag icon Romy Haag illuminates his fascination with Berlin as a city on the brink. Kleist’s Low is both a retelling of Bowie’s Berlin years and a vibrant portrait of the city itself.”
Their Generation: The Who In America 1967-1969
By Tom Wright
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tom Wright first met Pete Townshend at Ealing Art School in the early ’60s. He became The Who’s official tour photographer and manager from 1967 in the U.S., also managing The Grande Ballroom in Detroit, where The Who’s rock opera Tommy premiered. He was much more than the band’s photographer; he was a friend who documented their movements them right up to their farewell tour in 1991. Tom’s vast record collection and musical influences had a big impact on the band in their early years. Their Generation covers The Who’s first tours of North America, a hugely creative time with explosive performances both on and off stage, the time of their U.S. hit I Can See for Miles and much more. Through the fabulous photographs, many of which have never been seen before, we see the band backstage, onstage, on tour, at rehearsal, at ease, in the studio and at home. The photos are accompanied by extended captions with background details of the time, the people and the places.”
Blondie In Camera 1978
By Martyn Goddard
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Blondie In Camera 1978 beautifully presents the most celebrated photos of the late 1970s’ biggest breakthrough band. Blondie In Camera 1978 is richly illustrated with photographer Martyn Goddard’s most famous images of Blondie. Taken during their breakthrough year, these pictures have graced magazines, newspapers, promotional campaigns, posters and even the Picture This single cover and the Best of Blondie album cover. Blondie’s rise to the mainstream surface punctuated the late ’70s with a raft of unforgettable new wave hits. The genre-mashing classic Heart Of Glass, along with the likes of Hanging On The Telephone and Picture This were as zesty and fresh-faced as the young band members, who soon found superstardom as their singles landed and the strength of their attitude began to resonate. When Goddard traveled to New York in ’78 with an assignment to photograph lead singer Debbie Harry, he couldn’t have imagined that Blondie’s songs and his images would soon become permanent fixtures on the cultural landscape. This is the ultimate treasure trove for fans.”
Michael Bolton
By Michael Bolton & Timothy White
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The quintessential collection of iconic photographs and poignant texts that reveal the visual and cultural legacy of American icon Michael Bolton as captured by longtime collaborator, renowned photographer, and dear friend Timothy White. In 1987, celebrity photographer White got a call from American musician Michael Bolotin’s (now Bolton) record company asking him to work on a photo shoot. When Bolton came over to his studio, Timothy was struck by his calm persona, dry wit, and superb sense of humor. The two immediately hit it off. The resulting full-of-life photographs that captured Bolton’s charisma and charm marked the start of not only a professional but also a personal relationship that would come to establish Bolton’s visual legacy and identity.”
The Essential… Beyoncé
By Anna Pointer
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Beyoncé is one the greatest artists of all time. Performing since she was a child, she has earned megastar status both as a member of best-selling girl group Destiny’s Child and as a solo act. The most-awarded musician in Grammy history, Beyoncé‘s ascension to ‘Queen Bey‘ is cast with critically acclaimed albums, a desire to explore her creativity and a willingness to push boundaries and defy expectations. Her stage performances are compelling to watch, and she is undoubtedly one of the great vocalists of our time. Outside of music she is a savvy businesswoman, one half of power couple the Carters — with husband rapper Jay-Z — social justice advocate, style icon, fashion designer and sometime actress and film director; a defining, artistic tour de force for the 21st century. The Essential… Beyoncé is her complete story; from child performer to prominent cultural figure, fully illustrated throughout with stunning, iconic images.”
The Pocket Rocky Horror
By Gemini
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show has had a lasting impact on cinema and pop culture, iconic for its catchy songs and unforgettable cast of characters. This pocket guide delves into the origins, evolution and legacy of the 1975 musical,exploring how audience participation was able to transform a box-office failure into a cult phenomenon. Packed with trivia, behind-the-scenes stories, interactive elements and more, this book is a celebration of the rebellious spirit of this campy classic. Let’s do the Time Warp again!”
The Pocket Lana Del Rey
By Gemini
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From the breakthrough success of Video Games to her environmental activism and fashion looks, The Pocket Lana Del Rey is the unofficial and unauthorized perfect gift for all Lanatics. A poet disguised as a pop star, Lana Del Rey is as misunderstood as she is mysterious. Since her arrival in the mainstream in 2011, she has consistently confounded her fan’s’ expectations and confused her critics by releasing a relentless string of genre-bending, melodically mesmerizing songs that both defy — and define — modern pop music.”
The Pocket Selena Gomez
By Gemini
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This unofficial and unauthorized pocketbook to Selena Gomez is a must-have for all hardcore Selenators. For more than two decades, Gomez has charmed the world as one of the most influential celebrities. Given the impossible task of trying to squeeze all of Selena’s successes into one small selection, The Pocket Selena Gomez reveals as much of this girl wonder’s greatest hits as possible, from major milestones to important dates, professional highs to personal lows, wisest quotes to funniest quips, and everything else in-between. From her time as a Disney child star to her current status as an activist and makeup mogul, this guide celebrates the global icon’s triumphs as well as providing fans with an intimate portrait of her life.”
Motörhead: The Rise Of The Loudest Band In The World – The Authorized Graphic Novel
By David Calcano & Mark Irwin
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dive into the world of Motörhead’s wild 40-year career with this officially authorized, fully illustrated graphic novel crafted by award-winning animation studio Fantoons. Spanning 144 pages packed with stunning illustrations, Motörhead: The Rise Of The Loudest Band In The World tells the legendary story of frontman Lemmy Kilmister and the band’s meteoric rise to becoming one of the most influential rock bands of all time. From Lemmy’s early days working at a riding school in the English countryside to the recording of the band’s iconic album and first major international success Ace of Spades, this Motörhead graphic novel chronicles the extraordinary story of the famous frontman’s incredible journey as the leader of the “loudest band in the world.” With this essential piece of Motörhead history and lore, fans will learn more about the band that heavily influenced well-known groups like Metallica and Foo Fighters, and discover the fascinating tale of the legend himself, Lemmy. Born to Lose. Live to Win.”
