Crib Notes-Backstage Pass-Part 2

In this collection of memoirs of Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘N Roll, I would like to tell you that these books will mostly be about the Rock ‘N Roll, but who are we kidding!  Decided it was time to assemble a selection of some favourite musical memoirs for your guilty pleasure!  

BEASTIE BOYS BOOK – Michael Diamond & Adam Horovitz

This beast of a book, at over six hundred pages, is both all over the place and right on target. Much like the band themselves some would say!  A glorious mishmash of anecdotes, illustrations, mixtape playlists and even a cookbook, this is a ride you will want a ticket for. Revealing, funny and heartwarming, you know with these guys you are going to get great storytelling.

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS – Steven Hyden

Music critic Hyden uses the context of the literal death of classic rock to pull back the curtain on the forces that elevated this era and genre to meteoric heights in the first place.  Piercing in both insight and wit, the author pulls no punches. Being too young to have lived through this in real time, he is a convert.  A living testament to the influence this music has always had.

I’M WITH THE BAND – Pamela Des Barres

This book is unapologetic in its embrace and exposure of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  A self annoted and proud groupie, Des Barres doesn’t need you to cast her as a victim. At times forright to the point of causing discomfort if you’re squeamish, Des Barres pulls no punches. She lived, loved, fucked and fought her way through the age of free love and rock gods!  

PLEASE KILL ME – Legs McNeil & Gillian McCain

An oral history of Punk, this collection of tales brings together Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, and The Ramones to name a few.  As the chapters flow through the drug prevalence and experimentation, you will wonder how anybody got out of it alive! If appreciation for this music is more to you than a band shirt, this is a must read.