Top Ten Rock 'n' Roll Books Review

 Here's another highly subjective Top Ten list, this one concerning the creme de la creme of rock literature, the various biographies, autobiographies, and slices of life chronicling the sordid life stories of rock 'n' roll's degenerate jet set. I'm sure I'm leaving some out, and I'll probably have to make some edits to it later, but here 'tis:

1. All the Rage: My High Life With the Small Faces, the Faces, the Rolling Stones and Many More by Ian McLagan with Dave Marsh: My favorite rock 'n' roll autobiography, Mac's book tells the story of his life in music, from the Small Faces to the Faces to the Rolling Stones, and his eventual relocation to Austin. Along the way, great stories about Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Rod Stewart, to name but three. And I always thought Ronnie Lane's nickname "Plonk" referred to his bass playing. A first-class rock 'n' roll story from Austin's resident rock royalty.

2. I Need More by Iggy Pop: No-holds-barred autobio from the Igster, born James Newell Osterburg, telling the tale of his exploits with the Stooges, Bowie, and beyond. A bit like a book-length transcribed interview, Iggy's narrative touches most of the bases, if not always in a linear fashion.

3. Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards by Al Kooper: While he may not be the most famous rocker to ever get a book deal, Al Kooper is certainly one of the best writers, and also one of the most honest. Kooper's wild tales of his life in rock 'n' roll, from his days with the Blues Project and Bob Dylan to his later years as producer for Lynyrd Skynyrd and others, make for fascinating reading.

4. Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnik: An American Tragedy in two acts, the first book charting the rise of the Hillbilly Cat, while the second takes him from the Army to his death 20 years later at Graceland.

5. Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay: An Anthology - Edited by William Keen: Often used a textbook in college courses, this anthology attempts to convey the power and the glory of soul, rock 'n' roll, and rhythm and blues. Includes pieces by Greil Marcus, Dave Marsh, and Patti Smith.

6. Mainlines, Blood Feasts and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader and Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung by Lester Bangs; Let It Blurt by Jim DeRogatis: Three books by and about Lester Bangs, one of the few rock writers whose words captured the propulsive, anarchic spirit of the music. DeRogatis's biography of Bangs is a bit reductive, but paints a revealing portrait of the man behind the machine gun prose style.

7. Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll and Hellfire: The Life and Times of Jerry Lee Lewis by Nick Tosches: Another great writer who writes about rock 'n' roll with great style and rhythm, and genuine love for the music.  

8. Forever the People: Six Months on the Road with Oasis by Paolo Hewitt: While not as heavy on the word count as Getting High: The Adventures of Oasis, Hewitt's 1996 biography of the band, this behind-the-scenes story of a band staggering under massive expectations and heavy alcohol and cocaine use is even better. Pro: many funny one-liners from the eminently quotable (and profane) Noel Gallagher. Con: Not enough Liam.

9. Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend by Tony Fletcher. Exhaustive biography of the notorious Keith Moon of the Who, known for his excessive behavior and for dying before he got old. 

10. Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Star by Ian Hunter: 1974 tour diary of Mott the Hoople frontman is a revealing look "behind the shades."

Honorable Mention:

I'm With the Band by Pamela Des Barres

Shakey by Jimmy McCullough

This Wheel's On Fire by Levon Helm

Eye Mind: Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators by Paul Drummond

Old Gods Almost Dead: The 40-Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones by Stephen A. Davis 

The Beatles Anthology and The Beatles by Hunter Davies

I Me Mine by George Harrison

Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll and Urban Spacemen and Wayfaring Strangers by Richie Unterberger

Long Time Gone by David Crosby

Tell the Truth Til They Bleed by Josh Alan Friedman

Bolan: The Rise and Fall of a 20th Century Superstar by Mark Paytress

The Boy Looked at Johnny: The Obituary of Rock and Roll by Julie Burchill and Tomy Parsons

Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana by Michael Azerrad

Bill Graham Presents: My Life Inside Rock And Out by Bill Graham and Robert Greenfield

Hammer of the Gods by Stephen A, Davis

Stoned by Andrew Loog Oldham

Chronicles by Bob Dylan