Your favourite rock biography?

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   Jim and TF

I'm taking the liberty to pass your comments about In the Court of King Crimson to Sid, I know he appreciates these unsolicited thing and doesn't affect his wonderfully small ego.

Sid Smith's book is excellent - best he writtes extremely well, doesn't treat the reader as a fool and is not shy of providing insightful criticisms of his favourite band - too often rock biographers are fans who can't escape the fanzine (ie. 1500 word max vocabulary)/sychophantic style of writing.
Mike Barnes Captain Beefheart biography is particular good. Lost In The Woods Syd Barrett's bio is excellent and a rather good social history of the London Underground in the mid /late 60's. Ian MacDonald Revolution In The Head is a very good analysis of the lyrics of the Beatles tunes is a very good, and because the research provides a great social history of British popular culture.
I'm afraid there are too many poor biographies of  bigger players in the prog rock industry: yet to find a satisfactory one on Yes (Chris Welch's was the last I read, and he had to keep mentioning he is a friend of the band......................). I found Rick Wakeman's autobiog disappointing - in part because in TV interviews he has told much stronger, risque  stories. In passing, biographies on U2 and Queen have been found in remainder bookshops - and after reading them I realised why they have been discounted down to 2 quid for a hardback! Vivian Stantiall's biog Ginger Geezer finds Chris Welch as co-author being more objective.

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Dick Heath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Jazz-Rock Specialist Joined: April 19 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 12812	Posted: May 06 2005 at 08:52
	Jim and TF I'm taking the liberty to pass your comments about In the Court of King Crimson to Sid, I know he appreciates these unsolicited thing and doesn't affect his wonderfully small ego. Sid Smith's book is excellent - best he writtes extremely well, doesn't treat the reader as a fool and is not shy of providing insightful criticisms of his favourite band - too often rock biographers are fans who can't escape the fanzine (ie. 1500 word max vocabulary)/sychophantic style of writing. Mike Barnes Captain Beefheart biography is particular good. Lost In The Woods Syd Barrett's bio is excellent and a rather good social history of the London Underground in the mid /late 60's. Ian MacDonald Revolution In The Head is a very good analysis of the lyrics of the Beatles tunes is a very good, and because the research provides a great social history of British popular culture. I'm afraid there are too many poor biographies of bigger players in the prog rock industry: yet to find a satisfactory one on Yes (Chris Welch's was the last I read, and he had to keep mentioning he is a friend of the band......................). I found Rick Wakeman's autobiog disappointing - in part because in TV interviews he has told much stronger, risque stories. In passing, biographies on U2 and Queen have been found in remainder bookshops - and after reading them I realised why they have been discounted down to 2 quid for a hardback! Vivian Stantiall's biog Ginger Geezer finds Chris Welch as co-author being more objective.

threefates Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 30 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4215	Posted: May 06 2005 at 08:34
	Keith Emerson's autobiography: Pictures of an Exhibitionist (Very interesting look at an insecure, but extremely talented musician) I also recommend "In the Court of King Crimson"... great book ELP: The Show that Never Ends: by George Forrester, Martyn Hanson and Frank Askew (which is being reillustrated at this time and the updated version should be out soon)
	THIS IS ELP

Jim Prog Wizard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 23 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 134	Posted: May 06 2005 at 08:28
	"In The Court of King Crimson" by Sid Smith is the best rock biography I've read. Combining interviews with band members past and present, historical information and reviews of all the albums. Every good band deserves a bio as great as this one.
	"Progressive Rock is the ultimate form of music" (Mikael Akerfeldt, 2003)

Man Erg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 26 2004 Location: Isle of Lucy Status: Offline Points: 7456	Posted: May 06 2005 at 07:45
	Led Zep - Hammer of the Gods (V.funny book) Syd Barrett - Crazy Diamond Neil Young - Shakey Jonathan Green - Days of the Underground(Study of underground politics,art & culture scenes predominately in London late 1950s-late 1970s.From Trad Jazz to Mods to Hippies to Punks.)A superb book. Edited by Man Erg
	Do 'The Stanley' otherwise I'll thrash you with some rhubarb.

sigod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 17 2004 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 2779	Posted: May 06 2005 at 07:20
	Dream Brother (the biography of Tim & Jeff Buckley) by David Browne is well worth a read and uses the rather unique style of telling both stories in alternating chapters which I very much enjoyed. The most readable autobiography in recent time was however was A Cure For Gravity by Joe Jackson which although not being as 'out there' as some rock tales who regail the reader with stories of outlandish debauchery and excess, is a very witty and honest account of one very talented man with a singular vision. Edited by sigod
	I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill

Cluster One Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 03 2005 Status: Offline Points: 780	Posted: May 06 2005 at 07:12
	Nick Mason's "Inside Out" is well written, full of great pics, and frequently humourous in a drummer-puke-on-the-floor kind of way!
	Marmalade...I like marmalade.

Certif1ed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 08 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 7559	Posted: May 06 2005 at 06:53
	Scar Tissue - Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's amazing how anyone can do so many drugs and build a career with one of the most amazing rock bands of the 1980s and be still alive. ...and it's surprisingly engaging, with jaw-dropping stories of car accidents, jumping from high buildings and sex...

Moogtron III Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: April 26 2005 Location: Belgium Status: Offline Points: 10616	Posted: May 06 2005 at 06:47
	Just another thread I wanted to start: about rock biographies. I like some of the a lot and I just liked to know if you could recommend any yourself. There's nothing earth shattering about my top 3, but the books themselves are great: 1. Yes - The Authorized Biography - Dan Hedges 2. I Know What I Like - Armando Gallo (about Genesis) 3. Yes In Their Own Words - Tim Morse ad 1. Any good band deserves a biography like this. Laboured with love, written with a lot of humour and great anecdotes, you really learn about the different characters in Yes. Wonderful pictures... ad 2. A bit like 1, though without the humour. ad 3. A great idea to make a biography. Let the Yes-members speak for themselves. Very enjoyable, and I especially like Bruford's comments, and it's nice to know about the musical tastes of the different Yes members.