Favorite books about Metal/Rock?

Top of my list is The Dirt by Motley Crue. I also enjoyed Kiss and Make Up by Gene Simmons.

I am currently reading the Marilyn Manson. I never thought I could be disgusted by a book, he did it. Than I am onto Lords Of Chaos. I would love to pick up Tommyland, being the huge Crue fan. Had it ordered on Ebay, and the seller ripped me off, and never shipped.

Only read various KISS books...

KISS - Behind the Mask (Best Kiss book ever!)

KISS - Black Diamond

KISS and makeup

Dream On by Cyrindia Fox-Tyler

Married to a Rock Star by Shermane Nugent

Stryper - Loud 'n' Clear

The Calling of a Rock Star by Beth Whitacker

Phil Lynott - the Rocker

White Line Fever - The Autobiography, Lemmy

The Heavy Metal Collector's Guide

The Heavy Metal Collector's Guide - The 70's

The Heavy Metal Collector's Guide - The 80's

Lynyrd Skynyrd by Gene Odom

Walk this Way - the Biography or Aerosmith

"Walk this way" was one of the best books I have ever read - period!



"Sound of the beast - A complete headbanging history of heavy metal" by Ian Christe is a pretty good read.

my collection of Rock Detector books

"Sound Of The Beast" is indeed quite good.

I liked the MANSON book as well....

A really cool book I have is called "Take A Walk On The Darkside"...

It's a collection of myths and urban legends surrounding the
Rock industry...Really neat stuff....

Shiney wrote:

A really cool book I have is called "Take A Walk On The Darkside"...

Excellent, Excellent book! I forgot I had that one.

Yeah, my wife got it for me from her bookclub last year..

CASH the autobiography of Johnny Cash is great book as well.....

Def Leppard - Animal Instinct

It's long out-of-print, so if anyone is interested in reading it you can do so here:

http://www.leftdeffer.com/Animal/Animal_Instinct-front_cover.html

I have never read a book about any genere of music or about any particular artist or group. Some author's opinion on what is good or bad about metal doesn't interest me, nor does some artist's biography. I just want to listen to the music.

"Walk This Way" was good if you're an Aerosmith fan. Some cool insights to the band and their music.

"The Dirt" took what was hinted at in "Walk This Way" and turned it up to 11. Everything (good, bad & ugly) that you want to hear about rock n' roll.

"Tommyland" wasn't very good. Tommy talks about his time after Motley which wasn't very interesting IMO. I don't care about his crappy rap career or his drama with Pam. If you want to know about T-Bone, re-read "The Dirt" and skip "Tommyland".

"White Line Fever" is a Motorhead fan's wet dream. It's not a long read and it doesn't get too deep. Imagine sitting in a pub with Lemmy, drinking beers and letting him tell stories of the road. Simple, entertaining and to the point. Just like Lemmy.

"Crazy From the Heat" was a letdown. Instead of taking about the glory days of Van Halen, Diamond Dave talks about his boat trip down the Amazon, climbing mountains and practicing tai chi. While these are amazing accomplishments, you know you want to hear about the groupies, the drugs, the music, the concerts, etc. And just like listening to Dave talk, after reading a half a paragraph, you have no idea what he's babbling about.

Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis was really good also.

I'm currently reading "Life on Planet Rock" by Lonn Friend, former editor of RIP magazine. So far, it's been disappointing. He talks about how he knows all these rock stars and how he got into their "inner-circle", but then refuses to tell anything good. I understand if he doesn't want to burn any bridges and dish the dirt, but if that's the case, then don't write a book of your memoirs in the first place bragging that you have all this info.

Another thing he does is talk about how influential certain musicians were to him growing up, which is fine. Then when he becomes a journalist and has the perfect opportunity to meet his heroes, he freezes up. Example: Lonn's a big Beatles fan. Loves Paul McCartney. Tells a story about how he almost met him, but was too afraid to go up and introduce himself. Wow. What a facinating story! You almost met a Beatle.

He worked at HUSTLER magazine with Larry and Althea Flynt. Surely there must've been some great stories there, right? No, he talks about not really being into porn and getting high, so he calls it a night and goes home, while Althea's out on the town with Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil.

I dunno man. I'm nearing the halfway point in the book and I'm having a hard time gettng through it. It needs to get real interesting, real quick.

Anyone else read this? Am I wrong here?

Lonn Friend is an uninteresting turd, that's why his book sucks. Haha.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'm currently reading "Life on Planet Rock" by Lonn Friend, former editor of RIP magazine. So far, it's been disappointing. He talks about how he knows all these rock stars and how he got into their "inner-circle", but then refuses to tell anything good. I understand if he doesn't want to burn any bridges and dish the dirt, but if that's the case, then don't write a book of your memoirs in the first place bragging that you have all this info.

I was thinking the same thing about him refusing to "tell anything good". It's an okay book, but you're right, for a guy who worked at RIP during the heavy metal heyday and since he was bragging about how much he partied with rockstars-- I was expecting A LOT more than what he offered up. It's okay, but nothing great.

Other books I recommend:

"Sound of the Beast" - Ian Christe
One of the best books on rock.

"The Encylopedia of Heavy Metal" - Daniel Bukszpan
Great, great coffee table book full of pictures and band info. I cannot recommend this book enough!

"KISS: Behind The Mask" - KISS
Good overview by Gene & Paul. Should be taken with a grain of salt.

"Kiss & Make-Up" - Gene Simmons
"Sex Money Kiss" - Gene Simmons
The Demon at his arrogant, greedy best.

"Kiss And Sell: The Making of a Supergroup" - C.K. Lendt
My first book about anything rock. Lendt was part of their management team, helping to run finances. A interesting business point of view about the rise and fall of KISS.

"American Hair Metal" - Steven Blush
Another coffee table book, focusing on the hair bands. Great (and hilarious) pictures, fun & silly quotes about sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll from the 80s by the rockstars themselves.

"The Dirt" - Motley Crue
THIS is how you do a book about a band!

"The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal" - Essi Berelian
Entertaining enough as Metal 101 introduction to some bands, but the "Encylopedia" blows it away.

"Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal" - David Konow
Another great book that I'd put right up there with "Sound of the Beast".

"Kiss Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History" - Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs
Probably my favorite rock book. A great job is done here cataloging EVERY KISS show (including setlists!). Plus interesting stories by some who have worked with and for the band over the years. Gooch and Suhs do a wonderful job summarizing each tour and album as well. If ou're a KISS fan, you need this book.

Quote :

"Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal" - David Konow

Reading that one right now...



Arttie

Simplicity by Former Crucified singer Mark Salomon. If you read this book it will explain a lot for those who have met this dude. Scott, you might want to check this out based on your encounter with him that i read in one of your reviews.

"Why Knock Rock?"

Dude!!! You still have that...That book was a comedic masterpiece..

I'm going to Ebay get now and see if I can get a copy.

Shiney wrote:

Dude!!! You still have that...That book was a comedic masterpiece..

I'm going to Ebay get now and see if I can get a copy.

Actually, I thought you or your brother had it last. I haven't seen it for YEARS... Oh well.. No big deal. I'm not concerned with finding it any time soon. And you are SO RIGHT, that book was WAY TOO FUNNY!!

Here it is for $1.99 plus S&H

http://cgi.ebay.com/Why-Knock-Rock-Dan-Peters-rock-and-roll-music-B143_W0QQitemZ4623431749QQcmdZViewItem

Shiney wrote:

Dude!!! You still have that...That book was a comedic masterpiece..

I'm going to Ebay get now and see if I can get a copy.

Even BETTER...you can get it on half.com for .75 cents.

Guiness Book of Rock n Roll !
KiSS, Iron Maide, Led Zepp, Black Sabbath, Ian Gillan, Heavy Metal Encyclopedia.

none. these are for the collectors and sellers to rat$ their vinyls....
i'll stick with my fanzines....