We asked Stephanya, one of the leaders of our This Is Your Life Book Club which meets monthly to discuss rock bios, history books, and anything to do with the rise and realm of rock ‘n roll, for her list of the best music-related books she’s read in the last year.
Here’s what Stephanya has to say:
Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers
by Charlie Louvin with Benjamin Whitmer
Hot damn and hallelujah! What a fine book! The Louvin Brothers, Charlie and Ira, are widely regarded as the finest and most influential vocal harmony group in the history of country music. But their great success was tempered by Ira’s wild mood swings and alcohol abuse. In this posthumous autobiography, Charlie tells their story with great humility and humor. This was my favorite music book that I read all year. Highly recommended.
I Slept With Joey Ramone: A Punk Rock Family Memoir
by Mickey Leigh with Legs McNeil
This book was a favorite with our book club. Written by Joey Ramone’s brother Mickey, this book divulges all the good, bad and ugly dirt about the seminal New York punk band from the inside out. My take-away lesson from this book: Johnny Ramone was a very… how should I say this… unpleasant person, but the Ramones would have fallen apart without him.
Commando: An Autobiography
by Johnny Ramone
Speaking of Johnny Ramone, we have been hotly anticipating his posthumous autobiography ever since we heard it was in the works months ago. Even though I am not terribly fond of him, I am looking forward to reading this book and getting Johnny’s side of the story. (See also Lobotomy: Surviving the Ramones by Dee Dee Ramone)
Pure Country: The Leon Kagarise Archives
by Eddie Dean, Robert Gordon & Leon Kagarise
You may not know it by looking at me, but I LOVE good, old-fashioned country music. And for someone like me, this big, beautiful book of photographs is pure delight. In the 1960’s, Leon Kagarise traveled to rural outdoor music parks, photographing country music’s biggest stars. Here we find perennial lovers John R. Cash and June Carter Cash, Ernest Tubb’s wide grin, Porter Wagoner’s glittering Nudie suit, Dolly’s towering hair, and George Jones’ flat-top hair cut. These candid photographs are a wonderful time-capsule of a golden time in country music.
The Disciples
by James Mollison
Another book of photographs, this one is a whole heapin’ ton of fun. James Mollison traveled to many widely varying concerts, from Lady Gaga to Morrissey to Motorhead to Willie Nelson, and photographed groups of fans in attendance. What emerges is an interesting commentary on our tribal mind and how our passions shape who we are. Bonus fun game: open this book at random and see if you can guess what band or artist the fans represent. No peeking!
BookPeople 