17 Music Memoirs to Put on Your Reading List ...

By Jennifer

17 Music Memoirs to Put on Your Reading List ...

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be a rock star, now's your chance: there are so many memoirs out there! From the godmother of punk, Patti Smith, to the husband of Beyonce (and a musician in his own right) Jay-Z, every musician with his or her salt is telling all. Here are some excellent music memoirs to add to your must-read list.

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1

Rat Girl by Kristin Hersh

Rat Girl by Kristin Hersh Price: $11.99 at amazon.com
Covering much more of her life than just her time in Throwing Muses, this book is really, really good.

2

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Just Kids by Patti Smith Price: $10.99 at amazon.com
This is hands-down one of the best music memoirs I've ever read - she's obviously as talented a writer as she is a musician.

3

Cash by Johnny Cash

Cash by Johnny Cash Price: $9.99 at amazon.com
The take-away from this moving memoir? Cash was a great man, sure, but he never saw himself that way.

4

Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn

Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn Price: $11.99 at amazon.com
Whether you're a fan of her music or not, this is a must-read.

5

Life by Keith Richards

Life by Keith Richards Price: $9.99 at amazon.com
Yes, his life is as crazy as you'd imagine, and yes, he talks about most of it in this book.

Famous Quotes

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.

Albert Schweitzer
6

Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie

Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie Price: $12.99 at amazon.com
Because I'm a fan, I'm biased, but this book is so unique, like the writer himself.

7

When I Left Home by Buddy Guy

When I Left Home by Buddy Guy Price: $9.99 at amazon.com
A must-read for any fan, or anyone who just loves blues music.

8

Slash by Slash

Slash by Slash Price: $8.99 at amazon.com
I'm not even a Guns N Roses fan, but I liked this book anyway.

9

The Dirt by Motley Crue

The Dirt by Motley Crue Price: $13.99 at amazon.com
I'm DEFINITELY not a Crue fan, but this book is stellar for its depiction of the easy excesses Los Angeles in a particular era.

10

Chronicles by Bob Dylan

Chronicles by Bob Dylan Price: $11.99 at amazon.com
The thing I loved about this book is how it details the crazy ways Dylan found inspiration.

11

Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis

Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis Price: $9.99 at amazon.com
Honest and harrowing, this book is equal parts music memoir and addiction tale.

12

Anger is an Energy by John Lydon

Anger is an Energy by John Lydon Price: $9.99 at amazon.com
Sort of the prequel to Rotten, the book and the man.

13

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon Price: $12.99 at amazon.com
The short story: she never wanted to be in a band. The long story is much more interesting. Read this book, now!

14

M Train by Patti Smith

M Train by Patti Smith Price: $12.99 at amazon.com
I know, I know: another Smith memoir? This one's different though, and contains stuff that happened as well as stuff Smith wishes and dreams happened. Fascinating!

15

Miles by Miles Davis

Miles by Miles Davis Price: $13.59 at amazon.com
This is a good read, though it's disheartening to learn what should have been obvious: that racism was real, even for Davis, as famous as he was.

16

Never Broken by Jewel

Never Broken by Jewel Price: $12.99 at amazon.com
You've probably heard brief sketches of Jewel's story, but her memoir goes into greater detail, making you adore her even more.

17

Words without Music by Philip Glass

Words without Music by Philip Glass Price: $14.49 at amazon.com
An amazing read, even if you aren't a music fan in any genre at all.

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I must add "It's a long story" Willie Nelson's memoir. It is a must read.

Can I Say by Travis Barker is a must read! I could not put the book down

As a Lit. teacher, I use Woody Guthrie's music when we read Steinbeck' s Of Mice and Men and then we contrast it with Bob Dylan's music, so you just gave me two great choices for the book fair at school year that I didn't even know existed, thank you!

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