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.
1. Rat Girl by Kristin Hersh
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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
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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.
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3. Cash by Johnny Cash
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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
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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
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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.
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6. Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie
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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
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Price: $9.99 at amazon.com
A must-read for any fan, or anyone who just loves blues music.
8. Slash by Slash
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Price: $14.49 at amazon.com
An amazing read, even if you aren't a music fan in any genre at all.
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