By Anthea Goffe
Fraser Valley Regional Library
Recently, Gordon Pinsent became a YouTube sensation with his cynical reading of Justin Bieber's autobiography, 100% Official Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story (at 16 years old, Bieber's "life story" has an entire chapter devoted to a bad day at the hairdresser's). The pop music biography genre is littered with such pithy and hastily ghost-written titles. However, dig a little deeper, and there are also many true storytellers in music who have engaging tales for both the music fan and casual reader alike.
Life by Keith Richards. Truly one of music's most fascinating characters - the cantankerous, witty, death-defying Rolling Stones guitarist brings us his story from surviving the Blitz in London, through the heady drug-addled 60s and 70s, and the always incident-prone Rolling Stones tour bus. Despite being a bit long at times on the technical details (unless you are an aspiring guitar god), Richards' enthusiasm for music, his band mates, and complete disregard of social convention make this a compelling read all the way through.
Chronicles, Volume One by Bob Dylan. While carefully guarding his private side, Dylan gives us a fascinating romp through his rise to fame, his creative process, and his encounters with many eccentric characters. Like all good song-and-dance men, we’re never quite sure whether Dylan’s story is completely factual, or rather infused with his extraordinary imagination.
Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas by Michka Assayas. Not a standard biography per se, but a series of interviews between the U2 front man and a close friend. Love him or hate him, few can argue with the influence Bono has had both musically and socially from his pulpit as U2's lead singer. Though using fame to further celebrity causes is nothing new (Bono's passions are human rights, debt relief, and AIDS care in Africa), here we see how knowledgeable he is about global economics and that a keen intellect is at work searching for answers beyond Live Aid. There is also extensive exploration of Bono's spiritual side - a faith that is messy, undefined, and drives everything the singer does. There is not much here for those wanting more about the band life or musical processes (for that, I would recommend U2 by U2). But for those who wish to dig deeper into the man behind The Fly glasses, this is just the ticket.
Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs by John Lydon. Told with great wit and keen observation, this is a compelling slice of the London punk scene in the 70s and its ill-fated aftermath. What struck me about this book was how vulnerable and insecure the grandstanding king of punk, John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols), comes across. At one point he cowers in his room, unable to face a meeting with one of the (so un-punk) Bay City Rollers. Also surprising, is the insertion of other people's versions of events, which Lydon allows despite some decidedly unflattering comments. Somehow Lydon emerges as honest despite being a bundle of contradictions.
Just Kids by Patti Smith. A well-written, poetic, funny and tough account of punk diva Smith and her eccentric love affair with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Set in the 60s and 70s of New York's bohemian art scene, Smith crosses paths with Janis Joplin, William S. Burroughs, Allan Ginsberg, Salvador Dali, and other luminaries, yet remains fiercely individual. Another interesting look at creativity and its various processes.
Find these and many more titles at your local library, and while you're there, be sure to pick up some CDs to round out the experience of these artists.
