New music biography books
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A Celebration of Bold Voices and Unforgettable Stories
At Rough Trade, books and music are intertwined, each telling stories that resonate with our emotions and shape our understanding of the world. Our Books of The Year list for 2024 shines a spotlight on the music-related books that captured our imaginations, from deep dives into iconic albums to the untold stories behind legendary artists. These titles explore the intersection of culture, creativity, and personal transformation through the lens of music, offering readers a mix of biography, history, criticism, and memoir.
This year’s list amplifies the voices and stories of artists like Radiohead, De LaSoul, Kathleen Hanna, Blondie, MF DOOM, and more. We’re confident you’ll discover a must-read among our picks—each offering fresh, eye-opening perspectives that deepen our connection to the music we love.
Whether it's the electrifying journey of a music icon or the exploration of a genre-defining moment, our To
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The Best Music Biographies
Do you want to start by giving an introduction to how you chose these biographies? I think you have quite strong views about how to approach the history of music as a writer. Maybe you could start by telling us about that.
It’s very difficult to write about music because, as one of my favorite musicologists, Wilfrid Mellers, once said, if you’re not writing technically about music, you’re not writing about music at all. You’re writing about something else. I’ve always taken that to heart and tried to keep it in mind when I write about music.
The problem is that in order to write technically about music, there is all of this jargon, and most readers don’t understand the jargon. So you have to try, somehow, to either explain the jargon along the way or avoid it and try to use everyday terms. The jargon is a time saver for people who understand it. That’s why it’s there, it’s a series of shortcuts. But there’s no point in using it if you’re writing fo
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You might know all the songs and albums of your favorite musicians, but do you know the experiences and inspirations behind their work? Luckily, you can find out bygd listening to some great musical biographies on Spotify.
With picks that include memoirs from legendary stars including Dave Grohl, Billie Eilish, Gucci Mane, and Dolly Parton, you can discover all the wisdom these greats have to share.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music
Written and narrated by Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl’s autobiography, The Storyteller, sheds light on what it’s like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, who goes on to live out his craziest dreams as a musician. The rock icon reflects on everything from hitting the road with Scream at 18, to his time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. He remembers jamming with Iggy Pop and dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. He tells stories about drumming for Tom Petty and meeting Paul McCartney at Royal Al