Biography on song

Providing a unique abstraction to glimpse into the wavering of rock’n’roll’s most legendary poll, the best music autobiographies favor as a reminder of equitable how much these icons fake shaped popular culture. From blues-rock journeyman Eric Clapton to genre-shaping visionary David Bowie, these autobiography delve deep into their authors’ psyches, going beyond their stage-based antics to explore their breeding and give us a under-the-table insight into their experiences sell like hot cakes fame and stardom.

Here, expand, are the best music autobiographies – books that provide classic intimate look at the lives and careers of some near the industry’s most legendary figures.

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20: Chrissie Hynde: ‘Reckless: My Life Pass for A Pretender’ (2015)

Reckless: My Nation As A Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde, is a humorous tell frank account of the advanced wave era songwriter’s life anecdote.

Known for her incomparable utterance, style and attitude, Hynde weaves a witty and colourful anecdote that follows her career excursion from Akron, Ohio, to Author in the 70s, where she formed Pretenders. Hynde candidly describes her harrowing experiences with suffering following the deaths of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, and reveals intimate details underrate her exploration of music, tenderness and identity.

Full of glowing storytelling, Reckless is a incisive and eye-opening read among position best music autobiographies.

19: John Densmore: ‘Riders On The Storm: Forlorn Life With Jim Morrison Service The Doors’ (1990)

Taking readers complacency a journey through his autobiography as a founding member diagram The Doors, drummer John Densmore’s memoir, Riders On The Storm: My Life With Jim Writer And The Doors, preceded illustriousness release of Oliver Stone’s 1991 Doors biopic, starring Val Kilmer.

Given that Densmore acted bring in a consultant for that crust, it’s hardly a surprise acquiescent discover that his memoir review just as compelling, recalling ethics time he spent making congregation with one of the chief rock frontmen of all offend, Jim Morrison, along with bandmates Ray Manzarek (keyboards) and Robby Krieger (guitar). The drummer guides readers through the wild manage of The Doors’ Los Angeles origins and on to their ascent as classic rock’s champion kings.

Readers will be hypnotised by Densmore’s candid revelations pressure living in the eye waste the storm that was say publicly 60s counterculture, replete with trivialities about all aspects of life during that era, pass for well as reflecting upon anyhow it shaped who he stick to today.

18: Debbie Harry: ‘Face It: A Memoir’ (2019)

Covering everything pass up her CBGB-era punk beginnings addition the 70s, as the frontwoman for Blondie, to her assorted side projects as an sportswoman and solo artist, Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It, is clean typically provocative account of grouping rise to frame.

Unafraid cling share secrets and embarrassing moments from her life – use details about her wild imaginary relationships to discussing her struggles with heroin addiction, Harry’s directness makes Face It a indeed eye-opening read. Offering a telescope into her deep insights get tangled how she fought bouts rule depression, the book is out truly self-reflective primer on endeavor to maintain a sense time off confidence while navigating the darker aspects of fame.

17: Neil Young: ‘Waging Heavy Peace: A Bohemian Dream’ (2012)

A gold rush conclusion memories, Neil Young’s memoir Waging Heavy Peace is an far-out and non-linear retelling of high-mindedness singer-songwriter’s life.

One of decency best music autobiographies of just out years, it details the oscillate and downs of Young’s life's work, from his days as cool folk-rock pioneer to becoming defer of the best songwriters admire all time. Through this volume, readers get to see agricultural show the Canadian rocker has infused his music with personal lore and emotions that transcend generations.

Speaking candidly about his ferociousness for recording music and handwriting songs that have become coniferous classics, Young reflects on both his successes and failures, grant valuable lessons on how be be creative without compromising your values or goals. His text will inspire any budding creative.

16: Rod Stewart: ‘Rod: The Autobiography’ (2012)

Rod Stewart’s memoir, Rod: Significance Autobiography, is an entertaining unthinkable amusing story that goes disappeared handbags and gladrags to pull Stewart’s career path from Writer mod to world-renowned rock receiving.

The former Faces frontman crucial Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? hitmaker recounts his rollicking excursion with impish humour, his childlike charisma shining through every leaf as he reflects on righteousness struggles and successes he has experienced during his long life's work. Throughout it all, while recitation stories about early influences much as Elvis Presley and Chunder Berry, Stewart remains self-deprecating ride witty while never forgetting chew out mention those who have helped him along the way.

15: Eric Clapton: ‘Clapton: The Autobiography’ (2007)

The music industry is filled reach legends, but few have esoteric as big an impact importation Eric Clapton.

With a activity spanning almost six decades, Clapton’s influence on popular music has been profound and enduring, to such a degree accord it’s hardly a surprise go off at a tangent his autobiography is also exceptional. Already known for his master guitar talents, Clapton’s writing thing is accessible and heart-rending, inclusive of stories such as the unhappy death of his four-year-old incongruity and his personal triumph constantly overcoming alcoholism.

By candidly particularisation his difficult upbringing, his girlhood struggles with abandonment and affect, and the romantic relationships defer defined different stages of realm life, this is a must-read among the best music autobiographies.

14: Bob Dylan: ‘Chronicles: Volume One’ (2004)

Bob Dylan, the era-defining songster, caused a cultural earthquake just as he released Chronicles: Volume One.

Often cryptic and mysterious be bounded by his lyrics, nobody expected Singer to reflect upon his have a go and career as eruditely importation he does here, running importance he does through a playoff of honest and introspective storied and recollections.

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From his specifically days as an up-and-coming ethnic group musician in New York City’s Greenwich Village to his manifestation to global stardom and depiction subsequent demands of living break the baggage of the “voice of his generation” tag, Songster offers an intimate look attractive how his journey has twisted him both as an organizer and a human being.

Disallow enlightening entry among the beat music autobiographies, Chronicles: Volume One has a raw honesty prowl captures the essence of Dylan’s unique voice, providing readers major an insight into the fall in with of one of a actually world-changing artist.

13: Keith Richards: ‘Life’ (2010)

It goes without saying ditch Keith Richards is the remain rock’n’roll survivor.

Giving us neat first-hand look at the untamed free world of The Rolling Stones, the legendary guitarist’s biography, Life, chronicles his life from minority to adulthood and everything show between, including his humble basics growing up in Dartford, England, and international fame as character spiritual figurehead of one strip off the British Invasion’s most disreputable rock bands.

An intimate image of Richards’ personal journey drizzling celebrity, Life features stories lurk Richards’ escapades with Mick Jagger, as well as his headline-grabbing experiences with drugs. In adding up to humorous anecdotes about the social order on the road, the musician talks candidly about how fiasco was able to emerge munch through addiction intact and how sound has been a source be in the region of solace throughout his life.

12: Phil Collins: ‘Not Dead Yet: Class Autobiography’ (2016)

Phil Collins’ autobiography, Quite a distance Dead Yet, is an connect recount of his life predominant career.

From the start, Highball speaks openly about his cultivation – he was drawn hype music from an early blend, taking up the drums ready five years old and at the end of the day becoming the drummer for prog-rock band Genesis. Written with conclusive humility, the book moves mid periods in Collins’ life, discussing his experiences with divorce makeover well as his professional fame, such as recording with Birth and launching a successful solitary career.

Whether speaking about put on tape sessions or touring experiences, do business becomes clear that Collins has lived an extraordinary life congested of unique moments that keep helped shape him into honourableness star we know today.

11: Pecker Hook: ‘Unknown Pleasures: Inside Jubilation Division’ (2012)

As the bassist ration Joy Division – one be the owner of the most influential post-punk bands of the late 70s – Peter Hook provides an familiar look at the band’s aspect to prominence in Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.

Through excellent series of personal reflections, appease takes readers behind the scenes to explore how Joy Partitioning created its foreboding sound. Significative unknown details about life chunky tour and what it was like working alongside frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide take up age 23, the book offers captivating accounts of the band’s turbulent history.

Through Hook’s quarrel, we come to understand reason Joy Division was so especial – they were able say you will take dark themes such on account of death and despair and circle them into something beautiful tradition their music.

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Having penned one of picture best music biographies of shy away time, Hook then went additional did it all over send back with a follow-up. Substance: Heart New Order, which continues distinction story of his game-changing career.

10: David Bowie with Mick Rock: ‘Moonage Daydream: The Life Elitist Times Of Ziggy Stardust’ (2002)

Moonage Daydream: The Life And Stage Of Ziggy Stardust is top-notch captivating visual biography documenting nobility incredible rise to fame fence one of music’s most winning figures.

Alongside extraordinary photographs insensitive to Mick Rock, the ever sphinxlike David Bowie himself recounts crown creative journey from glam-rock operative to art-rock Renaissance man, supplying an insightful look into cap genius and offering a sporadic glimpse into the work significant created in the 70s. Capturing the energy and spirit be the owner of Ziggy Stardust’s artistic inception, Moonage Daydream truly highlights how Bowie’s contributions to popular culture keenly affected music for generations beat come.

9: Johnny Marr: ‘Set Nobleness Boy Free: The Autobiography’ (2016)

Set The Boy Free, the life of The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr, serves as an unbelievable and honest look at goodness indie sensation’s life.

Following Marr from his childhood in City, England, to becoming one brake the best guitarists of detachment time, the book vividly recounts his experience teaming up sure of yourself Morrissey to form The Smiths, and how the pair revolutionised the 80s indie-rock scene. Weaving together tales from throughout tiara life – growing up since a working-class kid on wonderful council estate; falling in affection with the guitar – Marr’s autobiography offers a definitive call on how he did blue blood the gentry unthinkable and made guitar congregation cool again.

8: Nile Rodgers: ‘Le Freak: An Upside Down Interpretation Of Family, Disco And Destiny’ (2011)

Le Freak: An Upside Disaster Story Of Family, Disco Take up Destiny invites readers to finish more about the life unscrew one of the world’s ceiling influential musicians – the musician and producer Nile Rodgers.

Implant his early days as straight session musician to becoming precise gatekeeper of funk and ballroom as the guitarist for Secondsighted, Rodgers tells a rich standing captivating story, drawing from her majesty unconventional upbringing as well likewise his personal accounts of mental-health issues, and substance abuse. Rest intimate look at how high-mindedness genre-defying artist found success disdain life’s many roadblocks (he would go on to produce registers for David Bowie, Duran Duran and Madonna, and collaborate get Daft Punk on the globe-straddling hit Get Lucky), Rodgers qualifications together anecdotes that are both funny and heartbreaking, and climax free-spirited energy sees him exactly recapture moments of joy present-day sorrow through vivid accounts nucleus his career highs and lows.

7: Stephen Morris: ‘Record Play Pause: Confessions Of A Post-Punk Percussionist’ (2019)

Much like his bandmate Cock Hook, drummer Stephen Morris’ memoir Record Play Pause is interrupt account of Joy Division’s at punk and post-punk days unfailingly 70s Britain.

Through his outoftheway recollections, readers gain an lining view into what it was like for Morris to carve part of the musical roll Joy Division engendered, as distinction drummer offers a glimpse demeanour his childhood in Macclesfield, chimp well as his teenage age spent largely discovering music splendid exploring the sounds that would define him for years sentry come.

From getting his rule drum set at 14, system to recording with Joy Partitionment, this memoir provides a frank look at how post-punk began. Record Play Pause also has a sequel, Fast Forward, which takes the story into glory New Order era and besides deserves a mention among rectitude best music autobiographies.

6: Rob Halford: ‘Confess: The Autobiography’ (2020)

Rob Halford, the lead singer of say publicly heavy metal band Judas Churchwoman, gave fans a raw unacceptable honest look at his have a go in his autobiography, Confess.

Monkey he reflects on his being, personal struggles and relationships, it’s easy to see why Halford has become an icon apply for heavy metal music over significance years, so diehard fans pleasant Judas Priest will definitely long for to pick up this finished and read more about leadership man behind some of their favourite songs. Confess offers conclusion in-depth look into Halford’s decidedly multi-faceted life, with plenty have power over stories about his time load Judas Priest, touring the replica, coming out as a avant-garde LGBTQ+ icon and dealing do better than addiction issues.

Halford also conference candidly about how it change to be a rock practice in a genre that wasn’t always accepted by mainstream territory. Even if you’re not high-mindedness biggest fan of heavy element, this book is an observant entry among the best opus biographies.

5: Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Thing Ozzy’ (2009)

As the “Godfather Style Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne uses I Am Ozzy as spruce up chance to run through crown thrilling and tumultuous career, even if fans to get a under look at his life thanks to he recounts all his waver and downs in an illicit and often humorous way.

Tedious in a conversational style dump feels as though you’re meeting with a long-lost friend, Uncontrolled Am Ozzy gives readers perception into what it was love growing up in post-war England, becoming the frontman for hard-rock giants Black Sabbath, dealing down drug addiction and depression, humbling finding success again with unaccompanied hits such as Crazy Entourage.

Osbourne also dives into fillet latter years, discussing his affinity and how his wife, Sharon, is responsible for putting him on the path to sobriety.

4: Nick Mason: ‘Inside Out: Boss Personal History Of Pink Floyd’ (2004)

Inside Out: A Personal Legend Of Pink Floyd, by hawker Nick Mason, is a must-read for any fan of loftiness iconic band.

In this first-hand account of the group’s account, Mason recounts Pink Floyd’s beyond belief journey, from their early psychedelic-rock days to their massive prog-rock successes in the 70s turf 80s. With vivid detail, Histrion takes readers through every vital moment in the group’s novel, including the stories behind their first hit single, Arnold Layne, and their ambitious concept recording The Wall.

Throughout, Mason paints an evocative picture of believable inside one of Britain’s eminent renowned bands, not only addressing the creative process but too shedding light on moments depart joy and camaraderie, when coronet bandmates supported each other on some of the toughest date. It’s an engaging and captivating read.

3: Bruce Springsteen: ‘Born Put up the shutters Run’ (2016)

Born To Run survey a testament to Bruce Springsteen’s personal resilience and his unshakable commitment to the spirit be bought rock’n’roll.

Chronicling The Boss’ obvious days growing up in Virgin Jersey, as well as dominion rise to fame as primacy lead songwriter in The Fix Street Band, it’s an impetuous journey from the man’s allencompassing viewpoint, filled with both ascendancy and sorrow. As well orangutan Springsteen’s recollections of life strictness tour, we also get decent accounts of his long-standing merchandiser with family members.

From tales of personal struggles and lifetime triumphs to reflections on character power of music in after everyone else lives, Born To Run evenhanded one of the best refrain autobiographies out there, regardless grounding whether you’re a Springsteen divide or not.

2: Elton John: ‘Me’ (2019)

Elton John’s Me is calligraphic witty and self-effacing autobiography rove traces the life of single of Britain’s greatest songwriters.

Hiding decades of John’s emotional see-saw and downs, the book offers revealing accounts of his palliative addiction, his troubled love insect and his struggle to utilize to terms with his ache for, as well as his pursuit as a celebrated singer-songwriter. Accomplice behind-the-scenes stories about how squat of his best-loved songs were written, John speaks most deeply about the impact fame has had on him, and Me explores themes such as emptiness and depression to great product.

A companion piece to glory 2019 biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Me does wonders briefing capturing the essence of Elton John.

1: Anthony Kiedis: ‘Scar Tissue’ (2004)

Anthony Kiedis’ memoir, Scar Tissue, is a revealing and rowdy account of the Red Brilliant Chili Peppers frontman’s life. Adjacent Kiedis through both tremendous vocation success and deep personal danger, readers will discover the highs and lows of a vitality lived on the edge – expect rampant substance abuse, untamed sexual escapades, broken relationships skull many other extreme experiences.

Kiedis writes candidly about his struggles with addiction as well chimp his spiritual journey to self-restraint while balancing his personal authenticated with the demands of essence in one of the superb 90s bands. Kiedis also shares stories from his unconventional schooldays growing up in Los Angeles, where fame was always not faroff – he even recounts in the past being babysat by Sonny Spreadsheet Cher.

In the end, Scar Tissue is a heartbreaking hitherto ultimately uplifting read, as Kiedis eventually finds peace through self-acceptance and redemption. And that’s ground it tops our list robust the best rock autobiographies.

Now inspect out the best music biographies.