Music & Musicians

New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman turns his sharp eye and meticulous storytelling to one of pop culture’s most enduring and enigmatic figures—Tupac Shakur—presenting the definitive retelling of his life, complete with explosive new details. Scrutinized in life, mythologized in death, Tupac Shakur remains a subject of immense cultural significance and speculation nearly thirty years after his murder. Despite...

A TELEGRAPH MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR A ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR AN UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR A RESIDENT MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR In Never Understood, William and Jim Reid tell the story of The Jesus and Mary Chain - one of Britain's greatest guitar bands - for the very first time. A wildly funny and...

'Davies has done it again, damn him. Irritatingly good. Maddeningly funny. Annoyingly fine.' STEPHEN FRY 'Emotional, entertaining and startlingly honest. I was totally engrossed.' AMY LIPTROT, author of The Outrun. Following Just Ignore Him, the bestselling memoir of his traumatic childhood, White Male Stand-Up is what happened next to Alan Davies. It's the story of how he threw himself into...

"The new Chris Cornell biography is the book his legacy deserves." —Kerrang! "Reiff unearths plenty of unexpected details and novel anecdotes…but the book is perhaps most valuable for the way it rounds out and humanises this man who managed to keep so many of his cards close to the vest despite decades in the spotlight." —Variety Total F*cking Godhead brings...

The third in the trilogy of collectable coffee table Dolly books—Songteller (TCM- 12k UK, 19k ANZ, 3k Ireland), Behind the Seams (TCM- 10k UK, 11k ANZ, 1k Ireland) and now Star of the Show. A stunning celebration of Dolly Parton's iconic career as a performer, featuring entertaining personal stories alongside 350 full-color photographs, including exclusive images and ephemera from her...

In which the writings of the authors Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood are gathered together. This commonplace book includes faxes, notes, fledgling lyrics, sketches, lists of all kinds and scribblings towards nirvana, as were sent between the two authors during the period 1999 to 2000 during the creation of the Radiohead albums Kid A and Amnesiac. This is a document...

The long-awaited autobiography from Phil Collins, one of the bestselling music artists of all time. This is the rollercoaster journey from his beginnings as a child actor to his domination of the charts both as a solo artist and as part of Genesis. His success is astounding, his music has global reach and his story is legendary. In his own...

The captivating autobiography by one of America's most influential folk singers, Woody Guthrie. Bound for Glory is the funny, cynical and earthy autobiography of Woody Guthrie, the father of American folk music. He tells of his childhood running wild in an Oklahoma oil-boom town, the tragedies that struck his family, and of his life on the open road during the...

A fully realised portrait of a complex man: spiritual but peevish, brilliantly talented, but forever shadowed by the Lennon/McCartney axis The Times, Book of the Year 'In this fascinating biography, Norman charts the intriguing contradictions of Harrison’s life' Daily Mail From the author of the million-copy selling Shout!: The Beatles in Their Generation and the bestselling John Lennon: The Life,...

The International No. 1 Bestseller The Storyteller by Dave Grohl is celebrated as one of NME's Best Music Books of 2021 and included in Audible's Best of the Year list. It also features in Variety's collection of best music books for the year. So, I’ve written a book. Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable...

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER National Book Award-winning author and legendary artist Patti Smith presents A Book of Days, a profound and uniquely poetic visual journey through a year in her life. This captivating collection, inspired by her highly popular Instagram account, encapsulates Smith's singular aesthetic through more than 365 intimate and evocative images. Each photograph is a testament to...

STEP INTO THE SHIMMERING WORLD OF ARIANA GRANDE WITH THIS ULTIMATE INSIDER'S GUIDE.This is the complete, unfiltered story of Ariana Grande, exploring the songs, tours, acting roles and style of pop's most iconic voices. From her Broadway beginnings and breakout role as Cat Valentine on Victorious to her celebrated portrayal of Glinda in Wicked, this guide chronicles Ariana's journey from...

From an acclaimed music critic and author, an in-depth analysis of the rise and fall of rock n' roll through the lens of one of the best albums of the 21st century—The Strokes' Is This It. In 2001, The Strokes broke into the indie alt-rock scene with their debut album Is This It, a work that was supposed to "save"...

Playing Hurdy-Gurdy Made Easy is a clear, step-by-step beginner's guide designed to help new players understand, practice, and enjoy this remarkable instrument. Whether you are completely new to music or transitioning from another instrument, this book breaks everything down into simple and practical lessons. Inside, you will learn how to properly handle the instrument, control the crank smoothly, and understand...

Of all the recordings to emerge from the Athens-via-Denver collective called Elephant 6, Neutral Milk Hotel’s second album is the one that has worked its way under the most skins. Magnet magazine named it the best album of the 1990s, and Creative Loafing recently devoted a cover story to one fan’s quest to understand why band leader Jeff Mangum dropped...

NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories is the first tell-all autobiography from one of the world's most influential and controversial punk bands. Fans and non-fans alike will be shocked by the stories of murder, suicide, addiction, counterfeiting, riots, bondage, terminal illness, the Yakuza, and drinking pee. Told from the perspective of each of the band's members, this book looks...

Goodnight and Good Riddance: How Thirty-Five Years of John Peel Helped to Shape Modern Britain is a social history, a diary of a nation's changing culture, and an in-depth appraisal of one of the UK's greatest broadcasters, a man who can legitimately be called the most influential figure in post-war British popular music. Without the support of John Peel, it's...

In all theatre, the spotlight follows the leads, making it easy for the audience to overlook the role of the singers, dancers and actors who bring a production to life. Katherine Wiles is used to being dismissed as 'singing wallpaper' by those who incorrectly assume she's an opera chorister because she 'didn't quite make it'. But she and her proud...

An exploration of the transformative power of music from the acclaimed, world-famous young musician. Music is what makes us alive, mindful, and connected to each other. Music is what makes us human. This is the power of music. Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason knows and feels the transformative power of music as much as any musician alive. From winning the prestigious BBC...

When Rust in Peace was released in 1990, the future of Megadeth was uncertain. Fresh off their performance at the record-breaking Monsters of Rock festival, and with knockout new albums from Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica dominating the charts, the pressure to produce a standout statement record was higher than ever. In Rust in Peace: The Inside Story of the Megadeth...

Ted Kessler and Hamish MacBain are fantastic chaps. The Dudley Moore and Peter Cook of music journalism LG x - Liam Gallagher Something special: a book of wit and verve about why Oasis matter - The Telegraph This instant Sunday Times bestseller is the definitive book about the music of Oasis, published as the reunion tour was making headlines around...

Album art is indelibly linked to our collective musical memories; when you think of your favourite albums, you picture the covers. Many photographers, illustrators, and art directors have become celebrities from their album artworks—the best examples of which will go down in history as permanent fixtures in popular culture. Paying tribute to this art form, Rock Covers brings you a...

A taut, sultry novel about rivalry, obsession and how far we are willing to go to get what we truly desire, set against the glittering backdrop of 1950s Paris. It's the summer of 1957 and Max, a piano prodigy, is on a sold-out concert tour. His beautiful twin sister, Natasha, serves as his manager and minder. But despite Natasha's careful...

'To see The Clash on the White Riot tour was like discovering how to be a rock star: you just did it yourself. You didn't wait for someone to come and discover you. That was the most important thing that came out of punk... We came home and we cut our hair and bought skinny trousers. It was year zero....

K-POP cannot be stopped! Since its large-scale assault on the world stage a decade ago, K-POP has defied a cynical musical industry and defined a generation of musical talent, creating a soundtrack to the 21st century in the process. Today, more than 80 million K-POP albums are sold each year, with tens of billions of streams and music videos to...

Don't miss the latest gripping thriller from INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Rebecca Heath! Pitch perfect! Jo Furniss, author of All the Little Children A REMOTE ISLAND It’s been eighteen years since the accidental explosion that killed The Cedrics Band lead singer, Jonny Rake, and a special documentary is bringing the rest of the band back to play together for the first time....

Dive into Michael Jackson's groundbreaking career and discover how he reshaped music, entertainment, and culture over five decades. In fifty years, forty-five of which were spent on stage, Michael Jackson redefined the rules of the music and entertainment industries. The inventor of the music video and an all-time record-seller, he also broke down racial barriers, notably by becoming the first...

Take your ukulele playing to the next level – fast! – with hundreds of fun exercises, drills, and practice tunes. You have a ukulele, you know just enough to be dangerous, and now you're ready to do something with it. You're in luck: Ukulele Exercises For Dummies helps you become a better player. This practice-based book focuses on the skills...

Create the next big pop hit, bang out a catchy jingle, or write an iconic film score, with music composition skills. Today's composers create music for television, film, commercials, and even video games. Music Composition For Dummies brings you up to speed with the theory and technicality of composing music. With easy-to-understand content that corresponds to a typical music composition...

Become a different drummer Drumming is natural to all of us—after all, it mimics the regular beat of our hearts. But some of us want to go further and really lay down a big beat. And no wonder—whether you want to become the powerful backbone of a band or just learn how to play a hand drum for pleasure, drumming...

A story of becoming an artist, by the godmother of rock'n'roll: the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids, Patti Smith 'A poet of distinction' New York Times 'Glorious' NPR 'Rare and ferocious' Salon 'Shockingly beautiful' New York Magazine Everything contained in this little book is true, and written just like it was. The writing of it drew me from...

Featuring fresh insights from Mick, Keith, Charlie, and Ronnie, Unzipped digs deeper than ever before into the Stones' archives to present a comprehensive collection of Stones artworks, instruments, stage outfits, and notebooks alongside key work by some of the legends of rock photography. For almost 60 years, the Rolling Stones have helped shape popular culture around the globe. Unzipped captures...

A scintillating journey through the seventies and the extraordinary music it gave rise to - including the new concept of sound that defines music today. After the dense miasma of the sixties, the seventies hit like a hangover. Idealism took a pounding as cynicism began to pervade western culture. Stagflation became a thing. Watergate, environmental disasters, and an oil crisis...

How does one young man survive the deaths of his entire family and manage to make something worthwhile of his life? In Things The Grandchildren Should Know, Mark Oliver Everett tells the story of what it's like to grow up the insecure son of a genius in a wacky Virginia Ice Storm-like family. Left to run wild with his sister,...

'So honest and pure as to count as a true rapture' JOAN DIDION 'A poetic masterpiece' JOHNNY DEPP 'Our St John of the Cross, a mystic full of compassion' EDMUND WHITE 'A roadmap to my life', from the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids: an unforgettable odyssey of a legendary artist, told through the prism of cafés and haunts...

The New York Times bestselling memoir from legendary rapper Gucci Mane spares no detail in this “cautionary tale that ends in triumph” (GQ). For the first time, Gucci Mane tells his extraordinary life story in his own words. It’s “as wild, unpredictable, and fascinating as the man himself” (Complex). The platinum-selling trap pioneer began writing this remarkable autobiography while serving...

Featuring 12 show-stopping looks—from the Love Story music video to the Eras Tour bodysuits—Dress Up Taylor takes you through the very best of Tay-Tay's fashion moments. With beautifully illustrated, press-out outfits and a sturdy Taylor mannequin, this paper doll book is the ultimate collector's item for Swifties and fashionistas alike.

An essential text for anyone who wants to start making art and not stop. One of those rare books—like The Artist's Way and Writing Down the Bones—to keep close by for courage and company. - Tanya Shadrick, author of The Cure for Sleep and creator of The Wild Patience Scrolls: A Mile of Writing Art & Fear is about the...

The rock legend tells the story of his wild ride with Martin Scorsese - as friends, adventure-seekers, and boundary-pushing collaborators - with all the heart of his New York Times bestselling memoir Testimony. For four decades, Robbie Robertson produced music for Martin Scorsese's films, a relationship that began when Robertson convinced Scorsese to direct The Last Waltz, the iconic film...

The bestselling guide now updated with video demonstrations and audio tracks online. The guitar is one of the most versatile instruments in the world, which is why it's so appealing to musicians. Guitar For Dummies, 4th Edition gives you everything a beginning or intermediate acoustic or electric guitarist needs: from buying a guitar to tuning it, playing it, and caring...

Discover the keyboard that's right for you, whatever your budget! Looking for a fun, challenging, and rewarding new instrument to play? Thinking about the piano but don't necessarily have the room or the budget to put one in your home? Then grab a copy of the second edition of Keyboard For Dummies! In the book, acclaimed music technologist and keyboardist...

Yesterday When I Was Young

One of the greatest rock memoirs ever written and a Sunday Times bestseller now out in paperback - the honest, irreverent and powerfully entertaining life story of the U2 front-man. "A brilliant, very funny, very revealing autobiography-through-music. Maybe the best book ever written about being a rockstar" - CAITLIN MORAN Bono - artist, activist and the lead singer of Irish...

In early 1955, Colonel Tom Parker, the manager of the number-one country music star of the day, heard that an unknown teenager from Memphis had just drawn a crowd of more than 800 people to a Texas schoolhouse and headed south to investigate. Within a matter of days, Parker was sending out telegrams and letters to promoters and booking agents:...

Are you ready for it? This one-of-a-kind biography takes you on a visual exploration of Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking career, celebrating every album era, iconic outfit, and unforgettable moment. From singing “Tim McGraw” at the start of it all to her Midnights confessionals, this book is packed with Easter eggs that only her most loyal fans will uncover. Dive into masterfully...

The follow-up to The McCartney Legacy, Volume 1, the most complete work on the life and work of Paul McCartney ever published. Volume 2 continues to paint the portrait of one of the world’s greatest musicians, his work post-Beatles, and his life from 1974 to 1980. This second instalment of the groundbreaking multivolume set, The McCartney Legacy, Volume 2: 1974-80,...

The Philosophy of Modern Song is Bob Dylan’s first book of new writing since 2004’s Chronicles: Volume One—and since winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. Dylan, who began working on the book in 2010, offers his extraordinary insight into the nature of popular music. He writes over 60 essays focusing on songs by other artists, spanning from Stephen...

The Night Circus meets Lonely Castle in the Mirror in this multi-award-winning Japanese bestseller, now available in an English translation by Philip Gabriel, a renowned translator of Murakami. Highlights: AN FT Best Summer Read 2023 Over a Million Copies Sold in Japan Winner of the Naoki Prize and the Japan Booksellers' Award A Major Movie Released in Japan 'A thrilling...

An intimate conversation about music and creativity, between the internationally bestselling writer Haruki Murakami and world-class conductor, Seiji Ozawa. Haruki Murakami's passion for music runs deep. Before turning his hand to writing, he ran a jazz club in Tokyo, and the aesthetic and emotional power of music permeates every one of his much-loved books. Now, in Absolutely on Music, Murakami...

This new edition includes 11 new interviews and over 30 new profiles of even more incredible musicians, including Blondie, Neko Case, The Urge, Gang of Four, Pogues, Submission Hold, Fastbacks, Teen Idols, and many more. In this far-reaching anthology, David Ensminger delves underground to explore the oft-overlooked community of badass women who shaped the punk scene. There is a common...

Bob Dylan: Mixing Up the Medicine offers an unprecedented glimpse into the creative life of one of America's most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring artists. "The Dylan Center in Tulsa offers a read as endlessly fascinating, as vital to the American story, as its subject himself... Whether you have inhaled this kind of information for decades, as I have, or you're...

An intimate and revelatory memoir from the iconic, acclaimed singer-songwriter. Sinéad O'Connor's voice and trademark shaved head made her famous by the age of twenty-one. Her landmark recording of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" made her a global icon. She outraged millions when she tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on American television. Unapologetic and impossible to...

As a member of Big in Japan, The Slits and, most famously, Siouxsie and The Banshees and The Creatures, 'Budgie' became one of the era-defining drummers in the much-mythologised post punk scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Growing up in working-class St Helens in the 1960s, Peter Clarke lost his mum as a young boy and it's her...

Featuring QR code connections to video links for every entry, Ultimate Rock Riffs offers quick access to 100 carefully selected YouTube videos. The ultimate rock riffs are the ones that you recognise from the first chord or bar - they have immediate impact and always bring a smile to the face. They are the identity and the backbone of a...

"As iconic photographer, adventurous fan and insider eye-witness, Kevin Cummins has always been where the cultural action is. Mixing Memory & Desire will make you see David Bowie in a surprising and stimulating new way." - Paul Morley "David Bowie was on a creative journey through music, fashion and art. A journey unparalleled in popular culture. What a privilege it...

Tina Turner: My Love Story charts the full, dramatic story of one of the most remarkable women in music history, celebrating Tina Turner's 60th year in the industry. THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM THE QUEEN OF ROCK 'N' ROLL 'Astonishing, soul-baring - the must-read memoir by rock's greatest survivor' DAILY MAIL The full, dramatic story of one...

The bluesy, gutsy, no-holds-barred memoir of jazz legend Billie Holiday. "I've been told that no one sings the word 'hunger' like I do. Or the word 'love'." Lady Sings the Blues is the inimitable autobiography of one of the greatest icons of the twentieth century. Born to a single mother in 1915 Baltimore, Billie Holiday had her first run-in with...

Go beyond the music with the most comprehensive exploration of the life and career of international megastar Taylor Swift. The Taylor Book is the ultimate guide to a generation-defining pop sensation, packed with stunning images and all the context you need to fully immerse yourself in the Swiftiverse. From her humble beginnings as a teen country artist to her record-obliterating...

A raucous, behind-the-scenes account of the year Blur got back together, told in hilarious and heartfelt stories by their ever-cheerful, epicurean bassist. There is nothing that can touch the sound made by a close-knit group of people who have been playing together for years and years and years, playing as though their lives depended on it. For many years, all...

Embrace the magic of pop phenomenon Ariana Grande through her own words of wisdom, alongside funky illustrations and wonderful insights. What Would Ariana Do? Pop princess, whistle-note expert, dangerous woman - we'd all love to be more like Ariana. This excellent guide, packed with Grande wisdom, will show you how. Want to learn how to rock a perfect ponytail, write...

"A formidable free-style book that isn't straight biography but a mix of history, street-level investigative reporting, hagiography, Deep South sociology, music criticism, memoir and some fiery preaching," Rolling Stone magazine A Guardian best music book of 2016 The music of James Brown was almost a genre in its own right, and he was one of the biggest and most influential...

From Sunday Times bestselling author Lesley-Ann Jones Scandalous affairs and public divorce. Addiction and fiery passion. And of course, the iconic songwriting... Christine McVie - born Christine Perfect - was the quintessentially English rock star, as both the backbone and the beating heart of Fleetwood Mac. Straddling the band's incarnations to achieve global fame alongside Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey...

Everything you need to know about Oasis The perfect book to remember the reunion Show your loyalty to the ultimate Rock 'n' Roll Stars with this Supersonic celebration of the Gallagher brothers. Featuring Liam and Noel's most outrageous quotes and the quizzes and questions you need to prove you deserve to be at the concerts more than anyone else, this...

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In this intimate and open account – nothing like any rock-and-roll memoir you've ever read – Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music and brotherly love in a remarkable tribute to his beloved brother and band-mate. Told with acclaimed New Yorker writer Ariel Levy, Brothers is seventy-year-old drummer Alex Van Halen's...

The new book from Jimmy Barnes, the award-winning author of the number-one bestsellers Working Class Boy, Working Class Man and Killing Time. From larger-than-life adventures to vivid and poignant tales of the imagination, Highways and Byways is a collection of stories taking readers on an enthralling tour (complete with the odd detour) through the raucous, well-lived life of one of...

Born to an American myth and raised in the wilds of Graceland, Lisa Marie Presley tells her whole story for the first time in this raw, riveting, one-of-a-kind memoir faithfully completed by her daughter, Riley Keough. In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter to help finally finish her long-gestating memoir. A month later, Lisa Marie was dead, and the...

At last, the unflinching and unforgettable memoir of music and life from the much-loved Australian legend. Growing up in London and Melbourne, music was always part of John Farnham's world. But the young John never dreamed of what was to come. Pop stardom in the 1960s. The release of Whispering Jack, the critically acclaimed and highest-selling Australian album of all...

A deeply moving memoir about growing up in the 90s, written in the wake of the senseless killing of a beloved friend. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Memoir. One of The New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century 'A quiet, occasionally hilarious, ultimately devastating book . . . the most moving and memorable piece of autobiography...

'This is the most glorious of books. I am besotted by the life I never knew he had.' - Elton John 'Orgasmic. Every page of Scattershot is a delight, a joy, a name-dropper fan's delight. Divine. I couldn't put it down.' - Pete Townshend 'In Bernie Taupin's miraculous memoir Scattershot, you'll meet legends, cowboys, geniuses, unforgettable faces in the night,...

In early 1980, 21-year-old Neil Mullane Finn wrote 'I Got You', which became the signature song and biggest hit for the Kiwi band Split Enz, co-founded by Neil's big brother Tim several years earlier. Over the next four decades, Neil not only nurtured one of the finest heads of hair in music, but crafted hit after hit—'Don't Dream It's Over',...

A legendary record-producer-turned-brain-scientist explains why you love the music you do in an antidote to the Spotify algorithm doldrums. Extraordinary insights about music, emotion and the brain...An instant classic – Daniel Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain on Music This Is What It Sounds Like is a journey into the science and soul of music. It's also the story...

A superb translation of one of the greatest nineteenth-century poems—the libretto to Wagner's Ring cycle. The scale and grandeur of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung has no precedent and no successor. It preoccupied Wagner for much of his adult life and revolutionised the nature of opera, the orchestra, the demands on singers, and on the audience itself. The four...

Pop musician Chappell Roan has captured the hearts of millions of fans—and now you can capture some of her magic with this fun colouring-and-activity book! Dive into the life and career of pop superstar Chappell Roan with this colouring-and-activity book that includes 36 cool illustrations to colour in, along with full-colour photos and fun facts about Roan and her music....

'Elvis steps from the pages. You can feel him breathe' BOB DYLAN'Wonderful' RODDY DOYLEThe first volume of Peter Guralnick's critically acclaimed Elvis Presley biographiesLast Train to Memphis is arguably the first serious biography that refuses to dwell on the myth of Elvis. Aiming instead to portray in vivid, dramatic terms the life and career of this outstanding artistic and cultural...

Taylor is taking the world by storm in this glittering, globetrotting search book. Spot Taylor at a Nashville rodeo, browsing for cat toys at the pet shop, and charming the crowds at a concert stadium. Featuring 17 sensational locations, readers can spot Taylor, her cats, and many other special items hiding in every scene. Join the adventure in Where’s Taylor?...

An original exploration and celebration of Taylor Swift, the world's biggest music star, as taught at the world's most prestigious university. One of the biggest stars in the world, Taylor Swift became so popular for many reasons - but first and last thanks to her songs. In Taylor's Version, award-winning literary critic Professor Stephanie Burt charts the extraordinary journey from...

What would Harry do? The Book of Answers According to Harry is your pocket-sized guide to life’s little (and not-so-little) dilemmas — powered by the wisdom, warmth and wonderfulness of Harry Styles. Whether you’re facing a big decision, a tiny crisis, or just need a dose of positivity, this playful book invites you to seek guidance the Harry way. It’s...

Questlove radiates passion, knowledge, wit and profundity as he reflects on this ever-evolving art form GUARDIAN For a young Black kid growing up in a musical family in 1970s Philadelphia, hip-hop was everything. He stayed up late to hear the newest songs on the radio. He saved his money to buy vinyl as soon as it landed. He even started...