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John Lennon: The Life
by Philip NormanFor more than a quarter century, biographer Philip Norman's internationally bestselling Shout! has been unchallenged as the definitive biography of the Beatles. Now, at last, Norman turns his formidable talent to the Beatle for whom being a Beatle was never enough. Drawing on previously untapped sources, and with unprecedented access to all the major characters, Norman presents the comprehensive and most revealing portrait of John Lennon ever published.This masterly biography takes a fresh and penetrating look at every aspect of Lennon's much-chronicled life, including the songs that have turned him, posthumously, into a near-secular saint. In three years of research, Norman has turned up an extraordinary amount of new information about even the best-known episodes of Lennon folklore—his upbringing by his strict Aunt Mimi; his allegedly wasted school and student days; the evolution of his peerless creative partnership with Paul McCartney; his Beatle-busting love affair with a Japanese performance artist; his forays into painting and literature; his experiments with Transcendental Meditation, primal scream therapy, and drugs. The book's numerous key informants and interviewees include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin, Sean Lennon—whose moving reminiscence reveals his father as never seen before—and Yoko Ono, who speaks with sometimes shocking candor about the inner workings of her marriage to John.“[A] haunting, mammoth, terrific piece of work.” -New York Times Honest and unflinching, as John himself would wish, Norman gives us the whole man in all his endless contradictions—tough and cynical, hilariously funny but also naive, vulnerable and insecure—and reveals how the mother who gave him away as a toddler haunted his mind and his music for the rest of his days.
The Legs Are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying, & Other Things I Learned the Hard Way
by Diahann CarrollIt's conventional wisdom that Hollywood has no use for a woman over forty. So it's a good thing that Diahann Carroll—whose winning, sometimes controversial career breached racial barriers—is anything but conventional.Here she shares her life story with an admirable candidness of someone who has seen and done it all. With wisdom that only aging gracefully can bestow, she talks frankly about her four marriages as well as the other significant relationships in her life, including her courtship with Sidney Poitier; racial politics in Hollywood and on Broadway; and the personal cost, particularly to her family, of being a pioneer. Carroll's storied history, blunt views, and notorious wit will be sure to entertain and inform.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life
by Robert J. Wagner Scott EymanThe Hollywood icon tells about his rise to Hollywood stardom among legends like Cary Grant and Barbara Stanwyck and his troubled marriage, divorce, and remarriage to starlet Natalie Wood.In the revelation-filled memoir from one of Hollywood’s most talented actors, readers have a candid and deeply personal look at the life and career of Robert Wagner. Wagner’s long career began in the Hollywood of the 1950s, when studios were dominant and even the love lives of actors were dictated by what benefited the studio. His memoirs will chronicle in a very personal way his rise to stardom, his decline, and his resurrection. Wagner will talk candidly about his famous relationship with Natalie Wood and the circumstances surrounding her tragic death. His friendships and stories include major Hollywood personalities in the last half of the 20th century.When his family moved to Los Angeles, a young Wagner held a variety of jobs (including one as a caddy for Clark Gable) while pursuing his goal, but it was while dining with his parents at a restaurant in Beverly Hills that he was “discovered” by a talent scout.Known as much for his on-screen abilities as his off-screen personal heartbreak, Wagner will discuss for the first time his complicated and ultimately tragic relationship with Hollywood sweetheart Natalie Wood. It was implied that Wagner played a role in Natalie Wood’s tragic drowning off the coast of Catalina Island in 1981 and Wagner, for the first time ever, will set the record straight.With at least two dozen photos to illustrate his real Hollywood-style tell-all, this will be the extremely candid autobiography of Robert Wagner.
The Grand Inquisitor's Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God
by Jonathan KirschThe Surprising History and Legacy of the InquisitionThe renowned historian and critic Jonathan Kirsch presents a sweeping history of the Inquisition and the ways in which it has served as the chief model for torture in the West to this day. Ranging from the Knights Templar to the first Protestants; from Joan of Arc to Galileo; from the Inquisition's immense power in Spain after 1492, when the secret tribunals and torture chambers were directed for the first time against Jews and Muslims, to the torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent women during the Witch Craze; and to the modern war on terror—Kirsch shows us how the Inquisition stands as a universal and ineradicable reminder of how absolute power wreaks inevitable corruption.
The Beatles: Every Little Thing
by Maxwell MackenzieJohn, Paul, George and Ringo still rule! The music of the most important and popular group ever fills the airwaves to this day, winning a new generation of fans to the fold almost thirty years after the quartet disbanded. For everyone who has ever been entranced by the Beatles' joyful, electrifying magic, Every Little Thing offers a treasury of fascinating facts, trivia and remarkable behind-the-scenes revelations—from the wild days and wilder nights at Germany's Cavern Club to their last day together in the recording studio. Here is a book packed with choice, little-known tidbits about the "Fab Four:" the groundbreaking album they recorded in one session; the famous faces that were removed from the "Sgt. Pepper" cover; the misunderstanding that sparked an explosive political melee in Manila. Aficionados will flock to this incomparable volume, which provides everything you ever wanted to know—and more—about the phenomenal group that changed popular music forever.
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture
by Trevor Kelley Leslie SimonWhat is emo? For starters it's a form of melodic, confessional, or EMOtional punk rock. But emo is more than a genre of music–it's the defining counterculture movement of the '00s. EVERYBODY HURTS is a reference book for emo, tracing its angsty roots all the way from Shakespeare to Holden Caufield to today's most popular bands. There's nothing new about that perfect chocolate and peanut butter combination––teenagers and angst. What is new is that emo is the first cultural movement born on the internet. With the development of early social networking sites like Make Out Club (whose mission is to unite "like–minded nerds, loners, indie rockers, record collectors, video gamers, hardcore kids, and artists through friendship, music, and sometimes even love") outcast teens had a place to find each other and share their pain, their opinions, and above all, their music–which wasn't available for sale at the local record store. Authors Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley lead the reader through the world of emo including its ideology, music, and fashion, as well as its influences on film, television, and literature. With a healthy dose of snark and sarcasm, EVERYBODY HURTS uses diagrams, illustrations, timelines, and step–by–step instructions to help the reader successfully achieve the ultimate emo lifestyle. Or, alternately, teach him to spot an emo kid across the mall in order to mock him mercilessly.
My Appetite for Destruction: Sex & Drugs & Guns N' Roses
by Steven Adler Lawrence J. SpagnolaFrom the original Guns N’ Roses drummer comes a tale of sex, drugs, excess, hairspray, and an intense 20-year struggle with addiction.Guns N’ Roses is one of the world’s most successful rock bands, with estimated sales of 90 million albums worldwide. Steven Adler is the original drummer, with an infamous past of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll that led to his removal from the band.And here, for the first time, Steven Adler tells it all. In My Appetite for Destruction, he reveals with wit and candour his personal struggles with drug addiction, including the financial ruin he faced after being kicked out of Guns N’ Roses and the health problems that almost claimed his life several times—two heart attacks, a suicide attempt, and a debilitating stroke, as well as an epic 20-year addiction to crack and heroin.Now clean and sober, Steven sets the record straight on his life and his time with Guns N’ Roses, during the rise and collapse of one of the greatest rock bands of all time.“Great for the die-hard GNR fan . . . This is a cautionary tale, all the way.” —Penthouse
Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir
by Joe Layden Dave MustaineNew York Times BestsellerFounding member, singer, and lead guitarist of Metallica and Megadeath shares the ultimate, unvarnished story behind his involvement in the rise of two of the world’s most influential heavy metal bands in history. Dave Mustaine is the first to admit that he’s bottomed out a few times in his dark and twisted speed metal version of a Dickensian life. From his soul-crushing professional and artistic setbacks to his battle with addiction, Mustaine has hit rock bottom on multiple occasions. April 1983 was his lowest point, when he was unceremoniously fired from Metallica for his hard-partying ways. But, what seemed to be the end of it all was just the beginning for the guitarist. After parting ways with Metallica, Mustaine went on to become the front man, singer, songwriter, guitarist (and de facto CEO) for Megadeath—one of the most successful metal bands in the world. A pioneer of the thrash metal movement, Megadeath rose to international fame in the 1980s, and has gone on to earn seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. In this outrageously candid memoir, one of heavy metal’s most iconic figures gives an insider’s look into the loud and sordid world of thrash metal—sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll included.
Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway
by Tony O'Neill Cherie CurrieIn this candid autobiography, Cherie Currie—the original lead singer of ‘70s teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways—powerfully recounts her years in the band, her friendship with guitarist Joan Jett, and her struggle with drugs. An intense, behind-the-scenes look at rock music in the gritty, post-glam era, Neon Angel is a must-read for anyone whose heart beats to the rhythm of David Bowie, Suzi Quatro, Nick Gilder, and the Sex Pistols, and for every fan of the movie it inspired: The Runaways, starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart as Cherie Currie and Joan Jett.
You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After the Breakup
by Peter Doggett“Peter Doggett’s book about the Beatles’ split is a real page-turner.” — Annie Lennox “Enthralling… Impossible to put down.” — The IndependentAcclaimed journalist Peter Doggett recounts the previously untold story of the dramatic final chapter in the lives, loves, and legal battles of John, Paul, George, and Ringo—aka The Beatles—from their breakup in 1969 to the present day. Called “refreshingly straightforward and highly readable” by The Daily Telegraph (London), You Never Give Me Your Money is the dramatic and intimate story of the breakup and aftermath of The Fab Four as it’s never been told before.
Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir
by Patsi Bale Cox Pat BenatarGrammy winner Pat Benatar recounts her career as a rock icon and “tells her story with heartfelt honesty” in this New York Times–bestselling memoir (Deseret News).One of the best-selling female rock stars of all time, the incomparable Pat Benatar writes about her Long Island childhood, her experiences in the record industry, and how her generation changed music forever in this “engaging” autobiography (Slate). The first solo female rocker ever to appear on MTV, Benatar writes with the same edge and attitude that was a hallmark of her music—from “Heartbreaker” to “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.” The winner of four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock performance, Benatar tells a fascinating, no-holds-barred story of what it was really like to be a woman in the mostly male world of hard rock in the ’80s.Includes photos
George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker (Eminent Lives)
by Robert GottliebThe foremost contemporary choreographer in the history of ballet, George Balanchine extended the art form into radical new paths that came to seem inevitable under his direction. He transformed movement and dance in classical and modern ballet, on the Broadway stage, and in the cinema.George Balanchine chronicles the life and achievements of this visionary artist from his early, almost accidental career in Russia, where his lifelong collaboration with Igor Stravinsky was forged, to his extraordinary accomplishments in America. The editor and writer Robert Gottlieb, one of the most knowledgeable dance critics in America, offers a superb and loving portrait of a genius who, though married many times to many ballerinas, remained truest to his greatest love, Terpischore, the Greek Muse of dance.
Stronger: Forty Days of Metal and Spirituality
by Brian WelchThis 40-Day devotional from Brian “Head” Welch, former lead guitarist of Korn and the New York Times bestselling author of Save Me From Myself, is an intimate tour through the Bible passages that have meant the most to him on his trying journey from substance abuse to salvation. Save Me From Myself, Welch’s self-effacing story his against addiction and his reawakening to divine love, has made the metal band icon into a hero of Christian rock. Uncompromisingly honest about his demons, and equally fervent about his faith, Head and his impassioned devotional offer a uniquely voiced guiding light perfect for young Christians and rock music fans everywhere.
Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution
by Sara MarcusThe definitive account of the radical feminist punks and their music: “Exhilarating. . . . The well-documented history Riot Grrrl deserves.” —Los Angeles TimesGirls to the Front is the epic, definitive history of the Riot Grrrl movement—the radical feminist punk uprising that exploded into the public eye in the 1990s, altering America’s gender landscape forever. Sara Marcus interweaves research, interviews, and her own memories as a Riot Grrrl front-liner in a passionate, sophisticated narrative that brilliantly conveys the story of punk bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Heavens to Betsy—as well as successors like Sleater-Kinney, Partyline, and Kathleen Hanna’s Le Tigre—and their effect on today’s culture.“Compelling . . . Marcus has done a commendable job of telling the little-known history of an important social and cultural movement.” —Booklist (starred review)“A fascinating social history. . . .Marcus focuses on the girls in the crowd as much as stars like Bikini Kill.” —Rolling Stone“A brash, gutsy chronicle . . . captures the combustible excitement of this significant if short-lived moment.” —Publishers Weekly“Not only a historical rockument of the revolutionary ’90s counterculture Riot Grrrl movement . . . but also a rousing inspiration for a new generation of empowered rebel girls to strap on guitars and stick it to The Man.”—Vanity Fair“Girls to the Front is not just a keeper of the flame but brings you to yr own fire.” —Kim GordonIncludes photographs
Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues
by Elijah WaldThe life of blues legend Robert Johnson becomes the centerpiece for this innovative look at what many consider to be America's deepest and most influential music genre. Pivotal are the questions surrounding why Johnson was ignored by the core black audience of his time yet now celebrated as the greatest figure in blues history.Trying to separate myth from reality, biographer Elijah Wald studies the blues from the inside -- not only examining recordings but also the recollections of the musicians themselves, the African-American press, as well as examining original research. What emerges is a new appreciation for the blues and the movement of its artists from the shadows of the 1930s Mississippi Delta to the mainstream venues frequented by today's loyal blues fans.
Narcocorrido
by Elijah WaldIn the first full-length exploration of the contemporary and controversial Mexican corrido, award-winning author Elijah Wald blends a travel narrative with his search for the roots of this genre -- a modern outlaw music that fuses the sensibilities of medieval ballads with the edgy grit of gangsta rap. From international superstars to rural singers documenting their local current events in the regions dominated by guerilla war, Wald visited these songwriters in their homes, exploring the heartland of the Mexican drug traffic and traveling to urban centers such as Los Angeles and Mexico City. The corrido genre is famous for its hard-bitten songs of drug traffickers and gunfights, and also functions as a sort of musical newspaper, singing of government corruption, the lives of immigrants in the United States, and the battles of the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas. Though largely unknown to English speakers, corridos top the Latin charts and dominate radio playlists both in the United States and points south. Wald provides in-depth looks at the songwriters who have transformed groups like the popular Tigres del Norte into enduring superstars, as well as the younger artists who are carrying the corrido into the twenty-first century. In searching for the poetry and social protest behind the gaudy lyrics of powerful drug lords, Wald shows how popular music can remain the voice of a people, even in this modern world of globalization, electronic media, and gangsters who ship cocaine in 747s.
There Will Be Rainbows: A Biography of Rufus Wainwright
by Kirk LakeThe first biography of legendary singer/songwriter/composer Rufus Wainwright, There Will Be Rainbows reveals the integrity and complexity of Wainwright’s work while fully embracing the self-deprecating humor, wild flamboyance, and fascinating contradictions that embody Rufus Wainwright, the man. There Will Be Rainbows tells Wainwright unforgettable true story—a classic tale of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, with many an unexpected Wainwright-esque twist.
Mackenzie Blue: Mixed Messages
by Tina WellsMackenzie Blue and her crew are plugged in! Zee and her band, The Beans, are getting ready for their biggest show yet! Everyone's talking about it online at Bluetopia-the coolest social-networking site ever. Top three reasons that Bluetopia is the best: I can keep all my thoughts safe in a private blog, and I won't have to worry about anyone stealing my diary (finally)! The Beans have a huge show coming up, and we can make sure everyone knows about it! Jasper (my best guy friend) is in the spotlight for creating the site. He's so talented-he deserves it.
Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey
by Peter GuralnickA companion book to the PBS documentary series exploring the history of the blues and its contribution to American culture and music worldwide.A companion to the groundbreaking documentary series, this volume is a unique and timeless celebration of the blues, from writers and artists as esteemed and revered as the music that moved them.Included in this stunning collection are:Essays by David Halberstam, Hilton Als, Suzan-Lori Parks, Elmore Leonard, Luc Sante, John Edgar Wideman, and many othersTimeless archival pieces by writers such as Stanley Booth, Paul Oliver, and Mack McCormickEvocative color illustrations and rare vintage photographyIlluminating and in-depth conversations and portraits of musicians, ranging from Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith to John Lee Hooker and Eric ClaptonLyrics of legendary blues compositionsPersonal essays by the series directors Martin Scorsese, Charles Burnett, Richard Pearce, Wim Wenders, Marc Levin, Mike Figgis, and Clint EastwoodExcerpts from literary masters James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Eudora Welty, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and William FaulknerTracing the art form’s path from juke joints, house parties, and recording studios to musicians such as Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues proves, in the words of Willie Dixon, “The blues are the roots; every-thing else is the fruits.”Praise for Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues“Richly detailed . . . the book has a wealth of material with a lot of riffs and personal takes by talented writers.” —USA Today“A must-read for any blues fans.” —Chicago Tribune“Essential . . . for anyone who cares about American history, black culture, and current music.” —Miami Herald“Even if you’re a blues hound with hundreds of discs in your collection, this book is a learning experience, and richly enjoyable.” —Kansas City Star
A Night Without Armor: Poems
by JewelOne of the most respected artists in popular music today, Jewel is much more than a music industry success with her debut album selling more than 10 million copies. Before her gifted songwriting comes an even more individual art: Poetry. Now available in paperback, A Night without Armor highlights the poetry of Jewel taken from her journals which are both intimate and inspiring, to be embraced and enjoyed. Writing poems and keeping journals since childhood, Jewel has been searching for truth and meaning, turning to her words to record, to discover, and to reflect. In A Night Without Armor, her first collection of poetry, Jewel explores the fire of first love, the lessons of betrayal, and the healing of intimacy. She delves into matters of the home, the comfort of family, the beauty of Alaska, and the dislocation of divorce. Frank and honest, serious and suddenly playful, A Night Without Armor is a talented artist's intimate portrait of what makes us uniquely human.
Outlaw: Waylon, Willie, Kris, and the Renegades of Nashville
by Michael StreissguthA “compulsively readable” history of how Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson redefined country music (Publishers Weekly, starred review).Outlaw delves into the country music scene of the late ’60s and early ’70s, when three rebels—Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson found themselves in Music City writing songs and vying for record deals. Channeling the unrest of the times, all three Country Music Hall of Famers resisted the music business’s unwritten rules and emerged as leaders of the outlaw movement that ultimately changed the recording industry. This account offers a broad portrait of the outlaw movement in Nashville that includes a diverse secondary cast of characters, such as Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Kinky Friedman, and Billy Joe Shaver, among others.With archival photographs throughout, Outlaw is a comprehensive examination of a fascinating shift in country music, and the three unbelievably talented musicians who forged the way.“[An] engaging cultural history . . . a fascinating chronicle.” —The Washington Post“Riveting.” —The Wall Street Journal
First Step 2 Forever: My Story
by Justin Bieber"It's a big, big world It's easy to get lost in it..." -Justin Bieber, "Up". I love those lines in the lyrics. Sometimes I feel like that's what everyone's expecting. My world got very big, very fast, and a lot of people expect me to get lost in it. I grew up in a small town in Canada. I taught myself to sing in front of my bedroom mirror and to play guitar on a hand-me-down. My mom posted my first videos on YouTube. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd sell millions of records, sing for the president of the United States and sell out a massive arena tour. So no, I'm not lost. Not at all. If anything, onstage in front of my fans, I'm home. I'm found. And that's what this book is about: my journey, from singing and busking on the sidewalk in Stratford, Ontario, to performing and showing my appreciation to millions of fans all over the world for making this dream a reality. My music and lyrics give a glimpse of what's in my heart, but I think this book is a window into my world. In here are hundreds of pictures of me that no one's ever seen before, and I'll tell you about who I was before I joined forces with Scooter Braun and Usher and got a record deal, and who I've become since I've been blessed with the opportunity to share my music with the world. This is my gift to you, the fans who've supported and been with me on this amazing journey every step of the way.
Justin Bieber: My Story
by Justin Bieber"It's a big, big world It's easy to get lost in it..." —Justin Bieber, "Up"I love those lines in the lyrics. Sometimes I feel like that's what everyone's expecting. My world got very big, very fast, and a lot of people expect me to get lost in it. I grew up in a small town in Canada. I taught myself to sing in front of my bedroom mirror and to play guitar on a hand-me-down. My mom posted my first videos on YouTube. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd sell millions of records, sing for the president of the United States and sell out a massive arena tour. So no, I'm not lost. Not at all. If anything, onstage in front of my fans, I'm home. I'm found. And that's what this book is about: my journey, from singing and busking on the sidewalk in Stratford, Ontario, to performing and showing my appreciation to millions of fans all over the world for making this dream a reality.My music and lyrics give a glimpse of what's in my heart, but I think this book is a window into my world. In here are hundreds of pictures of me that no one's ever seen before, and I'll tell you about who I was before I joined forces with Scooter Braun and Usher and got a record deal, and who I've become since I've been blessed with the opportunity to share my music with the world. This is my gift to you, the fans who've supported and been with me on this amazing journey every step of the way.
Match Prints
by Timothy White Jim MarhsallMatch Prints is a visual and editorial dialogue between two important photographers and longtime friends. Over the course of their twenty-year friendship, Jim Marshall and Timothy White discovered that their work often shared striking similarities despite time differences of as much as three decades. Sometimes the similarity presented itself in the form of a common pose or expression, a common prop or situation. Sometimes the photographers' subject was the same, the images taken decades apart. Marshall and White have collaborated in selecting more than fifty stunning pairings for publication for the first time in Match Prints. An introduction by renowned music writer Anthony DeCurtis compares the work of the two photographers and provides firsthand behind-the-scenes anecdotes—an entertaining, informative read that sheds light on the photographers' approach to their work and captures the essence of their enduring friendship. Also included throughout the book are first-person anecdotes from the subjects themselves on the images and their creation.Whether poignant, dramatic, hilarious, or shocking, these are powerful visual pairings by two masters of photography.
Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock
by Sammy Hagar Joel SelvinThe former Van Halen front man recounts his life, from his childhood to his wild days in rock ‘n’ roll, in this one-of-a-kind memoir.For almost forty years, Sammy Hagar has been a fixture in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the band Montrose to his multiplatinum solo career to his ride as the front man of Van Halen, Sammy’s powerful and unforgettable voice has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written—songs like “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love.”In Red, Sammy tells the outrageous story of his tear through rock ‘n’ roll. From the decadence of being one of the world’s biggest rock stars to the unfiltered story of being forced out of Van Halen, Sammy’s account spares no one, least of all himself. His is a tale of a true rock ‘n’ roller—someone who’s spent decades bringing the party with wherever he goes but always headin’ back to Cabo for más tequila.Praise for Red“There are tell-all books, and then there are tell-all books written by Sammy Hagar. The ex-Van Halen front man holds back nothing—and I mean absolutely nothing. . . . Red is jam-packed with great anecdotes . . . and other tidbits that take fans of music and pop culture to places they normally wouldn’t get to go.” —Associated Press