I recently went on vacation with my wife and thought I’d grab a book for the plane and downtime etc. I’m more of a non-fiction type of reader so. I picked up “Storyteller” by Dave Grohl.
This is such a great read! Especially if you’re a big Foo Fighters fan or Nirvana fan. I’m about 3/4 way through it now and really enjoying. Stories of self learning music, crazy touring stories from the early days. Interactions with famous artists etc.
Also if anyone has enjoyed any other biography or memoir style reads by their favourite musicians etc I’d love to hear about them.
-Cheers
I really enjoyed Steve Lukather’s and Peter Frampton’s memoirs. I consumed both in audiobook form, read by the authors, and thought they were great.
It isn’t really a biography, but more of a book with photos and some info about his most important guitars. And I think the man has something like 400 guitars.
I might get Storyteller. Foo Fighters is one of my favourite bands.
I read this BB King biography last year “Blues all around me”. There’s a lot to digest there, musically, personally, historically. It’s BB’s journey from the cotton fields to the big stage, facing all sorts of challenges - racism being one of the biggest.
Those are great vids! Actually the story about Tom Petty is in the book and it’s quite a story.
He really liked Tom’s band and he could’ve been their full time drummer. But he was recording the first Foo Fighters album at that time, with himself doing all the instrumentals. I’m sure it was tough to turn that opportunity down and go ahead with his own plans but it definitely worked out.
Edit: I forgot to ask. Where did yall go on vacation?
Went to Playa del Carmen in Mexico! Highly recommend!
You’ve just reminded me that i downloaded the audiobook if this! I’ve just finished the audiobook of Melissa Auf der Maur (bassist in Hole & Smashing Pumpkins, and Dave Grohl’s ex). It’s well worth a read/listen.
Funny - but I found I liked DG less by the end of the book! No doubt about his talent as drummer, guitarist, songwriter and producer… and I know people who know and like him, and he seems to do great charity stuff and helps people but… but something about the book just turned me off somehow, can’t put my finger on it - great listen though (I did audio book, narrated by the man himself).
Bets other one liek would be Mike Campells book - that’s awesome - audio book also read by Mike. That’s super fascinating look at his career and Tom Pettys life.
Hi Justin! Wow thank you for responding to my topic!
Yes it’s funny you say that. As I’m drawing closer to the end of the book I have some mixed feelings myself. I’m so drawn to the artists who create the music I love. I want to know their story out of respect and admiration. Yet there is always a bittersweet ending. They always end up being an imperfect human. In many cases being somebody I wouldn’t even like on a personal level.
It’s like John Mayer for example stirs up alot of arguments and and opinions. He has had a lot of bad press and is widely loved and hated by the public for different reasons. He has a reputation for being either notoriously cool or notoriously uncool. Still I love his music and won’t stop listening, and I respect his skill, so I love his interviews etc. If he ever wrote an autobiography, I’d read it. But whether or not I would like him as a human being, I’ll likely never know.
Hmm, maybe I should write a song about all this… lol.
Didn’t want to quote Justin again, he’s probably busy enough, but I love seeing and reading our dear guitar chief around quite a bit lately
I started Frank Turner’s “Try this at home” because there were lots of recommendations, but I didn’t read far and had it lying for quite a time.
Somehow I usually build relationships while reading, but had a hard time here and also didn’t feel I could profit through the bits on songwriting.
But I didn’t even read a quarter yet so don’t want to be unfair… I’ll continue anyway and report back!
Still reading The Beatles - Tune In…
It’s a pretty long read, I really like it, but I’m a big Beatles fan anyway
It’s nice to read everyone’s thoughts on the books!
In response to the comments about liking people less after reading their books I think I’d add Slash to this list.
I found with Anthony Kiedis i understood a bit more about addiction after reading his book. I didn’t dislike him after reading it. I felt it shows that you can have it all and the hand of addiction can still take it all away whenever it wants
