Back in the 1960's, a relatively young generation took society by the horns and demanded radical change. Their countercultural revolution impacted everything from voting rights to civil rights, from how people raise their kids to how they relate in the workplace. Now, as 10,000 members of this group turn 50 every day, they're turning their attention to the subject of aging and attacking it like no previous generation ever has before.
Drooling fanatic, n. 1. One who drools in the presence of beloved rock stars. 2. Any of a genus of rock-and-roll wannabes/geeks who walk around with songs constantly ringing in their ears, own more than 3,000 albums, and fall in love with at least one record per week. With a life that’s spanned the phonographic era and the digital age, Steve Almond lives to Rawk. Like you, he’s secretly longed to live the life of a rock star, complete with insane talent, famous friends, and hotel rooms to be trashed. Also like you, he’s content (sort of) to live the life of a rabid fan, one who has converted his unrequited desires into a (sort of) noble obsession. Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life traces Almond’s passion from his earliest (and most wretched) rock criticism to his eventual discovery of a music-crazed soul mate and their subsequent production of two little superfans. Along the way, Almond reflects on the delusional power of songs, the awkward mating habits of drooling fanatics, and why Depression Songs actually make us feel so much better. The book also includes: • sometimes drunken interviews with America’s finest songwriters • a recap of the author’s terrifying visit to Graceland while stoned • a vigorous and credibility-shattering endorsement of Styx’s Paradise Theater • recommendations you will often choose to ignore • a reluctant exegesis of the Toto song “Africa” • obnoxious lists sure to piss off rock critics But wait, there’s more. Readers will also be able to listen to a special free mix designed by the author, available online at www.stevenalmond.com, for the express purpose of eliciting your drool. For those about to rock—we salute you!
He had a dream. He dreamt that he lived in a land where the people were free. They were free to live their lives and raise their families, in the light of their own god, without the interference or dictation from the king, the court, the state, or the church, the American dream.
The Ramones cut an unforgettable swathe through decades of popular music. With politically charged anger, raw sounds and ferocious 20 minute sets they undercut the glamour of the mainstream music industry and gave the punk movement an authentic voice – A voice which can still be heard echoing through the decades. Seen through the eyes of the people who were there - musicians, managers, producers, publicists - this insightful biography depicts the Ramones rebellion against the establishment, how they forged their unique voice against the pressures of censure and managed to stay honest until the bitter end. Updated to reflect the sad death of guitarist Johnny Ramone, this is the essential story of the punk scene’s most durable and influential band.
Charlie Gracie's hit song "Butterfly" topped the American and British music charts in 1957, selling over three million copies. His hits in the late '50s propelled him to appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, and some of the largest venues in the U. S. and abroad. Charlie was part of the birth of rock & roll, and his unique style influenced some of the most important artists in rock history, including The Beatles, Cliff Richard, Van Morrison, Graham Nash, Chubby Checker, and countless others. Rock & Roll's Hidden Giant uncovers Charlie's inspiring story, tracing his rise to the top of the charts through to his fall from fame. From his upbringing on the streets of Philadelphia to the tragic death of his friend Eddie Cochran to experiencing the dark side of Dick Clark and the early days of the music industry, we learn that Charlie's unfaltering integrity and talent were the constant guides in his life. Rock history would not be the same without Charlie Gracie, and this remarkable, uplifting account is essential for all fans of rock & roll. "When we were starting out with The Beatles, the music coming over from America was magical to us---and one of the artists who epitomized this magic was Charlie Gracie." ---Sir Paul McCartney "Charlie Gracie was FIRST in Rock & Roll---and the FIRST Rock & Roller to come out of Philadelphia! He started it and made it possible for all the rest of us!" ---Chubby Checker "His concerts in the late '50s in Manchester, England helped me to become who I am today." ---Graham Nash "This book will allow you to see that nothing comes 'easy.' Success comes with hard work, disappointments, and some artists suffer betrayal by those they trust." ---Sir Cliff Richard "His guitar sound was brilliant!" ---George Harrison
From the award-winning creator of Luther: A dark portrait of a young British hitman and his quest to find something beyond his cold, brutal world. Jon Bennet is the perfect employee: systematic, productive, and utterly reliable. He is also completely detached from the world around him and seemingly feels nothing . . . for Jon’s life is anything but common. On the tight leash of the Tattooed Man, Jon kills and maims on order. And he’s good at it. But Jon’s days of favor are about to end. After bumping into old school friends, he slowly reenters the normal world, where the bonds of friendship, love, and kindness are expected, and he finds himself changing back into the person he once was. But the Tattooed Man requires total servitude, and his wrath is more fearful than Jon could ever have expected. This sophisticatedly twisted and surprisingly moving novel by the PEN-shortlisted author of Heartland and Burial and creator of the hit BBC crime series starring Idris Elba—as well as the novel Luther: The Calling—is a dark psychological journey into the mind of a killer and “a thrilling tale of perverse redemption” (The Literary Review).
