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Give me a good biography, a Skinny Cow chocolate ice cream bar, a couch and a lamp and I am very happy.  Fiction is a struggle, and much of it, unfinished, is on my bookshelf.   Recently I have plowed through biographies of Hamilton, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Einstein, and now about to finish Steve Jobs.

 

Strolling past the biography section, I see that books by or about rock stars seems to be a fad.  It started with Keith Richards.  Now it includes Greg Allman, David Crosby, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Graham Nash, Levon Helm, Grace Slick, Bruce Springsteen, and the list goes on an on.   Aside from their music, do their lives have so much appeal, are they that interesting?   Have they accomplished so much that their lives are  a lesson, or at least a good story?   Though not quite in the same category I pass a biography of Tori Spelling.  Who is reading that one, I wonder.

 

It makes me wonder, who were the real musical geniuses of our times, starting with the first generation of rock and roll.   The super talent above the rest, apart from personal taste.   I have come up with a few.  Brian Wilson, Elton John, Michael Jackson (not true R&R, more Pop, I know), and perhaps throw in Paul Simon and B.B. King.   I am sure others have their own opinion.

 

Maybe their stories are more interesting.   Either that or a book on Calvin Coolidge.

Comments

Fred Klein

Calvin Coolidge is featured in my book group's current read: 1927. I listen to books and it was a kick to listen to Keith Richards tell his story. The Gotham Book Club is about to schedule an hour of interaction with author Chris Bohjalian re his excellent "Light in the Ruins".
Corey Bearak

Brian Wilson towers. He may ever achieve his promise, the man is that good. Read about the Buffalo Springfield. As much as there existed great talent, luck, coincidence, fate factored in

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Sun, 10/20/2013 - 11:27

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Erik Scheibe

Jeff Bebe, Almost Famous (The Greatest Rock and Roll movie I've seen): "Some people have a hard time explaining rock 'n' roll. I don't think anyone can really explain rock 'n' roll. Maybe Pete Townshend, but that's okay. "

If you like rock biographies and want a masters class in introspection, read Pete Townshend's Who Am I? It's riveting.

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