I Read: The Storyteller

The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

 The Storyteller was a perfect title for this collection of incidents from the life and career of Dave Grohol. It feels as if this is what a conversation with Grohl would feel like - as if he's telling a friend the things he's been through. It reinforces the personality that he's built among music fans of being just a regular guy who's got a pretty irregular life. He's made some great music and some even greater musical connections and he's not in any way bragging when he tells you about them. He's actually as astonished as anyone else. 

I Read: Nobody Ever Asked Me About the Girls

Nobody Ever Asked Me About the Girls by Lisa Robinson

This is a  great memoir of conversations and interviews a music journalist has had with female musicians. Focussing on the fact that the experience of a female artist is different than anything a male artist would go through while still going through the same music industry hoops. 

As expected, the issues female musicians face are exacerbated by their gender, and by the old boys club that exists within every industry but especially entertainment. And women have the added familial expectations on top of it. 

There are some serious heavy hitters discussed in this book, past and present, whose impact on the industry may have been, and may continue to be, overlooked due solely to their gender. People should pay attention. 

But apparently, nobody ever asked about the girls. 

#77-2021

I Read: Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me

Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me by Justin Timberlake

I didn't get the perspective I had hoped by picking up this book. Based on the title, I was expecting some brilliance, achieved through experience. But really, it's just a short form re-telling of information that is fairly easily found through past interviews with Justin. The photography in this is, however, awesome.  So not a total loss. 

I guess I may have just had high expectations based on biographies and memoirs that I've read and seen lately. 

#72-2021

I Read: Open Book

Open Book  by Jessica Simpson

I've never really been a fan of Jessica Simpson - I admit to buying her first couple of albums because there were super catchy songs on them - but I always felt there was something unlikeable about her. She seemed vapid, or vacuous but it wasn't really the case. It was lack of experience and a generally sheltered upbringing that made her seem "dumb." 

It made me think about a lot of people who live a particular persona and that gets repeated in the media, and even within their fans. That means that we're probably underestimating a lot of people. It also expands the point that everyone has a back story, and generally, we don't know what that is. Everyone's life is not as simple as we may perceive it to be. People are not black and white because their life story doesn't allow them to be. 

I Read: The Dirt

The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx

There's not a lot a person can say about this book that the band hasn't said about themselves. I'd seen the movie years ago and had this one my TBR for quite a while. I'm not sure what finally got me to pick it up, but of course, I was going to do it eventually. 

Nothing in this book is particularly surprising. Everyone who's paid attention knows Motley Crue was basically a train wreck when they weren't on stage (and sometimes when they were?) It's just interesting to hear it in their own words. 

If you want to know what life is like as an out-of-control rock band member, this is the book you want to read. They are the height of rock band stereotype, and not exactly proud of it, but clearly also not ashamed. They are who they are. Take it or leave it. 

#36-2021

I Read: Madonna

Madonna by Catherine Sullivan

Another simple read with a lot of pictures, but also another strong iconic woman. Madonna may be controversial in a number of ways, but no one can dispute that she has been a powerful force in music, and has driven her own career beyond what people expected of her. 

One of my first cassettes was "Like a Virgin" and I doubt I ever even questioned what that actually meant. I've known Madonna was making waves since I first figured out who she was, but I never really cared. Her music was good, and her image ever-changing. 

Reinforcement for starting a new year strong and embracing change. 

#3-2021

I Read: The Meaning of Mariah

The Meaning of Mariah by Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis 

Mariah Carey has always been a bit intriguing - she's been a media darling, and media trash. At times it seemed like she really knew how to work the system, to get the publicity, and at times it really looked like she was getting blown away by it all. 

I picked up this book to see how much truth I could glean between her own story and my exiting perspective. Above all else, I think I learned that she's never really been anything but herself. And she's not really apologetic for anything, nor should she necessarily be. 

I read: Wham! George Michael & Me

Wham! George Michael & Me: A Memoir by Andrew Ridgeley

I'm so pleased that Ridgeley wrote this book. Wham! existed during a time before we could get every bit of information about every moment of every celebrity's life.   It's nice now, thirty years later, to revisit the days of Wham! without the lens of social media or tabloids; to be able to read what it felt like from the inside.

I read: Freedom

Freedom: The Ultimate Tribute 1963-2016

Mostly a coffee table book, with some great concert photos, this book gives a glimpse into the life of George Michael, starting from the beginning and going right to the final days.

George Michael was one of my first celebrity crushes.  Honestly, I don't even think I knew that's what it was at the time - but I knew that I loved Wham!  And the music wasn't the only thing.