Rock books
Rock books to start from. Open one to see books like it, or tell BookSense what you loved for four picks made for you.
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New to the genre? These 5 are the books to read first.
Mystery Train
Greil MarcusA critical study that traces American rock and roll through its blues, country and folk sources, and treats records as cultural documents.
Revolution in the Head
Ian MacDonaldA track-by-track analysis of the Beatles' recordings, often cited for its close attention to how the songs were made.
Our Band Could Be Your Life
Michael AzerradInterviews and band profiles covering the American underground and independent scene of the 1980s, a key source on the indie and alternative branch.
Hammer of the Gods
Stephen DavisAn account of Led Zeppelin's career, tour life and excess, among the most-read band biographies in the genre.
Just Kids
Patti SmithA memoir of Smith's early years in New York with Robert Mapplethorpe, set in the art and music scene around the 1970s punk period. The catalogue lists a 2006 date; see unsure.
Chosen and described with AI from our notes on the genre.
More rock books
- Rockin' in Time
Rockin' in TimeDavid P. Szatmary - Love Is a Mix Tape
Love Is a Mix TapeRob Sheffield - All You Need Is Ears
All You Need Is EarsGeorge Martin - Get in the Van
Get in the VanHenry Rollins - Elvis and Me
Elvis and MePriscilla Beaulieu Presley - The Beatles
The BeatlesHunter Davies - The Beatles
The BeatlesBob Spitz - Let's Spend the Night Together
Let's Spend the Night TogetherPamela Des Barres - Rebel Heart
Rebel HeartBebe Buell - I Am Ozzy
I Am OzzyOzzy Osbourne - The heroin diaries
The heroin diariesNikki Sixx2000 - Slash
SlashAnthony Bozza2007