Musicians are hard to buy for at Christmas. Why not avoid the usual guitar logo socks this year and opt for a great read instead? To help you hit the right note, check out musicGuard’s helpful list of five great books for musicians this Christmas … and every carefully chosen tome is penned by a musical icon.
“Musicians often lead remarkable lives which means that there is an endless fascination with delving deeper into the impact of life on the road,” says Alex Bennett, Head of Marketing at leading music insurer, musicGuard. “The five books we have chosen here help us to learn more about the personal views and stories behind some of the biggest cultural icons of our time.”
Here’s the chart rundown of some of the best books for musicians to gift this year:
Strange Things Happen – Stewart Copeland
From collaborating with pygmy tribes to playing polo with the monarchy, Stewart Copeland has done it all and takes us through every step. The chance to learn about the journey which The Police drummer has been on in such gripping detail is very special for fans of the band and the wider rock sphere.
Fight the Power: Rap, Race, and Reality – Chuck D
Chuck D from the legendary 80s and 90s rap group Public Enemy has always been a politically outspoken figure. And we see this energy channelled into his captivating memoir and political commentary on Black America. Covering social issues and the negative experiences that black Americans still face, it’s a truly brilliant piece!
Broken Summers – Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins, ex-frontman of the punk rock band, Black Flag, has had a long and successful career after the group, starring in movies and shows and writing over 80 books. Broken Summers is a particular standout, chronicling his efforts to raise money for the wrongly convicted murder trial victims, ‘The West Memphis Three’. This impressively personal autobiography gives insight into a wide range of topics from management troubles to world tours.
Year of the Monkey – Patti Smith
1970s New York punk legend Patti Smith is an artistic icon in every sense and her experiences, insights and artistry are displayed beautifully through her writings. Smith’s third book, Year of the Monkey, depicts her journey through 2016 in journal/diary form. The book provides an amazing insight into a musical legend’s mind. A must-read!
Light my Fire – Ray Manzarek
The late and great Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and co-founder of The Doors provides his first-hand telling of the legendary band’s rise in Light my Fire. Manzarek’s intimate understanding of the group’s story is fascinating to picture throughout the memoir. His riveting writing style envelops you in the world of The Doors, from their inception to the height of success with the world watching! It’s an exceptional read and an exciting take on a classic band.
With Christmas rapidly approaching and gift-buying stress hitting its peak, one of these books may be a great choice for your musical-fanatic loved one. “Musician autobiographies are a great way to learn more about our favourite artists and can make for a thoughtful gift for family and friends at Christmas”, concludes Bennett.
If you found Five great books for musicians helpful, you’ll find more book reviews on our Books channel.
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