So guys, have any of you recently read any great music/band based books?

I just finished reading, for the second time, Things the Grandchildren Should Know by Mark O Everrett (E of Eels fame). My Mum bought it for me ages ago, despite me never really showing any interest in Eels as a band at the time. I’ve dug it out again when a friend recently asked me what Eels albums I could recommend.

It was the book that single handedly got me into Eels. E’s language is really simple and frank, but it goes such a way to explaining the background and meaning behind the songs that it’s really engaging. It also helps that, whilst E’s life has been so dramatic, and often full of misery, he doesn’t wallow in self-pity and is often very funny, touching and philosophical about his life. An amazing book.

Following finishing this last week, I discovered I had a forgotten copy of Touching From a Distance by Deborah Curtis, which is, obviously, about Ian Curtis and Joy Division. I’ve never been a particular Joy Division fan, but I’m half way through it at the moment and, though it seems that Curtis was pretty terrible half the time, it’s really making me “get” and enjoy Joy Division.

So what music books have you read that have made you change the way you perceive artists? Also, what music books have you read that you love? I’m also interested in any that are terrible-I bought Tony Wilson’s 24 Hour Party People novelisation a few years back, and hated it so much that it really put me off that whole scene…

TLDR- Good Music books: what and why?