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Title Author Cover

All Roots Lead to Rock: Legends of Early Rock & Roll Colin Escott, editor Hard

Taken from the acclaimed liner notes of various Bear Family boxed sets.

Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp & Brilliance of the Brill Building Era Ken Emerson Hard

Imminently readable and filled with great stories about the New York songwriters & artists at the Brill Building.

All You Need is Love: And 99 Other Life Lessons From Classic Rock Songs Fornatale, Ayres & Fornatale Paper

All I know in life I learned from Elvis, Jimi and Mick.

American Top 40 with Casey Kasem (The 1970s) Pete Battistini Paper

The AT-40 expert with synopses, charts, ads and recollections of the show's first decade.

Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock Nik Cohn Paper

A critical history of Rock's "golden age" from Haley to Hendrix.

Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story Tony Scherman Paper

The legendary studio drummer and his work with the legends of New Orleans and L.A.

Battle Notes: Music Of The Vietnam War Lee Andresen Paper

A comprehensive look at the war and its effect on the music of the times (and vice-versa).

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds: The Greatest Album of the 20th Century Abbott & Webb Paper

If you're going to indulge in hyperbole like that, you'd better be ready to back it up. And whether you agree or not, they back it up.

Better to Burn Out: Cult of Death in Rock 'N' Roll David Thompson Paper

Big Beat Heat: Alan Freed & the Early Years of Rock & Roll John Jackson Paper

The story of DJ Alan Freed, who coined the term "rock 'n' roll" and was virtually destroyed in the payola scandal of the late 50's. Learn the true story behind "American Hot Wax".

Boogaloo: The Quintessence Of American Popular Music Arthur Kempton Hard

A sweeping survey of soul music in America. Factual, but opinionated.

A Brief History of Rock and Roll Nick Johnstone Paper

Brief? It takes 320 pages top cover the seminal year 1956.

Bubblegum Music Is The Naked Truth: The Dark History of Prepubescent Pop, From the Banana Splits to Britney Spears Cooper & Smay Paper

We don't suddenly like rock music when we turn 13. There's has always been music for pre-teens that eases them into the more mature sounds. This book examines that music.

A Change is Gonna Come: Music, Race and the Soul of America Craig Werner Paper

Chicago Soul Robert Pruter Paper

Sixties soul music in the Windy City covered beautifully by Pruter. Highly recommended.

A Critical History Of Soul Train On Television Christopher P. Lehman Paper

Fairly scholarly look at Don Cornelius, peace, love and soul.

DooWop: the Chicago Scene Robert Pruter Paper

Companion to the above book. Specific to the Windy City, but fascinating.

The Blackwell Guide to Soul Recordings Robert Pruter Hard

Editor Pruter once did the same for for Goldmine magazine, so he knows what he's talking about.

Confessions Of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography Chuck Barris Paper

Originally released in 1982, well before the movie, the composer of "Palisades Park" and auteur of "The Gong Show" and other game shows gives us fact mixed with fiction and never tells us which is which.

Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs Dave Barry Paper

Dave goes through a list of the worst songs ever recorded and adds his own wacky commentary. Trouble is, I like a lot of these songs!

Death Discs: An Account of Fatality in the Popular Song Alan Clayson Paper

Including all those great "gooey teenage death songs".

Desperados: The Roots of Country Rock John Einarson Paper

From California Country to L.A. Rock, the evolution of groups like the Eagles.

Doo Wop: The Music, The Times, The Era Bruce Morrow Hard

Legendary DJ "Cousin Brucie" takes a look at not just the music, but the events that shaped our lives.

Feel Like Going Home: Portraits in Blues and Rock 'N' Roll Peter Guralnick Paper

Guralnick made his name with these books. This one concentrates on the Blues roots of Rock.

Lost Highway: Journeys and Arrivals of American Musicians Peter Guralnick Paper

This book concentrates on the Country roots of Rock.

Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom Peter Guralnick Paper

Just what the title says. Not an easy read, but worth the effort. Recommended.

Echoes of the Sixties Childs & Marsh Paper

43 of the decade's best are spotlighted-- their story and where they are now.

45 RPM: The History, Heroes & Villians of a Pop Music Revolution Dawson & Propes Paper

The history of the little records with the big holes.

FM: The Rise & Fall of Rock Radio Richard Neer Paper

Despite the rather arrogant title (Rock radio existed before FM), this is a great look at the Progressive Rock Radio era.

Funk: The Music, the People & the Rhythm of the One Rickey Vincent Paper

With an introduction from George Clinton. A great assessment of funk music from Sly and the Godfather through Atomic Dog and beyond.

Garage Rock & Its Roots: Musical Rebels & the Drive For Individuality Edward James Abbey Paper

Tracing those roots from the '60s to today.

Girl Groups: Fabulous Females That Rocked the World John Clemente Paper

Sixty girl groups from the 50's to the 80's are spotlighted, including discographies, with over 150 pictures.

Girl Groups, Girl Culture: Popular Music & Identity in the 1960s Jacqueline Warwick Paper

The music & sociology of female vocal harmony.

Go Cat Go! Rockabilly Music & its Makers Craig Morrison Hard

Golden Age of Rock Instrumentals Steve Otfinoski Paper

Good Rockin' Tonight: Sun Records & the Birth of Rock 'N' Roll Escott & Hawkins Paper

Memphis' Sun Records was the birthplace of much of Rock music. Here's the label's story, nicely told. Recommended.

Great Pretenders: My Strange Love Affair With '50s Pop Music Karen Schoemer Hard

The former music critic for Newsweek does some great interviews with Fabian, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, etc.

Guitar Towns: A Journey To The Crossroads Of Rock 'n' Roll Randy McNutt Hard

Examines the regional sounds from towns like Norfolk, Bakersfield and Muscle Shoals.

Haight-Ashbury: A History Charles Perry Hard

Hamburg: Cradle of British Rock Alan Clayson Paper

It wasn't just the Beatles at the Star Club. Germany was the minor leagues for aspiring British groups. Here's the story.

Heartaches By The Numbers: Country Music's 500 Greatest Singles Cantwell & Friskics-Warren Hard

Spotlight country's aesthetics and innovations via its 500 most influential tunes (though some are more pop than country).

Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield & the Rise & Fall of American Soul Craig Werner Hard

The Hits Just Keep On Coming: The History of Top 40 Radio Ben Fong-Torres Paper

Not so much the music and the radio and jocks-- a great history of the early days.

Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza And Other Misheard Lyrics Charles Grosvenor, Jr. Paper

Yet another collection of "mondegreens"-- misheard lyrics.

Hotel California: The True Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagles & Their Many Friends Barney Hoskyns Hard

A House On Fire: The Rise & Fall of Philadelphia Soul John A> Jackson Paper

Told with "brotherly love", it's the gamble-Huff and more story.

I Hear You Knockin': The Sound of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues Jeff Hannusch Paper

A look at two dozen of the Crescent City's R&B legends and would-be legends.

Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton's Little John: Music's Most Enduring Mysteries, Myths and Rumors Revealed Gavin Edwards Paper

Urban myths of the rock world brought to light.

Inside Classic Rock Tracks Rikky Rooksby Paper

The stories behind many of your favorite FM classic tunes, concentrating of how they were written.

Johnny's Jukebox Trivia: 1,001 Fantastic Questions From The Golden Age of Rock and Roll John Robinson Paper

Jukebox Johnny is an oldies DJ who collected many of these questions from interviews with the actual artist.

The Label: The Biography of Columbia Records Gary Marmorstein Hard

Ladies of Soul David Freeland Paper

Covering the lesser-remembered artists like Carla Thomas, Barbara Mason and Timi Yuro.

Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Legendary Neighborhood Michael Walker Hard

Little Labels-- Big Sounds: Small Record Companies and the Rise of American Music McNutt & Kennedy Hard

Some of these labels you've heard of, others are obscure, but all contributed to the best of rock 'n' roll.

Little Stars: Wishing Upon The Rock 'n' Roll Dream Jerry Miller Hard

50 stories of groups like the McCoys, with brief but memorable careers.

Live at the Fillmore East: A Photographic Memoir Rothchild & Hart Paper

Liverpool: Music From Cavern To Cream Paul Du Noyer Hard

Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life & Times of Doc Pomus Alex Halberstadt Hard

The amazing story of the legendary songwriter who gave us "Suspicion"< "Save The Last Dance"< "Hushabye", "This Magic Moment" and so many Elvis hits.

Lost In The Grooves Cooper & Smay Paper

Memphis Beat: The Life & Times of America's Musical Crossroads Larry Nager Hard

From blues to rock, W.C. Handy to Elvis to Otis and more.

Motown: The Golden Years Bill Dahl Paper

A biography and never-before-seen photos of most of the major acts from Hitsville, USA.

Motown: Music, Money, Sex & Power Gerald L. Posner Paper>

Which could be called "Motown: The Not-So-Golden Years". It's pretty much an indictment of Barry Gordy, Jr.

Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock 'N' Roll Music Greil Marcus Paper

Considered a Rock classic. Now in a new edition with revised discography (including CD's). A must!

The New Book of Rock Lists Marsh & Bernard Paper

From the '10 Worst Performers of All Time' to the '10 Best Songwriters', it's all pretty subjective.

The Oracle of Del-Fi Bob Keane Paper

The man who ran Del-Fi Records gives us the story of Ritchie Valens, Bobby Fuller and so much more.

Parental Advisory: Music Censorship In America Eric D. Nuzum Paper

Banning records has been going on since long before Tipper Gore. Read its history and implications.

A Piece of the Big-Time: My Songs, My Success, My Struggle For Survival Baker Knight Paper

Baker wrote many of Ricky Nelson's hits, as well as Elvis' "The Wonder Of You".

The Poet In Exile: A Journey Into The Mystic Ray Manzarek Hard

The Doors keyboardist writes a novel speculating what would happen if a rock star faked his death. Sound like anyone we know?

Precious & Few: Pop Music of the Early 70's Breithaupt & Breithaupt Paper

The title (from the Climax tune) tells you they know their music. Dividing the tunes into genres, they work their way through the first half of this overlooked decade.

Ready, Steady, Go: The Smashing Rise & Giddy Fall Of Swinging London Shawn Levy Paper

A cultural look at the mod world of 1966, not just in music.

Rhino History of Rock 'n' Roll: The '70s Eric Lefcowitz Paper

Includes a free CD! The book is as informal and informative as their "Have a Nice Day" CD collection.

Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock 'n' Roll's Last Stand in Hollywood Domenic Priore Paper

The rise & fall of "the strip" and the story behind "For What It's Worth".

Rock & Roll Trivia: A Rollickin' Ride Through The Glory Days of Rock & Roll Michael Harling Paper

A good party trivia book. Not too hard, but challenging enough.

Rock & Roll & the Cleveland Connection Deanna R. Adams Paper

612 pages that attempt to make the case that Cleveland is rock's birthplace.

Rock & Roll is Here to Stay William McKeen Hard

An anthology of great rock writing.

Rock Around The Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution Dawson & Whitcomb Paper

What a thorough investigation into a seminal song!

Rock Stars Do the Dumbest Things Moser & Crawford Paper

Just what you'd expect and they do in this collection of wacky anecdotes.

The Rockin' '50s: The People Who Made the Music Brock Helander Paper

The Rockin' '60s: The People Who Made the Music Brock Helander Paper

Rock Lyrics: 50s, 60s, 70s Trivia Quiz Book Presley Love Paper

'Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy: And Other Misheard Lyrics Gavin Edwards Paper

The first book of rock 'n' roll mondegreens (misheard lyrics). Fun!

Setting The Record Straight: The Music & Careers of Recording Artists from the 1950s and Early 1960s Anthony P. Musso Paper

The story behind fifty artists, in their own words.

Sixties Rock: Garage, Psychedelic, and Other Satisfactions Michael Hicks Paper

Somewhat scholarly look at the genre as art.

Songwriters On Songwriting Paul Zollo Paper

Expanded now, with 52 interviews of writers from Sammy Cahn to REM, including Paul Simon, Carole King, Bob Dylan and many more.

Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records Rob Bowman Paper

The rise and fall of the company that gave us Otis Redding, Booker T and many others makes for fascinating reading.

The Sound of the City: The Rise of Rock and Roll Charlie Gillett Paper

Another long-time "history of rock" classic. Recommended.

Stagolee Shot Billy Cecil Brown Hard

The search for the real Stagolee (Stagger Lee? Stack-O-Lee?) and the various versions of the song over the years.

Station to Station: The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll on Television Marc Weingarten Hard

From Ed Sullivan to MTV and everything in between.

The Story of Chess Records John Collis Hard

The full story of the home of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and where even the Stones recorded.

Straight Whisky: A Living History of Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll on the Sunset Strip Quisling & Williams Hard

The Whisky, of course, is the Whisky-A-Go-Go, cornerstone of the Strip since 1964. Here are 16 memorable moments from that famous "rock block."

Stuck In the Seventies: A Groovy Nostalgia Trip To The Wildest Era Ever Matthews, Kerness, Nikuradse & Steele Paper

Stu Who? 40 Years of Navigating the Minefields of the Music Business Stu Phillips Hard

You may not know his name, but you know his work as a producer-- including three number one singles. This is the inside story of artists and labels, TV shows and movies.

Summer Of Love: The Inside Story of LSD, Rock & Roll, Free Love & High Times in the Wild West Joel Selvin Paper

But then again, if you remember it-- you weren't there.

Texas Music Koster, Patoski & Friedman Paper

Buddy Holly to Stevie Ray Vaughan and lots more in between that you won't know unless you're from Amarillo.

That Old Time Rock & Roll: A Chronicle of An Era 1954-1963 Richard Aquila Paper

Good to have it back in print. A loving look at rock's "golden age".

They All Sang On The Corner Philip Groia Paper

The "bible" of doo-wop music, with references to 700 groups.

This Is Your Brain On Music: The Science of a Human Obsession Daniel J. Levitin Hard

Though a bit scholarly, I've had several recommendations for this book on why specific music appeals to us.

Tomorrow Never Knows: Rock & Psychedelics In the 1960s Nick Bromell Paper

A Touch of Classic Soul: Soul Singers of the Early 70's Marc E. Taylor Paper

A Touch of Classic Soul 2: The Late 70's Marc E. Taylor Paper

Turn! Turn! Turn!: The '60s Folk-Rock Revolution Richie Unterberger Paper

Eight Miles High: Folk-Rock's Flight From Haight Ashbury to Woodstock Richie Unterberger Paper

Unknown Legends of Rock 'N Roll Richie Unterberger Paper

Urban Spacemen & Wayfaring Strangers: Overlooked Innovators & Eccentric Visionaries of 60's Rock Richie Unterberger Paper

TV A Go-Go: Rock On TV From American Bandstand to American Idol Jake Austen Paper

Vanilla Pop: Sweet Sounds From Frankie Avalon to ABBA Joseph Lanza Paper

A fun book with info on lots of overlooked artists.

Vic Flick, Guitarman Vic Flick Paper

The fascinating story of the British studio musician and leader of the John Barry 7. As the title says, "From James Bond to the Beatles to Beyond"...

Vinyl Junkies: Adventures in Record Collecting Brett Milano Paper

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place: The True, Tough Story Of Women In Rock Gerri Hirshey Hard

Not just the oldest era, this is a comprehensive look at women in all genres.

We Wanna Boogie: An Illustrated History of the American Rockabilly Movement Randy McNutt Paper

One of the most knowledgeable rockabilly writers pens an authoritative look at the genre.

When We Get To Surf City Bob Greene Hard

Sub-titled "A Journey Through America In Pursuit of Rock & Roll, Friendship And Dreams".

Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton & Me Boyd & Junor Hard

Pattie "Layla" Boyd (yes, Eric wrote the song about her) tells of her marriages to both musicians.

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