Music Connection reviewed six books every month, leading us to discover some gems. Here are 10 of the very best.
"IRON MAIDEN: INFINITE DREAMS" BY STEVE HARRIS, BRUCE DICKINSON, IRON MAIDEN
One of the greatest and most consistent heavy metal bands of all time, the men of Iron Maiden have come together to create this absolutely stunning, photo-heavy history of the group. As well as a mass of photographs, there are some fascinating tickets and flyers from the very early days, some of founding member, bassist and songwriter Steve Harris’ diary entries from back in the day, guitars, t-shirts, battle vests, and so much more. It’s a pricey book, but for hardcore fans it’s a must.
"VENICE PEACH" BY JESSAMYN VIOLET
Movie Club drummer and super-talented writer Violet has a gift for seeing the magic in her home haunt of Venice, CA and realizing it through fantastical tales. “When I first stepped foot in Venice Beach, I felt the greatest gravitational pull to a place that I had ever felt in my life,” Violet says, and that comes through in her work. Venice Peach is her sophomore novel, and it’s a wild journey into a world of robot presidents, where “art meets lust.” Just read it.
"DECADE OF DISSENT: HOW 1960S BOB DYLAN CHANGED THE WORLD" BY SEAN EGAN
One might think that, at this point, there’s really nothing new to write about the living legend that is Bob Dylan. There are countless books about the man, and every word that Dylan has written and/or uttered has been analyzed to death. That said, noted journalist Egan has found a credible angle. He’s not treading completely new ground, but still, his approach to Dylan’s identity-shifting '60s period is fascinating. “Dylan now occupies an unparalleled role as venerated elder statesman of music,” reads the blurb. “But during his insurrectionary first decade he was the most important artist in popular music—and, by extension, one of the most crucial figures in Western society.”
"GLIDERS OVER HOLLYWOOD: AIRSHIPS, AIRPLAY AND THE ART OF ROCK PROMOTION" BY PAUL RAPPAPORT
During his 33-year career at Columbia Records, Paul Rappaport played an instrumental role in developing the careers of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Judas Priest, Alice in Chains, and many more. Gliders Over Hollywood, a book that Rappaport described to MC as “for passionate music lovers,” gives us an up-close look at his many successes, allowing the reader to feel like we were right there with him. If you’re looking for industry tips, you’ll get those. If you’re after rock ‘n’ roll shenanigans, you’ll be satisfied in that regard too. Dig in!
"501 ESSENTIAL ALBUMS OF THE 1980S" EDITED BY GARY GRAFF
MC contributor Graff has played an absolute blinder here, working with a long list of esteemed scribes (Cary Baker, Rob St. Mary, many more) to compile the 501 essential albums of the '80s. Naturally, with any sort of book like this, everyone will point to albums that should be in there but aren’t. That said, this is damned extensive. All the appropriate new wave, new romantic, pop, and hair metal albums from that decade are present and correct. But Graff makes sure that gospel, country, jazz, punk, hip-hop, soul, and just about everything else gets a fair shake too. Essential reading for anyone with even a passing interest in that decade.
