BMS Shopping Guide: Music Books of 2009

Waiting for the last minute to do all of your Christmas shopping? Wondering what to get the music fan in your life? Well, we have some easy to find gift ideas for those precious few shopping days left. Here’s a brief rundown on some of this year’s best new music books.

Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom At The Top by Joey Kramer - As the drummer for one of the biggest rock bands in American history, Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer has seen it all. In Hit Hard, he chronicles the early days with the band, the drug years and his struggles with depression and eventual sobriety. As the first member of Aerosmith to pen a biography, Hit Hard is filled with never-been-told war stories that are sure to surprise the band’s legions of fans.

Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales by Clarence Clemons – Ever wonder how Clarence Clemons met Bruce Springsteen or how the E-Street Band got its name or what Bob De Niro secret Clemmons has been keeping for 25 years? Well, fans of the legendary saxophonist can get all the details in his new memoir. With the help of Don Reo and The Boss himself, Clemons chronicles his life before, during and beyond the E-Street Band, including exclusive tales about his escapades with Bruce Springsteen.

Cornflakes with John Lennon: And Other Tales From a Rock ‘n’ Roll Life by Robert Hilburn - As a rock critic, Robert Hilburn career has afforded him unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the lives of some of the most iconic figures of our time story. From going to Folsom Prison with Johnny Cash, to watching cartoons with Michael Jackson, to celebrating with Bob Dylan on his 50th Birthday, Hilbrum has see it all. In this book, that includes a forward by Bono, Hilburn gives us a view of the tense relationships between critic and artist.

When We Were Beautiful by Bon Jovi – Just when you think you know everything there is to know about Bon Jovi, out comes When We Were Beautiful and proves that you don’t! The book, which is a compliment to a Showtime documentarily, provides readers with exclusive photographs and revealing texts from the New Jersey based quartet amazing twenty-five year career.

Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling by Marcus Gray – Nearly three decades after the iconic album was recorded, Route 19 revisits the making of the album, detailing stories and social context behind its songs. A must read for any fan of the Clash.

The Tao of Wu by the RZA – Part memoir, part poetry, part spiritual advice, RZA, founder and producer of Wu Tang Clang, attempts to translate his life experiences and wisdom through a hip-hop, yet incredibly spiritual lens.

The Road to Woodstock by Michael Lang – There have been countless books written about Woodstock, but for the first time, Lang, on of the festival’s creators, tells the behind the scenes story of pulling together the greatest rock concert of all time.

Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music by Greg Kot - The book chronicles the shift in the music industry from the late 1990’s to today, highlighting the impact of deregulation on mainstream radio, the crackdown on downloading, the recent rise in internet only music releases (including the pay what you think is fair model led by Radiohead), the impact of using music in television shows, the advent of ‘overnight’ MySpace successes and more. The perfect book for the Y generation to see the profound impact they’ve had on the internet.

Jazz by Gary Giddins and Scott DeVeaux – This nearly 700 page volume is a full history of Jazz from its roots to present day, and its impact on American culture. Jazz explores the instruments, elements and structure of jazz and includes mini-biography of some of its main practitioners, like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Miles and also contains second by second analysis of some of jazz’s greatest recordings.

Neil Diamond Is Forever: The Illustrated History of The Man and His Music by Jon Bream – This photo-filled book captures the glamorous and not so glamorous side of one of the world’s most enduring male artist. The book is filled which is filled  with ticket stubs, mementos, collectibles, programs and posters dating back to 1966, includes a full discography as well as commentary. BMS can’t help but wonder if there is a photo of Diamond singing “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park.

Trust: Photographs of Jim Marshall – A remarkable collection of images, both classic and candid, of some of music most iconic figures. Including the cover shot of Janis Joplin at an outdoor concert.