Until now, Maynard's fans have had access to only an abridged version of his story. A Perfect Union of Contrary Things presents the outtakes, the scenes of disappointment and triumph, and the events that led him to take one step after the next, to change direction, to explore sometimes surprising opportunities. Included are sidebars in his own words, often humorous anecdotes that illuminate the narrative, as well as commentary by his family members, friends, instructors, and industry colleagues. The book also features a foreword by Alex Grey, an American visionary artist and longtime friend of Keenan. Accompanying the text are photos of Keenan from childhood to the present.

Maynard's story is a metaphor for the reader's own evolution and an encouragement to follow one's dreams, hold fast to individual integrity, and work ceaselessly to fulfill our creative potential.

One of the funniest rock memoirs ever, Al Kooper's legendary Backstage Passes is available again! Al's quirky life, from would-be teenage rocker, to crashing Bob Dylan's recording session and playing the organ on Highway 61, to forming Blood, Sweat, and Tears and masterminding the Super Sessions, it's all here...plus, in this updated version, Al rides with us all the way back to the end of the 20th century. There has never been a more wickedly humorous and honest book by a man who has made such rock history.

The book is in the tradition of Tony Bacon's bestselling guitar series, with a carefully researched story, a gallery section of full-color pictures of the most important guitars and players, and a reference section detailing production years and specifications.

The 335 was launched in 1958. It had a double-cutaway body, but the interesting features were hidden inside. A solid block in an otherwise hollow body created a new semi-solid structure, cleverly combining the sonic qualities of a hollowbody guitar and a solidbody. Variants included the stereo 345 and the upscale 355, and players have lined up ever since for a taste of these attractively different flavors.

Some of those players featured in the book include Larry Carlton, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Peter Hayes (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Eric Clapton, Pepper Keenan (Down), B.B. King, Elvin Bishop (Butterfield Blues Band), Alvin Lee (Ten Years After), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Eddie Phillips (the Creation), Johnny Marr (the Smiths), Lee Ritenour, Andy Summers (the Police), Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe), and Andrew White (Kaiser Chiefs).

- Forty-six illustrations of cloisonné pin art for music fans

- Single-sided, printing on high-quality paper to reduce the chance of bleed-through

- Perforated removable sheets that are easy to frame or share at coloring parties

- An introduction about the artist, Gary Kroman, by Dead Relix founder, Leslie D. Kippel

The Gretsch Electric Guitar Book comes right up to the present, including Gretsch's alliance to the powerful Fender company, a move that has done wonders for the reliability and playability of the modern Gretsch axe. Every great model is here, but the book also tells the story of the lesser-known guitars and the projects that almost never happened. There are archival and fresh interviews with Gretsch personnel over the years and with many leading Gretsch players, including Chet Atkins, Billy Duffy, Duane Eddy, and Brian Setzer.

In the tradition of Tony Bacon's best-selling series of guitar books, his updated and revised story of Gretsch is three great volumes in one: a compendium of luscious pictures of the coolest guitars; a gripping story from early exploits to the most recent developments; and a detailed collector's guide to every production electric Gretsch model ever made.

At the time, however, it made good business sense. Sales of the Les Paul were faltering, and Gibson decided to blow a breath of fresh air through its solidbody electric guitar line. The company described the result as an ultra-thin, hand-contoured, double-cutaway body. The modernistic amalgam of bevels and points and angles was a radical departure, and this new book tells the story of all the SG models that followed: the Junior, Special, Standard, Custom, and more.

There are interviews with and stories about Gibson personnel through the years, and all the major SG players, including Pete Townshend, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton, Angus Young, George Harrison, Gary Rossington, Tony Iommi, and Derek Trucks.

In the tradition of Tony Bacon's bestselling series of guitar books, The SG Guitar Book is three great volumes in one package: a collection of drool-worthy pictures of the coolest guitars; a gripping story from the earliest prototypes to the latest exploits; and a detailed collector's database of every production SG model ever made.

Born in 1940 as Richard Starkey in the Dingle, one of Liverpool's most gritty, rough-and-tumble neighborhoods, he rose from a hardscrabble childhood - marked by serious illnesses, long hospital stays, and little schooling - to emerge, against all odds, as a locally renowned drummer. Taking the stage name Ringo Starr, his big break with the Beatles rocketed him to the pinnacle of worldwide acclaim in a remarkably short time. He was the last member of the Beatles to join the group but also the most vulnerable, and his post-Beatles career was marked by chart-topping successes, a jet-setting life of excess and alcohol abuse, and, ultimately, his rebirth as one of rock's revered elder statesman.

Named one of Library Journal's Best Nonfiction of 2024

The stories of rock musicians who die young are the thing of lore and legend. Accidents, drug overdoses, plane crashes--all have taken the lives of male rock stars still in their primes. But what became of their widowed brides? How did they survive a loss so great? What is it like to have to share your grief with millions of strangers? And where are these widows today?

I Can't Remember if I Cried is part music history, part memoir, based around interviews with rock widows conducted by Lori Tucker-Sullivan--who herself lost her husband in 2010. With each widow that Lori interviews, she learns lessons in love, forgiveness, coping, and moving on. The book is framed by the author's own narrative to create a single thread that links the stories together to ultimately create a tale of how the author's life is changed through her interactions with these amazing women.

Among the women profiled by Tucker-Sullivan:

• Judy VanZant who, after losing husband Ronnie of Lynyrd Skynyrd, sued the re-formed band in order to protect her interests.
• Sandy Chapin, widow of Harry Chapin, who has worked tirelessly to uphold Harry's significant legacy around activism and hunger prevention.
• Crystal Zevon, the ex-wife of Warren Zevon, who provides details of her abusive relationship with Warren and how she resolved her anger and grief.
• Jamie Weiland, widow of Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland, speaking openly of Scott's mental health, which at times kept him housebound for days.
• Janna Leblanc, widow of Stevie Ray Vaughan, who shares the details of her visits with Stevie in rehab.

This is the only book on the market that includes all of these important elements in the examination of effects pedals - a comprehensive history of the art; profiles on both vintage and contemporary (including boutique) units; and expert advice on all aspects of using these tools. For any serious player interested in honing the perfect tone the right way, this is the go-to reference.

The two-guitars-bass-and-drums lineup that would define pop music found its heart with the Fender bass. In the coming decades, the bass guitar provided the solid foundation upon which much modern music is still built. The Bass Book is the first to study its story, with the full lowdown of the most important bass players and bass makers. Brands featured in the book include Alembic, Danelectro, Epiphone, Fender, Fodera, Gibson, Hofner, Ibanez, Lakland, Line 6, Music Man, Peavey, Rickenbacker, Sadowsky, Spector, Squier, Steinberger, Wal, Warwick, and Yamaha.

Original interviews with makers of bass guitars from the past and present illuminate the book, with the popular establishment of the bass during the '60s and '70s examined in detail, along with more recent developments such as the popularity of the five-string bass. There is an exclusive interview with Paul McCartney and other bassists who feature in the story, including Stanley Clarke, Flea, James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, and Robert Trujillo.

Dozens of unusual, desirable, and rarely seen basses are presented in high-quality photos. A reference section provides a wealth of information on the key makers. The Bass Book has all you need to know about the story of the bass guitar in one stylish, readable volume, and this revised and refreshed third edition brings the story right up to date.

In When Rock Met Reggae, Steven Blush takes a spirited, cross-genre perspective in this illuminating chronicle (Booklist) of the crossover of Jamaican, British, and American sounds that changed the face of popular music. Library Journal notes that Blush's nimble outline of the interplay between reggae and British punk will appeal to music fans.

Bringing the same incisive, cross-genre perspective he offered in When Rock Met Disco, Steven Blush gives a spirited survey of the crossover of Jamaican, British, and American sounds that changed the face of popular music in When Rock Met Reggae. The inspiration of ska, rock-steady, dub, and reggae--heard on independent recordings played on soundsystems from Kingston and Brixton--created a new rock tonality and attitude, spanning from Eric Clapton to The Clash. Meanwhile, the Two Tone sounds--traversing The Specials, Madness, and UB40--fueled the '90s ska revival of Sublime, No Doubt, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and beyond. Attentive to the racial, political, and artistic aspects of this intricate story, Blush gives a memorable account of one of the most fertile cross-pollinations in pop music history.

Feminism has always been a complex and controversial topic, as female rock musicians know especially well. When they've stayed true to their own vision, these artists have alternately been adored as role models or denounced as bad influences. Either way, they're asked to cope with certain pressures that their male counterparts haven't faced. With each successive feminism movement since the 1960s, women in rock have been prominent proponents of progress as they've increasingly taken control of their own music, message, and image. This, in its way, is just as revolutionary as any protest demonstration.

In She's a Badass, music journalist Katherine Yeske Taylor interviews twenty significant women in rock, devoting an entire chapter to each one, taking an in-depth look at the incredible talent, determination--and, often, humor--they needed to succeed in their careers (and life). Interviewees range from legendary artists through notable up-and-comers, including Ann Wilson (Heart), Gina Schock (The Go-Go's), Suzanne Vega, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Orianthi, Amanda Palmer, and more. Their experiences reveal the varied and unique challenges these women have faced, how they overcame them, and what they think still needs to be done to continue making progress on the equality front. Their stories prove that promoting feminism--either through activism or by living example--is undeniably badass.

The women interviewed for the 20 chapters are: Suzi Quatro, Ann Wilson (Heart), Exene Cervenka (X), Gina Schock (the Go-Go's), Lydia Lunch, Suzanne Vega, Cherie Currie (the Runaways), Joan Osborne, Donita Sparks (L7), Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, the Breeders, Belly), Paula Cole, Tobi Vail (Bikini Kill), Laura Veirs, Catherine Popper, Amanda Palmer, Bonnie Bloomgarden (Death Valley Girls), Orianthi, Fefe Dobson, and Sade Sanchez (L.A. Witch).