Rock Stars on the Record

More about the book

An all-star lineup of rock-n-rollers, from Perry Farrell to Suzi Quatro and Verdine White, share uproarious, sentimental, and unexpected pre-stardom stories behind their favorite records. This collection features first-hand tales from artists of diverse backgrounds, reflecting on the significance of the albums that shaped them. Contributors include Laura Jane Grace, Ian MacKaye, Don McLean, Cherie Currie, Alice Bag, and Mac DeMarco, as bestselling author Eric Spitznagel engages with rock stars across the musical spectrum about the transformative power of music. Everyone has a cherished childhood record—be it a battered vinyl, torn cassette, or scratched CD—and the stories behind these records reveal much about their owners. Discover how "Weird Al" Yankovic honed his accordion skills playing along to Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, or how Fishbone's Angelo Moore credits a boombox and a Bad Brains album with saving his life. Learn about the love story between Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman of Prince's band, The Generation, sparked by mixtapes. Each profile is emotional, fascinating, and hilarious, inviting readers to revisit the music that resonates deeply with their favorite rockers, past and present.