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Sebastian Ritscher
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ROCK STARS ON THE RECORD

Eric Spitznagel

The Albums That Changed Their Lives

An all-star lineup of rock-n-rollers - from Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell to Suzi Quatro and Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire - relay the uproariously wild, sentimental, and unexpected pre-stardom stories behind their favorite records.
ROCK STARS ON THE RECORD is a collection of first-hand tales by artists of all ages, backgrounds, and musical influences, remembering the meaning behind the records that mattered most to them. From DEVO's Mark Mothersbaugh to The Runaway's Cherie Currie, punk pioneer Ian MacKaye to pop superstar Donny Osmond, parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic to millennial punk poet Mitski Miyawaki, and many more, bestselling author Eric Spitznagel talks to rock stars across the musical spectrum about the albums that changed them in ways only music can change someone.

Everyone's most cherished childhood record - be it a battered piece of vinyl, torn cassette tape, or scratched CD - has a story, and those stories can be more revealing about their owners than you might expect. Read about how Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman (of Prince's longtime band, The Generation) fell in love while trading mixtapes featuring Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Shalamar, and more. Or about Mojo Nixon's relationship to George Thorogood's Move It On Over, or Wayne Kramer's connection with John Coltrane's Ascension.

Each profile is more emotional, fascinating, and hilarious than the last. So place that needle in the groove, and prepare to hear something revelatory from your favorite rockers past and present.

Eric Spitznagel is the author, editor, or ghostwriter of ten books, most recently on his quest to reclaim his lost vinyl collection in Old Records Never Die, and Jeff Tweedy's bestselling memoir, Let's Go (So We Can Get Back). His work has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Vanity Fair, Playboy, Men's Health, and Esquire, among others.
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Published 2021-02-23 by Diversion

Comments

Eric Spitznagel always delivers. It helps that he genuinely reads as a serious contender for the world's biggest fan of whoever he happens to be interviewing. It's a magic trick and a thing of beauty, to watch ultra-hip yung-uns and grizzled grey beards alike gleefully let down their guards and slip out of the armor of their own accomplishments - eager to match his unbridled fan-thusiasm as if they've been challenged to a joy-off. These conversations effervesce.

quote Jeff Tweedy, singer-songwriter, Wilco frontman, and author of the bestseller Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc.

Eric's newest book is absolutely fascinating. It's hard to believe that no one has done this before, but now that I've read it, it seems totally obvious - except that most journalists wouldn't be able to get people to talk so openly and compellingly about something that, to an artist, may feel very private. I know these great musicians and their music better now. Thank you, Eric.

quote Daniel J. Levitin, bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession, Professor of Neuroscience and Music at McGill University in Montreal

In asking a slew of rock stars about the record that changed their lives, Eric Spitznagel also ferrets out fascinating backstories and unexpected anecdotes. Who knew that Tommy Roe's granddaughter calls him 'the Justin Bieber of the '60s'? Or that Perry Farrell entertained his older siblings' friends' by dancing the Hully Gully at their parties? Rock Stars on the Record is so much fun, and more illuminating that you'd expect.

quote Caroline Sullivan, author of Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with the Bay City Rollers

Rolling Stone excerpted ROCK STARS ON THE RECORD ahead of its US publication: Hardcore legend Ian MacKaye explains how Woodstock and an unexpected house guest helped lay the foundation for his love of music in this new excerpt from Eric Spitznagel's new book, Rock Stars on the Record: The Albums That Changed Their Lives. ... Read more...

quote Rolling Stone