Rock Talk Studio: Rock 'n' Roll Book and Doc Reviews

The most highly anticipated rock n roll book of the year is out. Alex Van Halen's memoir is a love letter to his brother Ed. Did it live up to the hype? And did the 240 pages tell the whole story?

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*This week's rock n roll newsletter recommendation:
The mother of all rock n roll newsletters- The Zappagram
https://zappagram.substack.com/

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The band has been together for close to 50 years. They haven't toured in 6 years. Why is this set list so important? Road Diary-Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band is a rock n roll documentary that incapsulates everything that makes a Springsteen show so powerful. This is on the list of the top 5 Rock Docs of the year! 

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Here's all the latest book buzz and documentary news you don't want to miss! Projects from The Beatles, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Tragically Hip, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band and Elton John to name a few are featured on this month's BONUS EPISODE. 
Plus, your chance to win the new Rush book "Rush at 50!" 

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Is there really anything more to learn about John Lennon and Yoko Ono? Mind Games the book answers that questions with the inclusion of never before seen essays, documents, hand written lyrics, and over 750 photos. This definitive exploration is made up of Lennon and Ono's thoughts during the making, producing, and releasing of the album, plus contributions from people who were there. 

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Remember with this one, it's only available for US citizens 

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The oddest, interesting, quirky, unique rock n roll book I have ever read. EVER? Yes!
1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left by Robyn Hitchcock is a delightful read that takes you back to a special time in rock n roll history. Hitchcock writes his life story from his early teens persona as he discovers the life altering power of rock n roll. 

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This book is a treasure. Author Paul Zollo got a chance in 2004 and 2005 to sit and talk with Tom Petty, discussing his life and music. This book is a record of these conversation. We are so lucky to have a document like this that so deeply explores not only Tom Petty's craft, but the many chapters of his life and career. 

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The latest news from Alex Van Halen's memoir "Brothers" plus news on projects from Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Rush, Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney to name a few. Catch up on all the book buzz and documentary news for the month of September!

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This book was a little outside of the usual rock n roll books I review. But I took a chance. And because of the unique storytelling and interesting personal path author Ann Powers took to tell the story, I found myself engaged throughout. This is not a Joni Mitchell biography. This is the life of Mitchell questioned, examined, and presented with the myriad of avenues Joni Mitchell and author Ann Powers took throughout their lives. 

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The iconic music doc and album, Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen, gets a well deserved follow up in this new documentary "Learning To Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs and Englishmen" 50 years later the Tedeschi Trucks band put together a massive tribute to the Mad Dogs and Englishmen legacy, reuniting 12 member of the original band to play the LOCKN Festival in Arrington Virginia. This doc not only captures the reunion show but also uses never before seen archival footage from the original tour to expand on the myth and answers all the questions from that magical 197O concert run. 

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Is the Stone Pony the most iconic rock n roll bar in America? I dive into the oral history of this still standing Asbury Park New Jersey landmark that uses quotes from Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zant, Patti Smith, Zack Wylde, Tom Morello and a cast of a hundred more artists to tell this tale. 

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