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Female Musician Book Recommendations
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items I’m shining a spotlight in this list on groundbreaking female musicians who transformed music and culture.
Finally got around to reading this absolute gem of a memoir recently. Patti Smith punk poet pioneer conveys her thoughts & experiences in such descriptive fluid language. It’s a pleasure to bear witness to her early starving artist years before s...
Just Kids
Admittedly I was a huge Neneh Cherry fan back in the day. So obviously I was jumping out of my skin when I heard about A Thousand Threads. One thing is clear, Neneh had an incredibly interesting upbringing and life. From bohemian small town beginning...
A Thousand Threads: A Memoir
Uncovering the stories and inspiration behind Dolly’s most famous songs, this fantastic self-penned memoir is a wonderful read. Told in her own words, it’s not exactly a traditional autobiography. Which is a positive. Her remarkable journey is explai...
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics
Tracing Nina Simone’s life from classical pianist prodigy to the civil rights activist musical icon we know today, this book is a treat. Written with Stephen Cleary, Nina recount’s candidly her against the odds inspirational life story. It’s a moving...
I Put A Spell On You: The Autobiography Of Nina Simone
The enigmatic Nico is the subject of this comprehensive and thrilling biography. Covering the well documented years of her close association with Andy Warhol and her career defining time in The Velvet Underground. But also the less well-known later p...
You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone: The Biography of Nico
Kim Gordon tells her story and what a story it is. Detailing her path from the underground art scene of New York in the 70’s & 80’s to co-founding Sonic Youth, one of the most influential bands in alternative music. The epitome of downtown detach...
Girl in a Band (10th Anniversary Edition): A Memoir
The definitive Madonna biography at 800 plus pages leaves no stone unturned. Charting her ambitious beginnings in Michigan to her meteoric rise in early 80’s New York City. This incredibly informative and comprehensive biography is the go-to for seri...
Madonna: A Rebel Life
A revealing coming of age story from legendary Sleater-Kinney member/Portlandia co-creator Carrie Brownstein. Growing up smack bang in the middle of the Seattle music explosion that took place in the 90’s. This well written memoir traces her journey ...
Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl: A Memoir
The force of nature Carole King’s creative and personal life is under the spotlight here. An amazing story from her songwriting beginnings in Brooklyn, having written some of the most memorable songs for other artists before recording her own. The Lo...
A Natural Woman: A Memoir
Award-winning singer, songwriter Alicia Keys is well known for her soulful voice, exceptional talent, and genre-blending style of classic soul, R&B mixed with hip hop. Exploring defining moments in her career and life altering highs and lows in h...
More Myself: A Journey
This is a great read! Letting loose and taking no prisoners is what I expected going into this a self-penned biography from punk rock feminist legend Kathleen Hanna. It’s written beautifully with humor, heart and is packed full of interesting persona...
Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk
The Legacy of Billie Holiday still resonates with many people. An unforgettable jazz vocalist known for her unique phrasing and distinctive voice. Her influential work reaches far beyond jazz and has inspired generations of music lovers. Lady Sings T...
Lady Sings the Blues: The 50th-Anniversay Edition with a Revised Discography
Tackling a difficult time during her life, running over themes such as mental illness, her legendary band Throwing Muses signing a record deal and recording their first album and the pregnancy and birth of her first child. Kristin Hersh has emerged, ...
Rat Girl: A Memoir