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Motown

Music, Money, Sex, and Power

by Gerald Posner ...

In 1959, twenty-nine-year-old Berry Gordy, who had already given up on his dream to be a champion boxer, borrowed eight hundred dollars from his family and started a record company. A run-down bungalow sandwiched between a funeral home and a beauty shop in a poor Detroit neighborhood served as his headquarters. The building’s entrance was adorned with a large sign that improbably boasted ... Read more

Was $9.99 USD Now $8.99 USD

In 1959, twenty-nine-year-old Berry Gordy, who had already given up on his dream to be a champion boxer, borrowed eight hundred dollars from his family and started a record company. A run-down bungalow sandwiched between a funeral home and a beauty shop in a poor Detroit neighborhood served as his headquarters. The building’s entrance was adorned with a large sign that improbably boasted
... Read more
Chuck Berry

An American Life

by RJ Smith ...

The definitive biography of Chuck Berry, legendary performer and inventor of rock and rollBest known as the groundbreaking artist behind classics like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” “You Never Can Tell” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” Chuck Berry was a man of wild contradictions, whose motives and motivations were often shrouded in mystery. After all, how did a teenage delinquent come to write so ... Read more

$15.99 USD

The definitive biography of Chuck Berry, legendary performer and inventor of rock and rollBest known as the groundbreaking artist behind classics like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” “You Never Can Tell” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” Chuck Berry was a man of wild contradictions, whose motives and motivations were often shrouded in mystery. After all, how did a teenage delinquent come to write so
... Read more
Remembering Whitney

My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped

by Cissy Houston ...

The definitive account of Whitney Houston’s astonishing life, ground-breaking career, and tragic death — complete with never-before-seen photographs — from the only one who truly knows the story behind the headlines: her mother, Cissy Houston.Cissy has said little publicly about Whitney’s heart-breaking death. Now, for the first time, she opens up and shares the unbelievable story of her daughter ... Read more

$13.99 USD

The definitive account of Whitney Houston’s astonishing life, ground-breaking career, and tragic death — complete with never-before-seen photographs — from the only one who truly knows the story behind the headlines: her mother, Cissy Houston.Cissy has said little publicly about Whitney’s heart-breaking death. Now, for the first time, she opens up and shares the unbelievable story of her daughter
... Read more
What a Fool Believes

A Memoir

by Michael McDonald, Paul Reiser ...

* INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award–winning, platinum selling singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award–nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael ... Read more

$12.99 USD

* INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award–winning, platinum selling singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award–nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael
... Read more
The Lost Supreme

The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard

by Peter Benjaminson ...

In the months before she died, Florence Ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the most successful female vocal group in history—the Supremes—told her own side of the story. Recorded on tape, Flo shed light on all areas of her life, including the surprising identity of the man by whom she was raped prior to her entering the music business, the details of her love-hate relationship with Motown ... Read more

$12.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

In the months before she died, Florence Ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the most successful female vocal group in history—the Supremes—told her own side of the story. Recorded on tape, Flo shed light on all areas of her life, including the surprising identity of the man by whom she was raped prior to her entering the music business, the details of her love-hate relationship with Motown
... Read more
Over the Influence

A Memoir

by Joanna "JoJo" Levesque ...

**THE INSTANT *NEW YORKTIMES* BESTSELLER**A breathtakingly candid memoir by Joanna "JoJo" Levesque, the chart-topping, multi-platinum recording artist behind hits like “Leave (Get Out),” “Too Little, Too Late”, and the Grammy Award-winning "Say So"."A remarkably compassionate portrait ... that's bolstered by fastidious journal entries [JoJo's] kept throughout her life ... JoJo is back in control." ... Read more

Was $14.99 USD Now $12.99 USD

**THE INSTANT *NEW YORKTIMES* BESTSELLER**A breathtakingly candid memoir by Joanna "JoJo" Levesque, the chart-topping, multi-platinum recording artist behind hits like “Leave (Get Out),” “Too Little, Too Late”, and the Grammy Award-winning "Say So"."A remarkably compassionate portrait ... that's bolstered by fastidious journal entries [JoJo's] kept throughout her life ... JoJo is back in control."
... Read more
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

An Oral History of the '60s Girl Groups

by Laura Flam, Emily Sieu Liebowitz ...

Featuring over 300 hours of new interviews with 100+ subjects, an oral history of the girl groups (such as The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas) that redefined the early 1960sThe girl group sound, made famous and unforgettable by acts like The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas, took over the airwaves by capturing the mixture of innocence and rebellion ... Read more

$15.99 USD

Featuring over 300 hours of new interviews with 100+ subjects, an oral history of the girl groups (such as The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas) that redefined the early 1960sThe girl group sound, made famous and unforgettable by acts like The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas, took over the airwaves by capturing the mixture of innocence and rebellion
... Read more
The Red Hot Chili Peppers

An Oral/Visual History

by The Red Hot Chili Peppers ...

This is the book fans have been waiting for since Mother’s Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik first hit the charts: The first (and only!) official Red Hot Chili Peppers story—an oral and visual autobiography from one of the world’s greatest rock groups. Together, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, Flea, and Chad Smith tell the 61-million-album selling band’s rollercoaster story, with anecdotes of their ... Read more

$13.99 USD

This is the book fans have been waiting for since Mother’s Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik first hit the charts: The first (and only!) official Red Hot Chili Peppers story—an oral and visual autobiography from one of the world’s greatest rock groups. Together, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, Flea, and Chad Smith tell the 61-million-album selling band’s rollercoaster story, with anecdotes of their
... Read more
On Time

A Princely Life in Funk

by Morris Day ...

A memoir by Morris Day of The Time centering around his lifelong relationship and association with Prince"A vital, illuminating, and wildly entertaining autobiography." -Billboard"Great book! Great storytelling!" -LENNY KRAVITZ"Lean, slick, cooler than Santa Claus, and surprisingly tender, this book not only traces Day's history in Minneapolis funk, but doubles as an intimate recollection of his ... Read more

$13.99 USD

A memoir by Morris Day of The Time centering around his lifelong relationship and association with Prince"A vital, illuminating, and wildly entertaining autobiography." -Billboard"Great book! Great storytelling!" -LENNY KRAVITZ"Lean, slick, cooler than Santa Claus, and surprisingly tender, this book not only traces Day's history in Minneapolis funk, but doubles as an intimate recollection of his
... Read more
Soulless

The Case Against R. Kelly

by Jim DeRogatis ...

The essential account of R. Kelly’s actions and their consequences, a reckoning two decades in the makingIn November 2000, Chicago journalist and music critic Jim DeRogatis received an anonymous fax that alleged R. Kelly had a problem with “young girls.” Weeks later, DeRogatis broke the shocking story, publishing allegations that the R&B superstar and local hero had groomed girls, sexually abused ... Read more

$11.09 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

The essential account of R. Kelly’s actions and their consequences, a reckoning two decades in the makingIn November 2000, Chicago journalist and music critic Jim DeRogatis received an anonymous fax that alleged R. Kelly had a problem with “young girls.” Weeks later, DeRogatis broke the shocking story, publishing allegations that the R&B superstar and local hero had groomed girls, sexually abused
... Read more
The One

The Life and Music of James Brown

by RJ Smith ...

The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our timePlaying 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer ... Read more

$9.99 USD

The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our timePlaying 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer
... Read more
Time Is Tight

My Life, Note by Note

by Booker T. Jones ...

The long-awaited memoir of Booker T. Jones, leader of the famed Stax Records house band, architect of the Memphis soul sound, and one of the most legendary figures in music.From Booker T. Jones's earliest years in segregated Memphis, music was the driving force in his life. While he worked paper routes and played gigs in local nightclubs to pay for lessons and support his family, Jones, on the ... Read more

$11.99 USD

The long-awaited memoir of Booker T. Jones, leader of the famed Stax Records house band, architect of the Memphis soul sound, and one of the most legendary figures in music.From Booker T. Jones's earliest years in segregated Memphis, music was the driving force in his life. While he worked paper routes and played gigs in local nightclubs to pay for lessons and support his family, Jones, on the
... Read more
Detroit 67

The Year That Changed Soul

by Stuart Cosgrove ...

Series Book 1 - The Soul Trilogy
First in the award-winning soul music trilogy—featuring Motown artists Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and others.Detroit 67 is "a dramatic account of twelve remarkable months in the Motor City" during the year that changed everything ( Sunday Mail). It takes you on a turbulent journey through the drama and chaos that ripped through the city in 1967 and tore it apart in ... Read more

$9.89 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

First in the award-winning soul music trilogy—featuring Motown artists Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and others.Detroit 67 is "a dramatic account of twelve remarkable months in the Motor City" during the year that changed everything ( Sunday Mail). It takes you on a turbulent journey through the drama and chaos that ripped through the city in 1967 and tore it apart in
... Read more
Fela: This Bitch Of a Life

by Carlos Moore ...

African superstar composer singer and musician as well as mystic and political activist Nigerian Fela Kuti born in 1938 was controversy personified. He was swept to international celebrity on a wave of scandal and flamboyance and when he died of AIDS in 1997 more than a million people attended his funeral. But what was he really like this man who could as easily arouse violent hostility as he ... Read more

$8.69 USD

African superstar composer singer and musician as well as mystic and political activist Nigerian Fela Kuti born in 1938 was controversy personified. He was swept to international celebrity on a wave of scandal and flamboyance and when he died of AIDS in 1997 more than a million people attended his funeral. But what was he really like this man who could as easily arouse violent hostility as he
... Read more
Higher Ground

Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, and the Rise and Fall of American Soul

by Craig Werner ...

An insightful music writer brilliantly reinterprets the lives of three pop geniuses and the soul revolution they launched.Soul music is one of America's greatest cultural achievements, and Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Curtis Mayfield are three of its most inspired practitioners. In midcentury America it was soul music—particularly the dazzling stream of recordings made by these three stars ... Read more

$14.99 USD

An insightful music writer brilliantly reinterprets the lives of three pop geniuses and the soul revolution they launched.Soul music is one of America's greatest cultural achievements, and Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Curtis Mayfield are three of its most inspired practitioners. In midcentury America it was soul music—particularly the dazzling stream of recordings made by these three stars
... Read more
Sweet Soul Music

Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom

by Peter Guralnick ...

A gripping narrative that captures the tumult and liberating energy of a nation in transition, Sweet Soul Music is an intimate portrait of the legendary performers--Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Al Green among them--who merged gospel and rhythm and blues to create Southern soul music. Through rare interviews and with unique insight, Peter ... Read more

$12.99 USD

A gripping narrative that captures the tumult and liberating energy of a nation in transition, Sweet Soul Music is an intimate portrait of the legendary performers--Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Al Green among them--who merged gospel and rhythm and blues to create Southern soul music. Through rare interviews and with unique insight, Peter
... Read more
The Last Sultan

The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun

by Robert Greenfield ...

The definitive biography of Ahmet Ertegun—founder of Atlantic Records and the man behind stars from Ray Charles to the Rolling Stones.Brilliant, cultured, brash, and irreverent, Ahmet Ertegun was a legend in the music world. Blessed with great taste and sharp business acumen, he founded Atlantic Records and brought rock ’n’ roll into the mainstream. He quickly became as renowned for his incredible ... Read more

$15.99 USD

The definitive biography of Ahmet Ertegun—founder of Atlantic Records and the man behind stars from Ray Charles to the Rolling Stones.Brilliant, cultured, brash, and irreverent, Ahmet Ertegun was a legend in the music world. Blessed with great taste and sharp business acumen, he founded Atlantic Records and brought rock ’n’ roll into the mainstream. He quickly became as renowned for his incredible
... Read more
Ain't Too Proud to Beg

The Troubled Lives and Enduring Soul of the Temptations

by Mark Ribowsky ...

The first and only definitive biography of legendary Motown group, the TemptationsThe Temptations are an incomparable soul group, with dozens of chart-topping hits such as My Girl and Papa Was a Rollin Stone. From the sharp suits, stylish choreography, and distinctive vocals that epitomized their onstage triumphs to the personal failings and psycho-dramas that played out behind the scenes, Ain't ... Read more

$12.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

The first and only definitive biography of legendary Motown group, the TemptationsThe Temptations are an incomparable soul group, with dozens of chart-topping hits such as My Girl and Papa Was a Rollin Stone. From the sharp suits, stylish choreography, and distinctive vocals that epitomized their onstage triumphs to the personal failings and psycho-dramas that played out behind the scenes, Ain't
... Read more
The Blues Brothers

An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic

by Daniel de Visé ...

The story of the epic friendship between John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the golden era of improv, the early days of Saturday Night Live, and the making of a comedic film classic that helped shape our popular culture“They’re not going to catch us,” Dan Aykroyd, as Elwood Blues, tells his brother Jake, played by John Belushi. “We’re on a mission from God.” So opens the musical action comedy The Blues ... Read more

$13.69 USD

The story of the epic friendship between John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the golden era of improv, the early days of Saturday Night Live, and the making of a comedic film classic that helped shape our popular culture“They’re not going to catch us,” Dan Aykroyd, as Elwood Blues, tells his brother Jake, played by John Belushi. “We’re on a mission from God.” So opens the musical action comedy The Blues
... Read more
The Death of Rhythm and Blues

by Nelson George ...

From Nelson George, supervising producer and writer of the hit Netflix series, "The Get Down," this passionate and provocative book tells the complete story of black music in the last fifty years, and in doing so outlines the perilous position of black culture within white American society. In a fast-paced narrative, Nelson George’s book chronicles the rise and fall of “race music” and its ... Read more

$9.99 USD

From Nelson George, supervising producer and writer of the hit Netflix series, "The Get Down," this passionate and provocative book tells the complete story of black music in the last fifty years, and in doing so outlines the perilous position of black culture within white American society. In a fast-paced narrative, Nelson George’s book chronicles the rise and fall of “race music” and its
... Read more
Memphis 68

The Tragedy of Southern Soul

by Stuart Cosgrove ...

Series Book 2 - The Soul Trilogy
Second in the award-winning soul music trilogy following Detroit 67—featuring Memphis artists Isaac Hayes, Mahalia Jackson, Otis Redding, and others.In the 1950s and 1960s, Memphis, Tennessee, was the launchpad for musical pioneers such as Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes, and by 1968, it was a city synonymous with soul music. It was a deeply segregated city, ... Read more

$11.59 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Second in the award-winning soul music trilogy following Detroit 67—featuring Memphis artists Isaac Hayes, Mahalia Jackson, Otis Redding, and others.In the 1950s and 1960s, Memphis, Tennessee, was the launchpad for musical pioneers such as Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes, and by 1968, it was a city synonymous with soul music. It was a deeply segregated city,
... Read more
Why Solange Matters

by Stephanie Phillips ...

Series series Music Matters
Growing up in the shadow of her superstar sister, Solange Knowles became a pivotal musician in her own right. Defying an industry that attempted to bend her to its rigid image of a Black woman, Solange continually experimented with her sound and embarked on a metamorphosis in her art that continues to this day.In Why Solange Matters, Stephanie Phillips chronicles the creative journey of an artist ... Read more

$13.69 USD

Growing up in the shadow of her superstar sister, Solange Knowles became a pivotal musician in her own right. Defying an industry that attempted to bend her to its rigid image of a Black woman, Solange continually experimented with her sound and embarked on a metamorphosis in her art that continues to this day.In Why Solange Matters, Stephanie Phillips chronicles the creative journey of an artist
... Read more
Roll With It

Brass Bands in the Streets of New Orleans

by Matt Sakakeeny ...

Series series Refiguring American Music
Roll With It is a firsthand account of the precarious lives of musicians in the Rebirth, Soul Rebels, and Hot 8 brass bands of New Orleans. These young men are celebrated as cultural icons for upholding the proud traditions of the jazz funeral and the second line parade, yet they remain subject to the perils of poverty, racial marginalization, and urban violence that characterize life for many ... Read more

$19.49 USD

Roll With It is a firsthand account of the precarious lives of musicians in the Rebirth, Soul Rebels, and Hot 8 brass bands of New Orleans. These young men are celebrated as cultural icons for upholding the proud traditions of the jazz funeral and the second line parade, yet they remain subject to the perils of poverty, racial marginalization, and urban violence that characterize life for many
... Read more
Mary Wells

The Tumultuous Life of Motown's First Superstar

by Peter Benjaminson ...

Complete with never-before-revealed details about the sex, violence, and drugs in her life, this biography reveals the incredibly turbulent life of Motown artist Mary Wells. Based in part on four hours of previously unreleased and unpublicized deathbed interviews with Wells, this account delves deeply into her rapid rise and long fall as a recording artist, her spectacular romantic and family life ... Read more

$12.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Complete with never-before-revealed details about the sex, violence, and drugs in her life, this biography reveals the incredibly turbulent life of Motown artist Mary Wells. Based in part on four hours of previously unreleased and unpublicized deathbed interviews with Wells, this account delves deeply into her rapid rise and long fall as a recording artist, her spectacular romantic and family life
... Read more

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