Rock Music Novels

LivelyWriter · 01-25-2011, 09:31 AM

I am interested in novels where rock music is a central theme. Not looking for rock star bios (have plenty of those). It could be written by a famous musician, or loosely based on one.

I recently got Paul is Undead for Kindle, looking for more. They don't have to be zombie books, either.

Appreciate any recs.

Moe The Cat · 01-25-2011, 02:15 PM

Lexi Revellian (who is a MobileRead member) has published a novel called Remix, which involves rock music. The synopsis:

Quote:

Caz Tallis restores rocking horses in her London workshop. When shabby but charismatic Joe and his dog turn up on her roof terrace, she is reluctantly drawn into investigating a rock star’s murder from three years before – an unsolved case the police have closed. Somebody is prepared to kill to prevent it being reopened – and is Caz's judgment clouding as she falls in love?

I quite enjoyed it!

mediax · 01-27-2011, 07:49 AM

I'm not sure if it's available in ebook, but I enjoyed The Art of Falling Apart by Mark Dawson. British band tour the States and things go wrong . . .

dworth · 01-27-2011, 10:46 AM

Espedair Street by Iain Banks is very good. Former member of a 1970s rock group recalls their rise and fall.

Goodnight Steve McQueen by Louise Wener (former lead singer of the 90's British indie group Sleeper) is also worth a look and tells the tale of a wannabe rock star's struggle to realise his dream, despite the fact that everyone tells him he getting too old for that sort of thing.

jlbfoot · 01-27-2011, 11:18 AM

Don't know if it's available as an ebook, but "Hammer of the Gods" was pretty good reading. It is about that obscure band known as Led Zepplin.

curtw · 01-27-2011, 02:00 PM

I'm going to go out on a limb, and recommend at least the first two books of John Shirley's A Song Called Youth trilogy. You may look at the plot description and realize that these are cyberpunk novels. But, since you asked about theme: rock music, rock sensibilities, and rock-influenced outlook are a huge part of the theme, while not necessarily the plot of these books. Plenty of chapter interlude quotes from Dylan (Bob, not Thomas). You may also be aware that Shirley later co-wrote a few songs with Blue Oyster Cult. (IMHO, the third book falls apart in a mess of misogyny).

Image too large - MODERATOR]

Also, it's not exactly a novel, but the script for Hedwig and the Angry Inch was published. Personally, I'd just recommend you rent the DVD.

Oh yeah--I also picked up the Kindle edition of One Hit Wonder when it was free. It was certainly "worth it" for free, but I wouldn't have paid full price (the characters are just too flat and predictable). Look for it to go on sale again.

Let us know how it goes!

Curt

DrScotter · 01-27-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivelyWriter

I am interested in novels where rock music is a central theme. Not looking for rock star bios (have plenty of those). It could be written by a famous musician, or loosely based on one.

I recently got Paul is Undead for Kindle, looking for more. They don't have to be zombie books, either.

Appreciate any recs.

The Wishbones by Tom Perrota

Nocturnes by Kasuo Ishiguro

Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie

RL's Dream by Walter Mosley

Crossroad Blues by Ace Adkins

Blues Lessons by Robert Hellenga

Fargo Rock City by Chuck Klosterman

Been Here And Gone by David Dalton

DrScotter · 01-28-2011, 05:10 PM

I just remembered another and may post a few others as they come to me.

Rock Star by Jackie Collins.

Yeah, I know, but I read it and it was actually a lot of fun.

bgalbrecht · 01-29-2011, 01:16 AM

Armegeddon Rag by George R.R. Martin

Anke Wehner · 01-29-2011, 04:33 PM

Soul Music, by Terry Pratchett, if being satire in comic fantasy form is your thing. I love that book.

JeremyR · 01-30-2011, 02:51 AM

Spellsinger by Alan Dean Foster.

It's about a guy who is transported into a fantasy world and he discovers he can make magic by playing (rock) music.

The first few books (it's a series) are quite good, then it sort of fell apart, but still, kind of a classic.

And although not exactly famous, Mick Farren was a musician and has written several novels, including Jim Morrison's Adventures in the Afterlife which I thought was quite good.

obs20 · 01-31-2011, 03:54 PM

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
http://www.amazon.com/Visit-Goon-Squ...pr_product_top

Just put your Kindle in Landscape mode when you come to the Power Point chapter.

jhempel24 · 02-01-2011, 06:51 AM

Not available "legally" in eBook format yet but:

Buddy Holly Is Alive and Well on Ganymede!!!!!

AbFabGab · 02-02-2011, 03:55 PM

Trevor's Song
by Susan Helene Gottfried

===
Product Description
Fame and Fortune have destroyed many a rock star, but Trevor Wolff has a bigger problem when his best friend Mitchell Voss commits an act of monogamy with sexy artist Kerri Broadhurst.

ShapeShifter band dynamics will never be the same with this new woman on the scene, and the distractions of two girlfriends and a world tour aren’t enough to keep Trevor from feeling like his carefully constructed world is crumbling around him. The pesky little illness he’s been hiding from his band mates isn’t help, either.

Trevor is determined to drive Kerri away so life can run properly. He’ll do whatever it takes, or die trying, and not just because if he doesn’t get well soon, time might be up for old Trevor. The last person he expects help or sympathy from is Kerri herself, but he may have to make common cause with his enemy if he’s to survive the fallout from the secrets he’s been hiding.
===

She has two other Trevor-related books:

ShapeShifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 1
ShapeShifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 2

===
Product Description
The Demo Tapes: Year 1 introduced the reading public to ShapeShifter and the two men behind this fictional band: Trevor Wolff and Mitchell Voss. The Demo Tapes: Year 2 brings you more of the short fiction that brings these people to vivid life. Year 2 delves more deeply into love, friendships, and the inside workings of ShapeShifter. Vive la Trevolution!
===

I have not read any yet but "Trevor's Song" is on my list.

WestofMars · 02-03-2011, 12:23 PM

Wow, Gabrielle, thanks for the mention! I appreciate it -- and for helping me find this forum. I'm looking forward to hanging out here and getting to know people.

01-25-2011, 09:31 AM	#1
LivelyWriter Dead Barchetta Posts: 11 Karma: 20 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: US Device: Kobo Reader, Kindle	Rock Music Novels I am interested in novels where rock music is a central theme. Not looking for rock star bios (have plenty of those). It could be written by a famous musician, or loosely based on one. I recently got Paul is Undead for Kindle, looking for more. They don't have to be zombie books, either. Appreciate any recs.

01-27-2011, 02:00 PM	#6
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 871 Karma: 4457646 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	I'm going to go out on a limb, and recommend at least the first two books of John Shirley's A Song Called Youth trilogy. You may look at the plot description and realize that these are cyberpunk novels. But, since you asked about theme: rock music, rock sensibilities, and rock-influenced outlook are a huge part of the theme, while not necessarily the plot of these books. Plenty of chapter interlude quotes from Dylan (Bob, not Thomas). You may also be aware that Shirley later co-wrote a few songs with Blue Oyster Cult. (IMHO, the third book falls apart in a mess of misogyny). Image too large - MODERATOR] Also, it's not exactly a novel, but the script for Hedwig and the Angry Inch was published. Personally, I'd just recommend you rent the DVD. Oh yeah--I also picked up the Kindle edition of One Hit Wonder when it was free. It was certainly "worth it" for free, but I wouldn't have paid full price (the characters are just too flat and predictable). Look for it to go on sale again. Let us know how it goes! Curt Last edited by Dr. Drib; 06-28-2011 at 08:54 PM. Reason: One Hit Wonder

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01-27-2011, 07:49 AM	#3
mediax Readaholic Posts: 255 Karma: 1058454 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)	I'm not sure if it's available in ebook, but I enjoyed The Art of Falling Apart by Mark Dawson. British band tour the States and things go wrong . . .

01-27-2011, 10:46 AM	#4
dworth Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 2094632 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bradford, UK Device: kindle pc	Espedair Street by Iain Banks is very good. Former member of a 1970s rock group recalls their rise and fall. Goodnight Steve McQueen by Louise Wener (former lead singer of the 90's British indie group Sleeper) is also worth a look and tells the tale of a wannabe rock star's struggle to realise his dream, despite the fact that everyone tells him he getting too old for that sort of thing.

01-27-2011, 11:18 AM	#5
jlbfoot idiot Posts: 91 Karma: 16 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Grand Cayman Device: Sony 505, 300, and 650	Don't know if it's available as an ebook, but "Hammer of the Gods" was pretty good reading. It is about that obscure band known as Led Zepplin.

01-28-2011, 05:10 PM	#8
DrScotter I'm a Llama! Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Device: Sony PRS 650	I just remembered another and may post a few others as they come to me. Rock Star by Jackie Collins. Yeah, I know, but I read it and it was actually a lot of fun.

01-29-2011, 01:16 AM	#9
bgalbrecht Wizard Posts: 1,806 Karma: 13399999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Device: Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Clara HD, Kindle 4	Armegeddon Rag by George R.R. Martin

01-29-2011, 04:33 PM	#10
Anke Wehner Addict Posts: 249 Karma: 177956 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany Device: PRS-650	Soul Music, by Terry Pratchett, if being satire in comic fantasy form is your thing. I love that book.

01-30-2011, 02:51 AM	#11
JeremyR Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 2458402 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis Device: Kindle Keyboard, Nook HD+	Spellsinger by Alan Dean Foster. It's about a guy who is transported into a fantasy world and he discovers he can make magic by playing (rock) music. The first few books (it's a series) are quite good, then it sort of fell apart, but still, kind of a classic. And although not exactly famous, Mick Farren was a musician and has written several novels, including Jim Morrison's Adventures in the Afterlife which I thought was quite good.

01-31-2011, 03:54 PM	#12
obs20 Wizard Posts: 2,793 Karma: 29028512 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Device: Sony PRS 600, Nook ST, Toshiba Excite 10.1 AT 300	A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan http://www.amazon.com/Visit-Goon-Squ...pr_product_top Just put your Kindle in Landscape mode when you come to the Power Point chapter.

02-01-2011, 06:51 AM	#13
jhempel24 Wizard Posts: 2,157 Karma: 7068605 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro	Not available "legally" in eBook format yet but: Buddy Holly Is Alive and Well on Ganymede!!!!!

02-02-2011, 03:55 PM	#14
AbFabGab Gadget-Luster Posts: 330 Karma: 2157280 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY - USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2	Trevor's Song by Susan Helene Gottfried === Product Description Fame and Fortune have destroyed many a rock star, but Trevor Wolff has a bigger problem when his best friend Mitchell Voss commits an act of monogamy with sexy artist Kerri Broadhurst. ShapeShifter band dynamics will never be the same with this new woman on the scene, and the distractions of two girlfriends and a world tour aren’t enough to keep Trevor from feeling like his carefully constructed world is crumbling around him. The pesky little illness he’s been hiding from his band mates isn’t help, either. Trevor is determined to drive Kerri away so life can run properly. He’ll do whatever it takes, or die trying, and not just because if he doesn’t get well soon, time might be up for old Trevor. The last person he expects help or sympathy from is Kerri herself, but he may have to make common cause with his enemy if he’s to survive the fallout from the secrets he’s been hiding. === She has two other Trevor-related books: ShapeShifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 1 ShapeShifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 2 === Product Description The Demo Tapes: Year 1 introduced the reading public to ShapeShifter and the two men behind this fictional band: Trevor Wolff and Mitchell Voss. The Demo Tapes: Year 2 brings you more of the short fiction that brings these people to vivid life. Year 2 delves more deeply into love, friendships, and the inside workings of ShapeShifter. Vive la Trevolution! === I have not read any yet but "Trevor's Song" is on my list.

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02-03-2011, 12:23 PM	#15
WestofMars Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: West of Mars Device: iPod/Nook	Wow, Gabrielle, thanks for the mention! I appreciate it -- and for helping me find this forum. I'm looking forward to hanging out here and getting to know people.