Next Week in Music | November 10-16 • 12 New Books

The Band‘s Robbie Robertson. Alice In Chains’ Layne Staley. Manic Street Preachers’ Richey Edwards. The Fall‘s Mark E. Smith. And the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. They are all gone — but far from forgotten, if next week’s book offerings are any sign. Toss in tomes on Babs, Dolly, Patti and more, and you’ve got plenty of interesting options to choose from. Read all about ’em:

Insomnia
By Robbie Robertson

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “For four decades, Robbie Robertson produced music for Martin Scorsese’s films, a relationship that began when Robertson convinced Scorsese to direct The Last Waltz, the iconic film of The Band’s farewell performance at the Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving 1976. The end of The Band thrust Robertson into a new and uncertain world. With his relationship with his bandmates deteriorating and his marriage collapsing, Robertson arrived on Scorsese’s Beverly Hills doorstep only to find his friend in similar straits. Before the night was out, Scorsese had invited him to move in. Both men, already culture-transforming stars before the age of 35, stood at a creative precipice, searching for the beginning of a new phase of life and work. As their friendship deepened into a career-altering collaboration, their shared journey would take them around the world and down the rabbit hole of American culture in the long hangover of the ’70s. Buffeted on either side by temptation and paranoia, veering closer to self-destruction than either wanted to admit, together they had devoted themselves to a partnership defined by equal parts admiration and ambition. With a cast of characters featuring Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Federico Fellini, Sophia Loren, Sam Fuller, Liza Minnelli, Tuesday Weld and many more, Insomnia is an intimate portrait of a remarkable creative friendship between two titans of American arts, one that would explore the outer limits of excess and experience before returning to tell the tale.”

This Angry Pen Of Mine: Recovering The Journals Of Layne Staley
By Layne Staley

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the first time, this stunning collection unveils the deeply personal and creative side of the legendary Alice In Chains frontman. Through never-before-seen poetry, raw handwritten lyrics, intimate scribblings, and heartfelt notes, Layne’s inner thoughts and emotions come to life, offering a glimpse into the mind of a musical genius who defined a generation. Discover his striking original artwork, where every line tells its own story, and explore rare, candid photos that capture both the highs and lows of his journey. Experience the love and admiration of the fans whose lives he touched, beautifully expressed through evocative fan art that honor his legacy. Through Layne’s scribblings and heartfelt musings are a window into the emotional depths of a man who gave so much of himself to his art and his fans, even as he struggled with his own battles. For fans new and old, this is an opportunity to connect with Layne’s artistry and humanity in a way that’s never been possible before. His story, told through his own words, creations, and the lives he forever changed, is a testament to the enduring power of music, art, and the human spirit.”

68 Songs Of Hatred And Failure: A History Of Manic Street Preachers
By Keith Cameron

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The story of Manic Street Preachers is unique in pop. Raging out of the stricken mining communities of south Wales in the late ’80s, they were bonded by friendships, family ties and a self-styled ‘geometry of contempt’, whereby James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore would orchestrate the daring intellectual broadsides of Richey Edwards and Nicky Wire. Seemingly condemned to mere cult status by a cruel juncture of artistic triumph, commercial failure and personal despair, the story took an agonizing twist when the tragedy of Edwards’ 1995 disappearance was followed by a remarkable rebirth built upon A Design For Life’s hymn to the band’s working-class roots, and then the award-winning, multi-million-selling album Everything Must Go, a majestic soundtrack to history and loss. Less than five years later, Manic Street Preachers played to 60,000 at the national stadium of Wales and had their second U.K. No. 1 single. Subsequent output has confirmed the band as both a wellspring of restless creativity and a barometer of the cultural conversation. Because it was music that saved them, it’s through the prism of their music that Keith Cameron tells the definitive history of Manic Street Preachers, drawing on many hours of new interviews to dive deep into 168 songs, from 1988’s debut single Suicide Alley to the late day peaks of 2025’s album Critical Thinking. Writing with the band’s full co-operation, his book charts the dynamic evolution of a universe in which Karl Marx and Kylie Minogue happily co-exist, that accords Rush and The Clash equal favor, and where Morrissey & Marr meet Torvill & Dean via Nietzsche and New Order in a single four-minute pop song — all in the name of what Wire himself calls ‘the fabulous disaster’ of Manic Street Preachers.”

Not JUST About The Fall
By Paddy Shennan

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In Not JUST About The Fall: 50 Adventures In A Post-Punk Paradise, best-selling author (well, ghostwriter) Paddy Shennan pays tribute to the forgotten heroes of the music industry: The fans! No one is JUST a music fan. Being a music fan is more than important, it’s vital. Music fans are worth their weight in gold. They are needed by every musician who has ever written a song, entered a recording studio and taken to the stage. Just as football is nothing without fans, so is music — and so are musicians. And it’s during your teenage years when music often matters more than anything else in life. Paddy recalls the musical adventures of his adolescence, including classic (and not-so-classic) gigs by the likes of The Clash, Buzzcocks, The Jam, The Fall, Joy Division, The Cure, The Associates, U2, Dexys Midnight Runners, The Smiths, New Order and The Birthday Party. Read how The Fall and John Peel changed his life, how Bono and The Edge bored him witless backstage, how he helped pioneer the independent cassette scene of the early 1980s as one of the compilers of Sounds‘ Obscurist charts — launched by his good friend Paul Platypus — and as leader of one of the worst/best bedroom bands of all time, The Ambitious Merchants, and founder of cassette label Apple Crumble Tapes. There are also appearances by the likes of future multi-millionaire Alan “Give me my quid back!” McGee, music journalist Garry “The Fall are shit!” Bushell, Preston’s Blank Students, Blackpool’s The Membranes, and — er, possibly — Lloyd Cole. All this and the best jukebox in the world!”

Ozzy & Me: Life Lessons, Wild Stories, And Unexpected Epiphanies From Forty Years Of Friendship With The Prince Of Darkness
By Stephen Rea

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Stephen Rea was born in Northern Ireland in 1969, the same year “The Troubles” began. Violence was everywhere. His grandmother was nearly killed when gunmen opened fire on the wrong house, leaving young Stephen to pick at the bullet holes in the walls. He found refuge from this turmoil in heavy metal — especially the music of Ozzy Osbourne. As a pre-internet teenager, he hunted down dozens of live concert bootlegs — corresponding by mail with collectors around the world — and devoured every music magazine he could find. In late 1984, when Stephen was 15, he read about a huge festival in Rio de Janeiro that January called Rock In Rio, with a bill that included AC/DC, Queen and Osbourne. As a lark, he mentioned it to his dad, and was stunned when he said they should go. He was even more shocked when his mother, looking for information about tickets, began a correspondence with Osbourne’s secretary, who scored the family VIP passes and introduced them to Osbourne in Brazil. Thus began a friendship with Ozzy, his wife Sharon and the rest of the Osbourne family that has continued for decades. While traveling on tour in the mid-’90s, Ozzy gifted Stephen a pair of fancy leather notebooks and told him to keep a record of their adventures and conversations. The result is Ozzy & Me: A beautiful behind-the-scenes memoir that proves the life-affirming, soul-nourishing power of music — and disproves the notion that you should never meet your heroes.”

Barbra Streisand: The Music – Her Albums & Singles (Revised & Updated)
By Matt Howe

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “On Feb. 25, 1963, Columbia Records released The Barbra Streisand Album. The first song was Cry Me A River, and with that a star was born. Barbra Joan Streisand had a zany personality backed by a talent that Stephen Sondheim once described as “one of the two or three best voices in the world of singing songs,” adding “It’s not just her voice but her intensity, her passion and control.” With all-male rock groups like The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Four Seasons ruling the charts, no one expected a 20-year-old female singer from Brooklyn to not just hit No. 1, but repeat that accomplishment every decade that followed — all the way to the next millennium — and become the best-selling female recording artist of all time. This is the definitive book on the extensive recording career of this towering cultural icon. Barbra Streisand: The Music takes readers on a journey through every album, soundtrack, and single Streisand has released over the past 60 years. Our guide on this musical tour is Matt Howe, who has run Barbra Archives, the definitive Streisand-themed website, since 2003. Besides analysis of every studio, live, and compilation release, the book contains over 300 photos from the albums, press kits, and Streisand herself. Also included are features on both Streisand’s signature songs (People, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Evergreen, The Way We Were and Don’t Rain On My Parade) and on her longtime collaborators (Sondheim, Marty Erlichman, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and others.) No gossip. No dirt. Just a deep dive into more than 70 albums, including her latest releases. This updated version has new photos, comments from Streisand’s autobiography, and new insights.”

The Life And Trials of Cliff Richard
By Mark Langthorne & Matt Richards

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sir Cliff Richard is Britain’s most successful home-grown pop star, with a career that’s unlikely to be surpassed. Since 1958 he’s sold more than 250,000,000 records, had 14 No. 1 and 67 Top 10 singles and, along with Elvis Presley, is the only act to make the U.K. Top 10 in six consecutive decades. Even now, in his ninth decade, he’s still recording and touring to packed venues. With these sorts of figures, it’s no wonder Richard the pop star is an entertainment phenomenon. But Richard the person is somewhat of an enigma. In this new book, authors Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne dig deep to find out who  Richard really is. In profiling his life and career, his success, his relationships and his beliefs, they uncover a man of contradictions; the rock ’n’ roller who rejected sex and drugs, the poster boy for Christianity, the very public performer who gives little away about his private life, the star who’s a national treasure to many yet a figure of ridicule to others. From the stories behind the hit records to the battle to break America, from childhood memories in India to recent abuse allegations and career-threatening headlines, nothing is off-limits in this definitive portrayal, painting a picture of an artist and a man who has become increasingly misunderstood and maligned when he should simply be celebrated for the performer and the person he is.”

Backbeats: A History Of Rock And Roll In Fifteen Drummers
By John Lingan

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rock ’n’ roll thrives on rhythm, but the drummers who drive that pulse often stay in the shadows. In Backbeats, John Lingan brings these unsung heroes into the spotlight, delivering a fascinating journey through six decades of rock history. Lingan’s deep research and vivid storytelling explores the lives of 15 pathbreaking drummers and — men and women who laid down the beat of an era. From Bernard Purdie’s legendary work with Aretha Franklin to Dave Grohl’s funk- and punk-indebted swing for Nirvana, these drummers redefined what was possible in pop music. Iconic figures like Ringo Starr, whose inventive style transformed The Beatles, and Charlie Watts, the steady backbone of The Rolling Stones, take center stage. But Lingan doesn’t stop there — he also shines a light on groundbreaking, underappreciated talents like Maureen Tucker of The Velvet Underground, whose minimalist beats rewrote the rulebook, and Sam Lay, a pivotal figure in rock’s evolution from the blues. Packed with insider stories and exclusive interviews — from Robert Plant’s reflections on Led Zeppelin’s legendary sessions to superstar recording engineer Steve Albini’s behind-the-scenes accounts — Backbeats offers an eye-opening glimpse into some of rock’s most unforgettable moments, including the seismic shift of Bob Dylan going electric at Newport, James Brown’s explosive creation of funk in the late ’60s, and the birth of L.A. thrash metal in the early ’80s. More than just a tribute to an unrecognized group of virtuosos, this book is a love letter to the art of drumming itself. Backbeats shows how these remarkable artists not only kept the beat but drove rock ’n’ roll forward. It’s a must-read for any music lover, offering a fresh and thrilling perspective on a story we only thought we knew.”

Patti Smith: Horses, Paris 1976
By Claude Gassian

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Patti Smith: Horses, Paris 1976 is a gorgeous collection of never-before-published photographs of music legend Patti Smith, taken by rock ’n’ roll photographer Claude Gassian during the release of her iconic album Horses. In 1975, Smith released Horses, a seminal album in punk and rock music history. Lauded by critics, and often cited as the first punk rock album, Horses has influenced artists like U2, Madonna and R.E.M. Over the following year, she and her band visited Paris multiple times to perform, to accept awards, and to absorb the city’s culture. Gassian beautifully captures this moment in time. As Patti writes, Gassian’s photography is “a glimpse of the highly charged atmosphere of 1976 and the joyful hubris of a rock ’n’ roll band.” These are previously unpublished images that show a young artist on the cusp of world stardom, and they will be catnip for her fans and for music historians.”

Star Of The Show: My Life On Stage
By Dolly Parton & Tom Roland

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In Star Of The Show, the culminating book in Dolly Parton’s photographic trilogy — following Songteller (lyrics) and Behind The Seams (fashion) — the global superstar finally shares a definitive look at her career as one of the world’s most dazzling and beloved performers. Featuring engaging stories and memories from Parton’s dynamic life behind the microphone, this book spotlights her signature performances and star-making moments, from singing in front of her family to premiering on the Grand Ole Opry stage and beyond. Her formative years performing with country legend Porter Wagoner are chronicled as she learns hard lessons from life on the road. Breaking out on her own at state fairs and critically acclaimed venues, she toured the world performing for millions of fans in arenas, stadiums, and at festivals. From making her onscreen debut in the film 9 To 5 to playing a Dallas Cowboys’ halftime show to 42 million viewers, this global superstar knows no limits. Along the way, Dolly shares the stage with Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and others, while offering insight on touring big, singing strong, and staying on top for seven decades. Brimming with Parton’s trademark wit and heartfelt sincerity, Star Of The Show: My Life On Stage is not only an homage to one of history’s most cherished artists, but also a must-have collector’s item for — and love letter to — any fan of the one and only Parton.”

Backstage Pass: Decades Of Sex, Drugs, Tragedy And The Darker Side Of Rock & Roll
By JD DeCosta

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Behind the curtain. Beyond the myth. For decades, Jason “JD” DeCosta lived the madness of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip — on both sides of the stage. A signed major-label musician-turned-stage and production manager, JD ran the chaos behind the curtain at the Strip’s most iconic venues — The Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, and The Viper Room. No PR spin. No nostalgia. Just the raw truth of what really went down backstage — sex, drugs, chaos, and survival behind rock ’n’ roll’s most notorious stages. Not a memoir for the faint of heart, this is rock ’n’ roll stripped to the bone — with a darkly comic edge at its finest. From unforgettable nights with Amy Winehouse, Adele, Marilyn Manson, Ozzy, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Scott Weiland, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, Adam Levine, Courtney Love, Paris Hilton and dozens more — Backstage Pass rips open the truth behind Hollywood’s wildest decades. But it isn’t just about the stars — it’s about survival. From near-miss record deals and broken bands to watching friends and idols spiral into tragedy, this is the story of a man caught between the spotlight and the shadows. Raw, darkly funny, and brutally honest, Backstage Pass exposes the real cost of chasing fame and living fast. It’s Hunter S. Thompson meets Scar Tissue — a confessional, no-filter ride through Hollywood’s unglamorous, unforgettable underbelly. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens when the doors close and the lights go down, this is your all-access pass.”

Before The Gold Rush: Memories Of The Seattle Music Scene, 1977-1991
By Eric Danielson

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This is a hybrid combination of an autobiographical memoir, and a well-researched academic history of the Seattle music scene from the late ’70s through the 1980s. It’s part Mommie Dearest, part I’m With The Band, part Please Kill Me and more. More than anything else, this is the tale of Seattle’s pre-1991 Grunge Explosion, when Seattle’s music scene had more diversity, creativity and originality, but much less commercial success. As such, this book is almost 100% free of grunge. You won’t read much about Nirvana. However, you will learn a lot of information about two dozen important Seattle bands you might not have ever heard of, such as The Telepaths, The Lewd, The Mentors, Clone, The Cheaters, The Blackouts, The Vains, Solger, The Fags, The Moberlys, The Heats, The Cowboys, PsychoPop, The Zipdads, The Silly Killers, The U-Men, 10 Minute Warning, On The Rocks, Cheating Death, Feast, Green River, The Crotch Rockets, Crisis Party, and S.G.M., among others; as well as venues such as the Showbox, Hippodrome, Gorilla Room, Graven Image, Grey Door, Metropolis,  Lincoln Arts Center, Gorilla Gardens and Central Tavern.”