Books about being in a band

 

Geniuses of crack : a novel by Jeff Gomez.

A Virginia rock band travels to Los Angeles to record their first CD and the novel describes their experiences. They meet slimy producers, neurotic actors, gold-digging women and discover a launderette which is an oasis of peace.

 

For those about to rock : a road map to being in a band

by Dave Bidini.

Prepares the reader for a job as a member of a rock band.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 7.6

 

Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys by Francesca Lia

 Block.

With their parents away, four young people form a rock band that becomes wildly popular, carrying them into a "freer" life than they can cope with.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 5.0

 

Fat kid rules the world by K.L. Going.

Seventeen-year-old Troy, depressed, suicidal, and weighing nearly three hundred pounds, gets a new perspective on life when Curt, a semi-homeless teen who is a genius on guitar, asks Troy to be the drummer in a rock band.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 4.7

 

A hip-hop story by Heru Ptah.

Rappers Flawless and Hannibal are reaching for the same dream: to be the best hip-hop artist in their generation, but along they way, they must battle industry honchos, crazy fans, and each other.

 

Rock star, superstar by Blake Nelson.

When Pete, a talented bass player, moves from playing in the high school jazz band to playing in a popular rock group, he finds the experience exhilarating even as his new fame jeopardizes his relationship with girlfriend Margaret.

 

Just say no! : a novel by Omar Tyree.

Best friends Darin and John, college students from Charlotte, North Carolina, have a hard time resisting temptations in the world of R&B when John becomes a singer on the way to stardom and Darin, fresh from a career-ending football injury, agrees to become his manager.

 

The commitments by Roddy Doyle

Take a group of fame-starved, working-class Irish youths who call themselves The Commitments, give them a paradoxical passion for the music of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, and a mission - to bring Soul to Dublin - and you have the makings of one of the most engaging and believable novels about rock ÔnÕ roll ever written.

 

Jimi Hendrix by Rita J. Markel.

Discusses the childhood, young adulthood, musical career, and death of Jimi Hendrix, considered by many to be the world's greatest rock-and-roll guitarist.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 7.7 

 

Jim Morrison by Jon E. Lewis.

A brief biography of the legendary "Doors" singer known for his fast-paced and excessive lifestyle.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 7.4

 

Elvis Presley edited by James D. Torr

A collection of seventeen essays that examine Elvis Presley's life, career, and influences, as well as his impact on music and on U.S. culture. Also includes a chronology, a selected bibliography, discussion questions, and a collection of primary source documents.

 

The Grateful Dead by Sean Piccoli.

Portrays the popular touring band the Grateful Dead, led by Jerry Garcia, who achieved a devoted following of Deadheads and gained fame for their lengthy, improvisational songs.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 8.8

 

John Lennon & Paul McCartney : their magic and their music by Bruce Glassman.

A biography of Lennon and McCartney, the songwriting team that fueled the Beatles, focusing on their relationship and how they worked together as a team.

Accelerated Reader Reading Level - 8.8

 

Lives of the musicians : good times, bad times (and what the neighbors thought)  written by Kathleen Krull ; illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt.

The inside stories of twenty famous musicians are presented in fascinating and humorous detail.