So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star

Book #19 of 2005 for me was So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star: How I Machine-Gunned a Roomful Of Record Executives and Other True Tales from a Drummer's Life by Semisonic drummer Jacob Slichter. You may remember Semisonic from such classic songs as "Closing Time" and um well....did I mention "Closing Time" already? Seriously though, that was a great song...

This book isn't your average rock n' roll memoir filled with stereotypical rock n' roll stories about sex and drugs. Slichter, a Harvard graduate, gives an honest portrait of what it's like to be a normal, intelligent guy who happens to be in a rock band that hits it big. He writes about his initial fears of playing in front of crowds, his insecurities around his own song-writing, the difficulties of trying to look like a rock star, and the luxuries of the rock and roll lifestyle that just served as constant reminders that despite the band's platinum selling album they would never earn enough money on album sales to pay back their recoupable debt to MCA. As you read through the book you'll find out what it's like to sign a record deal, record an album, shoot a video, perform on Conan O'Brien, perform at the Grammys, get your song onto the radio, tour Europe, and much more.

If you want to learn more about the book, check out John Strausbaugh's Washington Post review which is available here.

This is one of the better music industry books I've read, especially if you're just a music fan looking to learn more about the business. If you're looking for something more business oriented or more targeted at people trying to make it into the business, I'd recommend Moses Avalon's Confessions of a Record Producer.