Bøger af Greg Prato

During the mid '80s, Ratt was one of the biggest hard rock/heavy metal bands in the United States. Turn on MTV, and it was seemingly only a matter of time until a Ratt video was aired. Visit your local newsstand, and you were sure to detect a Ratt band member on the cover of one of the leading rock mags. Take a gander at the album charts, and one of their platinum (or platinum plus) LP's would have been easy to spot. And let's not forget that from 1985 and throughout the remainder of the decade, they were a featured attraction on mammoth festivals, and also, rocked arenas on bills that featured Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Poison, Warrant, or Queensrÿche...with Ratt headlining over those bands. But, seemingly just as rapid as their rise to the top was the abrupt halt to their career in 1991 - with the onset of grunge and alt-rock replacing the party hearty metal stylings of the previous decade, in addition to internal strife within the band behind the scenes. World Infestation: The Ratt Story recounts the L.A. band's entire tale - from their beginnings as a band slugging it out on the Sunset Strip alongside such stiff competition as Mötley Crüe and Metallica, to scoring hit singles ("Round and Round," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love") and albums (Out of the Cellar, Invasion of Your Privacy, Dancing Undercover), creating their own unique look and sound (dubbed "fashion rock"), dealing with adversity, and how their music has reached a new audience in recent years. Comprised of quotes from interviews past and present (as well one of the last-ever interviews conducted with Ratt's late guitarist, Robbin Crosby), World Infestation: The Ratt Story will certainly take you round and round...and then lay it down.

Who doesn't enjoy a good old-fashioned, well-constructed list? Especially, when it pertains to rock n' roll music. 50 ROCK LISTS + Surprise Twists manages to focus equally on the expected and the unexpected. And while some of the biggest rock acts of all time are indeed featured (Queen, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Motörhead, etc.), since rock is far-reaching stylistically, quite a lot of musical ground is covered within: classic rock, metal, punk, funk, alternative, thrash, grunge, guitar shredders, new wave, soul, glam, prog, hip-hop, and experimental. Undoubtedly, a little something for the entire family to enjoy. And quite probably, you'll find yourself discovering, becoming reacquainted with, or solidifying your feelings about standout songs and/or albums - as suggested by either some of your favorite artists or, by little old me! So sit back, relax, and let's list.

There is a reason why there have been countless books penned over the years about Queen and their legendary singer, Freddie Mercury - they were unquestionably one of the greatest and most universally beloved rock bands of all-time. However, most of these books can be neatly filed into one of three categories - a recounting of the band's history, an examination of the singer's life story, or a collection of photographs. Long Live Queen: Rock Royalty Discuss Freddie, Brian, John & Roger is the first-ever book to be comprised solely of interviews conducted with renowned musicians, who discuss what they admire most about Queen, their favorite songs and albums, and other standout Queen-related memories (attending shows, meeting members, etc.) from throughout the years. The result is a book that uncovers facts, insight, and analysis, and adds a new spin on what truly makes Queen the champions of the world.

Few rock artists were as fearless and uncompromising as the late/great John Lennon. Whether it be standing up for causes he believed in, promoting peace, or penning some of rock's all-time classic tunes (while taking unexpected musical twists and turns along the way), Lennon has become one of rock's most unforgettable figures. Tragically, his voice was silenced in 1980 (shortly after turning 40) - just as he had re-entered the public eye, after a five-year sabbatical. Comprised of interviews with those who worked alongside him (Bob Gruen, Gary Van Scyoc, Bun E. Carlos), admirers of his music (Kasim Sulton, Frank Black, Rufus Wainwright, Ace Frehley, Mike Portnoy), and Beatle experts ('Recording the Beatles' co-author Brian Kehew, editor/publisher of 'The 910' newsletter Doug Sulpy, Beatlemania member Mitch Weissman, DJ/VJ Matt Pinfield), among others, 'John Winston Ono Lennon' provides interesting/uncommon observations and viewpoints into the brilliance of this truly legendary artist.

When Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1975, many a rock n' roll fan was left befuddled. Why would one of rock's top guitarists leave one of the world's most popular bands? Regardless of the reason, listeners would ultimately be thankful, as Blackmore soon launched Rainbow - a band that rocked just as ferociously as Purple, whose music has proven to be timeless and incredibly influential on subsequent heavy metal bands. And along the way, Blackmore proved to be extremely adept at spotting largely-unknown talent, and introducing them to the world - including vocalists Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, and Joe Lynn Turner. However, with Blackmore as the group's leader, band members came and went on a regular basis - preventing the band from possibly reaching their full potential. 'The Other Side of Rainbow' features nearly 30 all-new interviews conducted exclusively for this book, including former band members, those who worked closely with the band, were friends, or admirers of their music.

Ask any hockey historian about the greatest all-time teams, and the 1980-1984 New York Islanders are sure to be towards the top of their list. Assembled by general manager Bill Torrey and taught the art of dominance by head coach Al Arbour, the Islanders of this era included such subsequent Hall of Famers as Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, and Billy Smith, and won four consecutive Stanley Cups. Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984 focuses solely on this period of the Islanders. Comprised of nearly 30 all-new, exclusive interviews with players, coaches, trainers, broadcasters, and a celebrity fan, the book is not only a genuine account of the Islanders from this time, but also, of the National Hockey League in general. Set up in the oral history format, Dynasty reads like a documentary, but in book form, as the participants weigh in on the ups and downs of the Islanders, and pull no punches in their recollections and opinions.

Place any musical style in front of Faith No More, and seemingly, a timeless song of their own would soon be created. Between 1985-1997, Faith No More issued six full-length recordings (including such classic titles as 'The Real Thing' and 'Angel Dust') and in the process, influenced countless musicians throughout the world. But that's not to say it was smooth sailing - members coming and going, inter-band bickering, never being the toast of the critics, etc. And much of the same could be said about the zanier Mr. Bungle, which also featured FNM singer Mike Patton. Now, for the first time ever, there is a book that explores and analyzes both bands' histories - 'The Faith No More & Mr. Bungle Companion.' Interviews include: Wes Borland (Black Light Burns/Limp Bizkit), Max Cavalera (Soulfly/ex-Sepultura), Johnny Christ (Avenged Sevenfold), Gilby Clarke (ex-Guns N' Roses), Everlast (House of Pain/solo artist), Mike Fleischmann (Vision of Disorder), John Garcia (Vista Chino/ex-Kyuss), Mitts (Madball), Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Jason Newsted (Newsted/ex-Metallica), Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Devin Townsend (Devin Townsend Project/ex-Strapping Young Lad), Ville Valo (HIM), and Jeff Walker (Carcass). Finally, a complete and thorough overview of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle's careers...strap yourself in and/or hold on tight!

By the mid/late '80s, Iron Maiden was unquestionably one of the biggest heavy metal bands on the planet - regularly headlining arenas/stadiums, each new album rocketing up the charts, and t-shirts sporting their ghastly mascot (Eddie) were one of the most popular fashion statements by metalheads. But by this point of their career, most of the band members were different than the ones that appeared on their classic 1980 self-titled debut album, while musically, they had transformed from a raw "punk metal" sound to a more refined "prog metal" approach. 'Iron Maiden: '80 '81' focuses solely on the early era of the band. Interviews include Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden singer, 1978-1981), Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden guitarist, 1979-1980), Wil Malone ('Iron Maiden' producer), Biff Byford (Saxon singer), Udo Dirkschneider (former Accept singer), Kim McAuliffe (Girlschool singer/guitarist), Brian Tatler (Diamond Head guitarist), Lips (Anvil singer/guitarist), Scott Ian (Anthrax guitarist), Charlie Benante (Anthrax drummer), David Ellefson (Megadeth bassist), Dave Lombardo (former Slayer drummer), Mike Portnoy (former Dream Theater drummer), Richard Christy (Death and Iced Earth drummer), Doro (Doro singer), Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest guitarist), Pete Way (former UFO bassist), and Eddie Trunk ('That Metal Show' co-host, radio DJ), among many others.

Renowned guitarists (or experts) discussing "tools of the trade" in their own words serves as the basis of Iconic Guitar Gear. Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Brian May, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Kim Thayil, Johnny Ramone, The Edge, Gary Moore, Alex Lifeson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, Billy Sheehan, Les Claypool, Mike Watt...the list goes on/won't let you down! If you've ever pondered what some of rock's top guitarists and bassists favor gear-wise (instruments, amps, and/or effects), then Iconic Guitar Gear is most certainly the book for you.

From late 1992 and throughout the remainder of the decade, if you spent any amount of time watching MTV or listening to rock radio, you were bound to come in contact with a tune by Stone Temple Pilots. With such classic releases as 'Core, ' 'Purple, ' and 'Tiny Music...Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop' selling millions and spawning countless hits ("Sex Type Thing," "Plush," "Creep," "Vasoline," "Interstate Love Song," "Big Empty," "Big Bang Baby," etc.), STP is now widely considered one of rock's all-time great acts. And during this time, there were few rock frontmen who commanded an audience and generated as many headlines as Scott Weiland. Despite fronting another successful band, Velvet Revolver, and issuing his own critically acclaimed solo albums, Weiland could not overcome his demons - passing away in 2015 (at the age of 48). 'Scott Weiland: Memories of a Rock Star' features nearly 30 all-new interviews conducted exclusively for this book, including members of bands that toured with STP (Megadeth, Meat Puppets, Blind Melon, etc.), worked with Scott (Scott's autobiography co-author David Ritz, video directors Kevin Kerslake and Josh Taft, producer/engineer Chris Goss, etc.), or were friends and/or admirers of Scott's music (Richard Patrick, Bob Forrest, Matt Pinfield, Eddie Trunk, etc.). Get ready for an honest and accurate portrayal of Scott Weilan

There have been seemingly countless "Greatest Rock Guitarists" lists assembled over the years - for articles or books. But...what about bassists? In 'The 100 Greatest Rock Bassists, ' author/journalist Greg Prato courageously attempts to level the playing field, single-handedly. In addition to counting them down from the bottom to the top, each entry contains info on each player - including background data, standout tracks, similar players, preferred makes/models, etc. And that's not all! Also featured are ten all-new interviews for this book, with some of the greatest rock bassists of all-time (Billy Sheehan, Les Claypool, John Myung, Mike Watt, Doug Wimbish, Doug Pinnick, David Ellefson, Glenn Hughes, Glen Matlock, and Cris Kirkwood), as well as vintage/rarely-seen photos of many of the top names. So...put down your bass for a bit, pick up this book, and discover just who are 'The 100 Greatest Rock Bassists.

There have been countless books penned about the leading grunge bands - namely, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. But strangely, few have been assembled about the mighty Soundgarden. But this all changed with the arrival of 'Dark Black and Blue: The Soundgarden Story.'Written by author/journalist (and longtime Soundgarden fan) Greg Prato, the book tells the Seattle band's complete story - beginning with its members pre-SG days, all the way to today. Also included are all-new interviews for the book, including chats with Matt Pinfield, Marky Ramone, Jim Rose, the Reverend Horton Heat, and Dave Wyndorf, among others, as well as rarely seen photos from throughout the band's history.In addition to dissecting, analyzing, and telling the stories behind all of their albums (including such classics as 1991's 'Badmotorfinger, ' 1994's 'Superunknown, ' and 1996's 'Down on the Upside'), readers will learn about the stories behind their classic songs ("Black Hole Sun," "Jesus Christ Pose," "Outshined," "Hands All Over," "Flower," etc.), as well as recollections of tours (including multiple stints on Lollapalooza, opening several legs of Guns N' Roses' 'Use Your Illusion' tour, Neil Young, Faith No More, etc.), goings on behind the scenes, and singer Chris Cornell's surprising and tragic death in 2017. Finally, Soundgarden's legion of fans worldwide now have a book that tells the entire story - 'Dark Black and Blue

There's no denying that the seven year span between 1977-1983 was one of the darkest in New York Mets history. After all, it was during this time that the team failed to post a single winning season, traded away the most beloved Met of all-time, and took a back seat once again to their crosstown rivals, the Yankees (who were busy winning two World Series). But it was also a time in which quite a few colorful and memorable players donned the Mets uniform, while the Amazins slowly but surely began putting together the "pieces of the puzzle" that would eventually lead to a dramatic World Series win in 1986.'The Seventh Year Stretch: New York Mets, 1977-1983' is the first-ever book to focus solely on this era of the team. Featuring all-new, exclusive interviews with players and those close to the team, the book is a fly-on-the-wall view of what was going on behind the scenes and on the field. Set up in the oral history format, 'The Seventh Year Stretch' reads like a documentary, but in book form.

The Eric Carr Story' is the first-ever book to tell the life story of Kiss drummer Eric Carr. Comprised of all-new interviews, the book also doubles as a study of 1980's era Kiss. You'll find insight into all of Kiss' albums that featured Carr (from producers Bob Ezrin, Michael James Jackson, and Ron Nevison), as well as those closest to him (sister Loretta Caravello, girlfriend Carrie Stevens, Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick), and music-related friends (Eddie Trunk, Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy, Anthrax's Charlie Benante). Also included is one of the last-ever interviews conducted with Kiss' original manager, Bill Aucoin, and for the first time ever, Kiss fans will be able to learn what the real story line to Kiss' controversial release '(Music From) The Elder' was all about (thanks to an explanation from Ezrin). Get ready to learn the true story about Eric's life, and a behind-the-scenes view of Kiss!

Since its inception in the late 1960's, heavy metal has experienced quite a few ups and downs in popularity. But there was one specific decade that sticks out as the most troubling - the 1990's. In what seemed like one fell swoop, a style of metal that had been popular for much of the 1980's was rendered obsolete, and in its place, was a much more real, raw, and unique approach - detected in several new metal-based "sub-genres." Add to it several changes in the music industry and media, and it appeared as if traditional metal may have met its expiration date...before several bands (and a certain traveling festival tour) helped put headbanging rock back on track.'Survival of the Fittest: Heavy Metal in the 1990's' is the first book to focus entirely on this decade. Set in an oral history format, 'Survival' features over 80 interviews conducted exclusively for this book, including current or past members of Pantera, Sepultura, Fear Factory, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament, Dream Theater, King's X, Extreme, Winger, Cinderella, Living Colour, Faith No More, Primus, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, White Zombie, Stone Temple Pilots, Kyuss, Danzig, Clutch, Life of Agony, Biohazard, Type O Negative, Within Temptation, Cradle of Filth, Death, Coal Chamber, and System of a Down (among many others), as well as Eddie Trunk, Riki Rachtman, and Lonn Friend. Also featured is a foreword penned by Pantera bassist Rex Brown.

It is widely believed that Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time...and quite possibly, THE greatest. All you have to do is compare what rock guitar sounded like before Jimi burst on the scene in the late '60s, and what it sounded like after. And in addition to trailblazing new sounds and approaches, his influence reached beyond just the guitar community - he quickly became the literal poster child for the psychedelic rock movement, due to his unique fashion, song lyrics, and a now-iconic performance at Woodstock.But sadly, Jimi's story also remains one of rock's most tragic - dying at the age of 27 on September 18, 1970 (just as he was playing some of the biggest concerts of his career and entering a new musical phase). To mark 50 years since his passing, 'Avatar Of The Electric Guitar: The Genius Of Jimi Hendrix' has been assembled - comprised of interviews with renowned guitarists (including Kirk Hammett, Alex Lifeson, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, and Kim Thayil, among others), discussing what made Jimi so special, and ultimately, a legend.

Before he was the author of such books as 'A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other: The Story of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon, ' 'Touched By Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story, ' and 'Grunge is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music, ' Greg Prato was a writer for such respected UK-based publications as Classic Rock, Guitarist, Metal Hammer, and Record Collector. 'No Schlock...Just Rock!' collects most of Greg's writing for these mags between a five-year span (2003-2008), with the focus on the crème de la crème of classic rock, heavy metal, and punk/alt-rock. Included are features that explore the entire careers of Faith No More, Soundgarden, Bad Brains, Meat Puppets, The Cars, The Raspberries, and GG Allin, as well as additional interviews/articles on the Ramones, Cheap Trick, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Jethro Tull, Rush, King Crimson, Steely Dan, William Shatner, and Run-DMC (among many others), plus the 3 articles that later led to Greg's Melon, Bolin, and Grunge books.

Over a decade's worth of classic albums that defied categorization. An appearance on Nirvana's classic 'MTV Unplugged' performance. A hit video on MTV. A gold certified album. An opening slot on a sold-out tour with the Stone Temple Pilots. By the end of 1994, it appeared as though the Meat Puppets were poised to become the success story of the '90s. However, what seemed like in the blink of an eye, the dream quickly turned into a nightmare. Too High to Die: Meet the Meat Puppets is the first-ever book to fully examine the entire career of this highly influential and respected band. Comprised of nearly 50 exclusive interviews (including band members past and present, friends and fans from other bands, etc.), you'll finally learn the real wild and wooly tale of the mighty Meat Puppets.

Who doesn't like to learn about the stories behind our favorite rock songs from throughout the years? We all do! And now, author/journalist Greg Prato is prepared to guide readers through 100 bona fide classic songs from a multitude of rock genres - heavy metal, punk rock, grunge, hair metal, funk, instrumental, classic rock, arena rock, power ballads, new wave, prog rock, soft rock, yacht rock, power pop, thrash metal, hardcore, southern rock, rap, alternative, etc. - with each listing containing background info plus insight from someone closely associated with the track. Black Sabbath, Eagles, Soundgarden, Rick Springfield, Toto, Kiss, Sepultura, MC5, Billy Joel, Police, Whitesnake, Dead Kennedys, Ramones, Funkadelic, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, King Crimson, Run-DMC, Primus, Pantera, Agnostic Front, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Metallica, Sex Pistols, Rush, Bauhaus, Cheap Trick, Nirvana, plus a foreword by Keith Roth (host of Ozzy's Boneyard and Hair Nation on Sirius Radio, plus the Electric Ballroom radio show)...they're all included in Facts on Tracks!

The 1980s New York Yankees were loaded with talent - their always-outspoken owner made sure of that. But somehow, someway, it did not all add up - resulting in one of the few decades in Yankee history that did not include at least one World Series championship. However, the '80s weren't a complete washout, as it contained quite a few classic Yankee moments, including a no-hitter, a 300th win for an eventual Hall of Fame pitcher, welcoming two of the biggest stars in all of baseball aboard, and the emergence of a popular, homegrown first baseman. 'Just Out of Reach: The 1980s New York Yankees' is the first-ever book to focus solely on this decade of the team. Featuring nearly 30 all-new, exclusive interviews with players and those close to the team, the book is a fly-on-the-wall view of what was going on behind the scenes and on the field. Set up in the oral history format, 'Just Out of Reach' reads like a documentary, but in book form.

There have been few rock singers as beloved as the late/great Bon Scott of AC/DC. After all, it was his unmistakable vocals and street-wise/sexually-charged lyrics that were a major part of such all-time classic rock anthems as "Highway to Hell," "Sin City," "Whole Lotta Rosie," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," and "TNT." And it was the "Bon era" that set the stage for AC/DC to go on to become one of rock's most universally popular and enduring bands. But few rockers partied as hard as Bon-sadly resulting in his death at the age of 33, just before AC/DC scored their worldwide breakthrough, with the mega-selling 'Back in Black.' To mark 40 years since Bon's tragic passing, 'A Rockin' Rollin' Man: Bon Scott Remembered' has been assembled-comprised entirely of all-new interviews with renowned rockers, discussing what made Bon so special and unforgettable.

On par with only a select few rock bands, the Bad Brains influenced numerous artists over the years - covering a wide range of styles. This is understandable, as the Bad Brains themselves offered up a variety of sounds since forming in the late '70s (punk, hardcore, reggae, metal, funk, etc.), and in the process, penned some of rock's all-time great tunes ("Pay to Cum," "Sailin' On," "Re-Ignition," "Sacred Love") and classic albums ('Bad Brains, ' 'Rock for Light, ' 'I Against I, ' 'Quickness'). But somehow, someway, the Bad Brains never managed to truly break through to the mainstream - while many of the bands they influenced (Beastie Boys, Living Colour, Nirvana) did. At last, there is a book that tells the story of the band, 'Punk! Hardcore! Reggae! PMA! Bad Brains!' Interviews include Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Max Cavalera (Soulfly/ex-Sepultura), Chad Channing (Nirvana), Bobby Hackney (Death), Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets), Mitts (Madball), Keith Morris (Circle Jerks/ex-Black Flag), Chuck Mosley (ex-Faith No More/ex-Bad Brains), Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan), Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Tesco Vee (Meatmen), and Tim Williams (Vision of Disorder), among many others. Part biography and part oral history, 'Punk! Hardcore! Reggae! PMA! Bad Brains!' helps put it all into perspecti

Few rock bands were as successful as the Scorpions by the mid '80s - headlining arenas/stadiums worldwide, scoring two mega-selling albums (the platinum-certified 'Blackout' and the triple-platinum certified 'Love at First Sting') and two hit singles/videos ("No One Like You" and "Rock You Like a Hurricane"). But what quite a few newcomers to the band didn't realize was that the Scorpions had been regularly recording music since 1972, and that throughout the remainder of the decade, featured two guitarists (Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth) at separate points that are considered legendary amongst the heavy metal masses. And while such albums as 'Lonesome Crow, ' 'Fly to the Rainbow, ' 'In Trance, ' 'Virgin Killer, ' 'Taken by Force, ' 'Tokyo Tapes, ' and 'Lovedrive' did not come close to obtaining the commercial success of the aforementioned '80s era efforts, they inspired and influenced countless renowned musicians. 'German Metal Machine: Scorpions in the '70s' is the first-ever book to focus solely on this period of the band. Interviews include such former members as Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Francis Buchholz, and Herman Rarebell, longtime Scorpions producer Dieter Dierks, plus members of other bands that are major admirers, including KK Downing (Judas Priest), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Joe Satriani, Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Alex Skolnick (Testament), and Eddie Trunk ('That Metal Show'), among many others, while Kirk Hammett (Metallica) provides a for

Few rock drummers remain as universally praised as Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. Listen to any Zeppelin album, and you will hear a virtual showcase on expert rock drumming - while never getting in the way of the group's other members and their contributions, singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bassist John Paul Jones. But sadly, one of rock's all-time greats died tragically young - he was only 32 years old - resulting in the end of one of rock's most celebrated bands. To mark 40 years since his passing, 'Bonzo: 30 Rock Drummers Remember the Legendary John Bonham' has been assembled - comprised of interviews with some of the top drummers of rock (including Kenny Aronoff, Mike Portnoy, John Dolmayan, Brian Tichy, and Steve Gorman, among others), discussing what made Bonham such a special and unforgettable drummer.

One of the most tragic stories of the 1990's rock world was that of singer Shannon Hoon, and his band, Blind Melon. Despite scoring one of the decade's most enduring singles and videos, "No Rain,"and a quadruple platinum hit with their 1992 self-titled debut album (in addition to touring alongside rock's biggest names), Hoon could not overcome a dangerous drug addiction. Only two records into a promising career, Hoon was dead from an overdose at the age of 28. 'A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other' is the first book to tell the group's story-culled from over 50 exclusive interviews (including the surviving band members and those closest to the band) and featuring many never-before-seen photos. "I am honored that Greg has painstakingly accounted for what the hell happened during those crazy times. He has summed up all the chaos, jubilation, and paranoia that is Blind Melon." -Brad Smith, Blind Melon bassist

An oral history of the legendary band Primus, with a star-studded cast of interviewees (Tom Waits, Phish front man Trey Anastasio, etc.)

A thorough analysis of KISS during the period 1983 1996, which saw the group ditch the makeup and successfully reestablish themselves onstage and on the charts, and reach a whole new audience via MTV.