I hope this newsletter finds you doing OK, mentally and physically, while sheltering in place. Apologies for not sending out a newsletter or confirming the current book sooner: Rock 'n' Roll Book Club was hibernating. Too bad we didn't squeeze in a meeting before the Covid-19 virus took over. But now is a great time to read! Besides confirming our current book, I thought I'd also confirm the book after that. When we are able to meet again, hopefully we can have our next meeting a month or so later. Take notes so you can remember the book, or maybe you'll be able to review a copy before the meeting.
Our next book selection is David Bowie: A Life by Dylan Jones (2017), publisher's after Bowie's death. While it's 500 pages, this oral history reads fairly quickly, and, well, there's more time to read right now. The book will give us a lot to discuss. I've been wanting to do an entire book about Bowie for a while - there's a number of them out. Here's a short review from the Guardian.
The San Francisco Public Library is currently closed (!), but digital material is available, including the eBook by Dylan Jones. When the library eventually reopens, copies of the book will be available (hardcover)
Book stores are likely to have the paperback version: it's confusing, but the paperback is called David Bowie: The Oral History and came out under a different publisher (Three Rivers Press) - $18 new. When book stores reopen, In San Francisco, try: Green Arcade; the Booksmith on Haight; Dog Eared Books in the Castro (near the Castro Theater) keeps it in stock, and has a large Bowie section in their music section. Many stores can order this for you (like Books Inc) in 2-3 business days.
Some local book shops are offering mail order. The Dylan Jones book seems to be available through Green Apple Books. Some book stores in the US are offering ordering with curbside pick up. Please support local and small businesses if possible.
While there are no photos other than the cover, Paul Trynka's website has a link to Bowie photos.
I looked over Paul Trynka's Starman biography (2011), also at the SF Public Library. It looks really good as well and is recommended by Richie, if anyone wants further Bowie reading. While Tony Visconti is included in the Dylan Jones book, if you haven't already read it, I
recommend his autobiography Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy which was our June 2013 selection.
There's a new mini book called Bowie's Bookshelf: A Hundred Books That Changed David Bowie's Life, based on Bowie's list. There's also a Bowie Book Club.
Debbie Harry's Face It will be our selection after the Bowie book. Local author Sylvie Simmons collaborated on the memoir. It's now easier to get at the SF Public Library (no longer a wait on the holds list), with additional options: eBook, audiobook CD, and downloadable audio book.
I was in the overflow room when Debbie Harry and Chris Stein came to JCCSF for a limited book tour event. A few other book clubbers attended (a signed copy of the book was included with the ticket). Here's the link to the event video. They had some San Francisco stories from the 70s and talked about the Avengers. After the talk, the JCCSF provided blondies in the lobby!
In my last email, I included a short list of possible book club titles. I'm adding one more - Astral Weeks: A Secret History of 1968 by Ryan Walsh. This has great reviews, and was the top pick of Richie Unterberger's 2018 top twenty rock books.
Free books
Past book club selections available for free, courtesy of a book club member who had to move unexpectedly:
The Stiff Records Story - Richard Balls
Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock's Darkest Day - Joel Selvin
I'll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the Music That Shaped the Civil Rights Movement - Greg Kott
Contact me and we'll figure out a way to get one to you.
Follow up on our last meeting for The Birth of Loud by Ian S. Port: here's a clip of Les Paul and Mary Ford playing live on tv.
Maggot Bain is a cool new magazine I came across at City Lights. This full-color quarterly is from Third Man Records. Over 100 pages packed with phenomenal content - art, music, literature, and unpublished archival stuff + more.
I've included lots of links: some good music podcasts and rock 'n roll quiz links as options to pass the time while sheltering in place:
Rock quizzes
The pubs are closed, but grab a beer and play at home (no need to log in). Some have an option of playing timed. Here are a few good ones I found:
https://www.sporcle.com/games/Owengresham/100-greatest-rock-songs-of-the-1960s
https://metv.com/quiz/can-you-name-these-1960s-rock-roll-bands
Podcasts
Talk about the Raincoats at City Lights Booksellers
STAFF PICK - Jenn Pelly and Greil Marcus Discussing The Raincoats by LIVE! From City Lights
Missed it or want to hear it again? This was a Rock 'n Roll Book Club co-present.
Open Source radio's piece on Otis Redding (2017)
Brian Eno and his brother Roger on All Songs Considered
Key board players will be interested in the technical part, but they talk about a new records they just collaborated on.
Other news
RIP to Genesis P-Orridge, of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV and industrial music pioneer. I was wondering about all those surgeries they had been having and their effect on his health. I know there have been a number of great musicians passing away recently.
I enjoyed Noise Pop Festival 2020 presents Sonic Youth: Daydream Nation at the (Big) Roxie, a new (2018) concert film with a Q&A with director Lance Bangs. He's been bringing the film to theaters as a way to experience the show like going to a concert: with a goup and turned up. Sonic Youth had finally agreed to do an album in its entirety.
Rock 'n Roll Book Club turns nine this month, when we first met to discuss Keith Richards' memoir! Some of you attended the first meeting and still come regularly. Thank you!
Here's the book club's website, which I'll add to soon:
https://rrbcsf.wixsite.com/rocknrollbookclubsf
If you'd like to be taken off this list, just let me know.
Take care, stay sane, and keep reading.
Cheers,
Maureen
