Who am I?
I’m a student of biography. Artists, musicians, and comedians are what I read about. I crave to know what makes a great artist tick, how their ideas develop, and why they choose to pursue their craft at huge personal expense. I’m motivated to write more of my own. These biographies are informative, entertaining, and engaging reads, well worth your time. It’s a challenging and frustrating process to tell an artist’s story. Yet their roots, their influences, and how they shake up popular culture make for greater insight into our humanity. Artists take risks and I’m always impressed by the boldness of their vision.
John's book list on the most creative artists of our time
Discover why each book is one of John's favorite books.
Why did John love this book?
In this thorough biography of The Beatles, Lewisohn grabbed my attention from the first sentence, “Every once in a while, life conjures up the genuine ultimate.” For the next 800-plus pages, Lewisohn charts the story of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr with a flourish of page-turning insights, evaluations, and cultural history. I’ve written two biographies on two artists. Lewisohn, who is the defacto Beatles historian, has written the story of four men and not let his love of the band and their music get in the way of sober, constructive criticism. It wasn’t all love and rockets for the band. They worked their butts off, risking their health and their personal relationships to pursue their musical goals. I look forward to Volume 2 and 3.
Tune In
Why should I read it?
2 authors picked Tune In as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
What is this book about?
Now in paperback, Tune In is the New York Times bestseller by the world’s leading Beatles authority – the first volume in a groundbreaking trilogy about the band that revolutionized music.
The Beatles have been in our lives for half a century and surely always will be. Still, somehow, their music excites, their influence resonates, their fame sustains. New generations find and love them, and while many other great artists come and go, the Beatles are beyond eclipse.
So . . . who really were these people, and just how did it all happen?
'The Beatles story' is everywhere. Told…