Why am I passionate about this?
I have always been a passionate music lover. Music–especially rock–and its creators have always fascinated me. My many adventures include becoming a music journalist, attending hundreds of concerts since the 1970s, and meeting many of my heroes who have since become legendary. This is why I love books that conjure memories or take me to musical moments in time that I have missed. Especially wonderful are the biographies written by or about bands, superstars and people who adore them.
Madeline's book list on memoirs by women about their musical heroes
Why did Madeline love this book?
It was very interesting to follow Laurie Kaye’s progression from a childhood of neglect and abuse to radio fan and later, to becoming a radio star. Her resume of interviews with rock stars and celebrities is stunning. Her intimate descriptions made me feel as if I was there during her incredible moments with several Beatles members and other superstars, who warmed up to her intelligent questions.
Laurie got the scoop of a lifetime with her RKO radio team in 1980—an interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which tragically turned out to be John’s last. He was murdered hours later. As the author of a Yoko Ono biography, I was thrilled that Laurie accurately described Yoko in a positive light. I found it exciting and harrowing to read about how Laurie’s life became entwined with the sudden death of Lennon, which shattered her psyche and shook the whole world. A…
1 author picked Confessions of a Rock N Roll Name Dropper as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
In December 8, 1980, twenty-something rock journalist Laurie Kaye entered the legendary Dakota apartments on Manhattan's Upper West Side to co-conduct an interview with her longtime idol, John Lennon. It was the last interview Lennon would ever give - just hours later, outside that same building, Lennon was shot dead by a twenty-five-year-old man (whom Kaye refuses to refer to by name) whom Kaye herself had encountered after finishing the interview and stepping outside onto the street.
Kaye has beaten herself up ever since over her failure to recognise that the assassin - who blocked her path and harassed her…
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