Here is a list of the last 10 music related books I've read, I hope you enjoy the reviews and you go on and maybe read some of the books yourself

Don't forget to leave authors reviews, as an author myself, I know how much this helps

We will never get rich by being an author and for you to buy one of ours books, does really make a difference - thank you!

Alex Ross’s The Rest Is Noise is a sweeping and masterful exploration of 20th-century classical music that brings to life a century of innovation, conflict, and creativity. With the grace of a storyteller and the depth of a scholar, Ross takes readers on a journey from the grandiosity of Richard Strauss to the minimalism of Steve Reich, threading music into the broader tapestry of politics, war, and cultural upheaval. Whether he’s unpacking Schoenberg’s radicalism or tracing the Cold War’s impact on musical expression, Ross writes with clarity, passion, and an infectious love for the subject.

What makes this book exceptional is its accessibility. You don’t need a music degree to appreciate it, Ross explains complex ideas with elegance and avoids elitism without dumbing things down. His ability to make atonal music, serialism, and avant-garde experimentation feel not only understandable but compelling is a rare gift. The Rest Is Noise is not just a history of music—it’s a chronicle of the 20th century seen through the ears of its most adventurous composers. For anyone curious about the sounds that shaped the modern world, this book is essential reading.

In John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs, Ian Leslie crafts a deeply compelling and refreshingly original narrative about one of the greatest creative partnerships in music history. Rather than a traditional biography, Leslie explores the emotional and psychological dynamics between John Lennon and Paul McCartney through the songs they wrote together. With lyrical insight and storytelling finesse, he unpacks how their bond, part friendship, part rivalry, fuelled their genius and shaped the sound of a generation. This isn’t just a story of The Beatles, but a meditation on collaboration, masculinity, and the fragile balance between ego and empathy in any great partnership.

What makes the book truly stand out is how Leslie humanizes these two legends without mythologizing them. He draws connections between specific songs and pivotal moments in their relationship, offering new interpretations that feel both surprising and inevitable. Whether you’re a lifelong Beatles fan or someone interested in the alchemy of creativity, this book is a must-read. It sings with emotional intelligence, cultural context, and a genuine love for the music that continues to shape our world.

Geezer Butler’s Into the Void is a raw, unfiltered dive into the mind of one of heavy metal’s founding architects. With characteristic wit and humility, Butler recounts his journey from working-class Birmingham to global stardom as the bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath. This is more than just a rock memoir, it’s a deeply human story about a shy, introspective boy who channeled Catholic guilt, war-scarred surroundings, and a love for literature into the creation of a new musical genre. The chapters are as heavy and gritty as the riffs he helped define, yet they’re laced with unexpected tenderness, sharp humour, and self-awareness.

What makes this memoir stand out is its honesty. Butler doesn’t shy away from the dysfunction, excess, and occasional absurdity of life in one of the world’s loudest bands, but he also offers thoughtful reflections on fame, friendship, and creative identity. Fans will relish the behind-the-scenes stories of Sabbath’s rise and chaos, but even non-metal readers will find resonance in his understated wisdom and grounded voice. Into the Void isn’t just for Sabbath devotees, it’s a compelling look at a reluctant icon who helped shape modern music while never losing touch with who he was.

Mark Blake’s Us and Them is a fascinating and richly detailed portrait of Hipgnosis, the trailblazing design studio that redefined album art in the 1970s and beyond. Blake brings to life the eccentric brilliance of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, whose surreal and daring work became inseparable from the music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and countless others. Packed with anecdotes from the artists themselves and the rock legends they worked with, this authorised biography captures both the creative highs and the combustible personalities that fueled Hipgnosis’ groundbreaking designs.

What makes this book a standout is how it weaves music history with visual culture, showing how the studio’s work shaped the identity of entire bands. Blake writes with authority and warmth, balancing reverence for Hipgnosis’ genius with a wry acknowledgment of their egos and excesses. The result is a compelling story of art, ambition, and chaos at the heart of rock’s golden age. For music fans, designers, and anyone curious about the stories behind the sleeves, Us and Them is an absolute must-read.

Michael McDonald’s What a Fool Believes: A Memoir, written with Paul Reiser, is a heartfelt and refreshingly candid look at the life of one of music’s most distinctive voices. From his early days in St. Louis to his rise with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, McDonald shares the triumphs and missteps with equal honesty. He doesn’t shy away from struggles with addiction, moments of self-doubt, and the challenges of family life, but he balances these with stories of resilience, gratitude, and the joy of making music. Reiser’s touch keeps the book conversational, allowing McDonald’s self-effacing humor and humility to shine through.

This isn’t a sensational rock-and-roll tell-all, it’s something gentler, more thoughtful. At times, the pacing can meander, and readers looking for gossip or high drama might be disappointed. But the trade-off is an authentic memoir that feels more like sitting down with McDonald himself, hearing him reflect on lessons learned, friendships forged, and the healing power of music. For fans of his work, or anyone drawn to stories of redemption and creative perseverance, this book is a soulful and rewarding read.

Eric Idle’s The Spamalot Diaries is a witty, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Tony Award–winning Broadway hit Monty Python’s Spamalot. Told with Idle’s signature mix of irreverence and sharp humour, the book blends diary entries, anecdotes, and reflections on the chaotic process of taking a show from idea to international sensation. Readers get a candid glimpse into the challenges of casting, rewriting, and navigating the quirks of show business, all filtered through Idle’s self-deprecating voice and Python-esque absurdity.

What makes this book especially engaging is how it captures both the triumphs and frustrations of the creative process. Idle doesn’t shy away from the stress, the egos, and the endless rewrites, but he does so with enough wit that even the setbacks become entertaining. For fans of Monty Python, musical theatre, or anyone curious about the madness behind Broadway, The Spamalot Diaries is as funny as it is revealing, a delightful reminder that behind every big hit lies a jumble of persistence, mishaps, and good old-fashioned silliness.

“Scattershot – Life, Music, Elton and Me” is everything you hope a rock-and-roll autobiography will be: raw, reflective, mischievous, and filled with soul. Bernie Taupin takes readers on a cinematic journey through the chaotic brilliance of his life, from the early days of forging an unlikely partnership with Elton John to navigating fame, creativity, and personal reinvention. His storytelling is vivid and unfiltered, shifting seamlessly between eras and emotions, and offering a rare insider’s view of the chemistry and craft behind some of the most iconic songs ever written.

What makes this memoir exceptional is Taupin’s voice, wry, lyrical, and self-aware. He doesn’t polish over the rough edges, nor does he rely on nostalgia as a crutch. Instead, he brings honesty, humour, and a deep sense of humanity to every chapter. Whether he’s recounting wild adventures, artistic struggles, or moments of deep connection, Taupin reminds us that great songwriting comes from an authentic, messy, beautifully lived life. “Scattershot” is a must-read not only for Elton John fans, but for anyone fascinated by creativity, collaboration, and the stories behind the music that shaped generations.

One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time by Craig Brown is one of the most original and playful music biographies I’ve ever read. Rather than retelling the familiar Beatles story in a straight line, Brown assembles a collage of interviews, anecdotes, coincidences, fan letters, cultural references, and sharp observations. The result feels like a kaleidoscope, constantly shifting, always surprising, and packed with fresh angles on a band we all think we already know. It’s witty, brilliantly structured, and full of moments that made me stop, smile, and immediately want to re-listen to the music with renewed appreciation.

What makes this book remarkable is how it blends humour with genuine emotional depth. Brown reveals the strange, intense, and sometimes absurd world that swirled around the band, while also capturing the human fragility behind the myth. It’s as entertaining as it is insightful, giving long-time fans something new and offering newcomers a lively, immersive introduction. If you love The Beatles or simply enjoy biographies that break the rules—this is a standout, highly recommended read.  It's worth saying that there is no duplication or overlap with the book "John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs – 'The first new Beatles story in decades'" which is original in itself. 

“Brothers” is an extraordinary, unfiltered journey into the rise, chaos, genius, and heartbreak behind one of rock’s most iconic bands. Alex Van Halen writes with the precision of a historian and the soul of a drummer who lived every beat of the story. From the early days in Pasadena to the explosive global fame that defined Van Halen, he offers an insider’s perspective only a founding member could deliver. The storytelling is raw, vivid, and emotionally charged, giving readers a deeper understanding of the complex bond between Alex and Eddie, a bond forged in creativity, tested by fame, and ultimately defined by love.

What elevates this book beyond a typical rock memoir is its honesty. Alex doesn’t sugar-coat the struggles, fractures, or personal demons, nor does he shy away from celebrating the magic that made Van Halen legendary. The pages pulse with rhythm, humour, grief, and gratitude. Whether you’re a lifelong Van Halen fan or simply love great storytelling, “Brothers” delivers a rare combination of musical history and deeply personal reflection. It’s a powerful, heartfelt tribute not just to Eddie, but to the unbreakable connection that shaped both their lives.

“So Much For The 30 Year Plan: Therapy? – The Authorised Biography” by Simon Young is an electrifying deep dive into one of rock’s most unpredictable and uncompromising bands. Young masterfully traces the chaotic rise of Therapy?, blending raw personal interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and sharp cultural context. The result is a biography that feels as visceral and urgent as the band’s music itself. Whether you’ve followed Therapy? since their early days or are discovering them anew, this book captures the grit, humour, and sheer bloody-mindedness that propelled them through decades of change.

What makes this biography stand out is its honesty and emotional depth. Young doesn’t shy away from the messy bits, the creative tensions, personal struggles, and career rollercoasters, but he also highlights the resilience and brotherhood that kept the band pushing forward. It’s as much a story about survival and reinvention as it is about music. Engaging, unfiltered, and brilliantly researched, this is essential reading for fans of Therapy? and anyone fascinated by the inner workings of a band that refused to play by the rules.

And now a little bit about my books .... OK they are not about music, but I deserve to mention them

I wrote the first edition of "social selling - techniques to influence buyers and changemakers - 1st edition" (the one with the white cover) back in 2015 and it was published in 2016. It was the first book on social selling to be published. With so many changes that have taken place in social media over time, when Kogan Page, my publisher, approached me and asked for a second edition (the one with the yellow cover), I agreed.

This second edition, has been totally updated from 187 pages to 306. I explain how the world of business has changed with digital and how that impacts the modern buyer and it's a business imperative that we change our sales and marketing.

Many people often think that social selling is some sort of future state. It's not, it's the here and now. DLA Ignite, my company, for example, has clients doing $multi-million deals using social media. If your not doing $multi-million deals on social, your competition are and you are losing market share and revenue.

With this book, I contacted people I knew that were using social media to drive revenue and got them to tell their story. Chris Fleming the CEO of Cyberhawk, shares how he transformed his business to social and digital 3 years ago. Putting that another way, if you haven't transformed to a social selling methodology by now, you are 3 years behind the market.

In my second book, "Smarketing - How to achieve competitive advantage through blended sales and marketing" published through Kogan Page, we looked at the age old problem of marketing and sales working together. At the time there was a lot of conversations on social media about how on earth do we get sales and marketing to be one team?

The book, takes a case study, which we cannot mention, it works through the strategy, how to implement a program to implement sales and marketing, the political risks and measures and governance. The book finishes with a look into the future of sales and marketing.

I would admit that if we wrote the book today, we would probably call it Rev-ops (revenue operations).

Please note that some reviews (but not all) I had Chat GPT or Google's Gemini to help me