The Mothers of Invention were a band of anarchic, free-spirited, musically telepathic mavericks headed by the genius of Frank Zappa. Billy James recaptures the early years as remembered by those who were there; Jimmy Carl Black, Roy Estrada, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner and Don Preston. Fully illustrated, the book investigates the oddball humor that surrounded the Zappa entourage from 1964-1970 and presents a fitting tribute.

Necessity Is . . . The Early Years of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

Arts & Photography

James, Billy

Music

SAF Publishing Ltd.

“Biographer Billy James managed to interview all band members and makes no bones about where his loyalties lay. To be honest, his pro-Funk enthusiasm makes for a compelling read. There are some great anecdotes.”—Record Mart &amp; Buyer “Break out the soda-pop wine, the definitive Grand Funk Railroad history is here!”—Booklist

An American Band: The Story of Grand Funk Railroad

S A F Pub Ltd

Written by Alice Cooper's guitarist and keyboard player, this is an anthology of the band that encapsulated the decadent spirit of the 1970s. Following the group on their journey from Arizona garage band to eventual rise to stardom, it reveals the truth behind the drinking and the rock 'n' roll.

No More Mr. Nice Guy: The Inside Story of the Alice Cooper Group

Bruce, Michael

Peter Banks is one of rock music's legendary guitarists - probably the best player you have never heard. He was a founding member of the influential group YES, and later the pioneering rock group Flash. In his book BEYOND AND BEFORE Banks talks frankly about the struggle to achieve musical success within early YES. He comments on his contemporaries and peers Jimi Hendrix, Robert Fripp and Pete Townshend, and includes many amusing anecdotes influenced by the exciting, supercharged atmosphere of 'Swinging Sixties' London. Not only is this book a documentation of the formative YES years and a history of the origins of 'progressive rock', it gives an insight into the daily tribulations and survival techniques of a contemporary musician in the late twentieth century. It is a testimonial to dedicated musicians, given by a man who has spent over thirty years as a foot soldier in the motley, shambling, and demoralized army of 'Rock.' Told with wit, insight, perspicacity, and even bigger words that Banks wishes he could spell, BEYOND AND BEFORE is a must for 'prog-rock' enthusiasts.

Beyond and Before: The Formative Years of Yes

Banks, Peter

Humor & Entertainment

Golden Treasures Pub

Peter Banks is one of rock music's legendary guitarists - probably the best player you have never heard. He was a founding member of the influential group YES, and later the pioneering rock group Flash. In his book BEYOND AND BEFORE Banks talks frankly about the struggle to achieve musical success within early YES. He comments on his contemporaries and peers Jimi Hendrix, Robert Fripp and Pete Townshend, and includes many amusing anecdotes influenced by the exciting, supercharged atmosphere of 'Swinging Sixties' London. Not only is this book a documentation of the formative YES years and a history of the origins of 'progressive rock', it gives an insight into the daily tribulations and survival techniques of a contemporary musician in the late twentieth century. It is a testimonial to dedicated musicians, given by a man who has spent over thirty years as a foot soldier in the motley, shambling, and demoralized army of 'Rock.' Told with wit, insight, perspicacity, and even bigger words that Banks wishes he could spell, BEYOND AND BEFORE is a must for 'prog-rock' enthusiasts.

Beyond & Before: The Formative Years of Yes

A Dream Goes on Forever: The Continuing Story of Todd Rundgren

"The people that buy my records are of that age group that missed the Beatles; well, I'm their Beatles." - Todd Rundgren 
To understand Todd Rundgren is to understand change; a continual artistic metamorphosis that goes through various radical stages, yet somehow remains not far from its original roots. (Roots derived from the music of the mod British rockers of the '60s, such as the Yardbirds, the Beatles and the Who; the incomparable writing style of Laura Nyro; as well as the sounds from his own back yard - Philadelphia soul music.) 
A true dichotomy in music; Todd Rundgren has continued to amuse and bemuse fans and critics alike for more than three decades, with his enchanting songs and music, innovative productions and incessant persistence in dealing with the music business strictly on his own terms. A Dream Goes On Forever - The Continuing Story Of Todd Rundgren (volume one) examines the history of one of America's true rock icons; from his early days of pop stardom with the Nazz; to the 'whiz kid' productions, which included the likes of Badfinger and Grand Funk; from the million seller hits; to his psychedelic explorations; from his idiosyncratic ideologies and philosophies; to the highly acclaimed conceptual ensemble Utopia. 
The unbelievable story of rock's lost genius is now ready to be told. Utopia is here!

Bill Harkleroad joined Captain Beefheart's Magic Band at a time when they were changing from a straight ahead blues band into something completely different. Through the vision of Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) they created a new form of music which many at the time considered atonal and difficult, but which over the years has continued to exert a powerful influence. Beefheart re-christened Harkleroad as Zoot Horn Rollo, and they embarked on recording one of the classic rock albums of all time - Trout Mask Replica ¬- a work of unequalled daring and inventiveness. Further LPs like Lick My Decals Off Baby and Clear Spot highlighted what a truly innovative band they were, and what a dazzlingly original guitarist Harkleroad was becoming. Since Captain Beefheart's retirement from the music industry, many outside commentators have tried to put their finger on what was so special about The Magic Band of that time. Now for the first time we get the insider's story. Harkleroad reviews the often uncomfortable and difficult inner workings of the band, giving an unparalleled insight into the way the music was put together. At last, we find out what it was like to record, play and live with an eccentric genius such as Beefheart.

Lunar Notes - Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience

Biographies & Memoirs

Harkleroad, Bill

Arts & Literature

Gonzo Multimedia

Written by Alice Cooper's guitarist and keyboard player, this is an anthology of the band that encapsulated the decadent spirit of the 1970s. Following the group on their journey from Arizona garage band to eventual rise to stardom, it reveals the truth behind the drinking and the rock 'n' roll. This "true life" story includes the hangings, the executions, the ghoulish makeup, the egos and of course, the rock 'n' roll. Revised and updated it includes previously unseen photographs and memorabilia. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. 

No More Mr Nice Guy: The Inside Story of the Alice Cooper Group

Written by Alice Cooper's guitarist and keyboard player, this is an anthology of the band that encapsulated the decadent spirit of the 1970s. Following the group on their journey from Arizona garage band to eventual rise to stardom, it reveals the truth behind the drinking and the rock 'n' roll. This "true life" story includes the hangings, the executions, the ghoulish makeup, the egos and of course, the rock 'n' roll. Revised and updated it includes previously unseen photographs and memorabilia. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

No More Mr Nice Guy: The inside story of the Alice Cooper Group

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by James, Billy. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by James, Billy

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by James, Billy. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Necessity Is . . . The Early Years of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

An American Band: The Story of Grand Funk Railroad

No More Mr. Nice Guy: The Inside Story of the Alice Cooper Group

Beyond and Before: The Formative Years of Yes

Beyond & Before: The Formative Years of Yes

A Dream Goes on Forever: The Continuing Story of Todd Rundgren

A Dream Goes on Forever: The Continuing Story of Todd Rundgren

Lunar Notes - Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience

No More Mr Nice Guy: The Inside Story of the Alice Cooper Group

No More Mr Nice Guy: The inside story of the Alice Cooper Group