Sun, sea and the chance to dip you toes into the murky waters of the rock biography. That's what the annual rock lover's summer getaway was made for.
But what to pack? The pop star tell all, or the in-depth (though often ghost written) warts and all tales of fame and drug induced mayhem?
Well, let's test the waters with a book that seemingly covers all those bases.Keith Richards' 'Life' (with James Fox), is big on tittle tattle, but light on the much anticipated goings-on of the second biggest rock band in history, the Rolling Stones.
That said, Fox captures Keith's voice perfectly, and the guitarist's asides on his ego driven frontman, Mick Jagger, will have you chuckling into your sombrero well into your two week vacation.
Mark Oliver Everett is better known as E, the singer, writer and frontman of the Eels. His childhood was blighted by the emotionless exterior of his father, Hugh Everett III; a no ordinary patriarch at that.
He was a physicist and originator of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory and of the use of Lagrange multipliers for general engineering optimizations. Which may sound heavy going, but Mark with his book, 'Things The Grandchildren Should Know', writes with an inquisitive eye and humorous self-depreciation. And yes, he does give an insight into the birth of his muse and subsequent Billboard hogging success.
Madness: The Nutty Boys Exposed
House Of Fun: The Story Of Madness is a comprehensive delve into the seven disparate characters who made up the 'Nutty Boys' sound.
Having recently released a critically acclaimed 'comeback' album, The Liberty Of Norton Folgate, the band are at a new commercial high. So rather than be a story of diminishing returns, it has an almost Hollywood conclusion .. though the usual array of heartbreaks, fall outs and cringe worthy incidents litter the middle chapters.
Ian Dury: Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll
Ian Dury became known as 'uncle Ian' to the Madness boys. His early incarnation as Kilburn and the High Roads was a huge influence on Suggs and crew. Then came the Blockheads and Dury briefly tasted success when Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick topped the UK charts in 1980.
But as his popularity declined, so did his bitter side win the personality fight. Dury was the archetypal lover and fighter, and alcohol tended to bring out the latter.
With a movie, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, capturing his many-sided personality, it was the job of the book, Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll, to tell the tale of his musical side. And a mighty fine read it is too.
All the above can be found on Amazon and other good online publishing outlets. So happy holidays and happy reading.
