Publisher's Synopsis
At the beginning of the 21st Century, The Book of Rock pays tribute to those artists whose music has provided a soundtrack for the growing pains of three generations. The Book of Rock is a gallery of 500 saints, sinners and martyrs of rock history. Here democracy is everything: guitar heroes rub shoulders with tortured geniuses, and the flamboyant masters of showmanship receive the same treatment as reclusive poets. Together they provide a fresh, provocative guide to the icons of rock, the most influential singers and musicians from around the globe. The 500 artists are presented in an accessible A-Z format, each musician or group portrayed by a single definitive image that sums up their essential qualities, accompanied by a short, sharp summary, which has no hesitation in puncturing myths and self-importance. This text highlights their achievements and their influence, along with essential biographical information and critical, often pointed, comments from the artists themselves or fellow musicians. Each entry is supported by a list of key members, dates of recording career and an original, inspirational discography of essential sounds.;What the 500 artists featured in The Book of Rock all have in common is that they imposed an indelible mark on the half-century of musical extravaganza we call rock 'n roll.
