Books Like...
The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band is a wild ride through the rise of Motley Crue from local LA glam metal misfits to a worldwide hard rock juggernaut. The narrative is told with graphic detail and candid detachment, keeping the reader hooked with the band members' exploits, while also delving into their failings as human beings and subsequent fall from grace. The story is narrated by multiple voices, including the band members and important collaborators, providing an interesting and entertaining read despite potential contradicting versions of events.
The book delves into the sordid details of the band's drug use, sexual escapades, and rock 'n roll lifestyle. It provides a fair perspective from each band member, allowing readers to peek into the lives of the most debauched rock band of their time and feel like they are living it with the band. The writing style captures the essence of Motley Crue's journey, from their lecherous past to their moments of redemption, making it a compelling and immersive read for fans and non-fans alike.
If you liked The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band, here are the top 40 books to read next:
- #1
Save:'Hammer of the Gods' by Stephen Davis is a biography that delves into the history and dynamics of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. The author provides insights into the band members' personalities, their rise to fame, and the controversies surrounding their rockstar lifestyle. Davis explores the music legacy of Led Zeppelin, highlighting their creative process, business decisions, and the impact they had on the music industry. The narrative covers both the highs and lows of the band, from their epic musical achievements to the challenges they faced due to excess, drugs, and alcohol.
The maledicta, infamous libels, and annoying rumors concerning Led Zeppelin began to circulate like poisoned blood during the British rock quartet's third tour of America in 1969. Awful tales were whi... - #2
Save:"The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" by Marilyn Manson is a memoir that delves into the life of the controversial musician. It follows Manson from his early days in a small town in Ohio to the beginning of his music career and his rise to fame with the band Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. provides insight into Manson's transformation from a normal kid to an individual who fully embraces his unique identity. It touches on his struggles, insecurities, controversial tour experiences, and the evolution of his stage persona. The writing style is described as raw, emotional, and engaging, offering a personalized view of Manson's journey to becoming the iconic figure he is known as today.
HELL to me was my grandfather’s cellar. It stank like a public toilet, and was just as filthy. The dank concrete floor was littered with empty beer cans and everything was coated with a film of grease... 'Scars of Sweet Paradise: The Life and Times of Janis Joplin' by Alice Echols delves into the life of the iconic musician, Janis Joplin, exploring her journey through Texas, San Francisco, and the counterculture of the 60s. Echols presents a balanced approach, providing insights into Janis' passion, pain, and the reasons behind her music. offers a deep dive into the 60s culture, shedding light on Janis' struggles, successes, and the impact she had on the music industry as a female rock star ahead of her time.
“What’s happening never happens there” was how Janis summed up life in her hometown. Port Arthur was so suffocating it felt as if it might suck the life right out of you, especially if you were a smar...'The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star' by Nikki Sixx is a memoir chronicling the descent of the Motley Crue bassist into the depths of drug addiction, particularly heroin, cocaine, and alcohol abuse. Through diary entries from 1986-1987, the readers get an intimate look at Nikki Sixx's struggles with addiction, paranoia, and hallucinations, providing a raw and honest portrayal of his dark journey. is structured in a unique format, combining diary entries with commentary from friends, family, and the author himself, offering a multi-dimensional perspective on the life of a rock star battling inner demons.
Founder, chief songwriter and bassist for Mötley Crüe, assiduous diary keeper and the antihero of this tale. A man who was so hooked on heroin and cocaine that he had to die twice before he began to c...- #5
Save:'Life' by Keith Richards is a mesmerizing autobiography that takes readers on a journey through the life of the legendary rockstar. The book delves into Richards' long and tumultuous career with the Rolling Stones, providing intimate details of his experiences, struggles with addiction, relationships within the band, and his deep passion for music. Through a candid and honest narrative, Richards shares stories of his rock and roll lifestyle, songwriting process, and personal reflections, offering readers a unique insight into the life of a music icon.
Why did we stop at the 4-Dice Restaurant in Fordyce, Arkansas, for lunch on Independence Day weekend? On any day? Despite everything I knew from ten years of driving through the Bible Belt. Tiny town ... 'Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?' by Steven Tyler is a raw and honest rock 'n' roll memoir that delves into the life of the Aerosmith lead singer. The book takes readers on a journey through Tyler's childhood, personal life, the making of Aerosmith, his relationships with band members, his struggles with addiction, and his songwriting process. Tyler's writing style is described as big, flashy, and unapologetic, providing readers with a personal and intimate look into the real Steven Tyler behind the rockstar persona.
The memoir is filled with vivid details, anecdotes, and personal insights, allowing readers to experience a mix of entertainment, sadness, silliness, and poignancy. Tyler's storytelling is nonlinear and sometimes meandering, offering a unique perspective on his life experiences. Despite occasional tangents and lack of structure, readers appreciate the personal touch in Tyler's writing, finding it more relatable and engaging than a traditional autobiography.
“You gotta learn how to read ’em yourself,” she said. Up until then I’d been reading along with her as she pointed to the words. We did this for months until she knew I kinda had the idea, then sudden...- #7
Save:'I Am Ozzy' by author Ozzy Osbourne is an autobiography chronicling his life, struggles with addiction, rise to fame through Black Sabbath and his solo career, as well as his personal relationships. The book is written in a conversational and light tone, filled with hilarious and comical stories from Ozzy's life on the road and in the music industry. It delves into his hardships, successes, regrets, and the various addictions he battled with, all narrated with candor and humor.
Burglary – that’s what they sent me down for in the end. Or, as the charge sheet said, ‘Breaking and entering and stealing goods to the value of £25.’ That’s about three hundred quid in today’s dough.... 'Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir' by Pat Benatar is a candid and insightful look into the life of the iconic rock singer. The book details Benatar's journey from a young girl in a working-class town to becoming a rock goddess, navigating the challenges and triumphs of her career in the male-dominated music industry. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Benatar shares her experiences with sexism, record labels, relationships, and motherhood, offering readers a glimpse into the life of a woman who stayed true to her principles while pursuing her passion for music.
I WAS NEVER JUST a girl’s girl. I grew up wanting to do boy things. Nail polish and baby dolls weren’t enough for me. I wanted to be making a fort or climbing a tree. Boys seemed to have all the fun. ...- #9
Save:'Scar Tissue' by Anthony Kiedis is an autobiography that delves into the life of the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The book takes readers on a wild ride through Kiedis' rockstar upbringing, touching on themes of abuse, addiction, and self-discovery. The narrative is described as a powerful and emotional rollercoaster, offering a glimpse into Kiedis' struggles and triumphs.
The writing style of 'Scar Tissue' is praised for being captivating and engaging, with readers expressing how they were unable to put the book down once they started reading. Kiedis' storytelling is noted for painting a vivid picture of his life growing up, filled with sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, making it a compelling and unforgettable read for fans and non-fans alike.
I’d been shooting coke for three days straight with my Mexican drug dealer, Mario, when I remembered the Arizona show. By then, my band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, had one album out, and we were about... - #10
Save:'Light My Fire' by Ray Manzarek is a deep dive into the world of Jim Morrison and The Doors, providing an intelligent analysis of Morrison's behavior and the band's journey. Manzarek's writing style is described as brilliant, intelligent, and uniquely descriptive, offering a mix of autobiography and biography to portray the band's rise to fame and the struggles they faced. The book explores the dynamic between the different personas of Jim Morrison, the internal conflicts within the band, and the artistic vision that drove their music.
We don’t know what happened to Jim Morrison in Paris. To be honest, I don’t think we’re ever going to know. Rumors, innuendoes, self-serving lies, psychic projections to justify inner needs and maladi...
