10 Best Music Biographies UK 2023

Given the lifestyle that Keith Richards has lived, it's a surprise that he can remember half of it! That said, what he does remember is an endless selection of exciting tales — music, arrests, drugs, sex, arguments, reconciliations and more. 

His autobiography was written over five years, with help from journalist James Fox, and apparently the book's publisher paid an advance of around $7 million after reading just ten pages — so you know that it's going to be a riveting read! In our humble opinion, this is the ultimate success story from the greatest living rockstar.

Perhaps only in a novel would you expect a story to flow from the slums of New York City to the highest planes of spirituality. Yet here we have a memoir that does just that from the founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (The RZA). 

The captivating aspect of this book is that it's less about the music and more about the pursuit of knowledge of the author. From martial arts, chess and religion to his experiences on the streets, The RZA has found inspiration in almost every facet of life. This makes his autobiography an engaging read that will enlighten readers as well as entertaining them.

Although they were only together for eight years, The Beatles practically single-handedly invented the pop music we know and love today. This biography from author Hunter Davies takes an in-depth look at not just the Fab Four but their friends, family and colleagues as well. 

There are indeed hundreds of books out there on The Beatles, so what is it about this one that stands out? Well, Davies is the only person who has ever been authorised by the band to write their biography. Furthermore, he had access to them for 18 months at the height of their fame (1967-1968), so he draws upon first-hand experience to deliver an exceptional account of their life and work.

While Mariah Carey has been in the limelight from a young age, she's never had more than a ten-minute segment on a talk show or a few paragraphs in a magazine to talk about the complexities of her life. Until now, that is! This superb memoir follows the triumphs and troubles of her career, all in her own words. 

From the very first page of this book, you'll be steered through her tumultuous upbringing and rags-to-riches journey through the music industry. Thankfully, there's a good dollop of her dry sense of humour to get you through it all!

Gucci Mane might not be a household name like the other artists on this list, but his role in modern music shouldn't be overlooked. He was a pioneer of the trap genre in the 2000s and 2010s as well as a major influence on rappers like Young Thug, Migos and 21 Savage.

Here, with collaborator Neil Martinez-Belkin, Gucci Mane recollects how he forged an unlikely path to the top after years of drug-dealing and a stint in prison. All in all, this is a book that's as entertaining and hypnotising as the man himself. 

It's often said that Dave Grohl is the nicest guy in rock 'n' roll, and after reading his best-selling autobiography, it's hard to disagree! The book is entirely written by Grohl himself, chronicling his rise from fast-paced punk drummer in Nirvana to stadium sellout frontman of the Foo Fighters.

While it would be easy for Grohl to be self-indulgent when discussing his success, his narrative is earnest and seems to still come from a place of sheer disbelief — like a fan who wakes up every morning and finds himself in a rockstar's body. It's a truly compelling account that's packed with anecdotes about everyone from Iggy Pop and Joan Jett to Little Richard!

Cosmic, hardcore, funk, punk — these are all words used to describe the Red Hot Chili Peppers' music, but none can completely nail the sound of their unique style. In fact, that's a little what it's like reading frontman Anthony Kiedis' book; it's nothing short of a roller-coaster, taking you from place to place at breakneck speed!

The difference between this and other stars' stories is that instead of ending up in L.A, Kiedis starts out there. So, you can imagine the kind of raucous behaviour he got up to even before he'd picked up the mic! Since this memoir covers every gritty detail of drug addiction, it can be a tough read. Nevertheless, it's a gripping story that's certainly worth checking out.

Kim Gordon is one of the most influential people in rock 'n' roll — she was a founding member of the alternative noise band Sonic Youth, who paved the way for groups such as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins and Hole. Here, in her own words, she'll take you back to the dingy '80s and '90s in NYC where it all started. 

This is a straight-talking memoir that articulates what it's like to be a role model for a generation of women, as well as a wife and a mother. There's a fair bit of name-dropping throughout the book but despite this, Gordon's opinions are honest and raw — much like the art she's produced over the decades.

There aren't many musical genres that burst onto the scene quite like gangsta rap did in the late '80s and early '90s. In order to understand why this type of music pushed the boundaries, you'll need a primer on the chaotic backdrop of gang violence and police brutality from which the artists emerged.

In this impeccably-researched biography, Ben Westhoff recounts the stories of the top players in the game and explores how they redefined popular culture across the world. One thing worth mentioning though is that this book focuses solely on the West Coast, so there's no mention of East Coast stars like The Notorious B.I.G or Nas.

If you enjoyed the 2019 movie Rocketman, we highly recommend the autobiography that the film is based on. The book is just as extraordinary as its cinematic adaption, following Elton John's life from his tough childhood through to his hedonistic highs as a rock superstar, as well as his journey to find love and start a family.

The candour with which the author writes about himself is startling yet refreshing, as you don't have to worry about him trying to paint himself in a good light. In fact, his words can be so blunt that certain passages are a little difficult to read. Still, this is a brilliant memoir that's immensely entertaining.