Few bands are as shrouded in the murky haze of rock mythology as The Doors, but now the band's notoriously quiet guitarist is finally breaking his silence to set the record straight. His often amusing memories will be loved by all Doors fans. It is a series of vignettes which takes us back to where it all happened - the pawn shop where he bought his first guitar, the jail cell he was tossed into after a teenage drug bust, his parents' living room where his first writing songs with Jim Morrison took place, and the many concert venues that erupted into historic riots. There are stories of the albums, flashpoints, the group's rise to fame, singles, drug and alcohol use all painting a picture of the 1960's counterculture. At the same time it is a moving reflection on what it means to find oneself as a musician, from the iconic and definitive first album on Elektra, we are reminded of the swirling technical wizardry on keyboards of Ray Manzarek and the solid drumming of John Densmore. Sadly of course Jim Morrison entered the 27 club but here his bandmate sets the record straight after wild acclaims and misunderstandings. Along the way he also managed to write 'Light My Fire', an anthem for the band. A great read from this underrated guitar player who writes with the same easy going style. 422 page paperback, many photos.

Adoring fans surrounding the limousine as a young David Bowie with his iconic haircut smoking a cigarette emerging into his newfound fame graces the cover of this gorgeous, celebratory read. The age of the rock star, like the age of the cowboy, has passed. What did we see in them? Swagger, recklessness, sexual charisma, self-belief, a certain way of carrying themselves, good hair, interesting shoes, talent? What did we want of them? To be larger than life but also like us. To live out their songs. To stay young forever. No wonder many didn't stay the course. Never a dull moment with 40 enjoyable romps across the years 1955 to 1994 with the rise of the drum machine. Here are bad boys, guitar heroes, rock bands, female rock stars and career suicide from the early days of Elvis Presley and Fats Domino to David Bowie, Morrisey to Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne to Björk, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Sid Vicious, The Edge, Bob Marley, Kurt Cobain, Keith Moon and on into infinity. It's about the fantasy figures that rock fame transformed them into and the personal price they paid for playing a starring role in our dreams. We wanted rock stars to be glamorous but also authentic, willing to beat off willing sexual partners but also live a fulfilled family life, staying up too late and never giving their full attention, but still operating at their full potential and talent. Rock stars were uncommon people who came from the masses and got to the top without the help of education, training, family ties or money and surprisingly many had careers that lasted far longer than they ever had any right to expect. Here their legends endure. 421pp, paperback with many photos.

The third and final real stereophonic LP from Columbia with a part three booklet. The tracks are You're No Good, Talkin' New York, In My Time of Dyin', Man of Constant Sorrow, Fixin' To Die, Pretty Peggy-O, Highway 51, Gospel Plow, Baby Let Me Follow You Down, House of The Risin' Sun, Freight Train Blues, Song To Woody and See That My Grave Is Kept Clean. Originally released 1962 and with the iconic young Dylan in the photograph by Don Hunstein holding his acoustic guitar and wearing a sheepskin jacket and trademark black corduroy baker boy cap. Terrific value for money and a companion to 94044 The Freewheelin' 12" Vinyl Album and 94423 The Times They Are A-Changin' 12" Vinyl Album.