10 Must-Read Music Memoirs and Biographies That Stay With You
rom raw confessions to reflections on fame, grief, and identity, these ten memoirs offer a deeper look into the lives of artists who’ve shaped music and culture in unforgettable ways.
1. Resistance: A Songwriter’s Story of Hope, Change, and Courage – Tori Amos
Tori Amos blends political insight with personal experience in this deeply reflective memoir. Set against the backdrop of recent global events, Resistance explores what it means to be an artist in turbulent times. Part memoir, part call to action, Amos draws from myth, memory, and her own catalog to examine how creativity can be a force for resilience and change.
2. From Here to the Great Unknown – Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
This dual memoir offers interwoven reflections from Lisa Marie Presley and her daughter Riley Keough. Together, they explore fame, family, and loss through their own perspectives—Lisa Marie as the only child of Elvis Presley, and Riley as a rising actor carving her own path. It’s a tender and bittersweet exploration of legacy, identity, and the ties that bind.
3. I’ll Never Write My Memoirs – Grace Jones
True to form, Grace Jones defies expectation in her bold and boundary-pushing autobiography. Refusing to be boxed in, Jones chronicles her rise from Jamaican roots to global icon, offering razor-sharp insights on fame, fashion, race, and rebellion. Fierce, funny, and unapologetic—just like the artist herself.
4. Rememberings – Sinéad O’Connor
Sinéad O’Connor’s memoir is a fearless and vulnerable account of a life lived on her own terms. From childhood trauma to international stardom—and the controversies that followed—Rememberings is as lyrical as it is revealing. With moments of humor and heartbreak, O’Connor reclaims her story with a voice that is unmistakably hers.
5. I, Tina: My Life Story – Tina Turner (with Kurt Loder)
This groundbreaking memoir, later adapted into the film What’s Love Got to Do with It, recounts Tina Turner’s early years, her abusive relationship with Ike Turner, and her rise as a solo powerhouse. Candid and courageous, I, Tina is a testimony to endurance, transformation, and the power of reclaiming your life and name.
6. Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer – Chely Wright
Chely Wright’s memoir broke ground as one of the first mainstream country artists to come out as gay. Like Me traces her path from a conservative upbringing to chart-topping success, and ultimately, to living openly and authentically. It’s a brave and necessary story about self-acceptance in a genre not always known for its inclusivity.
7. Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography – Natalie Cole (with Digby Diehl)
Natalie Cole’s memoir is a deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the legacy of being Nat King Cole’s daughter. Honest and humanizing, Cole shares how she found her own voice—both literally and figuratively—while navigating loss, fame, and the pressure of expectation. A moving story of healing and self-discovery.
8. Just Kids – Patti Smith
Patti Smith’s National Book Award–winning memoir is a tender portrait of her early years in New York and her transformative relationship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe. More than a coming-of-age story, Just Kids captures the soul of 1970s art culture and the sacred bond between two young visionaries learning to survive, create, and love on their own terms.
9. The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir – Neko Case
In her debut memoir, Neko Case brings the same grit and poetry found in her lyrics to the page. With vivid storytelling and unflinching honesty, she reflects on her upbringing, artistic evolution, and the personal battles that shaped her into one of indie rock’s most distinct voices. This is a new addition to the memoir canon and a powerful one.
10. Talking to My Angels – Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge’s memoir offers a personal look into her life as a songwriter, cancer survivor, and LGBTQ+ trailblazer. Through stories of motherhood, music, and spirituality, she explores the complexities of identity and connection. Intimate without being indulgent, this is a heartfelt chronicle of a life in motion.
