WORDS TO THE MUSIC:

Howard Sounes's top 10 music biographies (Howard Sounes, 5/10/01, guardian.co.uk)

4. Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick

Truly definitive. Even the taciturn Bob Dylan was moved to praise: "[Elvis] steps from these pages, you can feel him breathe?" [...]

10. Why Me? The Autobiography of Sammy Davis Jr. by Sammy Davis Jr. with Jane and Burt Boyar

An entertainer of great talent, but little discernible taste, recalls fortunes earned and wasted during a life in show business. Most amusing.

The Boyars' book is a favorite of ours, but here are some other good ones:

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 15, 2008 8:10 AM