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The Uncool: the new memoir from award-winning filmmaker and journalist Cameron Crowe, for fans of Just Kids and Almost Famous
The long-awaited memoir by Cameron Crowe—one of America’s most iconic journalists and filmmakers—revealing his formative years in rock and roll and bringing to life stories that shaped a generation, in the bestselling tradition of Patti Smith’s Just Kids.
Cameron Crowe was an unlikely rock and roll insider. Born in 1957 to parents who strictly banned the genre from their house, he dove headfirst into the world of music. By the time he graduated high school at fifteen, Crowe was contributing to Rolling Stone. His parents became believers, uneasily allowing him to interview and tour with legends like Led Zeppelin; Lynyrd Skynyrd; Bob Dylan; Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young; and Fleetwood Mac.
The Uncool offers a front-row ticket to the 1970s, a golden era for music and art when rock was young. There’s no such thing as a media junket—just a rare chance a young writer might be invited along for an adventure. Crowe spends his teens politely turning down the drugs and turning on his tape recorder. He talks his journalism teacher into giving him class credit for his road trip covering Led Zeppelin’s 1975 tour, which lands him—and the band—on the cover of Rolling Stone. He embeds with David Bowie as the sequestered genius transforms himself into a new The Thin White Duke. Why did Bowie give Crowe such unprecedented access? “Because you’re young enough to be honest,” Bowie tells him.
Youth and humility are Crowe’s ticket into the Eagles’ dressing room in 1972, where Glenn Frey vows to keep the band together forever; to his first major interview with Kris Kristofferson; to earning the trust of icons like Gregg Allman and Joni Mitchell who had sworn to never again speak to Rolling Stone. It’s a magical odyssey, the journey of a teenage writer waved through the door to find his fellow dreamers, music geeks, and lifelong community. It’s a path that leads him to writing and directing some of the most beloved films of the past forty years, from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Say Anything to Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. His movies often resonate with the music of the artists he first met as a journalist, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Who, and Pearl Jam.
The Uncool is a joyful dispatch from a lost world, the real-life events that became Almost Famous, and a coming-of-age journey filled with characters you won’t soon forget.
The Uncool is also a surprisingly intimate family drama. If you’ve seen Almost Famous, you may think you know this story—but you don’t. For the first time, Crowe opens up about his early formative years in Palm Springs, and pays tribute to his father, a decorated Army officer who taught him the irreplaceable value of the human voice. Crowe also offers a full portrait of his mother, whose singular spirit helped shape him into an unconventional visionary.
With its vivid snapshots of a bygone era and a celebration of creativity and connection, this memoir is an essential read for music lovers or anyone chasing their wildest dreams. At the end of that roller-coaster journey, you might just find what you were looking Your place in the world.
Cameron Crowe was an unlikely rock and roll insider. Born in 1957 to parents who strictly banned the genre from their house, he dove headfirst into the world of music. By the time he graduated high school at fifteen, Crowe was contributing to Rolling Stone. His parents became believers, uneasily allowing him to interview and tour with legends like Led Zeppelin; Lynyrd Skynyrd; Bob Dylan; Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young; and Fleetwood Mac.
The Uncool offers a front-row ticket to the 1970s, a golden era for music and art when rock was young. There’s no such thing as a media junket—just a rare chance a young writer might be invited along for an adventure. Crowe spends his teens politely turning down the drugs and turning on his tape recorder. He talks his journalism teacher into giving him class credit for his road trip covering Led Zeppelin’s 1975 tour, which lands him—and the band—on the cover of Rolling Stone. He embeds with David Bowie as the sequestered genius transforms himself into a new The Thin White Duke. Why did Bowie give Crowe such unprecedented access? “Because you’re young enough to be honest,” Bowie tells him.
Youth and humility are Crowe’s ticket into the Eagles’ dressing room in 1972, where Glenn Frey vows to keep the band together forever; to his first major interview with Kris Kristofferson; to earning the trust of icons like Gregg Allman and Joni Mitchell who had sworn to never again speak to Rolling Stone. It’s a magical odyssey, the journey of a teenage writer waved through the door to find his fellow dreamers, music geeks, and lifelong community. It’s a path that leads him to writing and directing some of the most beloved films of the past forty years, from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Say Anything to Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. His movies often resonate with the music of the artists he first met as a journalist, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Who, and Pearl Jam.
The Uncool is a joyful dispatch from a lost world, the real-life events that became Almost Famous, and a coming-of-age journey filled with characters you won’t soon forget.
The Uncool is also a surprisingly intimate family drama. If you’ve seen Almost Famous, you may think you know this story—but you don’t. For the first time, Crowe opens up about his early formative years in Palm Springs, and pays tribute to his father, a decorated Army officer who taught him the irreplaceable value of the human voice. Crowe also offers a full portrait of his mother, whose singular spirit helped shape him into an unconventional visionary.
With its vivid snapshots of a bygone era and a celebration of creativity and connection, this memoir is an essential read for music lovers or anyone chasing their wildest dreams. At the end of that roller-coaster journey, you might just find what you were looking Your place in the world.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
998 people are currently reading
5146 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Crowe
34 books169 followersCameron Bruce Crowe is an Academy Award winning American writer and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes.
Crowe has made his mark with character-driven, personal films that have been generally hailed as refreshingly original and void of cynicism. Michael Walker in the New York Times called Crowe "something of a cinematic spokesman for the post-baby boom generation" because his first few films focused on that specific age group, first as high schoolers and then as young adults making their way in the world.
Crowe's debut screenwriting effort, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, grew out of a novel he wrote while posing for one year undercover as a student at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, USA. Later, he wrote and directed one more high school saga, Say Anything, and then Singles, a story of Seattle twentysomethings that was woven together by a soundtrack centering on that city's burgeoning grunge music scene. Crowe landed his biggest hit, though, with the feel-good Jerry Maguire. After this, he was given a green light to go ahead with a pet project, the autobiographical effort Almost Famous. Centering on a teenage music journalist on tour with an up-and-coming band, it gave insight to his life as a 15-year-old writer for Rolling Stone. Also, in late 1999, Crowe released his second book, Conversations with Billy Wilder, a question and answer session with the legendary director.
Crowe has made his mark with character-driven, personal films that have been generally hailed as refreshingly original and void of cynicism. Michael Walker in the New York Times called Crowe "something of a cinematic spokesman for the post-baby boom generation" because his first few films focused on that specific age group, first as high schoolers and then as young adults making their way in the world.
Crowe's debut screenwriting effort, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, grew out of a novel he wrote while posing for one year undercover as a student at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, USA. Later, he wrote and directed one more high school saga, Say Anything, and then Singles, a story of Seattle twentysomethings that was woven together by a soundtrack centering on that city's burgeoning grunge music scene. Crowe landed his biggest hit, though, with the feel-good Jerry Maguire. After this, he was given a green light to go ahead with a pet project, the autobiographical effort Almost Famous. Centering on a teenage music journalist on tour with an up-and-coming band, it gave insight to his life as a 15-year-old writer for Rolling Stone. Also, in late 1999, Crowe released his second book, Conversations with Billy Wilder, a question and answer session with the legendary director.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
November 8, 2025
"The only true satisfaction comes from doing good." —ALICE CROWE
Cameron Crowe's The Uncool: A Memoir is a love letter to music, creativity, and his family, equally.
I've been a fan of Crowe's work for over 40 years---like any true 80's kid I was watching and listening to media well beyond my years--- & couldn't get my hands on this book quick enough. I did a mix of the ebook and audio and loved them both. Listening to Crowe personally tell the incredible stories from his life took The Uncool to the next level for me. I also loved the nostalgic photographs sprinkled throughout the book.
Crowe's life and accomplishments are truly fascinating. From skipping grades in school, to graduating high school early, to being Rolling Stone magazine's youngest ever contributor, and turning his passion for music and journalism into a successful film career, there are tidbits of it all included. Chance encounters that turned into life long friendships & chances taken at every opportunity. Some of my favorite parts in the book were when we got to hear the "behind the scenes" moments that inspired scenes brought to life on screen in Almost Famous. A peek at how it all really went down.
While I enjoyed every word of this book and the fascinating tales he told, selfishly, I really wanted more about his filmography. Entire chapters devoted to each movie would have been nice. Or I'd have even settled on a mere two full chapters on Singles. Maybe that's what we've got to look forward to with the next book...?🤞🏻
5/5 ⭐️
Cameron Crowe's The Uncool: A Memoir is a love letter to music, creativity, and his family, equally.
I've been a fan of Crowe's work for over 40 years---like any true 80's kid I was watching and listening to media well beyond my years--- & couldn't get my hands on this book quick enough. I did a mix of the ebook and audio and loved them both. Listening to Crowe personally tell the incredible stories from his life took The Uncool to the next level for me. I also loved the nostalgic photographs sprinkled throughout the book.
Crowe's life and accomplishments are truly fascinating. From skipping grades in school, to graduating high school early, to being Rolling Stone magazine's youngest ever contributor, and turning his passion for music and journalism into a successful film career, there are tidbits of it all included. Chance encounters that turned into life long friendships & chances taken at every opportunity. Some of my favorite parts in the book were when we got to hear the "behind the scenes" moments that inspired scenes brought to life on screen in Almost Famous. A peek at how it all really went down.
While I enjoyed every word of this book and the fascinating tales he told, selfishly, I really wanted more about his filmography. Entire chapters devoted to each movie would have been nice. Or I'd have even settled on a mere two full chapters on Singles. Maybe that's what we've got to look forward to with the next book...?🤞🏻
5/5 ⭐️
November 14, 2025
Cameron Crowe may have branded himself “uncool,” but let’s be real—nobody else had a coming-of-age quite like his. As a teenager in the 1970s, he was out there interviewing rock legends while kids his age were sitting in classrooms. He was writing regularly for “The Door,” an underground San Diego publication. He then started contributing articles to Rolling Stone. His time on the road with a certain Southern rock band would eventually inspire the screenplay for Almost Famous, and the echoes of that film can be found all over this memoir.
Crowe’s stories are packed with the kind of details that make you want to hit pause on your day and just soak in the vibe—like him meeting Penny Lane–esque superfans, the “Band-Aids,” or Crowe being asked to cover the band he was touring with, just like in the movie. I actually rewatched Almost Famous while reading, and it made the whole experience feel even richer and immersive.
The chapters are quick, sharp, and ridiculously fun. Crowe doesn’t spend time tearing anyone down. He’s here to celebrate the artists who contributed to the rock culture and helped shape him, and I honestly love the upbeat tone. And the celebrity encounters? They’re gold. I couldn’t get enough. Some favorites are Kristofferson at a cantina where Cameron was blocked from entering because he was a minor—so Kristofferson just brought the interview to the lobby. Priceless! Some other great stories are David Bowie, Gregg Allman, The Eagles, Jimmy Page— the list goes on, and half the joy is discovering them yourself.
And then, at the age of 22, Crowe posed as a high schooler to research teenage America, since he was essentially robbed of his adolescence. This research became “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” which captured the cultural zeitgeist of American youth of that era.
Crowe narrates the audiobook, which he gives a warm, infectious tone—he makes everything feel both intimate and legendary. This memoir was completely special and such a blast to read. I think a ton of people are going to fall for it just as hard as I did.
Crowe’s stories are packed with the kind of details that make you want to hit pause on your day and just soak in the vibe—like him meeting Penny Lane–esque superfans, the “Band-Aids,” or Crowe being asked to cover the band he was touring with, just like in the movie. I actually rewatched Almost Famous while reading, and it made the whole experience feel even richer and immersive.
The chapters are quick, sharp, and ridiculously fun. Crowe doesn’t spend time tearing anyone down. He’s here to celebrate the artists who contributed to the rock culture and helped shape him, and I honestly love the upbeat tone. And the celebrity encounters? They’re gold. I couldn’t get enough. Some favorites are Kristofferson at a cantina where Cameron was blocked from entering because he was a minor—so Kristofferson just brought the interview to the lobby. Priceless! Some other great stories are David Bowie, Gregg Allman, The Eagles, Jimmy Page— the list goes on, and half the joy is discovering them yourself.
And then, at the age of 22, Crowe posed as a high schooler to research teenage America, since he was essentially robbed of his adolescence. This research became “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” which captured the cultural zeitgeist of American youth of that era.
Crowe narrates the audiobook, which he gives a warm, infectious tone—he makes everything feel both intimate and legendary. This memoir was completely special and such a blast to read. I think a ton of people are going to fall for it just as hard as I did.
October 18, 2025
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." - Almost Famous (2000)
I was so excited when I learned that Cameron Crowe was writing a memoir. Almost Famous is my all-time favorite movie and I’ve always been so interested in the real stories behind the movie. It’s just such a cool thing, that he was a teenage journalist getting behind the scenes access to rock stars in the 70s. I absolutely flew through this book, Crowe really knows how to bring the stories to life and have them be full of atmosphere. There are silly, fun stories like how he was able to be underage and get into bars or venues to get interviews. But also more serious moments, like getting stories from musicians who had experienced great loss.
The vast majority of the book is focused on the years he was a rock writer. You do get some of his family life growing up, bits of his movie career, and some of the experience turning Almost Famous into a stage musical. But I was hoping for a bit more of a focus on the creation of Almost Famous as a movie. Or just for the book to not feel like it skips so much of his life as a filmmaker.
But overall I had a wonderful time reading this book. I’d definitely recommend it to people who are already fans of Crowe’s, but also to people who are interested in 70s rock overall. There are so many interesting stories about a bunch of iconic musicians.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was so excited when I learned that Cameron Crowe was writing a memoir. Almost Famous is my all-time favorite movie and I’ve always been so interested in the real stories behind the movie. It’s just such a cool thing, that he was a teenage journalist getting behind the scenes access to rock stars in the 70s. I absolutely flew through this book, Crowe really knows how to bring the stories to life and have them be full of atmosphere. There are silly, fun stories like how he was able to be underage and get into bars or venues to get interviews. But also more serious moments, like getting stories from musicians who had experienced great loss.
The vast majority of the book is focused on the years he was a rock writer. You do get some of his family life growing up, bits of his movie career, and some of the experience turning Almost Famous into a stage musical. But I was hoping for a bit more of a focus on the creation of Almost Famous as a movie. Or just for the book to not feel like it skips so much of his life as a filmmaker.
But overall I had a wonderful time reading this book. I’d definitely recommend it to people who are already fans of Crowe’s, but also to people who are interested in 70s rock overall. There are so many interesting stories about a bunch of iconic musicians.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 22, 2025
Well I knew that this was going to be great, and it is. It’s spectacular. I loved it. Cameron Crowe was almost Forrest Gump-like in his uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time with the right people. He has some amazing stories to tell, and the talent to tell them well. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I’d love to read a compilation of his Rolling Stone interviews. I would also like a Volume Two of this book, focusing on his movie career. Truly, I’m interested to read anything he wants to write! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2025
Crowe may be a writer, but I would recommend coming to this like you would to any celebrity memoir. Structure is not the point, a real arc is hard to find. What it's for is to share the best stories. And, in this case, it's very specific. This book really doesn't care about Crowe's film career. It is about his family and about his time as a music writer. If you want to know where all those stories in Almost Famous came from, how they were lifted from Crowe's on life, then this book is absolutely for you. You can see where specific characters came from, experiences that are lifted almost verbatim from life, and where he extrapolated.
And yes, there are some truly amazing stories. It almost defies belief that Crowe was able to be in the right place at the right time with so many great musicians and bands from the 70's. And it is hard to understand how all these artists happily spilled their guts to a teenager. And yet, we know they did because we have the articles to prove it. If you're a lover of 70s rock, then there's again a lot to enjoy here.
As a work of memoir it leaves a lot to be desired. Crowe writes a lot about his mother, and the book can feel like two different books awkwardly stitched together. Once he begins his career as a journalist his family suddenly disappears almost entirely from the story. We get very little about how their relationship changed. Or about what it was like as a teenager to begin to pull away from everything around you with your peers to become a semi-adult. There are glimpses of this but only from the rock star side of things, never from the normal life side, which just goes away. And the cuts to the end of his mother's life almost out of nowhere, jumping ahead decades, are also awkward. (The filming of the movie Almost Famous gets maybe a minute of attention? Which seems odd!)
But I"m guessing most readers are going in wanting some specific things and in that way the book delivers. I did audio, which Crowe reads, and there are many times when you can hear him smiling or getting emotional, and sometimes he does some good impressions, too. It's probably the best way to read it, I think.
And yes, there are some truly amazing stories. It almost defies belief that Crowe was able to be in the right place at the right time with so many great musicians and bands from the 70's. And it is hard to understand how all these artists happily spilled their guts to a teenager. And yet, we know they did because we have the articles to prove it. If you're a lover of 70s rock, then there's again a lot to enjoy here.
As a work of memoir it leaves a lot to be desired. Crowe writes a lot about his mother, and the book can feel like two different books awkwardly stitched together. Once he begins his career as a journalist his family suddenly disappears almost entirely from the story. We get very little about how their relationship changed. Or about what it was like as a teenager to begin to pull away from everything around you with your peers to become a semi-adult. There are glimpses of this but only from the rock star side of things, never from the normal life side, which just goes away. And the cuts to the end of his mother's life almost out of nowhere, jumping ahead decades, are also awkward. (The filming of the movie Almost Famous gets maybe a minute of attention? Which seems odd!)
But I"m guessing most readers are going in wanting some specific things and in that way the book delivers. I did audio, which Crowe reads, and there are many times when you can hear him smiling or getting emotional, and sometimes he does some good impressions, too. It's probably the best way to read it, I think.
September 3, 2025
3.5 rounded up. I had such high expectations for this memoir, and, while I enjoyed it, I was also somewhat let down. Crowe's memoir spends most of his time focusing on his music journalism career and his family, which included a sister who had mental illness and died young, a mother/sister conflict that defined their family, and his relationship with his mother. His movie career only gets a few blips--we spend way more time focusing on the making of Almost Famous: The Musical than we do that film or any of his movies, in part because of the tie-in to his mother.
The chronicles of his career as a teenager who ends up becoming a rock journalist is full of lots of instances of being in the right place or knowing the right people at the right time. He recounts a lot of stories of his encounters with everyone from the Allman Brothers to David Bowie to Joni Mitchell in a way that humanizes these iconic figures. There are some comical elements of being a teenager in this scene--not being able to get into the venues of the bands he's covering, lacking a driver's license to get there. I wanted more of Crowe's perspective of not just the stories but reflection on what it was like being included in this world and his feelings over its end, as his assignments dried up. Similarly, he mostly glosses over his undercover high school year researching what was to become Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the book the movie is based on. As a kid who skipped grades, graduated early, and ended up spending most of his time in adult spaces, this period seems ripe for more introspection, which was mostly lacking.
What was more successful for me were the parts about his family. I loved the details around how his sister's love of music influenced him. His mother's gumption, reinvention, and unconventionality, both in her own life and how she approached parenting, were also highlights. These family elements were where more of the author himself comes out and were some of my favorite parts of the memoir.
As it is Crowe's story to tell, it's a bit unfair to judge it based on what I, as a reader wanted him to include or how he chose to tell it. Also, in a life and career that is so full of fascinating stories and encounters and shifts and stages in life, it's impossible to cover it all in depth or with a lot of reflection. Overall, I enjoyed what was here, while also hoping there might be a second volume someday that covers more territory or digs a little deeper.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for providing an eARC of The Uncool prior to publication.
The chronicles of his career as a teenager who ends up becoming a rock journalist is full of lots of instances of being in the right place or knowing the right people at the right time. He recounts a lot of stories of his encounters with everyone from the Allman Brothers to David Bowie to Joni Mitchell in a way that humanizes these iconic figures. There are some comical elements of being a teenager in this scene--not being able to get into the venues of the bands he's covering, lacking a driver's license to get there. I wanted more of Crowe's perspective of not just the stories but reflection on what it was like being included in this world and his feelings over its end, as his assignments dried up. Similarly, he mostly glosses over his undercover high school year researching what was to become Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the book the movie is based on. As a kid who skipped grades, graduated early, and ended up spending most of his time in adult spaces, this period seems ripe for more introspection, which was mostly lacking.
What was more successful for me were the parts about his family. I loved the details around how his sister's love of music influenced him. His mother's gumption, reinvention, and unconventionality, both in her own life and how she approached parenting, were also highlights. These family elements were where more of the author himself comes out and were some of my favorite parts of the memoir.
As it is Crowe's story to tell, it's a bit unfair to judge it based on what I, as a reader wanted him to include or how he chose to tell it. Also, in a life and career that is so full of fascinating stories and encounters and shifts and stages in life, it's impossible to cover it all in depth or with a lot of reflection. Overall, I enjoyed what was here, while also hoping there might be a second volume someday that covers more territory or digs a little deeper.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for providing an eARC of The Uncool prior to publication.
November 6, 2025
A winning combination of a remarkable life told by an incredible storyteller. I didn’t think I could love Almost Famous more than I already do.
November 2, 2025
Imagine being fifteen and finding yourself in a room with your greatest musical heroes, when they're almost at the peak of their careers. That was the teenage reality of Cameron Crowe, a writer with the rare ability to be in the right place at the right time, armed with both curiosity and humility. His memoir, The Uncool, captures that era (early to mid 1970s) with the same earnestness and honesty that defines his best work. Some of the stories are so wild they would seem impossible if he did not have the tapes to prove them.
However, this is not just a backstage pass to rock legends and youthful awe. It is also a story about family, loss, and finding your way back to what matters. Crowe writes with a sincerity, humor, and truth that makes the unbelievable feel intimate and real.
And if you can, listen to the audiobook. He narrates it himself, and the emotions in his voice adds an extra layer of authenticity and warmth.
However, this is not just a backstage pass to rock legends and youthful awe. It is also a story about family, loss, and finding your way back to what matters. Crowe writes with a sincerity, humor, and truth that makes the unbelievable feel intimate and real.
And if you can, listen to the audiobook. He narrates it himself, and the emotions in his voice adds an extra layer of authenticity and warmth.
August 16, 2025
** I received an advance digital review copy from the publisher, because I am a librarian and librarians are awesome **
Are you ready for waves of Almost Famous nostalgia? Crowe's memoir put me deep into the years of 2000-2002, between watching the movie in the theatre as an ecstatic 20 year old and watching the DVD on repeat in the years that followed. (I experienced waves of indignance every time he mentioned that the movie flopped in theatres, because it had never felt like a flop to me.)
Even more than rehashing the movie (even though it recaptures dialog verbatim in places, to the point where I hear Philip Seymour Hoffman echoing in my head), it captured a time in history when you could be young and influential, just by being [young, lucky, white, male] present in a space at the right time. In that way, teen Crowe's journey reminded me of all I had forgotten about my youth - the reason why being an unpaid web journalist in the early 2000s felt like entering a new world of promise and possibility, and not just the 45 year old cynic's rearview mirror take that I was taken advantage of for free labor.
But! Enough about me! Crowe's writing style was absorptive (even though the Bowie chapter needs to run through some edits before final press) and the story of his family, vivid and tragic all at once, pulled this from the realm of 70s-rock-meets-wunderkind into something new and meaningful for anyone who has struggled with their family relationships. (That is, all of us.) Come for the pop culture, stay for the legacy of Alice Crowe.
Are you ready for waves of Almost Famous nostalgia? Crowe's memoir put me deep into the years of 2000-2002, between watching the movie in the theatre as an ecstatic 20 year old and watching the DVD on repeat in the years that followed. (I experienced waves of indignance every time he mentioned that the movie flopped in theatres, because it had never felt like a flop to me.)
Even more than rehashing the movie (even though it recaptures dialog verbatim in places, to the point where I hear Philip Seymour Hoffman echoing in my head), it captured a time in history when you could be young and influential, just by being [young, lucky, white, male] present in a space at the right time. In that way, teen Crowe's journey reminded me of all I had forgotten about my youth - the reason why being an unpaid web journalist in the early 2000s felt like entering a new world of promise and possibility, and not just the 45 year old cynic's rearview mirror take that I was taken advantage of for free labor.
But! Enough about me! Crowe's writing style was absorptive (even though the Bowie chapter needs to run through some edits before final press) and the story of his family, vivid and tragic all at once, pulled this from the realm of 70s-rock-meets-wunderkind into something new and meaningful for anyone who has struggled with their family relationships. (That is, all of us.) Come for the pop culture, stay for the legacy of Alice Crowe.
November 13, 2025
Ultimately I didn't see this as so much as a memoir as it was a series of kind of interesting stories about some amazing bands and musicians. Sometimes I'm amazed by how much is available to straight, white men.... Even the story of Sean Penn not auditioning or rehearsing for his role in Fast Times - you think - wow what would have happened to an unknown female actress who refused to audition or rehearse? There's not a lot of awareness of how white, male privilege operated in this whole book. I love his work but this fell flat.
November 1, 2025
Honestly a bit disappointing. My favorite parts were Bowie’s Station to Station sessions and Kris Kristofferson.
An overview of the real life of Almost Famous (he had a dad and a second older sister) and his love of bands I’m indifferent to (Deep Purple, The Eagles), it’s dismissive of Pamela Des Barres and the GTO’s, still buys into the idea that the Sex Pistols were the antidote to arena bloat, barely covers his screenwriting/directing career other than Fast Times, and I still have no idea how he started dating Nancy Wilson.
An overview of the real life of Almost Famous (he had a dad and a second older sister) and his love of bands I’m indifferent to (Deep Purple, The Eagles), it’s dismissive of Pamela Des Barres and the GTO’s, still buys into the idea that the Sex Pistols were the antidote to arena bloat, barely covers his screenwriting/directing career other than Fast Times, and I still have no idea how he started dating Nancy Wilson.
November 9, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up. Almost Famous is my favorite movie and I was really looking forward to reading this memoir and learning more about Crowe's time interviewing some of my favorite bands as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone. I was surprised by just how much of Crowe's life was replicated in the movie. I enjoyed reading about the truth behind the story and doing the mental compare/contrast with the film.
My major qualm was that I didn't love the framing device of the musical version of Almost Famous and would've preferred a more chronological telling. By bringing the story to present day, I was expecting a bit more about Crowe's "second" career as a screenwriter/director, but there was only mention of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and the briefest of info about the actual filming of Almost Famous. I would've loved a bit more detail about the movie making portion of his life.
Overall, glad to have read it and will recommend to any classic rock music lover.
3.5 stars rounded up. Almost Famous is my favorite movie and I was really looking forward to reading this memoir and learning more about Crowe's time interviewing some of my favorite bands as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone. I was surprised by just how much of Crowe's life was replicated in the movie. I enjoyed reading about the truth behind the story and doing the mental compare/contrast with the film.
My major qualm was that I didn't love the framing device of the musical version of Almost Famous and would've preferred a more chronological telling. By bringing the story to present day, I was expecting a bit more about Crowe's "second" career as a screenwriter/director, but there was only mention of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and the briefest of info about the actual filming of Almost Famous. I would've loved a bit more detail about the movie making portion of his life.
Overall, glad to have read it and will recommend to any classic rock music lover.
November 7, 2025
"The Uncool" is Cameron Crowe's long-awaited memoir chronicling his youth and career as a journalist. While Crowe's masterpiece "Almost Famous" told the story from a semi-autobiographical perspective, "The Uncool" is particularly special because readers get to experience Crowe's story in the medium that launched his career and in his unmistakable voice.
Crowe gives us a raw and deeply personal look into his family's life and his upbringing and then shifts the story into full gear as he gets more and more access to rock's biggest stars. "The Uncool" is at times, an achingly human coming-of-age story and at others an all-access pass to one of music's greatest eras. What's striking is just how much rock and roll history lives in Crowe and his experiences. David Bowie's autobiography? He has it. Tapes of Don Henley and Glenn Frye working their creative process and penning some of the Eagles biggest hits? Yep. It's a bit overwhelming to just sit back and think about all the shows and performances that Crowe witnessed. Crowe barely scratches the surface on his unprecedented relationships and trust with the artists, and yet, in doing so, reveals so much about his own maturity and wisdom as a writer. While his mentor cautions Crowe against becoming friends with the stars, it's clear than in many cases, Crowe did just that, though not intentionally. One gets the sense that for many of the stars that dust the pages of this memoir, Crowe provided grounding, a mechanism for keeping touch with the fans at a time well before social media, when artists' lives were still mysterious. It also led me to wonder if some of the artists recognized a fellow artist in Crowe, even at that early age.
Anyone who has seen Crowe's movies knows that he has a gift for storytelling and for writing flawed characters you want to root for because they are so human and relatable. "The Uncool" turns the lens on Crowe and allows him to delve into the moments of self-doubt, frustration, and sometimes embarrassment, but also of joy and triumph.
As a fan of Crowe's film work, I was excited to read this and was not disappointed, but "The Uncool" is really an appealing book for all, striking the same chords as "Almost Famous." You don't have to be a music fan to appreciate it, but if you are, it's that much more special. You don't have to be a fan of Cameron Crowe movies, but if you are, it's a lovely peek behind the curtain. More than anything, "The Uncool" is just great storytelling by one of America's great storytellers, and that makes it very cool.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.
Crowe gives us a raw and deeply personal look into his family's life and his upbringing and then shifts the story into full gear as he gets more and more access to rock's biggest stars. "The Uncool" is at times, an achingly human coming-of-age story and at others an all-access pass to one of music's greatest eras. What's striking is just how much rock and roll history lives in Crowe and his experiences. David Bowie's autobiography? He has it. Tapes of Don Henley and Glenn Frye working their creative process and penning some of the Eagles biggest hits? Yep. It's a bit overwhelming to just sit back and think about all the shows and performances that Crowe witnessed. Crowe barely scratches the surface on his unprecedented relationships and trust with the artists, and yet, in doing so, reveals so much about his own maturity and wisdom as a writer. While his mentor cautions Crowe against becoming friends with the stars, it's clear than in many cases, Crowe did just that, though not intentionally. One gets the sense that for many of the stars that dust the pages of this memoir, Crowe provided grounding, a mechanism for keeping touch with the fans at a time well before social media, when artists' lives were still mysterious. It also led me to wonder if some of the artists recognized a fellow artist in Crowe, even at that early age.
Anyone who has seen Crowe's movies knows that he has a gift for storytelling and for writing flawed characters you want to root for because they are so human and relatable. "The Uncool" turns the lens on Crowe and allows him to delve into the moments of self-doubt, frustration, and sometimes embarrassment, but also of joy and triumph.
As a fan of Crowe's film work, I was excited to read this and was not disappointed, but "The Uncool" is really an appealing book for all, striking the same chords as "Almost Famous." You don't have to be a music fan to appreciate it, but if you are, it's that much more special. You don't have to be a fan of Cameron Crowe movies, but if you are, it's a lovely peek behind the curtain. More than anything, "The Uncool" is just great storytelling by one of America's great storytellers, and that makes it very cool.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.
September 13, 2025
Thanks to #AvidReaderPress and #NetGalley for the DRC of #TheUncool. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I've enjoyed most of Cameron Crowe's movies (especially Almost Famous) and I grew up in the 70s, listening to a lot of the music he wrote about as a teenaged writer for Rolling Stone magazine. Crowe chronicles his introduction to music, despite his mother's disdain for rock & roll, and how it impacted his life. This memoir is also about his family - especially his mother and older sister - but you still get the vibe of "uncool" kid who just loves the music.
If you're a fan, you've likely heard or read most of what this memoir includes. But it's still a fun and engaging read with several behind the scenes photos.
I've enjoyed most of Cameron Crowe's movies (especially Almost Famous) and I grew up in the 70s, listening to a lot of the music he wrote about as a teenaged writer for Rolling Stone magazine. Crowe chronicles his introduction to music, despite his mother's disdain for rock & roll, and how it impacted his life. This memoir is also about his family - especially his mother and older sister - but you still get the vibe of "uncool" kid who just loves the music.
If you're a fan, you've likely heard or read most of what this memoir includes. But it's still a fun and engaging read with several behind the scenes photos.
October 28, 2025
A feast of a read. The book's gentle, vignette-brief chapters tell the tale of his life and his family's and expands in its closing pages with a heart-squeezing poignancy as he accepts the passing of his mother and reflects on the bonds he and his father did have throughout their lives. Beyond the family focus, there are, of course the portraits of the musicians that he had encountered throughout his precocious career. Crowe pulls back the curtain at times, but also sheds light on the questions that fame and those encounters have left him and would leave all of us with as we fantasize or simply reflect on aspects of life and the relationships we form along the way.
Apart from Crowe pulling back the curtain on his life and career enough to reveal how close Almost Famous actually was to his own life, there are accounts of the work that went into the interviews he did and the writing that came out of them -- something that might prompt a publisher to follow this up with an anthology of his articles from over the years. Brilliant.
Apart from Crowe pulling back the curtain on his life and career enough to reveal how close Almost Famous actually was to his own life, there are accounts of the work that went into the interviews he did and the writing that came out of them -- something that might prompt a publisher to follow this up with an anthology of his articles from over the years. Brilliant.
November 12, 2025
I have loved Cameron Crowe since "Say Anything" [though it was years before I knew he was the director; I just knew that whoever made that movie was amazing and then it turned out to be one of my favorites], but it wasn't until "Almost Famous" [my GOSH I love that movie - LOVE LOVE LOVE] that I truly felt I understood him *AND* his genius. Then I read this book and was just completely blown away by ALL that he shared about his life, his growing up, and his interesting, fragile, fraught, love/angst -filled relationship with his parents, but especially with his Mom [I remember when we bought the "Bootleg Cut" of Almost Famous and listened to the commentary with the movie and his Mom was a part of that and W O W did it get hilarious and...well...interesting. She was a force of nature for sure as well as a beautiful hidden gem].
This book is such a beautiful nod to Cameron's childhood, his parents, his sisters, and the music that shaped that time AND his life. This book is absolutely fantastic. I loved every second of it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cameron Crowe, and Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is such a beautiful nod to Cameron's childhood, his parents, his sisters, and the music that shaped that time AND his life. This book is absolutely fantastic. I loved every second of it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cameron Crowe, and Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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November 7, 2025With Almost Famous being my favorite movie, this felt like a necessary read and I’m thankful I did. I thoroughly enjoyed to hear how bits of the movie came to life through lived experiences; meeting Penny Lane, touring with the Allman Brothers, even inspiration from Gran Parsons and Emmylou Harris that gave us the smallest, but also most beautiful cut scene of the movie. Known facts from movie fans turned into longer narratives giving small details, even specific quotes, that gave us more insight into the events of the movie (and his life of course). I sort of left with a familiar feeling that the movie gave me which is music journalism is a new world nowadays, focused on short term interactions rather than deeper relationships. No more following a band and getting to know them over time. Mind you, this isn’t bad, maybe just more a sign of the times. Hearing Cameron’s fond memories and the effect artists had on him made me happy that other music journalists probably have the same fondness in their relationship with music. I could go on but I’m sure Lester already talked about it better than I could. Really relished in hearing his memories of one of my favorite eras of music.
November 2, 2025
Huge fun for anyone with an affinity for early 1970’s rock and roll. Cameron Crowe was there as a precocious 16 year old whose talent and connections ended up giving him—and us—intimate experiences with many of the personalities of that dynamic era. There’s also Crowe’s mom, who’s an unforgettable character in her own right. Highly recommend the audiobook, which Crowe himself reads.
November 13, 2025
Didn’t want this to end.
November 18, 2025
Meh. I had high expectations of this, but they weren't really fulfilled. As it's his memoir it (rightly) focuses on him, where I wanted to hear more about the artists. I'd rather just watch Almost Famous again.
October 24, 2025
Sometimes when I’m wavering on my feelings about a book, I read other reviews to try to make sense of it all. In this case, I found many others in the same confused boat. I wanted to love this book from the outset being a long time fan of Cameron’s movies, writings and previous books. Ultimately it just felt incomplete.
These stories are absolutely worthy of being told and I’m glad they were but it felt like a collection of Rolling Stone story backgrounds and a biography of his mother put together rather than a true autobiography. So much of his life is seemingly intertwined with his mother’s and I kept wanting him to tell his own story outside of hers. The moments of true introspection are fleeting and you’re left desiring more. You also come away from The Uncool hoping for a Part 2. There’s still so much to be told about his life and his filmmaking career.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avid Reader and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review.
These stories are absolutely worthy of being told and I’m glad they were but it felt like a collection of Rolling Stone story backgrounds and a biography of his mother put together rather than a true autobiography. So much of his life is seemingly intertwined with his mother’s and I kept wanting him to tell his own story outside of hers. The moments of true introspection are fleeting and you’re left desiring more. You also come away from The Uncool hoping for a Part 2. There’s still so much to be told about his life and his filmmaking career.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avid Reader and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review.
October 22, 2025
I was kindly sent an advance reading copy of this book. This is a solid 3.5 stars, but as a fan of Cameron Crowe, I just wanted a little bit more. Almost famous, is one of my favourite movies and this did accompany the story, filling in gaps of what the movie didn’t cover. All in all, a very enjoyable read.
September 10, 2025
I loved this book, not only for the incredible music stories about musicians, but also for the narrative about Cameron Crowe's family. In the middle of a chapter, I would look up the cover of Rolling Stone magazine to see the bandshot Crowe was referring to or I would play songs like "Whipping Post" or "Take It To the Limit" and reminisce. "The Uncool" reminded me how much I love music and how it's always been a part of our family too. Thank you for sharing an ARC with me! Looking forward to handselling this book!
November 11, 2025
A few years ago, on my 37th birthday, while we were all still caught in the seemingly neverending cycle of the COVID pandemic, I sat down and watched Almost Famous for the first time in years. Just as it had the first time I saw it, it completely mesmerised me. I think it’s pretty much a perfect film from beginning to end. If you’ve never seen it, or if you’ve only seen the theatrical cut, I highly recommend watching the director’s cut as it adds about forty minutes.
When I heard Cameron Crowe was writing a memoir, I was very excited to get my hands on it. Aside from Almost Famous, I’m also a huge fan of Vanilla Sky (there are a few of us, believe me) and Elizabethtown. Cameron’s deep knowledge of rock and pop music led to iconic soundtracks that are just as important as the screenplay. So you can understand how excited I was to hear a few behind the scenes stories about those films - maybe how they were cast as well as any insights he may have into his creative process and how he successfully married deeply emotional storytelling with just the right song.
I’m sorry to say that if that’s what you’re interested in, you’re going to be left wanting. His film career is reduced to a handful of chapters on Fast Times, a sentence or two on Say Anything and two pages on Almost Famous (although you could argue that the whole book is about Almost Famous). Nothing else makes the cut. It would be an understatement to say that I was deeply disappointed. There is also a fair amount about the Almost Famous musical, not something I was overly interested in. So how exactly is it that I am giving this a big recommendation?
THE UNCOOL is an extremely well-written memoir about a young burgeoning rock writer and his relationship with his family. I loved reading stories about Cameron’s road trips with The Allman Brothers, his eighteen-months spent interviewing David Bowie on and off, and his brief trip with Led Zeppelin shortly before their release of Physical Graffiti. I also loved learning about his mother Alice and his sister Cindy and what had directly influenced Almost Famous. There is also a fair bit in here about his oldest sister Cathy’s untimely death - something I was not aware of. We take for granted how easy it is to make connections in 2025 and how convenient it is to have the internet in our pockets 24/7, but trying to schedule interviews, creating contacts within the publishing and music industry, and being available for phone calls felt chaotic.
I almost wish he hadn’t mentioned anything with respect to his movies so I could hold out hope for part two, but I don’t see that happening. Either way, there is a treasure trove of material here for folks looking for a jog down memory lane back to the era of 70s rock and the early days of The Rolling Stone.
When I heard Cameron Crowe was writing a memoir, I was very excited to get my hands on it. Aside from Almost Famous, I’m also a huge fan of Vanilla Sky (there are a few of us, believe me) and Elizabethtown. Cameron’s deep knowledge of rock and pop music led to iconic soundtracks that are just as important as the screenplay. So you can understand how excited I was to hear a few behind the scenes stories about those films - maybe how they were cast as well as any insights he may have into his creative process and how he successfully married deeply emotional storytelling with just the right song.
I’m sorry to say that if that’s what you’re interested in, you’re going to be left wanting. His film career is reduced to a handful of chapters on Fast Times, a sentence or two on Say Anything and two pages on Almost Famous (although you could argue that the whole book is about Almost Famous). Nothing else makes the cut. It would be an understatement to say that I was deeply disappointed. There is also a fair amount about the Almost Famous musical, not something I was overly interested in. So how exactly is it that I am giving this a big recommendation?
THE UNCOOL is an extremely well-written memoir about a young burgeoning rock writer and his relationship with his family. I loved reading stories about Cameron’s road trips with The Allman Brothers, his eighteen-months spent interviewing David Bowie on and off, and his brief trip with Led Zeppelin shortly before their release of Physical Graffiti. I also loved learning about his mother Alice and his sister Cindy and what had directly influenced Almost Famous. There is also a fair bit in here about his oldest sister Cathy’s untimely death - something I was not aware of. We take for granted how easy it is to make connections in 2025 and how convenient it is to have the internet in our pockets 24/7, but trying to schedule interviews, creating contacts within the publishing and music industry, and being available for phone calls felt chaotic.
I almost wish he hadn’t mentioned anything with respect to his movies so I could hold out hope for part two, but I don’t see that happening. Either way, there is a treasure trove of material here for folks looking for a jog down memory lane back to the era of 70s rock and the early days of The Rolling Stone.
November 13, 2025
(3.5)
Basically the non-fiction version of Almost Famous, for better or for worse. The portrait he paints of his family and upbringing was touching. At the same time he tries hard to avoid controversy and comes off a bit toothless. I was surprised to learn he was born in the same place as me and that we shared some oddly coincidental formative experiences, like our moms taking us to concerts at the San Diego Sports Arena when we were below driving age. (Him: Elvis. Me: Pearl Jam*). I think these stories raised my personal appreciation for the book even though it’s lacking in many areas, such as his entire film career. Stories of the real interviews that inspired the film, as well as the behind-the-scenes moments of his most famous artist profiles, were all entertaining but didn’t feel insightful.
As I saw the timer ticking down (I usually do memoirs on audiobook) it became apparent to me that the bulk of his career wouldn’t be covered, but that’s my own fault for not reading the synopsis. He built his career on his writing voice—I was pleased with his emotional narration, as well—and still shines here, so I’d love if he had another memoir in mind. I’m maybe being generous in my score, but it was an enjoyable listen and the subject matter is relevant to my interests.
*Crowe has deep ties to Seattle, so as an old-school fan of that era I was hoping for some nuggets from working with those artists, some Singles trivia, or, you know, anything on his 25-year marriage to local hero Nancy Wilson.
Basically the non-fiction version of Almost Famous, for better or for worse. The portrait he paints of his family and upbringing was touching. At the same time he tries hard to avoid controversy and comes off a bit toothless. I was surprised to learn he was born in the same place as me and that we shared some oddly coincidental formative experiences, like our moms taking us to concerts at the San Diego Sports Arena when we were below driving age. (Him: Elvis. Me: Pearl Jam*). I think these stories raised my personal appreciation for the book even though it’s lacking in many areas, such as his entire film career. Stories of the real interviews that inspired the film, as well as the behind-the-scenes moments of his most famous artist profiles, were all entertaining but didn’t feel insightful.
As I saw the timer ticking down (I usually do memoirs on audiobook) it became apparent to me that the bulk of his career wouldn’t be covered, but that’s my own fault for not reading the synopsis. He built his career on his writing voice—I was pleased with his emotional narration, as well—and still shines here, so I’d love if he had another memoir in mind. I’m maybe being generous in my score, but it was an enjoyable listen and the subject matter is relevant to my interests.
*Crowe has deep ties to Seattle, so as an old-school fan of that era I was hoping for some nuggets from working with those artists, some Singles trivia, or, you know, anything on his 25-year marriage to local hero Nancy Wilson.
November 6, 2025
I really enjoyed The Uncool by Cameron Crow. I breezed through this memoir in just a few sittings—Crow’s voice is warm, observant, and full of heart. I absolutely loved the behind-the-scenes look at some of my favorite bands. The stories about The Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, and others from that era were worth the read alone. It’s incredible to imagine a teenager landing cover stories for Rolling Stone, but Crow pulls you right into those moments with humility and excitement. Read the book and you’ll see how it all happened.
I’ve always been a fan of Almost Famous, and this memoir clearly provides the emotional and autobiographical background that gave that film its soul. If anything, I wish Crow had spent more time on his film career. There’s a bit of a rush through the later chapters, especially those years when he moved from rock journalism into screenwriting and directing. That part of his life deserves more depth.
Still, this is a wonderful read—earnest, vivid, and filled with a nostalgic love for a particular time in music. A great ride through the 1970s rock world and the early steps of a storyteller who helped shape how many of us see that era.
Wholeheartedly recommended. 🎸
I’ve always been a fan of Almost Famous, and this memoir clearly provides the emotional and autobiographical background that gave that film its soul. If anything, I wish Crow had spent more time on his film career. There’s a bit of a rush through the later chapters, especially those years when he moved from rock journalism into screenwriting and directing. That part of his life deserves more depth.
Still, this is a wonderful read—earnest, vivid, and filled with a nostalgic love for a particular time in music. A great ride through the 1970s rock world and the early steps of a storyteller who helped shape how many of us see that era.
Wholeheartedly recommended. 🎸
November 16, 2025
and now we have the book of the movie that became a musical. Crowe's gifts and crutches as a rock feature writer have remained consistent, even as increasingly it is writer/director Cameron Crowe that has become the muse of his feature writing. there is a great deep dive into the access that Bowie gave him at the outset of the Thin White Duke period which is extremely mental but builds out from that Rolling Stone cover story with more color and flavor. then a firm recap from 2006 Bowie who declares that he was deeply unwell and that this sort of hagiography, particularly its execution by a boy, was dangerous. But there is a great deal of stoicism for the people lost. Cameron gives us as much about family members as we get about Ronnie Van Zant: meaningful but gone too soon.
November 21, 2025
“sometimes I would listen to one song twenty or thirty times in a row. there had to be other people like me. i just hadn't met them yet.”
i prolonged reading this since i had nearly completed it in a day and i never wanted it to end. it felt so special reading something that correlated so much with my love for music, 70s music specifically. i was unable to put it down once i picked it up. i sometimes watch almost famous multiple times a week and reading cameron’s actual story was so surreal. he was able to put the exact love many of us have for music into words i had never deemed possible. this book means the world to me!
i prolonged reading this since i had nearly completed it in a day and i never wanted it to end. it felt so special reading something that correlated so much with my love for music, 70s music specifically. i was unable to put it down once i picked it up. i sometimes watch almost famous multiple times a week and reading cameron’s actual story was so surreal. he was able to put the exact love many of us have for music into words i had never deemed possible. this book means the world to me!
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