The First Time: Stories & Songs from Music Icons

by Matt Everitt

Taken from the acclaimed BBC Radio 6 Music show, The First Time invites you inside the lives of some of the music world's most notable legends.

From Alice Cooper to Yoko Ono, Courtney Love to Elton John, follow their lives and careers starting with their first musical memories, first records, and first gigs, finding out the songs that have shaped them along the way. With 40 compelling interviews, specially commissioned collage illustrations, and a bespoke playlist for each musician, The First Time is a must-have for any music lover.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Published November 6, 2018

Reviews

[Laura M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun for any music fan looking for old stories and suggested playlists. For me I hadn't heard most of these stories before. Matt Everitt had these conversations for radio, so I do wonder if something gets a little lost in the text that would be better if you were a fly on the wall listening.

[Bethnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sensitive interviewer, a great range of interviewees, I really enjoyed this book and the Spotify playlists of tracks chosen by the rock stars. My favourite interviews were Yoko Ono, Marianne Faithfull and Dave Grohl, but I learned interesting things about Trent Reznor, Alice Cooper and Jonny Greenwood.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book fitted perfectly into my busy schedule for it was a collection of tales about first records, first musical memories, etc., of a variety of musicians. Paul Simon, Debby Harry, etc. I could stop after one and pick up again several days later for others without missing out or forgetting what I had read previously.

[Wdmoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book of interviews with musicians ranging from Alice Cooper to David Gilmour to John Lydon. The first question is always what the first music you remember hearing...

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys music

[Mr. Ronald · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some interesting stuff among a pile of dross from the usual music critic cum presenter who wishes he were talented enough to be a rock star. Rock journalism is full of such types.
Not exactly a must read.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice collection of interviews, transcripts from a popular BBC radio show.

[Brian Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great interviews!

[Adam Parrilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, diverse roster of interviewees and a tried and true theme/format.
Not bad for a former member of Menswe@r…

[Brett Oaten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great lover of lists books, but this reminded me of lots of great songs that I'd forgotten

[Jason Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing interviews with some greats in music history, from Trent Reznor to Elton John, Debbie Harry to Jimmy Cliff! Well worth the read.