Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian: A Rock N' Roll Memoir

by Anna-Marie O'Brien, Lonn M. Friend (Foreword)

In this heartfelt debut memoir, Anna-Marie O’Brien shares a poignant coming-of-age story about sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll and what it took for her to survive in the big city.

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" Anna-Marie is a true-lifer metalhead. She was around at a critical time for the music, and tells a fascinating story of those times. Take a ride with her in this great book! -- Brian Slagel, founder and CEO, Metal Blade Records.

In 1990, Anna-Marie left her disappointing Midwestern childhood behind and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue her heavy metal dreams on the Sunset Strip. Bands like Mötley Crüe, Megadeth, and Guns N’ Roses were at the height of their popularity, and she landed right in the middle of the heavy-metal music scene. Welcomed by sunshine and possibilities, her California adventure began the very first day she arrived in magical Laurel Canyon. Soon, she was working in the music industry, and then for Metal Blade Records. Working with her favorite bands and witnessing music history was a dream come true. But - things were not all as they seemed. Grunge music had arrived from Seattle, and it was taking over the metal scene. Los Angeles turned into a dark force, forcing her to make tough choices in order to survive.

This is a story of big magic, following your heart, and starting over. Anna-Marie is a real-life librarian, and a lifelong fan of heavy metal and rock music.

This is Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2019

Reviews

[Lauren Sapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has quickly become my favorite memoir of the year, possibly the last five years. I came to it prepared to like it, as I am a child of the 80s and 90s and I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for bands like Mötley Crüe, Van Halen, and even Winger. And I love memoirs that take place in that time period and help me remember what it was like growing up before the internet or cell phones existed, when you actually had to go hang out at the mall or a concert to meet other people in real life. As a member of the last pre-internet generation, I really appreciate the realistic depiction of those decades, with all their pros and cons.

So, I probably would have liked Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian anyway, but what pushed my “like” to absolute “love” was the skill of the author and the phenomenal storytelling. We start with our narrator as she’s growing up in the Midwest, a young girl with a single mom and a dad who is a damaged Vietnam War vet (another thing that was unfortunately prevalent for my generation), and follow her as she discovers heavy metal and embarks on her dream to move to California, specifically Los Angeles, in search of the rock stars and the life she’s always imagined. When she gets there, she has all kinds of crazy adventures meeting said rock stars, but ultimately finds that Los Angeles cannot provide the deeper meaning in life that she’s looking for.

I think what I loved the most about this memoir, was that the narrator was someone very much like me. When she first arrives in LA she is definitely distracted and impressed by the glamour and the nonstop action, but she quickly sees behind the illusion and she sees deeper into the people around her too. She sees that a lot of the things that sparkle and shine and have this slick and glossy mask, are actually kind of empty, and she sees that a lot of the people she meets, many of them celebrities on the scene, are just real people struggling with real problems. It’s very much a portrait of a complex woman making her way through a multi-faceted experience in a complicated city. There is no black-and-white answer to anything.

I was reminded many times of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, in that the story pushed me to examine my own beliefs and judgments and experience in the world. It was intense at times to ride through her memories, and thrilling at other times, but so well worth it. This is one of those books that you keep thinking about weeks after you’ve read it, and you buy it for other people in your life, people who you know are searching for their own answers.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves memoirs dealing with 1980s and 90s culture, the heavy metal music scene of those times, coming-of age stories, and feminist literature. It hits all the sweet spots in each of these areas beautifully.

[Jennifer Ozawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If not for an accident if geography, Anna-Marie would probably have been my best friend in high school. We love all of the same things—books, rock n roll and general geekiness. Pamela Des Barres’ “I’m With the Band” changed our lives, and we both love bass players.

This would have made my top five of the year if it were both a bit longer and better edited, if that makes any sense. She tends to repeat ideas over and over.

Otherwise, a ton of fun.

[Christopher Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her debut memoir, author Anna-Marie O'Brien shares a riveting, deeply personal and transparent coming-of-age tale. O'Brien promises an appealing narrative — a small town girl arrives in the big city in pursuit of her rock and roll dream, just like a scene out of a classic music video from one of her worshiped heavy metal bands. But what she delivers is so much greater — a courageous, heart-stopping story of personal trials, tragedies and ultimate triumph. A poetic wordsmith and master storyteller, O'Brien hooked me at page one and kept me reeled in through her moving conclusion. In short, come for the sex, drugs & rock and roll (there's plenty), but stay for the story — a sensational story that left me absolutely breathless!

[Tiffany Eckhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian by Anna-Marie O'Brien. Wow! I couldn't put it down.

Anna-Marie went to the same elementary school and gradated from Westerville South high school the year after me. I knew of Anna-Marie, she was more friends with my sister. I remember her and her Mom, but never knew their story.

We chose very different paths out of high school, but hold similar individualistic, create-your-own-path spirits. She is definitely a kindred spirit! I admire her honest and raw memoir. I enjoyed her adventures... her first day in LA was epic!

Anna-Marie inspired me to continue to make my own way... even at 50!

[London Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome read! 4.5 stars. I so enjoyed this walk down memory lane. Anna-Marie has written about a time that I recognize all too well. And I can’t thank her enough for remembering every detail.

[Marinus Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

What honesty!!

This author is as honest and Metal as fuck! Great book. Makes a 65 year old guy proud to be a Metal head. Metal for ever!!

[K. Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music colored the lives of many, especially during the 80s and 90s, when the melodies mirrored the laborious rebirth and growing pains of a nation (and really, the world). One such life was that of Anna-Marie O’brien, whose heart and soul were filled with music from the very start. The young Kiss Army warrior fought her way through abandonment, loss, and hardship with a strength and vigor known only to those of us who have endured true heartbreak.

Powered by the love of music and truly fierce fandom (I mean…really. Who else would be smiling from ear to ear after spraining their ankle and losing their shoes in a mosh pit?), Anna-Marie uses sheer willpower to get across the country and into the eternal sunshine of California by age 19. Once there, it seems as though Fate has provided for her, giving her a place to stay and even a job on the Strip. Through a series of moves and job changes, Anna-Marie weathers several storms and ends up at her dream job with Metal Blade Records. Her experiences there, moving in and out of time with good friends and her favorite musicians, changed her life forever. The magic of LA runs out, and she is forced to make some hard decisions. Fortunately, this Metalhead is no stranger to change and isn’t afraid to start over.

This memoir has a very special place in my heart. Anna-Marie is open and honest, with herself and her readers, which takes a lot of guts. It’s actually a huge reason I’ve gravitated toward transgressive fiction and memoirs recently. To know that people have had the same thoughts and feelings as us (good, bad, and ugly) is a relief after so many years of people pretending everything is, and always has been, ok. Anna-Marie’s words will help bring people together by showing the reality of the Human experience during a particularly impassioned and ardent generation. After all, we’re all just trying to get through this crazy thing called “life,” fighting against the repressive norms (born of fear for survival) that have been thrust upon us by generations before us.

While this book will be particularly exciting for those growing up in the 80s and early 90s, Anna-Marie’s story has something for everyone. This book is for the lonely and the broken, the warriors and the strange, the determined and the hearty—but mostly, this book is for the survivors.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this I thought it was going to be a typical groupie book. You know, sex & drugs & rock. It's much more than that, and a good story. I don't write reviews that go on for paragraphs, so let me just say that if you like books about the music world that you'll like this. Got it on Amazon, and it was well worth the $5! A magazine cost more than that, and this was much more entertaining!!

[Debbie Ridgway dilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been waiting to read this book written by my junior high friend since I first learned she was writing it! I was definitely not disappointed and man, did I learn a lot! Anna-Marie always had a fun, larger than life, aged beyond her years way about her even when we were 13 (she taught me lots back then too) but I had no idea about her epically wild adventures in LA! Her writing style and prose made it as if she were sitting beside me recounting these tales. How she wove it all together kept me wondering how she ever got to be a librarian, wife and momma! Excellent read, not only for us 80s metal head lovers but really for anyone coming of age and realizing that our ultimate life dreams and purpose may not be exactly what we first dreamed or imagined.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metalheads

This book spoke to me and brought me back to all the amazing moments of my life as a fellow metalhead. We loved the same music and followed similar paths in life. A must-read for any metalhead, particularly those for whom music is their passion. Thanks for sharing.

[Melissa Dixon-Johnson]

Being a M etalhead myself..I was intrigued by the title. The author told her story well. She was real and told her stories with humor and humility. It kept my interest and I thoroughly enjoyed her story...her life and the music we dearly love.

[Katherine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was in some ways reminiscent of riding a roller-coaster as I followed the ups and downs in Anna-Marie's life in Ohio, Michigan, and Los Angeles. During her adolescence, you can see how music is already shaping her life and providing an outlet for her emotional struggle with her dad's absence and the link between her own stubbornness and determination and her mother's - a woman who refused to give up on doing her best as a struggling single mom - is clear.

Once Anna-Marie's persistence lands her in Los Angeles, the city she's been dreaming about for years, a whole new adventure awaits; one filled with not only sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll as expected, but also filled with a new yearning, heartbreak, and self-discovery. There's an image projected to the world of what it's like to be a famous musician as well as those who work with them and Anna-Marie shatters that illusion, laying bare the truth behind it: real people, real emotions, real struggles. She provides a unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes of bands that would go on to make long-lasting waves in the music industry.

While the entire story is an eye-opening adventure and heartfelt coming-of-age tale, I especially loved and connected with last pages where Anna-Marie comes full circle from the freedom her mother allowed her to choose what music she listened to and the connection to the threats to free speech that was born from the discomfort created when musicians began pushing the boundaries of what society accepted as music at the time. The way she ultimately connected music, free speech, and librarianship was not only brave, but invaluable in helping to open minds to what free speech really means, as evidenced by the reaction to her presentation to her peers and advisors. I found myself wanting to jump to my feet and cheer loudly with them all for I had learned something as well and had my own mind opened in a way I hadn't realized it needed to be, and for that I am grateful.

I highly recommend this book to anyone; no matter your musical bent, you are likely to see a little of yourself within the pages and come away with a new perspective.

[Lisa Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great escape and distraction from my usual reading of textbooks for school. A great story of a pretty girl who moves to the big city and meets her favorite metal bands and even works with them...but later settles back to a happy not quieter but slower life.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMO

Great read for those 80 kids that dreamed of meeting there favorite 80 glam bands. What I dreamed of AMO went for it and made the trip to LA. Love this book.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I loved it for the stories of her time in LA and I loved it for her love of books. It is a rags to (not quite) riches story that I was really able to relate to!

[Sherry Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I thought of warmer places, especially on dreary winter days (cue The Mamas and The Papas). I was born in Los Angeles and yearned to go back to the place I was born. How can you resist warm temperatures, palm trees, the Rainbow Bar and Grill, and heavy metal? The moment I saw Axl Rose stepping off the bus looking for his rock and roll dreams in the “Sweet Child O’Mine” video sealed the deal for me when I was 17. I wouldn’t get there until almost a decade later.
Anna-Marie O’Brien made her dream a reality at eighteen. She wound up hob-nobbing with rock stars within hours and landing a job in the music industry shortly thereafter. You can read about this and much more in Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian: A Rock N’ Roll Memoir.
O’Brien takes you on a wild ride from Laurel Canyon to the Sunset Strip at the beginning of this read. However, it’s not all spandex and rainbows. She doesn’t hold back with those reading from growing up in Ohio with a single mom and a father damaged by the Vietnam War, the rebellious teenage years, and the loves and losses to the backstage passes, meeting her idols, and learning valuable lessons along the way. Her undying love of music and reading are a constant thread.
The story resonated with me because there are many parallels between the author of this book and the author of this review — a sometimes trusty Toyota Corolla, an admiration for Pamela Des Barres, a proclivity for bass players, and trauma that has transformed us.
Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian: A Rock N’ Roll Memoir is ideal for the forgotten Generation-X demographic, those who love heavy metal, or anyone looking for inner strength. Heck, her presentation for the Master of Library and Information Science is worth the price of the book. Anna-Marie O’Brien’s tales are just the beginning. Adventures of a Metalhead Librarian: A Rock N’ Roll Memoir scratches the surface. She has much more to say.

[Kevin Perveiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great life story! Read it and live a bit vicariously! You’ll enjoy it even if you’re not into heavy metal.

I really liked this book. My favorite read from pandemic isolation thus far.

It’s a fun story - perfect for the times we’re in. Anna-Marie takes you places and introduces you to a world few get to see. It was nice to get out and about, even if on a page.

Authentic. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but Anna-Marie owns it. No excuses. How awesome is that? Her attitude is inspiring.