Ryan Adams

by Michael Heatley

Ryan adams is American roots music's first superstar of the new century. First finding cult fame with alternative country band Whiskeytown, his rebellious image and photogenic street urchin looks have won a wide fan following that includes Elton John and Noel Gallagher. In this first account of his life, Michael Heatley traces Adams' progress from small town North Carolina to trysts with actress Winona Ryder, the broken romances and personal demons that have fuelled his most affecting work and his dedication to legendary country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons. Still in his mid twenties, Adams has the world at his feet. If, unlike Parsons, he opts for self-preservation rather that the self-destructive image he often portrays. This book assesses the past, present and future of a performer with the potential and the eclecticism to be 'the new Neil Young'.

Genres: Music

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Michael Heatley is the author or editor of over thirty biographies, including Backstreet Boys: The Unofficial Book, Bon Jovi: In Their Own Words and Rolf Harris: The Most Talented Man In The World. In 1995, he wrote the liner notes to Rolf's best-selling album Rolf Rules OK!

Since 1977 he has written more than a hundred music, sport and TV books.

He has written for magazines including Privileged View (for viewers of UK Gold and UK Living), 442 and Fultime (Fulham FC), Music Week, Billboard, Goldmine (US record collecting magazine), Radio Times, Daily Record and the Mail on Sunday color supplement.

In addition, Michael runs a fanzine in honor of legendary Welsh psychedelic rock band Man called The Welsh Connection which is circulated to a small but fervent fanbase on a bi-monthly basis.

Reviews

[Vicente Ribes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una buena biografía de Ryan Adams. El artista que puso el country y el rock de moda en este siglo y fue bautizado como el nuevo Springsteen. La verdad es que al tener ya unos años se queda corta y solo cubre su periodo en su grupo Whiskeytown y sus tres primeros discos en solitario.
Adams llevará ya más de 14 discos y no para de sorprenderme. Después de un periodo malo ha resurgido de sus cenizas y ahora se marca 4 discos al año. Una hipercreatividad asombrosa la que demuestra y además componiendo temazo tras temazo.
De lo mejorcito del rock actual. Eso si, ya va haciendo falta una biografía más actualizada.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

all you need to know in a poorly written formula

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information but very poorly written. The author adding his own insights really doesn't help things. At times it sounds more like a journal entry than a biography of Ryan Adams.

[Jamison Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than I expected. I wish this book would get an update.

[Windy]

I definitely plan to read this, but how can it only be 192 pages?!