The Essential Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded by More Than 1,200 Artists

by Martin C. Strong, John Peel (Foreword)

For the serious rock and pop music aficionado or the inquisitive teenager whose taste runs from the Doors to Beyoncé, here is the definitive, you’ll-need-no-other music book. Completely revised and updated with brand new photographs throughout, this formidable tome is the perfect tool to lead a rollicking, at-home Rock & Roll Jeopardy night. Set it bedside and learn one fact on the greatest rockers—or your underrated favorites—every night. For example, did you know that P. Diddy started as a “dogsbody”—a gofer—for Heavy D’s Uptown Records? Or that Neil Diamond was originally part of a duo, Neil & Jack? Whether punks, divas, alt-rockers, rappers, rock-a-billies, or gods of the pop pantheon, all you need to know about everyone is here. Gaze at Living Color and Rainbow, as well as Pink, Deep Purple, Blue Nile, and Green Day. From one-hit wonders to mega stars it doesn’t matter the size, this is an inexhaustible book overflowing with biographical tidbits, evolving band line-ups, session descriptions, anecdotes, and definitive track and label listings. With a reputation as the best, most exhaustive, up-to-date discography around, it’s perfect for every music lover you know.

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction

1200 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2006

Reviews

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and useful book, but you can tell it was a rush job. There are lots of places where new text has been added to an entry without adapting what's already there. For example you'll get something like "They are currently resting the band..." and then the next paragraph will start "They returned with a new album in..." Great for lists of songs and records, but the Rough Guide to Rock tells better stories.