6 Books That Hit the Same Loud, Wild Vibe as Spinal Tap

A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap by Rob Reiner with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer

I’m going to start this “lit” concert by handing the mic over to the Spinal Tap members themselves.

Director Rob Reiner and his co-writers and costars, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer open up about the making of the now cult-classic, This is Spinal Tap and its 2025 sequel in A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap. 

The true story divulges into how the cast met, how Spinal Tap came to be and how their low-budget indie film took on a life of its own, in-turn creating an all-new film genre: the mockumentary.

But wait, there’s more!

Authors Reiner, Guest, McKean and Shearer reminisce on the making of the film through never-before-seen photos, illuminating the reader on the origins of the movie’s iconic ballads “Big Bottom” and “Stonehenge” as well as the characters’ quotable lines like “Hello, Cleveland!,” and my personal favorite, “These go to eleven”. 

Just in time for the Spinal Tap’s sequel, this book is a must-read!

Loud Medicine by James Kennedy

Strap in for a wild ride as rock musician James Kennedy reveals what it’s really like being a working musician in this raw, unfiltered journey through the music industry’s underbelly.

Many aspiring musicians fantasize about a rockstar’s custom guitar collection, private jets and groupies galore, but James Kennedy aims to re-write this notion, attesting to the not-so-glamorous side of the music industry.

Written with sharp wit and unapologetic honesty, Kennedy busts open the myths of rock stardom, revealing the not-talked-about-enough hardships of building a career in music today. From the non-stop grind of touring to industry scams, problematic bandmates and the hard-core “make it” mentality, Loud Medicine is packed with stories straight out of the tour bus, administering a love for the medicine that is rock music. 

Ten Telecaster Tales by Rik Emmett

Hold onto your six-string! 

This guitar-friendly anthology transports you into the mind of Rik Emmett, who reveals the roots, influences, philosophy and spirituality involved in writing and recording what led to the Canadian rock band Triumph’s iconic melodies. Even the story behind these stories explores creativity: Emmett wrote and recorded on a one-of-a-kind Telecaster-style guitar that he, himself designed — hence his unique sound.

Beautifully written and appealing to the musical mind, Ten Telecaster Tales journeys through the process behind how compositions turn into recordings and intertwines a generous amount of fairytale mythology, despite the whole project’s basis in digital technology. 

Rik Emmett and his guitar become one in Ten Telecaster Tales, an evocative and necessary addition to his memoir, Lay It On The Line.

Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire by David Hepworth

If you’re a believer in the “Keith Richards is immortal” conspiracy, I’d like to introduce you to your next read.

The author of Abbey Road heralds stories of how rock icons like Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and more have survived, thrived and are continuing their rein over the rock n’ roll stage in 2025. 

Paul McCartney’s closing of Live Aid in July of 1985 marked him at the time as one of the oldest faces of rock at just forty-three years old. Forty years later he — and many others of his generation — are still going at it!

Hope I get Old Before I Die: Why Rockstars Never Retire reminds us that age is just a number, paying homage to the world’s greatest rockstars who continue to sell-out stadiums to the last generation (and their parents) who will see them perform live.

Sound N’ Fury: Rock n’ Roll Stories by Alan Niven

Told from the perspective of Guns n’ Roses manager, Sound N’ Fury’s collection of anecdotes is sure to satisfy a reader who’d rather be rocking out.

Alan Niven shares his experience managing Guns n’ Roses, while also immersing the reader into the worlds of other bands like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Clarence Clemons, Whitesnake, Elton John and others who came from humble origins and experienced fame only a few have known.

Crisp and fast-moving, Sound N’ Fury extracts all the delightfully chaotic sides of the music world and is sure to amuse even those who would rather be … reading … than rocking.

Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne

It would be a sin not to include Ozzy’s upcoming memoir on this list!

Metalheads all over the world mourn the loss of the Prince of Darkness whose contribution to rock n’ roll continues to astonish listeners and inspire musicians today.

Last Rites is Ozzy’s shocking and bitterly hilarious reflection on his final years. The memoir is filled with never-before-told stories from his life and career, including his marriage to Sharon Osbourne as well as what it took getting back onstage for his historic Back to the Beginning concert, which streamed around the world, where Ozzy reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates for one last time.

I am itching to get my hands on this memoir which publishes October 7!