I'm a great fan of autobiography. Granted, often it is sanitized and self-serving, but there's nothing like hearing a person tell their own life *period* here're my list:

1.Music Is My Mistress by Duke Ellington-This book is str8 up from Duke and that what makes it a very good book. My father adores this book 2 the full and I def can see why.

2.Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday-Billie had honesty no1 had at all, very thoughtful and deep sometimes. My fave part was when she talked about her childhood when she was in her Grandparents house and when she talks about John Hammond. I neva loved Diana Ross' movie at all, it lacks honesty and depth. Who could play Billie's role? Nobody.

3.Between Each Line of Pain and Glory: My Life Story
by Gladys Knight-I was mist intrigued by her honesty throughout the book, especially in speaking of her parenting of her children. She talks about the struggle she went through behind the scenes(biz & personal).

4.Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye--by David Ritz-Need a I say more? Dave did one helluva jop.

5.Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder's Mother by Dennis Love & Stacy Brown-This book made Stevie Wonder mad as hell cuz it shed lights about his early years. One of the main reason why Stevie got mad about this is becoz it reveals how Stevie lost his virginity by a hooker.

6.Mae West:A Bio-Bibliography by Carol M. Ward-I just giggle when I see Madonna's behaviours and the way people react to them. I'm like "If Mae West were here as same as age as Maddy she would've blown the woman outta the map 4 good". I love Mae and I love her movies,,,one thang people always overlook about her is she was a great screenwriter too.

7.I, Tina by Tina Turner & Kurt Loder-I'm madly in love with Angela Basset but if her movie woulda been as exclusive as this book then I wouldn't buy it. This book talks about alot of things weren't mentioned in the movie, like the way she struggled when she was young(considering that her mother abandoned her in an early age) and goes deeper with her love/hate relationship with Ike. The women who get abused by their men would realize alot if they read it. Mary J Blige raves this book like crazy.

8.Takin' Back My Name: The Confession of Ike Turner
by Ike Turner & Nigel Cawthorne-I had to hear his side of the story, we always hear Tina speaks but I'd like 4 him to speak too. One of the most moving parts of this book are when Ike talks about his father's death by the hand of the whities.

9.Take Me to the River by Al Green & Davin Seay-Somehow I don't feel that much of an honesty in there but it Al Green's side of the story,,what can u do about that?

10.Jackie Wilson:The Man, the Music, the Mob
by Tony Douglas-This is the best book eva done about Jackie Wilson. Its very revealing and mind you, got alot of color pix by the,,,as Wendy said can't get any betta than that


Yo turn!

Rick James --- Memoirs of a Super Freak



u need a reason of why this is my favourite autoghrapical book???

1. "Cash" by Johnny Cash - One of the funniest, saddest, most humble and spiritual books I've ever read by anyone, ever. This man is an American landmark, and still very much the rebel with a heart of gold.

2. "Praying to the Aliens" by Gary Numan - Aw, come on. It's the guy who sang "Cars". You know it's gonna be full of New Wave era gossip and rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-comeback drama. Fun read.

3. "Moonage Daydream" by David Bowie and Mick Rock - Not an autobiography per se, but the closest Bowie's gotten so far - a big, beautiful memoir of the Ziggy Stardust days (daze?).

4. "Rotten" by John Lydon - Mud will be flung.

5. "My Face for the World to See" by Liz Renay - Campy, over-the-top, (sometimes unintentionally) hilarious book by a former stripper, mafia moll and b-movie actress. Difficult to find, but well worth the hunt!

ummm...can't think of five more right now...

Ardeo said:

Oh yes, since I didn't know that the book excists till now maybe you could tell me what is like(most of all is he HONEST? thats the best thang about any book) Did he talked about why he LOCKED Mary Jane's record in the basement and neva released them, did he talked about drugs and what not? WHEW! so many question in my head

Harlepolis said:

How are these 3 books classed as autobiographies, when they are entirely written by someone other than the subject of the book?

7.I, Tina by Tina Turner & Kurt Loder-I'm madly in love with Angela Basset but if her movie woulda been as exclusive as this book then I wouldn't buy it. This book talks about alot of things weren't mentioned in the movie, like the way she struggled when she was young(considering that her mother abandoned her in an early age) and goes deeper with her love/hate relationship with Ike. The women who get abused by their men would realize alot if they read it. Mary J Blige raves this book like crazy.



never read the book...but TINA is and inspiration to us all