Man on the Run: Paul McCartney and his Tucson connections

I'm doing this post on one of our living legends of rock and pop music, Sir Paul McCartney. This is a musician who's musical career spans from the 1950s to today as he continues to put out albums and tours the country.

Paul McCartney is one of two living Beatles, and he continues to add and grow to his legacy every year. Aside from releasing a brand new album this year, "New," Paul has only contributed the song Helter Skelter to the Hurricane Sandy relief album "12-12-12," seen a fully released concert DVD from his band Wings put out titled "Rockshow" and had a biography published about himself and wife Linda, "Man on the Run: Paul McCartney in the 1970s."

Musicians can write books, too!

It's pretty well accepted that when a musician or an athlete puts out an autobiography, one can  assume they didn't write it themself. And take it one step further and you can assume they also didn't read their own ghost written book, either. Not that I'm saying they aren't smart or anything... but musicians writing is usually best kept at the lyric stage.

I have poured through our library system to find some musicians who have written some books of their own- fiction books, books about bicycles; a former Beatle and his book of humorous sayings that could possibly have inspired Monty Python; and even a workout book by a famous rap star.

Click on the title to see the book. The only one not available is "Margaritaville."

Alice Cooper:
"Golf Monster : A Rock 'n' Roller's 12 Steps To Becoming A Golf Addict"

The Show I'll Never Forget:

Last year I came across this wonderful book while I working at the Golf Links Library. This is must reading for any type of music buff as it covers nearly every genre of music. There is nothing better than talking with someone about the music they love and why they love it. Usually, when I hear a fresh perspective through heartfelt and organic words regarding a particular musician, I find myself eager to learn more about that artist. I often ask friends what was the best show they ever attended. This single question often blossoms into some of the finest discussions I've shared with friends. Just listening to someone talk about a great live act they once saw is almost like seeing the show for yourself because the person talking always describes everything so vividly with fondness. "The Show I'll Never Forget" is a collection of such descriptions. Please continue reading to learn more.

Who is Harry Nilsson?

Ah, spring in Tucson...

The days are finally getting longer which means I have more time to get things done- like working through my backlogged Netflix queue! Recently I happened to watch a wonderful documentary about a music industry great you may not have heard of: "Who is Harry Nilsson, (and why is everybody talkin' about him?)"

This documentary explores the roller coaster life and career of Harry Nilsson. Nilsson released eighteen albums of varying popularity, but this isn't the story of an overnight success. In fact he kept a job working nights at a bank for years after working in the industry in order to make sure he could get by

For those who may not be familiar with the name Harry Nilsson or just 'Nilsson,' you have probably at least heard his music. Harry Nilsson was prolific. He wrote many well-known songs for his own albums, and was a lyracist for other bands. One of the most catchy and popular songs would be the earworm "Coconut," but Nilsson also wrote the love ballad "Without You," "One" for the band Three Dog Night, "The Lord Must Be In New York City," and many others. 

Endless Summers with the Beach Boys

It's nearly time for the Fourth of July, and what does that mean? Fireworks, hot dogs, surfing safari's, fun fun fun, and of course, Beach Boys. The group has been synonymous with summer and has been sending out good vibrations to music fans for 51 years. And in perfect timing, they have released a brand new album of all original music "That's Why God Made the Radio" which is available at your Pima County Public library. I have listened to it, and I LOVE IT! It's a time warp back in time. Even the cover is 60's style!