Rocker Chicks

White Rabbit--Total Eclipse of the Heart--Black Velvet. These powerful rock anthems by Grace Slick, Bonnie Tyler & Alannah Myles proved to me that women could rule in the rock 'n' roll world. But I still don't know much about the voices behind the songs.

I'm intrigued by a recent trio of autobiographies released by women who helped sculpt the musical landscape of the late 70s and the 80s. I'm working my way through them. Here's the list, so you can join me as I find out more about Cherie Currie, Belinda Carlisle & Pat Benatar.

Cherie Currie, lead singer of the 70s group The Runaways, has updated and rereleased her biography Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway. Cherie's journey has taken her from Davie Bowie devotee, to singer/actor, to drug addict, to champion chainsaw sculptor. Interest in The Runaways is high right now, because of the new movie based on their band. This film stars Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning, who just like the The Runaways have experienced fame at a young age. If you want to know even more about The Runaways, a biography focusing on Joan Jett is coming out later this summer.

The two other books I'm enjoying are brand new. Belinda Carlisle, the front woman for the Go-Gos, reveals her life and band experiences in Lips Unsealed: A Memoir. And the iconic Pat Benatar highlights the strength her long-enduring marriage has provided as she's lived her career in Between a Heart and a Rock Place.






We'll be happy to place holds on any of these new titles for you. Give us a call at 217-367-4405, or email us at The Urbana Free Library reference desk.

It Might Get Loud

New this week at The UFL--It Might Get Loud, a documentary featuring three iconic rock 'n roll guitarists. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes) reveal how they achieved their unique styles and sound, and give us quite a bit of their rock history, too. These are men driven by their music and creativity.

Best of all, the three come together in a guitar summit and jam, blending their three perspectives into extraordinary music. A highlight of the film for me was the closing credits, where the three collaborate on an acoustic version of The Band's classic, The Weight.

Intrigued? Place a hold or call us at 217-367-4405, and we'll add you to the list.

Here's the trailer, to hold you through until your turn. Play it loud!

Rock and Roll

Boomers and all other right-thinking lovers of the true rock 'n' roll will not want to miss this album of photographs by Lynn Goldsmith. Starting in the early 60's doing promotions for Electra Records, Goldsmith worked in many capacities in the world of rock and roll, but it was as a photographer that she achieved near legendary status. Musicians loved her work and granted her unprecedented access both on and off the stage. Perhaps it is this mutual affection that uniquely informs these photos - there is something exquisitely personal revealed in almost everyone of them. Though not comprehensive - a few of my favorites were missing - this is a marvelous portrait of an era from James Brown to Kiss; people of a certain age will find the coverage of Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen especially appealing.