Rock bottom - Michael Odell

'One of the best music books ever written, because Michael Odell knowsmusic isn't about the musicians - it's about what it does to the listener, evenif what it does ends up being wholly disastrous. It's sad, funny, fascinatingand wise.' Michael Hann, former Guardian music editor

'Hilarious and disarmingly honest; a journey into the neurosis of rockfame, but through doors you don't expect.' Rachel Joyce, author of The UnlikelyPilgrimage of Harold Fry

A tale of loving, living and surviving rock music

Michael Odell is a rock music writer who takes his responsibility ascultural gatekeeper seriously; he asks rock stars the forbidden questions todiscover whether they're worthy of readers' admiration.

But after interviewing Mick Jagger and Keith Richards - two of the 'Big Six'icons - Michael is depressed. He has a public meltdown while chaperoning Oasisat an awards ceremony; he's lost joy in his bathroom full of rock'n'rollmemorabilia; and his young son is in trouble at school for emulating rock starbehaviour.

Reluctantly Michael consults Mrs Henckel, a no-nonsense therapist with zeroexperience of pop culture. As Michael addresses his feelings about the past, inparticular his failed teenage band, Mental Elf, he's forced to confront thequestion: is it finally time to grow up and forget rock'n'roll?

Michael Odell is a former contributing editor to Q magazine and has written about music for NME, the Guardian, the Independent and Spin, among others. Currently he does interviews and writes on family matters for The Times. He lives in Bristol.

'Hilarious and disarmingly honest;
a journey into the neurosis of rock fame, but through doors you don't expect.'
Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

'Rock Bottom is one of the best music books ever written, because Michael Odell knows music isn't about the musicians - it's about what it does to the listener, even if what it does ends up being wholly disastrous. It's sad, funny, fascinating and wise. And everyone who ever claimed a record changed their life should read it, and then think again.'

Michael Hann, former Guardian music editor

'One of the funniest books I've ever read. Ultimately a moving and very tender look at modern masculinity.'
Marian Keyes

'"Please don't put your life in the hands of a rock 'n' roll band, who'll throw it all away." So advised Noel Gallagher in 1995 and Michael Odell ignored him anyway ... One of Britain's most fearless rock interrogators, Odell turns his merciless searchlight on himself in this wry, compelling odyssey into the heart of his own - and rock n roll's - madness. Larks with the legends are all here (Bowie, McCartney, Mick 'n' Keef . Michael Bubl) but it's his inner life which illuminates, his psyche traumatically crumbling as he confronts his chaotic past. Hilarious, tragic and timely, this is high farce in high (and low) places, uncovering why rock's lost highway is littered with the bodies of the righteous dreamers. Could it be because "the music people are all mad?" (Clue: yes.)'
Sylvia Patterson, author of I'm Not with the Band

'It's a fantastic book. A really new angle on rock. I've never read anything like it before and I've read a lot of music books.'
Dave Fanning, RTE Radio


The Afterword

'[A] entertaining and offbeat mental health memoir.'

'Featuring highly enjoyable scenes with artists including Oasis, U2, Shakira and David Bowie, this is an extremely absorbing and well-written offering.'