Elvis Costello performs at Southampton Guildhall on June 19, 2015 in Southampton, England.
Harry Herd/WireImage
Memoirs from Carly Simon, Elvis Costello and Carrie Brownstein hit the shelves this fall, along with a deep dive inside the pop-music factory. See what music-focused books people will be buzzing about.
I’ll Never Write My Memoirs by Grace Jones (Gallery Books, Sept. 29)
The path-breaking model/singer/actress traces her journey from Jamaica to the fashion runways of Paris and then onto Studio 54 and Hollywood with appearances from Andy Warhol, Jessica Lange, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many others.
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The Song Machine Inside the Hit Factory by John Seabrook (Norton, Oct. 5)
How do hit songs get made and how have they changed over the years? The New Yorker writer Seabrook explores how digital technology has changed music-making, likening the musical “bliss point” to how snack food designers create junk food that is at once satisfying and yet leaves you wanting more.
Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello (Blue Rider Press, Oct. 13)
The British rocker’s memoir is likely to take its place alongside those by Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and Keith Richards. Fans will be hoping for his side of the story on his famous relationship with Bebe Buell and when he got banned from Saturday Night Live.
Why Sinatra Matters by Pete Hamill (Little, Brown. Oct. 20)
Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday on Dec. 12 is bringing forth a flood of books about the Chairman of the Board. Among the best is this reissue of Hamill’s 1998 tribute that examines the singer’s cultural importance and offers a personal perspective (Hamill also ghosted his autobiography) that tries to humanize the legend even while celebrating his greatness.
Becoming Beyoncé: The Untold Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli, (Grand Central Publishing, Oct. 27)
The author of hit bios on Michael Jackson, the Hiltons and Diana Ross takes on Queen Bey. This one promises interviews with intimates, behind-the-scenes stories, and revelations about her life with Jay Z.
Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein (Riverhead Books, Oct. 27)
The Portlandia star traces her life, from her childhood to Sleater-Kinney’s hiatus.
Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon (Flatiron Books, Nov. 24)
Simon is finally spilling about everything to her career to her marriage to James Taylorto some family secrets. Will we finally find out who’s so vain?
An edited version of this story originally appeared in the Sept. 5 issue of Billboard.