Rock Bottom

'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 musicMichael 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?