Rock Bottom

'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.' Michael Hann, former Guardian music editor 

'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  

A tale of loving, living and surviving rock music

Michael Odell is a rock music writer who takes his responsibility as

cultural gatekeeper seriously; he asks rock stars the forbidden questions to

discover 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 Oasis

at an awards ceremony; he's lost joy in his bathroom full of rock'n'roll

memorabilia; and his young son is in trouble at school for emulating rock star

behaviour.

Reluctantly Michael consults Mrs Henckel, a no-nonsense therapist with zero

experience of pop culture. As Michael addresses his feelings about the past, in

particular his failed teenage band, Mental Elf, he's forced to confront the

question: is it finally time to grow up and forget rock'n'roll?