From the pubs of the Sydney Push to New York's legendary nightclubs, Lillian Roxon set the pace for an era that changed the world. Audacious, independent and fiercely intelligent, by eighteen she was cutting her writing teeth in the colourful world of Sydney tabloid journalism. She moved to New York in 1959, just in time for a cultural revolution that celebrated youth, sexual freedom, women's liberation - and rock and roll. Roxon quickly became the centre of a circle that included Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, Jim Morrison and David Bowie. Linda Eastman confided in her about her first dates with Paul McCartney. Germaine Greer dedicated The Female Eunuch to her. Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia, published in 1969, was the first book of its kind and established her as a leading chronicler of rock and youth culture. When she died suddenly in 1973, she left behind a collection of work full of the energy, irreverence and idealism of her times.

Written by Virginia Grohl, the mother of Dave Grohl—former Nirvana drummer and current frontman for the Foo Fighters—From Cradle to Stage shares stories and exclusive photos featuring mothers of rock icons, the icons themselves, and their Behind the Music-style relationships While the Grohl family had always been musical-the family sang together on long car trips, harmonizing to Motown and David Bowie-Virginia never expected her son to become a musician, let alone a rock star. But when she saw him perform in front of thousands of screaming fans for the first time, she knew that rock stardom was meant to be for her son. And as Virginia watched her son's star rise, she often wondered about the other mothers who raised sons and daughters who became rock stars. Were they as surprised as she was about their children's fame? Did they worry about their children's livelihood and wellbeing in an industry fraught with drugs and other dangers? Did they encourage their children's passions despite the odds against success, or attempt to dissuade them from their grandiose dreams? Do they remind their kids to pack a warm coat when they go on tour? Virginia decided to seek out other rock star mothers to ask these questions, and so began a two-year odyssey in which she interviewed such women as Verna Griffin, Dr. Dre's mother; Marianne Stipe, Michael Stipe of REM's mother; Janis Winehouse, Amy Winehouse's mother; Patsy Noah, Adam Levine's mother; Donna Haim, mother of the Haim sisters; Hester Diamond, Mike D of The Beastie Boys' mother. With exclusive family photographs and a foreword by Dave Grohl, From Cradle to Stage will appeal to mothers and rock fans everywhere.

She was the unchallenged queen of the New York rock scene...Dorothy Parker of Max's Kansas City' - Rolling Stone From the pubs of the Sydney Push to New York's legendary nightclubs, Lillian Roxon set the pace for an era that changed the world. Born in Mussolini's Italy, she arrived as a child in Brisbane at the height of the Second World War. Audacious, independent and fiercely intelligent, by eighteen she was cutting her writing teeth in the colourful world of Sydney tabloid journalism and was a key member of the Sydney Push. She moved to New York in 1960, just in time for a cultural revolution that celebrated youth, sexual freedom, women's liberation - and rock and roll. Embracing the new scene with gusto, she became the centre of a circle that included Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, Jim Morrison and David Bowie. Linda Eastman confided in her about her first date with Paul, and Germaine Greer dedicated The Female Eunuch to her. Her Rock Encycylopedia, published in 1969, was the first book of its kind and established Roxon as a leading critic and chronicler of rock culture. When she died suddenly in 1973, she left behind a body of work full of the energy, irreverence and idealism of her times. Drawing on Roxon's personal papers and extensive interviews with those who knew her, Mother of Rock is a riveting portrait of an Australian trailblazer. It also contains a generous selection of Roxon's own writing, including material from her Rock Encyclopedia, which revolutionised the way rock music was perceived.

Four suburban New Jersey students from the Leo R. Gittleman Jewish Day School form a rock band that becomes inexplicably popular, creating exhiliration, friction, confrontation, and soul-searching among its members.

Audacious, independent, and fiercely intelligent, Lillian Roxon cut her teeth as a reporter in the lively world of 1950s tabloid journalism. Her rapid success soon saw her interviewing stars like Rock Hudson and Richard Burton. She moved to New York City in the 1960s, just in time for a cultural revolution that celebrated youth, sexual freedom, women's liberation—and, of course, rock 'n' roll. In New York, Lillian was the universally acknowledged queen of Max's Kansas City, one of the greatest nightspots ever. It was the club where Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, and other stars in waiting came to hang out. Linda McCartney confided in Lillian about her first date with Paul; Germaine Greer knocked on her door for a place to stay. The 1969 publication of Lillian's Rock Encyclopedia—excerpted in this volume—confirmed her status. It was the first book of its kind and established her as one of America's leading chroniclers of rock culture. Here was the "queen of Max's Kansas City" who ruled the world of rock—the only critic to give Lester Bangs a run for his money.

Drooling fanatic, n. 1. One who drools in the presence of beloved rock stars. 2. Any of a genus of rock-and-roll wannabes/geeks who walk around with songs constantly ringing in their ears, own more than 3,000 albums, and fall in love with at least one record per week. With a life that’s spanned the phonographic era and the digital age, Steve Almond lives to Rawk. Like you, he’s secretly longed to live the life of a rock star, complete with insane talent, famous friends, and hotel rooms to be trashed. Also like you, he’s content (sort of) to live the life of a rabid fan, one who has converted his unrequited desires into a (sort of) noble obsession. Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life traces Almond’s passion from his earliest (and most wretched) rock criticism to his eventual discovery of a music-crazed soul mate and their subsequent production of two little superfans. Along the way, Almond reflects on the delusional power of songs, the awkward mating habits of drooling fanatics, and why Depression Songs actually make us feel so much better. The book also includes: • sometimes drunken interviews with America’s finest songwriters • a recap of the author’s terrifying visit to Graceland while stoned • a vigorous and credibility-shattering endorsement of Styx’s Paradise Theater • recommendations you will often choose to ignore • a reluctant exegesis of the Toto song “Africa” • obnoxious lists sure to piss off rock critics But wait, there’s more. Readers will also be able to listen to a special free mix designed by the author, available online at www.stevenalmond.com, for the express purpose of eliciting your drool. For those about to rock—we salute you!

Wife and mother. Teacher and musician. Marathoner and rock climber. At 66, Dierdre Wolownick-Honnold became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite--and in The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story, she shares her intimate journey, revealing how her climbing achievement reflects a broader story of courage and persistence. Dierdre grew up under the watchful eyes of a domineering mother and realized early on that her parents’ plans for her future weren’t what she wanted for herself. Later, what seemed like a storybook romance brought escape, with new experiences and eye-opening travel, but she quickly discovered that her husband was not the happy-go-lucky man he had first appeared. Adapting as best she could, Dierdre juggled work and raising two young children, encouraging them to be fearlessly confident. She noted with delight how her “little lady” Stasia took it upon herself to look out for her baby brother, and watched in amazement as Alex (Honnold of "Free Solo" fame) started climbing practically before he could crawl. After years of struggle in her marriage and her ultimate divorce, Dierdre found inspiration in her now-adult children’s passions, as well as new depths within herself. At Stasia’s urging, she took up running at age 54 and soon completed several marathons. Then at age 58, Alex led her on her first rock climbs. A world of friendship and support suddenly opened up to her within the climbing “tribe,” culminating in her record-setting ascent of El Cap with her son. From confused young wife and busy but lonely mother to confident middle-aged athlete, Dierdre brings the reader along as she finds new strength, happiness, and community in the outdoors--and a life of learning, acceptance, and spirit.

For those of us in recovery from addiction, trauma or whatever else, music plays a central role in the healing process. Without music, most of us would be screwed in our ability to cope with life on life's terms. Rock-Covery, Not Your Mother's Meditation Book, is a collection of daily meditations, inspired by rock music, targeted to assist the rock stars of recovery who continue to show up even when it is difficult. The theme offered by rock and roll is our permission slip to feel messy as we continue to stay clean. Each page encourages us to address the difficulties we face with the reassurance that as challenging as life can be, we don't have to do it perfectly, and we don't have to do it alone! There is hope and healing available to us. Recovery imitates rock music in many ways. It can be hard hitting, chaotic and overpowering. But a life of recovery also mimics what is righteous about rock. It is hopeful, empowering, and despite the ugliness it sometimes exposes, beautiful. This book was created to remind us that however screwed up we might think we are, just like a great rock song, we are a beautiful mess!

In Rock Your World with the Divine Mother, best-selling author Sondra Ray shares her experiences with such divine mothers as Ammachi, Mother Mary, and Mary Magdalaine. This book helps initiate readers into the Divine Mother energy, which is vital for both inner peace and world peace. By reclaiming this energy, readers bring more unity, abundance, cooperation and peace, health and joy, spiritual power, and creativity into their lives and recapture the true essence and feminine power.

A young woman holds her newborn son And looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him: "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in l986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition (as well as hundreds of thousands of copies in Spanish and French). Firefly Books is proud to offer this sentimental favorite in a variety of editions and sizes: We offer a trade paper and laminated hardcover edition in a 8" x 8" size. In gift editions we carry: a slipcased edition (8 1/2" x 8 1/4"), with a laminated box and a cloth binding on the book and a 10" x 10" laminated hardcover with jacket. And a Big Book Edition, 16" x 16" with a trade paper binding.