A tale of two musicians

I'm currently reading two autobiographies from two different Australian musicians. The first book is "Shots" by Don Walker, best known for his days with Cold Chisel; and the other is "Will it be funny tomorrow, Billy?" by Stephen Cummings, ex-lead singer of The Sports. Each has a different take on telling the story of the life of a musician. Don Walker's book owes more to Jack Kerouac and the beat writers than anything else. He tells of his childhood and youth growing up in rural Australia. The words tumble over each other. They slip and slide, painting vivid scenes that let you smell the heat and dust. You can easily see where songs like 'Flame Trees' came from. I haven't finished the book but I know it stops around the time of the early 80s so I doubt there's much about Cold Chisel there. Not that it matters. The book is more experiment in writing rural Australia and growing up than a tale of a musician.

Stephen Cumming's book paints the portrait of a neurotic and paranoid young man intent on making music but unable to deal with the politics that comes with it. Despite his ambition, Cummings seems to be adept at self sabotage and manages to alienate and piss off most of the people he comes into contact with. Cummings' writing is darkly funny, gossipy and very very self depreciating. While acknowledging most of his failings and frailties, he doesn't hold off pointing the finger at various music luminaries. His portrayal of Michael Gudinski, in particular, pulls no punches. As I read the book, I do find myself wondering if people in the music industry are still talking to Cummings.

Both books take on the trials and tribulations of being a musician from different angles and both are well written and entertaining. And both stay away from the usual sex, drugs and rock and roll side of rock star biographies and are far richer reading experiences for it.