Billy Idol

Photo by me

 

Billy Idol sings many hits that everyone and their brother have sung along to like "Rebel Yell," "White Wedding," and "Mony, Mony." Idol has been nominated for three Grammy awards. He's won an Mtv VMA as well for "Cradle of Love." Billy Idol has released seven studio albums, the most recent being a Christmas album for those of you who like to rock your holidays like me!
Billy continues to tour and still sounds amazing!

What is Billy Idol reading?

Billy tweeted this last week, "For my own edification I'm reading My Lunches With Orson Wells:Conversations with Henry Jaglom & Orson Welles by Peter Biskind."

Then the next day he tweeted, "Now reading Andrew Loog Oldham's book 'Stoned' about his youth & life in the '50's & '60's & his gradual involvement in music & arts." He added, "This book is a who's Who of Sixties London!"

Cool! Thanks, Billy!

Visit Billy's website at http://billyidol.net/ and follow him on Twitter.

Billy is featured in my upcoming picture book ROCKABET: CLASSIC EDITION which releases next month. Here's a sneak peek: I is for Billy Idol! (Illustration by Kelli Ann Little.)

Take a listen to one of his first big hits, "Dancing With Myself."

Kip Winger





Kip Winger is best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum selling rock band, Winger. Can you believe that Winger's debut album was released 25 years ago this month? This album included hits like "Seventeen" and "Headed for a Heartbreak." Kip actually started his career as bassist in Alice Cooper's band before Winger was formed. Kip has also recorded several solo albums including one classical album.  Kip is very involved with  Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp. Winger recently stated that a new Winger album, their sixth, is expected soon (which I will purchase of course). Kip occasionally tours with the Alan Parsons Live Project as lead singer, as a solo acoustic act, and with Winger.

What is Kip Winger reading?

I asked Kip last weekend what he likes to read. It will come as no surprise after reading his background that he reads music theory books. He is currently reading The Music of Bela Bartok by Elliot Antokoletz.  

Thank you, Kip!
You can follow Kip on Twitter, Like his Facebook page and visit him at http://www.kipwinger.com/.

Here's a photo of Kip and me in college and a photo from last weekend! His acoustic set was amazing!

 

 

 

Ian Harding

Ian Harding plays handsome professor Ezra Fitz on ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars. Ian has won three Teen Choice Awards for his role. The fourth season of Pretty Little Liars is currently airing on Tuesdays on ABC Family. The show is based on the best selling book series by Sara Shepard.

What is Ian Harding reading?

According to the July 22, 2013 issue of Us Weekly, Ian said, "I read quite a bit. Right now I'm on an Alan Alda memoir."

He not only plays a well read English professor, but he is well read in real life, too! The memoir by Alan Alda is titled Never Have Your Dog Stuffed And Other Things I've Learned.  Ian's father, Stephen Harding, wrote The Last Battle, a true story of the last battle of World War II in Europe. Ian  mentioned on Twitter that you can Like his dad's book on Facebook here.

You can follow Ian on Twitter.

Tony Palermo

Photo from paparoach.com

 

Tony Palermo is the drummer of my favorite band, Papa Roach. Papa Roach exploded in 2000 with their first major-label release, the triple-platinum album Infest. "Last Resort" became a number one single on the Alternative Rock chart. The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best New Artist. Other Papa Roach hits through the years include "Getting Away With Murder," "Forever," "To Be Loved," "Lifeline," and "Kick in the Teeth." Papa Roach released their 7th studio album The Connection last year that includes "Still Swingin'" and "Where Did the Angels Go."

Check out Papa Roach on the Carnival of Madness tour. I've seen 100+ bands live, and they are the most energetic, amazing live band I've ever seen. I'll see them for the 10th time next month!

What is Tony Palermo reading?

Tony recently tweeted, "Currently reading Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls. It's a very slow read though."

I also asked Tony what his favorite book was.

His answer: The Dirt by Motley Crue.

Indeed a crazy, entertaining read!

Thanks, Tony! You can find out more about Papa Roach at www.paparoach.com and follow Tony on Twitter.

Here's me and the band. :)

Check out Papa Roach's latest single, "Leader of the Broken Hearts."

Nikki Sixx

Photo from @nikkisixx

Nikki Sixx is a musician, photographer, author, and radio show host. He's the bassist and songwriter of two successful bands that I love - Motley Crue and Sixx: A.M.  Nikki's radio show Sixx Sense can be heard nationwide.  He's also authored three books - The Dirt, The Heroin Diaries, and This Is Gonna Hurt.  He's even been featured here twice before (and will be again!).

What book does Nikki Sixx recommend?

Last week Nikki tweeted, "Greatest book ever for ignoring the critics inside and outside your head.It also gives you tools to remove the crazy makers from your life. I have talked about this book for years to friends, on Sixx Sense and I am always giving this book away as a gift.If your a creative soul I suggest this and doing the morning pages daily it recommends.#ArtistsWay #PassingItOn #Creativity."

With the tweet, Sixx posted a photo on Instagram of The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Creativity by Julia Cameron.

You can follow Nikki Sixx on Twitter. He occasionally shares what he is reading!
You can also Like his page on Facebook.


Well, looky here! :)

Listen to one of my fave songs from Sixx: A.M.'s last album.

Joe Manganiello

True Blood's season premiere was Sunday night, and I couldn't be happier. Joe Manganiello is back playing my favorite werewolf, Alcide.

Yesterday Joe tweeted, "Check out my @amoebamusic "What's in my bag!" to get a slice of what I read, watch, look at, and listen to at home!"

What book is Joe Manganiello excited to read?

According to the Amoeba Music video "What's in my bag?", Joe picked up Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction by Marc Canter. In the video, Joe said, "They were my Beatles, my Rolling Stones of my generation."

This rocker approves.

Find out more about Joe's picks at amoeba.com. You can follow Joe on Twitter.

 

Ken Jeong

Photo from @kenjeong

 

Ken Jeong may play goofy, crazy characters like Senor Chang on Community (a show I love!) and Mr. Chow on the three Hangover movies, but he's an accomplished comedic actor and a licensed physician in California. In fact, his film debut was playing a doctor in Knocked Up. You can catch Jeong in theaters now as the hilarious Mr. Chow in the recently released movie Hangover Part III and as Johnny Wu in Michael Bay's Pain and Gain.

What is Ken Jeong's favorite book?

In the June 3, 2013 issue of Us Weekly, Ken says, "My favorite basketball player is Michael Jordan and my top book is Phil Jackson's Sacred Hoops."

Great pick!

You can follow Ken on Twitter.