The Fall Reading List

Arguably no other non-musician has influenced music culture as much as Jann Wenner, the founder and longtime editor of Rolling Stone, which debuted in 1967, the same year as Polo Ralph Lauren. Here, he shares anecdotes from his 55 years on the scene, including encounters with presidents, writers, photographers (Hunter S. Thompson and Annie Leibovitz amongst them), and, of course, musicians (dinner with Bruce, recording sessions with Jagger).

(Little, Brown, September 13)

At 89 years old, Willie Nelson is the auteur behind nearly 100 albums (and counting), not to mention at least nine books (including two biographies). The drummer for many of those albums? Paul English, who backed Nelson for an incredible seven decades before his death in 2020, while also serving as Nelson’s bodyguard, accountant, and more. This book offers a melancholy blend of tales from their friendship, including the duo’s notorious scrapes with the law. (Fun fact: Nelson’s version of “Graceland” was included on the 1995 compilation CD, Ralph Lauren: Songs Across America.)

(HarperCollins, September 20)

If you’re looking to understand why you like the songs you do—or why anyone likes the songs they do—you could do worse than a former sound engineer for Prince. That engineer, Susan Rogers, became a successful record producer and a neuroscientist, and in this book, she shares what she’s learned. These lessons include a way to identify your own listener profile (Do you prefer songs that move you above the neck or below? Do you prefer lyrics or melody?) and analysis of songs from Sinatra, Lana Del Rey, and, yes, Prince.

(W.W. Norton, September 20)

When Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died last year, he was noted for some of his un–rock-and-roll tendencies: a long and steady marriage, a jazzy approach to his instrument, and above all, an immaculate approach to dressing, as exemplified by his fondness for Savile Row suits. In his authorized biography, all these things—along with his sometimes contentious relationships with Mick and Keith, who provided forewords—are explored by the longtime rock writer, Paul Sexton.

(HarperCollins, October 11)

For more than five decades, Marcus has been one of the most insightful writers on American music and on Dylan in particular, having written a book-length consideration of one song (“Like a Rolling Stone”) and another on Dylan’s Basement Tapes project (The Old, Weird America). Here, he revisits Dylan’s work with essays on seven key songs, from 1962’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” through 2020’s ominous “Murder Most Foul,” telling the songwriter’s story with an emphasis on his capacity for empathy.

(Yale University Press, October 11)

Let’s be honest: In the streaming era, no one needs a turntable, certainly not to play music. And yet, there is something so very satisfying about the record player as an object, as this Phaidon coffee table book fondly demonstrates. Through simple, white-background photography, accompanied by helpful, museum-style text, Revolution illustrates more than 50 years of turntable design, including a sci-fi–worthy ’70s set from Electrohome, a handmade Porsche red player from Swiss brand DaVinciAudio, and whimsical ’50s sets from Phillips.

(Phaidon, October 19)

What better way to follow up reading about Dylan’s songs than by turning to Dylan’s writings on other people’s songs? In this book, his first since 2004’s memoir Chronicles, the iconic songwriter (and longtime Ralph Lauren favorite ) dissects 66 tunes, from performers both expected (Hank Williams, Johnny Cash) and less so ( ... Cher, anyone?). Expect a master class in lyricism, perhaps mixed with the singer’s signature dry wit and in-jokes. (This is a man who allegedly cribbed from SparkNotes when accepting his Nobel Prize in Literature, after all.)

(Simon & Schuster, November 1)

The philanthropist, artist, and, oh yeah, frontman for the greatest Irish rock band of all time finally got around to writing his memoir. The hook? Each of the book’s chapters is based on one of the band’s songs. For example, “Two Hearts Beat as One” covers his 40-year marriage to Ali Hewson. The Irish raconteur is known to tell a story (and per Wenner’s book above, drop a name), so expect plenty of famous faces and digressions about the state of the world. Fans may want to opt for the audiobook, narrated in Bono’s charming brogue.

(Knopf, November 1)

Billed as the first major biography of the famed choreographer and based on more than a decade of research and more than 100 interviews, this book chronicles “The Shakespeare of Dancing” as he journeys from the pre-Revolutionary Russia of his birth to America, where he co-founds the New York City Ballet. Written by the dance critic for The New Yorker, the book balances Balanchine’s legendary work in dance with his often turbulent life offstage, including five marriages—all to dancers.

(Random House, November 1)

No powdered wigs or classic composers of days gone by here. In contrast, Molleson introduces a dozen 20th-century stars, nearly all of whom are women or musicians of color (a group she dubs “sonic revolutionaries”). These include a French electronic artist (Éliane Radigue), an Ehtiopian pianist (Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou), and more lesser-known artists you’ll want to seek out on your favorite music service.

(Abrams Press, November 15)