An autobiography is all about the life that’s been lived, but for Mark Everett (better known as E, frontman for EELS), that life has largely been about death.
Videos by American Songwriter
Label: ST. MARTIN’S
[Rating: 3]
An autobiography is all about the life that’s been lived, but for Mark Everett (better known as E, frontman for EELS), that life has largely been about death. He found his mad scientist father’s body after a heart attack; he nursed his mother as she died of cancer; his drug-addicted sister committed suicide; his favorite roadie OD’d on heroin; his cousins died on 9/11; and so on. Friends, family, dogs, the landlady and even Nina Simone die during the course of this book; Things The Grandchildren Should Know has a higher body count than a Stallone movie. And yet–it’s a fairly upbeat read. Like many songwriters, E takes the tragedies of life and turns them into his art, using his work as a life-preserver in a sea of misery. E never presents himself as a saint, however, reporting his years as a juvenile delinquent in the sticks with the same self-depricating humor as his career successes. Whether recounting the indignities of touring, explaining his songwriting process, attacking his fans (“F@#$ off, everybody…If you want what you expect, why not make your own album then?”) or merely labeling John Legend “a twat,” E uses his plainly written prose to provide an entertaining tour of his life throughout the course of this heavy-very heavy-but enjoyable book.
Wow… I just finished this book. I first herd of him on PBS, it was a NOVA special on his father. As I watched it I was blown away by his story and his songs, the one… Things a Grandchild Should Know.
It hit home with the loss off my dad. Anyways I found that he had written this book. I got it as fast as I could. His story is so moving and inspirational. He shows you that you can make it throw anything. Its amazes me that he can keep a swagger in his steep. I recommend getting this book, the stories will change your prospective on your own situation, show you that there is light at the and of the road. He said “that you have to take the good with the bad”. And it shows with his willingness to move forward.
Thank you for sharing your life story with us, I do hope that you will right a part two!
Will Roberts
Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of the evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper, and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!
E’s story is absolutely fascinating–that’s for sure. He’s such a complex person, and it shows in the amazing music that he writes.
I also saw a really great multimedia story on E this last week at FLYP. Check it out at http://www.flypmedia.com/issues/18/#11/1