Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle

Steve Earle is a remarkable man who has led a remarkable life. He has pushed the boundaries of country music making more than half a dozen excellent albums, relentlessly chasing his muse at the expense of his relationships with his family, wives (married six times to five different women) and children, he has overcome a serious drug problem (so serious it nearly killed him), he has been to prison, he has been a political activist fighting against the death penalty. Apart from the short prologue (which hints at the drug problems to come), the book is written in a strict chronological structure, chronicling his childhood in small town Texas, his song writing apprenticeship at the feet of Townes Van Zandt (a good teacher but a bad influence) and Guy Clark, the creation of his early groundbreaking albums against the background of his serious relationship with heroin and his many marriages, his descent into personal hell under the weight of his drug addiction and his time in prison before he emerges, clean, to re-launch his musical career making even better music, becoming more active in protests against the death penalty, finding love again and starting to try to resolve his relationships with his children. The biggest problem author, Lauren St John, faced was how to do justice to such a complex character who has led such rich (and difficult) life in a little less than 400 pages. There is so much information to include that it sometimes makes it difficult to paint of picture of the man himself. Within the constraints of the genre, St John has done a very good job indeed. What emerges is an immensely driven and complex man who has led a tempestuous life - he is apparently hugely charismatic and charming but also clearly a difficult man to deal with and at times, self-destructive. This book does not view Earle through rose-tinted glasses it is often brutally honest about his failings and his behaviour (particularly during the darkest days of his drug addiction) - as such it sometimes makes unpleasant and depressing reading. However, in many ways it is a tale of redemption through creativity and as such is optimistic and uplifting. It also helps that Earle has a great talent for the memorable one-liner, some of which had me collapsing in laughter. There is one caveat: the book is not finished. It finishes with the Guitar Town reunion tour before Jerusalem was released, so the controversy provoked by that album and in particular the John Walker's Blues is not covered. However, this is a minor caveat; this is still an excellent book and well worth reading (particularly if you are a fan of his music).

Great read for a music bio. Tragedy & triumph. Ranks up there with Stevie Ray Vaughn's Bio by Potaski & crawford and other great music bios. Real lives, real drama.An incredible artist to boot. Highly recommend it.

Steve Earle chose to dive into the fires of hell at a young age. Before the age of 30 he had tried just about every drug under the sun and was a hardcore heroin addict. What's amazing is that Steve managed to do all this, still write amazing albums and perform and tick off everyone who cared for him in the process. Such is the life of a drug addict. St. John's often unflattering biography (written with Earle's co-operation and input from friends, family members and former friends and business associates)captures this dynamo in action; he knew from the start what type of songs he wanted to write and record. It was always a matter of finding someone that would let him do it. The same thing goes for his drug abuse. He managed to go down for the third time and still save himself. He also managed to alienate just about anyone that cared for him without any insight into his immoral and reckless behavior. Luckily, the same insight that allows him to inhabit the characters of his often heartbreaking songs, eventually allowed him to see himself for what he was; a junkie wielding his needle like a bulldozer and rolling everyone and everything he cared about. He still disagrees with some of his former associates, lovers, wives (he's been married 4 times and had two children out of wedlock)but he's just as apt to turn that critical eye on himself and attack his own behavior in the past.He's still an amazing writer and performer. Unlike his mentor Townes Van Zant, Earle managed to recapture his life before his self destructive behavior took too much of a physical toll (the best quote from Earle--"If I thought I'd live this long I would have taken better care of myself" applies to him as much as to Van Zant). He just managed to finally capture the demons driving him, bottle them up and put them on the shelf for display in his songs. They'll always threaten to break out but at least he has a place to put them where they'll do less harm to him and others. He could be (and sometime still is) an awful person to those he loves. Fortunately, he recognizes the addictive behavior that drove him for so long and drove those around him away. Hardcore Troubador is a harrowing but irrestible read--just like the very drugs that almost destroyed Earle.

He's had a hell of a life and he hasn't always been a hell of a guy...but he remains one of the most prolific, talented, and dogged songwriters around. I haven't stopped listening to Steve Earle since I've finished reading this book and his book of short stories. He's worked hard to maintain his unique voice and his activism. This biography gets underneath all his songs - placing his music in the context of his life. I highly recommend this book, and his music.

With so many unauthorized and even authorized bios out there about talentless and useless "celebrities" I am so glad to a see a book that finally gives due to a true artist, someone with actual, measurable talent - Steve Earle. With complete subjectivity - I must admit I am a huge fan of Steve Earle. I have been so since his first album, Guitar Town. Since then I have "re-found" Mr. Earle's work over the last 5-6 years. With each album that he puts out he tends to raise the bar slightly higher. But the bar he raises is his own, one that only he must reach and overcome. His bar is not one that can easily be reached by too many artists. This book covers not only the artistry of the man, not just the music but what drives the lyrics behind the music. If you are a fan of Mr. Earle's music then this is a must-buy. If are only a passing fan or someone who is slightly interested in the man, the genere of his music (which is hard to define) or just looking for some insight into the creative mind - then I hight recommend you buy this book.