Long neglected in the annals of American music, the Nutmeg State's influence on the history of rock'n'roll deserves recognition. Connecticut's musical highlights include the beautiful harmonies of New Haven's Five Satins, Gene Pitney's rise to fame, Stamford's the Fifth Estate and notable rockers such as Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and Saturday Night Live Band's Christine Ohlman. Rock Hall of Famers include Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads and Dennis Dunaway of the Alice Cooper Band. Some events became legend, like Jimi Hendrix's spellbinding performance at Yale's Woolsey Hall, Jim Morrison's onstage arrest at the New Haven Arena and teenage Bob Dylan's appearance at Branford's Indian Neck Folk Festival. With in-depth interviews as well as rare, never-before-seen photos, author Tony Renzoni leads a sonic trip that captures the spirit and zenith of the local scene.

Connecticut is home to a number of landmark music venues that have featured local and national performers. While some of the locations have closed, they have certainly not been forgotten. The New Haven Coliseum, the Arena and the Bushnell Memorial were once the places to be for music lovers, while elsewhere places like the Cheri Shack and the Shaboo hosted local bands and national headliners. Other venues such as Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, The Meadows and Toad's Place have now taken center stage and continue to attract large crowds. With in-depth interviews with performers and many timeless photos, author Tony Renzoni takes you on a nostalgic and fun tour of the Nutmeg State's most beloved music sites.

Sex. Drugs. Loud music. Wild costumes. Dazzling light shows. These words can all describe a great rock concert or a hot dance club, but they were also part and parcel of the ancient cultural phenomenon known as the “Mystery religions.” In this book, author Christopher Knowles shows how the Mystery religions got a secular reincarnation when a new musical form called rock 'n' roll burst onto the scene. The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the history of the Mysteries — their rise, their fall, and their survival through long centuries of repression. Knowles shows how the Mysteries prefigured subcultures as diverse as Santeria, Freemasonry, Mardi Gras and even the Holiness churches of the American frontier, and explains exactly how ancient rituals and music found their way to the New World. In the process, The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the development of rock's most popular genres such as punk and heavy metal, and reveals how many of rock's most iconic artists play the same archetypal roles as the ancient gods. You'll see how many of the rituals and customs and even musical styles of our postmodern society have stunning ancient parallels. You'll meet history's first pop

A never-before-seen collection of photos and stories about Bob Barry, the iconic celebrity DJ of Milwaukee. Bob Barry ruled Milwaukee's airwaves in the '60s and '70s. The only time the Beatles performed here, Barry introduced them to the audience, and he was the only local personality who spent time in private with the Fab Four. If a band or musician came to town, he met them with a microphone. Chuck Berry, the Animals, Wings, the Rolling Stones--the list goes on. His popular "Bob Barry Calls the World" segment entertained thousands with cold calls to famous personalities, including Bob Hope, Sophia Loren, Elton John and Cher. Through it all, Barry maintained a calm and fun-loving demeanor, even when mocked by the WOKY Chicken or nearly eaten by wolves on the air. Packed with never-before-seen photos, this revealing memoir recalls the iconic DJ's many celebrity encounters, his career highlights and setbacks and the hijinks that made Milwaukee radio rock.

Rock and Roll legend Ted Nugent contends that a lot of what is wrong with this country could be remedied by a simple, but controversial concept: gun ownership.

Joan Joyce will always be known as the unbeatable pitcher for the Raybestos Brakettes and the Connecticut Falcons, whose numerous career records--including an incredible 150 no-hitters and 50 perfect games--made her the best in the game. However, she was also one of the most gifted athletes the state has ever produced, as she also set records in basketball and later went on to a stellar career in the LPGA. A true pioneer of women's sports, Joan is currently the head softball coach at Florida Atlantic University. Join author Tony Renzoni as he profiles the multifaceted career of one of the country's greatest athletes.

Since the 1960s, Ken Regan has captured the passion and energy of rock & roll’s most influential performers. His early work with Bob Dylan an the Rolling Stones made him the photographer of choice for historic music events such as Live Aid and Amnesty International’s Human Rights Now Worldwide benefit concerts, which gave Regan unique access to the personal side of the music industry’s biggest stars. The definitive collection of Regan’s best work and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the past forty years covers an amazing Who’s Who list of rock superstars: Joan Baez The Beatles Johnny Cash The Doors Bob Dylan The Eagles Janis Joplin Jerry Lee Lewis Madonna Roy Orbison The Rolling Stones Carly Simon Bruce Springsteen Sting James Taylor U2 The Who ...and more! With a wealth of timeless images and revealing stories from his private photoshoots, Access delivers an intimate look at the artists, performances, and unforgettable moments that define popular music.