Martin Popoff

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Metallica has become the single bestselling heavy metal act in music history, with more than 100 million album sales to its credit. Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the band remains hugely popular worldwide: in 2009, Metallica's 1991 self-titled LP became the bestselling album of the SoundScan era. In this book, the first complete illustrated treatment of the band, acclaimed heavy metal journalist Martin Popoff leads a roster of respected heavy metal writers to take on Metallica's entire history, analyzing each of the group's ten studio albums (including 2011's "LuLu" collaboration with Lou Reed) and providing a complete discography. More than 300 images complement extensive band stories: their formative years spent woodshedding in the clubs of Los Angeles, tragedies like the death of founding bassist Cliff Burton, the triumphs of multiple platinum recordings, personnel changes like the departures of Dave Mustaine and Jason Newsted, and tours covering the world over. Live-performance and candid off-stage photographs are accompanied by a stunning selection of memorabilia, including gig posters, concert tees, picture sleeves, backstage passes, buttons, ticket stubs, and more. By following the same critically acclaimed, high-quality format as Voyageur Press' previous books on Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, Iron Maiden, and others, "Metallica: The Complete Illustrated History "is the authoritative tribute to one of history's most successful and admired heavy metal bands.

Metallica, založená roku 1981 v Los Angeles, je nejúspěšnější heavymetalovou skupinou v dějinách hudby s více než 100 miliony prodaných desek. Svou obrovskou popularitu si však drží dodnes. V této knize – vůbec první obrazové publikaci o skupině kolem Jamese Hetfielda a Larse Ulricha – postihuje uznávaný hudební novinář Martin Popoff celou kariéru Metallicy včetně jejích úspěchů i pádů, přičemž čtenářům předkládá mimo jiné objektivní analýzu každého z celkem deseti studiových alb této kapely. Příběh kapely od jejích počátků až do současnosti i historky ze zákulisí doplňuje více než 300 fotografií a dalších zajímavostí, jako jsou plakáty, koncertní trička, obaly desek, placky, vstupenky apod.

A thoughtfully curated and gloriously illustrated retrospective of the band's studio releases, Queen, comes just in time for the 45th anniversary of their debut LP and biopic. Formed in 1970, Queen went on to become one of the most popular--and most successful--rock bands of all time. Even following the untimely death of beloved and magnetic frontman Freddie Mercury, and nearly 50 years after their formation, interest in the band has continued, evidenced by scores of reissues, arena tours with surviving members, and a feature-film biopic. In this new installment in Voyageur Press's Album by Album series, rock journo Martin Popoff convenes a cast of 19 Queen experts and superfans to discuss all 15 of the band's studio albums (including their soundtrack for the 1980 film Flash Gordon). Panelists include Queen experts, rock journalists, musicians, and record industry figures. The results are freewheeling discussions delving into the individual songs, the circumstances that surrounded the recording of each album, the band and contemporary rock contexts into which they were released, and more. The engaging text of this beautifully designed book is illustrated throughout with rare live performance and candid offstage photography, as well as scads of rare Queen ephemera. The Album by Album series is a unique approach to the rock bio, injecting the varied voices of several contributors. The results have even the most diehard fans rushing back to their MP3 players (or turntables) to confirm the details and opinions expressed!

A unique and beautifully produced celebration of the iconic and beloved rock star, Bowie at 75 features a slipcased hardcover with a gatefold timeline, gatefold artwork, frameable pull-out gig poster, and a pull-out photo print! Hendrix, Joplin, Mercury...few rock artists garner as much adulation after passing as they did in life. In Bowie at 75, veteran rock journalist Martin Popoff examines David Bowie's extraordinary life through the lens of 75 significant career achievements and life events, guiding you through all 27 studio albums, as well as a curated selection of earworm singles. But Popoff delves deeper to reveal the events that helped chart the course of Bowie's career: Guest appearances with artists like Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Tina Turner, and Queen Key performances such as Live Aid Collaborations with an incredible roster of guitarists that included Mick Ronson, Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nile Rodgers, and Earl Slick Film and television roles Romance...and more. From his eponymous 1967 debut LP and ending with Blackstar, released just two days before his death, Bowie is regarded as one of the most influential musicians and performers of the previous five decades, during which he constantly redefined himself. In examining 75 touchstones, Popoff gives you a unique view of Bowie's career arc from folkie to the breakthrough single "Space Oddity" to his flamboyant glam rock alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, and beyond. Illustrated with live concert and candid offstage photography as well as memorabilia including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, and more, this incredible package also includes a gatefold timeline, a gatefold painting depicting "A Party of Bowies," a previously unpublished 8×10-inch glossy print, and a pullout poster by famed gig poster artist Frank Kozik. The result is a stunning tribute to one of the most influential and admired stars in rock history--in a milestone year.