Steven Hyden is the author of “Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me: What Pop Music Rivalries Reveal About the Meaning of Life.” In an interview last week he said Jackson and Prince both denied that there was ever any real rivalry between them, though they were both extremely competitive.
Music critic Steven Hyden explores nineteen music rivalries and what they say about life
Beatles vs. Stones. Biggie vs. Tupac. Kanye vs. Taylor. Who do you choose? And what does that say about you? Actually–what do these endlessly argued-about pop music rivalries say about us?
Music opinions bring out passionate debate in people, and Steven Hyden knows that firsthand. Each chapter in Your Favorite Band is Killing Me focuses on a pop music rivalry, from the classic to the very recent, and draws connections to the larger forces surrounding the pairing.
Through Hendrix vs. Clapton, Hyden explores burning out and fading away, while his take on Miley vs. Sinead gives readers a glimpse into the perennial battle between old and young. Funny and accessible, Hyden’s writing combines cultural criticism, personal anecdotes, and music history–and just may prompt you to give your least favorite band another chance.
Danielle gave it 4 ½ stars and said this: Steven Hyden examines famous pop music rivalries like The Beatles and Rolling Stones or Biggie and Tupac. He looks at them in context of the culture at the time as well as his own personal life and relationship to them. Some of the rivalries worked better for me than others. Some of them I felt like they were a bit of a stretch in terms of them being actual rivalries, but as a music lover I thought this book was really fun and a great read.
The book is available through Amazon and other on-line sales groups. It retails for around $12 – less for Kindle.