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The definitive biography, by a long way, of the most influential blues musician of them all. In a nutshell: no Muddy Waters, no Rolling Stones
‘Can’t Be Satisfied is that rare thing in musical biographies: a book that maps out not just a single, extraordinary life but the cultural forces that shaped it’ Sean O’Hagan, Observer
Muddy Waters was the greatest blues musician ever, and the most influential. He invented electric blues, inspired the Rolling Stones and created the template for the rock ‘n’ roll band and its wild lifestyle.
Robert Gordon’s definitive biography vividly chronicles the extraordinary life and personality of the musical legend who changed the course of modern popular music.
“A superb compendium of scholarship … this book is likely to remain the definitive Muddy study.”
Michel Faber
scotland On Sunday
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”Can’t Be Satisfied is that rare thing in musical biographies: a book that maps out not just a single, extraordinary life but the cultural forces that shaped it and the cultural changes which that same life then helped to bring about.”
Sean O’hagan
observer
“Gordon gets the deep lowdown on the original Rolling Stone. A major feat of research and a fascinating read.”
Jay Mcinerney
“The strenghts of Can’t Be Satisfied lie in Robert Gordon’s broad knowledge of the blues scene. He deftly puts each song and incident into its context. His exceptional understanding of the genre is best shown in his treatment of its ultimate irony - the creation of wealth through the depiction of poverty.”
Charlie Campbell
literary Review
“Robert Gordon has produced an immensely readable biography, as rowdy and dangerous as its subject… There’ll be no need for another Muddy Waters biography, this will do handsomely.”
Neil Slaven
blues & Rhythm
Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon is the author of several books and documentary films. In addition to Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters his books include It Came From Memphis, as well as two books about Elvis produced in co-operation with Elvis’ estate. He produced and directed the Grammy-nominated documentary Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied, was Writer and Associate Producer on The Road to Memphis, an episode of the Martin Scorsese blues series, and produced the Al Green box set Anthology, for which his liner notes were Grammy-nominated..