Books about Pop idol from Amazon.com

Although not inherently corrupt, the American Idol television program has magnified a culture preoccupied with fleeting fame and image overload. Feeding off that frenzy, American Idols takes a necessary look at the false gods in modern society. The golden calf of Bible times may be gone, but in its place today are enslavements to consumerism, celebrity, sexual freedom, easy religion, and more. This timely book helps readers realize and overcome their own idolatries..
Price: $3.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Do YOU have what it takes to be a star? Simon Cowell reveals the answer and takes you behind the scenes of American Idol in this wickedly entertaining tell-all

Since the debut of American Idol, puckish Brit judge Simon Cowell has become America’s most notorious critic—not only on account of his incredible instinct for spotting the next breakout musical stars, but for his hilarious, shockingly candid repartee with everyone who crosses his path. Now, true to form, he holds nothing back, offering you a backstage pass to America’s hottest show—the highlights, the gossip, the contestants who blew their chances—and takes you on a whirlwind tour of the music business while sharing his own insider opinions, on everything.

From his days in the mailroom at EMI Records to the creation of American Idol, Simon has always had a knack for judging talent—and for being center stage. Here, he tells the rollicking stories of his first insult (to his mother), his first music criticism (to first-grade teacher Mrs. Prigg), and his first image makeover (on his unfortunate younger brother). And of course, the side-splitting backstory of the birth of American Idol—and all the dreadful auditions, bad hair days, judges’ squabbles, juicy rumors, surprise triumphs, and #1 singles that followed.

With his trademark wit and brutal honesty, Simon delivers the real dish on: Who gave the best and worst performances on the show? What really goes on between the three judges (and what was it like to kiss Paula Abdul)? Who were the biggest divas when the cameras weren’t rolling? And, if you’re an aspiring Justin or J.Lo, you’ll also learn the trade secrets that only Simon knows: how to develop an image and make the most of your talent, how to find an agent or manager, how to nail an audition, and—should you be so lucky to make it to the top—how to stretch your 15 minutes into a career.

Packed with razor-sharp insights into music, the fame game, and pop-music powerhouses from the Beatles to Britney Spears, I Don’t Mean to Be Rude, But…is your ticket inside American Idol, and a highly amusing, no-holds-barred look at what it takes to make it big.

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Price: $0.68 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Tiki Style is a recognized part of American Folk Art with a longstanding history and mass appeal. Here are some of today's most exciting American Tiki artists and international artists working in the Tiki Style, including: Shag, Marco Almera, Bosko, Sunny Buick, Dave Burke, Kalynn Campbell, Dirty Donny, Crazy Al Evans, Richie Fahey, Rod Filbrandt, Mary Fleener, Bruce Gossett, Christine Karas, Joe Leonard, Sharon Leong, Mr. Lucky, Munktiki, Mitch O'Connell, Lisa Petrucci, The Pizz, Isabel Samaras, Von Franco, and more..
Price: $14.96 [Notify me when price goes down.]

The evil step child of Stranded (Knopf's original book of rock criticism), Kill Your Idols is a collection of 35 essays about allegedly great rock albums that this new generation of critics loathe..
Price: $4.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

For the longest time, during some rough boyhood years in Alabama and the grind of performing on the road, the odds against me were discouraging But there was always a voice inside telling me it was going to get better.

Mom and Dad certainly started out with good intentions, but early on, as their marriage went south and I went in whatever direction was necessary to avoid the fallout, I realized my life was going to be up to me.

Thinking back, my first step toward singing for a living was stealing an Otis Redding album when I was nine. What I heard on that platter was life-changing, and pretty soon I was learning to play the harmonica, which, I can assure you, didn’t attract many female fans—in fact, any fans at all.

I eventually decided that not being taken seriously can be a good thing. It stokes the fires. Maybe the reason I like soul music so much is that it inspires with its pain. The best artists, like Ray Charles, reach out and say, “You’re not alone, brother.”

In all my years on the road—trying to make it in Nashville and those Southern honky-tonks known as the “Chitlin Circuit”—I never thought it would take an act of God to push my destiny into the right groove. But as you’ll hear, it was nearly getting washed away by Hurricane Katrina that led to my Idol tryout. And what happened next was a little bit like when Alice dropped down that rabbit hole—just substitute Simon Cowell for the Mad Hatter.

In Heart Full of Soul, I share some life stories that will hopefully inspire you—give you a sense of my philosophy and how it drove me. For example, I talk about my good friend who died in a tragic accident and the prediction he made that tugged at my thoughts throughout Idol’s qualifying rounds. I also discuss what it was like when I realized Eminem has it right: when you only have one shot, you’d better lose yourself in the music.

A lot of great fans lined up behind me the night of the Idol finale. This book is about the strange path that led me to that pop-culture moment, and the sharp directional changes that occurred after that phenomenal night, including touring America, producing an album, and experiencing that two-sided gig known as American celebrity.

I hope that some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way will help you, especially if the shot you’ve been yearning for is just around the corner..
Price: $5.23 [Notify me when price goes down.]

"The more people say you can't, the more you can. The more they talk negatively, the more you fight. You have to think about bettering your life and go after it. I don't care what you got to do. You only have one life to live, so do your thing."

In one moment, with one tearful, touching performance of "Summertime," Fantasia captured the hearts, and the votes, of millions of American Idol fans. Her powerful voice and independent style made her an overnight national sensation. But life wasn't always sensational for Fantasia.

Fantasia could have been just another sad statistic. At the age of seventeen, despite the promise of her extraordinary voice, she was just another young girl who dropped out of high school, a baby on her hip. Her life and her plans for her future seemed to be going nowhere. The choices she had made were closing every door to the life she had hoped to live.

But Fantasia had been raised by strong women of faith. Both her grandmother and mother are preachers. She was raised with an unshakable faith in God, the kind of faith that she needed when it came time to rethink her choices and redirect her life. Fantasia hoped that by using her gift to inspire others, she would be able to someday take care of her family and herself.

Now readers can share the intimate moments of her life. In Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, Fantasia offers a deeply emotional look at her rise to the top and the life-altering revelations she came to during her lowest moments along the way. With a spirit as strong as her voice, she speaks with heartfelt, humorous frankness about what it takes to get off the wrong path and onto the right one. Fantasia confides in readers, walking with them through the trials of her family life and loving a man who didn't love her, through the challenge of being a baby mama to managing the joys and pressures of fame. She turns all that she's learned into uplifting life lessons, including:

• Recognize your gift

• You made your bed, now lie in it

• Give props where props are due

• Like mother, like daughter

• It ain't about the bling

Fantasia keeps it real with her sassy, self-confident style and down-to-earth advice, making readers laugh and cry with her. Fantasia's story will inspire readers to believe in themselves and have the faith it takes to reach for their greatest potential..
Price: $0.71 [Notify me when price goes down.]

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13 head-banging hits spanning the career of this British rock star. Songs include: Cradle of Love * Dancing with Myself * Eyes Without a Face * Flesh for Fantasy * Mony, Mony * Rebel Yell * Shock to the System * White Wedding * and more..
Price: $12.79 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Clay Aiken, the undeniably talented American Idol runner up and self-proclaimed "nerdy, geeky, momma's boy" (and boy, does he love to talk about his momma), has written a strange hybrid of memoir, self-help and religious testimony--and in spite of it being so slight that it feels like it will float right out of your hands--he almost pulls it off. Learning to Sing is a book only his most rabid fans (and admittedly, there are millions of 'em) will be able to fully embrace. Anyone looking for American Idol dirt will have to go elsewhere, as Aiken always takes the high road, whether discussing his Idol experience (given surprisingly short shrift), the torment and damage done by the bullies of his youth, or his fractious, difficult relationship and ultimate estrangement from both his birth father and stepfather. When recounting the origin and progression of his true passion--teaching special needs children--his sincerity and dedication feels real and admirable. Towards the end of Learning to Sing, Aiken's writing teeters from subtly spiritual to zealously polemic, but surely there are worse things for young people (and some adults) to be exposed to than a wildly successful entertainer advising them to embrace their inner nerd, find and follow their passion and treat others with respect and kindness. We should all be so nerdy. --Terry Goodman.
Price: $3.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]