I'll Sleep When I'm Dead : The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon
Author(s): Crystal Zevon
When Warren Zevon died in 2003, he left behind a rich catalog of dark, witty rock 'n' roll classics, including "Lawyers, Guns and Money," "Excitable Boy," and the immortal "Werewolves of London." He also left behind a fanatical cult following and veritable rock opera of drugs, women, celebrity, genius, and epic bad behavior. As Warren once said, "I got to be Jim Morrison a lot longer than he did."
Narrated by his former wife and longtime co-conspirator, Crystal Zevon, this intimate and unusual oral history draws on interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, Bonnie Raitt, and numerous others who fell under Warren's mischievous spell. Told in the words and images of the friends, lovers, and legends who knew him best, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead captures Warren Zevon in all his turbulent glory.
Review(s):
“In one of the most unflinching examinations of the rock & roll life ever, Warren Zevon’s ex-wife Crystal paints a harrowing picture of a brilliant mind ravaged by alcohol — using excerpts from the late singer-songwriter’s journals and interviews with friends including Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen.”
“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead turns out to be one of the most casually insightful rock bios ever.” Grade: A-
“ The book reveals a smartass satirist . . . as bankrupt as the characters he documented in his songs.”
“[A] new, riveting oral history... unflinching interviews with his friends, admirers and fellow hell-raisers.”
“... an unforgettable journey into the depths of Mr. Zevon’s mad genius.”
“Few books have captured so well the L.A. rock and roll scene in all its mindlessness and eloquence.”
“…I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead definitely piles up enough horrendous behavior to back the title’s claim.”
“It’s a frank account of yet another great talent taken down by his own demons.”
“.. a fascinating collection of anecdotes... as assembled by his ex-wife, Crystal Zevon. ”
“[It’s] a satisfyingly sordid read that’s full of bad behavior…”
ISBN: 9780060763497