Nick Tosches (1949 - 2019)

[wolfgangguhl]

Nicholas P. Tosches (/ˈtɑːʃəs/; October 23, 1949 – October 20, 2019) was an American journalist, novelist, biographer, and poet. His 1982 biography of Jerry Lee Lewis, Hellfire, was praised by Rolling Stone magazine as "the best rock and roll biography ever written."

[wolfgangguhl]

His book "Hellfire" on Jerry Lee Lewis is the best rock and roll biography I have ever read. Reading it was a life-changing experience for me.

[bailbath]

Hellfire by Nick Tosches. A great narrative on Jerry's life capturing the fire and brimstone upbringing that was in part the influence on Jerry's attitude within his music.RIP.

[PeterC]

His book "Hellfire" on Jerry Lee Lewis is the best rock and roll biography I have ever read. Reading it was a life-changing experience for me.

Ditto! I was hoping he'd eventually do an updated edition, but it wasn't to be.

R.I.P. Nick Tosches.

[chris morris]

Very sorry to hear of his death. In addition to Hellfire, he wrote great articles/books on a whole range of country and early rock-'n'-roll artists. He had a rare ability to get to the heart of an artist's talent and brought the same energy to his writing that his r'n'r heroes brought to their music.

[john1]

Hellfire was excellent, serious piece if work. Nick Tosches was a very good writer unlike most ‘pop’ writers. One only has to read Chas Whites Killer! The Life and Times of Jerry Lee Lewis to demonstrate the gulf between a gifted writer and a ‘fan biography’.
I never completed reading Killer! But I have reread Hellfire, a couple of times, that’s the difference a gifted writer makes.