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The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center

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7 books

Biography

Dream Boogie

Peter Guralnick

A biography follows Cooke from gospel performance into popular music and independent business ventures.

Memoir

Mo' Meta Blues

Questlove, Ben Greenman

A musician and bandleader remembers a life shaped by records, influences, and collaborations.

Essays

Music Is History

Questlove

Questlove uses records and listening memories to consider how music registers public change.

Biography

Princess Noire

Nadine Cohodas

The book follows Simone’s musical education, performance career, and political commitments.

Biography

Respect

David Ritz

A biography examines the gospel inheritance and recording career behind Franklin’s public sound.

Music history

Respect Yourself

Robert Gordon

Stax Records offers a vantage point on Memphis soul, collaboration, and the pressures surrounding the label.

Music history

Sweet Soul Music

Peter Guralnick

Musicians, producers, and studios tell the story of Southern soul across a network of regional scenes.