Stairway to Heaven: The Final Resting Places of Rock's Legends

by J.D. Reed, Maddy Miller

An illustrated tribute to rock music's latest and greatest stars combines full-color photographs of graves and memorials with insider information about the rock stars' lives and deaths as it captures the final resting places of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Selena, Tupac Shakur, and other legendary performers. Original.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Death

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2005

Reviews

[MKF · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I hear rock legends I think of well rock legends who sing rock music or some genre of rock music. Apparently the author doesn't know what what rock is because he includes musicians that don't sing rock. Why do all the descriptions on this book include Tupac when he's not a rock star and doesn't have an actual grave. The author admits this in the beginning but is using the information to sell to describe and sell this book. It's a bit insulting that you include him and others but exclude so many rock stars that deserve a spot. Where's Dimebag Darrell? I googled the publishing date which is late 2005 and we loss Dimebag at the end of 2004 so plenty of time for a last minute addition. If you love rock music and want to know about their graves I would definitely find a different book.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read with plenty of lovely photos but NO INDEX. Also, some distracting spelling and grammar problems.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a neat book. I’d love to see an updated version.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morbid much? Yeah, that's me. Interesting tidbits and pictures for fans of music celebrities and their eternal resting places.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another beautifully illustrated collection of photos of famous people's graves, this one focuses on predominantly American musicians of the late 20th century. Special attention is paid to the tokens visitors leave on their pilgrimages: guitar picks, empty liquor bottles, unsmoked cigarettes. I was pretty thoroughly fascinated.

As with any collection of grave monuments, one could quibble with the inclusions: John Belushi as a legend of rock? At least the story of his funeral and three graves is interesting. Was Easy E a rock star? Minnie Ripperton? Karen Carpenter?

I suspect that the problem with filling the book was that so many musicians' families -- aware of the ongoing problems at Morrison's grave in Paris -- have opted not to release their loved ones' ashes and/or to announce a gravesite where fans could pay their respects. Beatles' fans have Strawberry Fields in Central Park, but there's some question about whether Yoko had John's remains buried or scattered at all. The same holds true for Kurt Cobain: I've read elsewhere that fans go to a bench in a park near the house where he died to remember him, but that isn't mentioned in this book at all. Is the story true, but just not widely known?

If you're interested in mortuary commemoration or people's relationships with cemeteries -- or, I'll include grudgingly, musicians of the past -- this book is for you.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

2007 wrote: Very interesting beautiful tribute and guide. Famous graves are some of my favorite place to visit since my first, FDR back when I was 8. This read almost had me packed up and bound for Brad Nowell's grave in California. Amazing color pictures!

2006 wrote: Best book i have ever seen on the subject, though I might have only seen two others. One of many purchases while at Media Play, I must have browsed this book 50 times before actually reading it cover to cover. Amazing guide to accompany a road trip of any sort.Great pictures and very reverent write-ups on the artists.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Not only do you find out where these legends are buried, but you find out how and where they died, along with the year. Great pictures and very informative and interesting. Plus the cover is nice to display.

[Geri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at my local library. Though its of course about dead people its not morbid. Its filled with nice photos of the graves and text about the inhabitants. I found it quite interesting. This book could be used as a travel book if you're intersted in seeing the resting places in person.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the new books to come into the music library, and really fun to read. Each entry had pictures of the grave, information on how they passed, and what people leave at their graves.

[Taylor W. Rushing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good investigations on the places where the greats rest.

[Jeris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did like this book if you like classic rock music I would read this book it has every legand from john lennon to jimmy hendrix

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I've had for some time and never really got a chance to read it. Last year I finally got the chance. Its the best book to read if your a musician or if your just a fan of music.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome book.wish i could visit all of these graves

[Kitap Yakıcı · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories about the lives, deaths, and final resting places of many of the greats of 20th century popular music. Accompanied by full-color photos, many of interesting gravestones and monuments.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read. About the final resting place for musicians and bands.