Waylon - by Waylon Jennings & Lenny Kaye (Paperback)

About the Book

Waylon Jennings, one of country music's most enduring and colorful renegades, shares the story of his explosive life from dirt poor, dirt floor beginnings through his transformation as rockabilly star Buddy Holly's protege to his own near destruction from drug abuse and financial ruin. With pure honesty, good humor, and honky-tonk charisma, Jennings relates the story of his three failed marriages, his uncensored experiences will fellow country music giants, and his ultimate joy at finding his soulmate and wife of 26 years, Jessi Colter. 32-page photo insert.

Book Synopsis

Equal parts outlaw, renegade, and legend, Waylon Jennings enjoyed a stellar music career for four decades and this no-holds-barred autobiography reveals the story of a man who infused conservative country music traditions with the energy of rock and roll to rewrite the rules of popular music in America. It chronicles all the chapters of Jennings's incredible life, including his beginnings as a dirt-poor son of a farm laborer; his role as Buddy Holly's protégé; his influential friendships with such luminaries as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and George Jones; the stunning success ushered in by his platinum 1976 anthology album, Wanted: The Outlaws; the drug habit that nearly destroyed him; and his three failed marriages and the journey that lead him to Jessi Colter, the woman who would become his wife for 25 years. With anecdotes, portraits, and little-known facts about Jennings's fellow country music stars, this book overflows with the honesty, true humor, and down-home charisma of an authentic honky-tonk hero.

Review Quotes

"A no-holds-barred, tell-it-all story, overflowing with the honesty, true humor, and down-home charisma of an authentic honky-tonk hero down to the very last page." --Music City News

"As good a book about American popular music as one is likely to find." --Washington Post

"Essential reading for country fans." --Publishers Weekly

"Finally, here is the autobiography we've all been waiting for!" --Willie Nelson

"Folksy, funny, spirited. . . . There are plenty of Waylon moments to be enjoyed . . . loving, insightful . . . filled with backcountry humor. . . . Unflinchingly, the book reads true to the man: if you like Waylon, you'll love Waylon." --Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Read Waylon if you love country music. And read it if you admire renegades who throw away the formula and play it the way they hear it in their heads . . . . Eminently readable . . . . Mr. Jennings tells his tales with humor and detail." --Dallas Morning News

"Well-turned, sometimes salty . . . refreshing . . . candid . . . poignant . . . An honest spotlight on a passel of colorful characters . . . . One of the best of country's tell-alls, as warm, peculiar, and individualistic as Jennings's music itself." --Entertainment Weekly

"What a life! And what a wonderful story of a country boy who despite hardships unimaginable attained success and stardom. A 'must read' for not anyone, but everyone." --Chet Atkins

About the Author

Waylon Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Lenny Kaye is an acclaimed music writer whose work has appeared in Crawdaddy, Creem, Hit Parader, Rolling Stone, and Village Voice. He is the author of You Call It Madness: The Sensuous Song of the Croon and has been playing guitar for Patti Smith since 1971. He lives in New York City.