Popoff has created a cottage industry of the rock book bio business. He's an observant and dedicated writer and an experienced interviewer, and by combining the two he has written over a dozen books on a variety of bands. Here, we talk about UFO, BOC, and Rainbow, three guitar-oriented metal rock bands in which the author takes straight quotes from his interviews and creates an interesting bed of prose in which to seat it.

He follows the discographies and touring histories of these bands and brings in an abundance of member-derived comments to drive home his points. And these points aren't always of a positive nature; Martin isn't afraid to cut the legs out from under someone if need be. In one brief aside, the author cites a quote from Rainbow frontman Ritchie Blackmore about singer Graham Bonnet, one of the myriad vocalists the guitarist seemed to run through like sheep in a flock. He gives Bonnet his due as a high-pitched voiceman but then balances that with a remark relating the fact that the singer never took a true interest in music and consequently was not able to rise above the level of cult favorite. And, knowing Bonnet and actually having worked with him, I know this is a fact.

Anyway, if you're looking for a series of books on rock bands that are stuffed with stats and go down easily, check out Martin Popoff's titles. There's something for everyone in his archive.