Cameron Crowe, the filmmaker behind ‘Jerry Maguire’ and ‘Almost Famous,’ has published a new memoir titled ‘The Uncool.’ The book revisits his teenage years as a rock journalist for Rolling Stone in the 1970s, when he interviewed legends like Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Crowe, now in his 60s, says the memoir allowed him to capture moments with musicians without the filter of nostalgia.
In an interview, Crowe explained that the book aims to put readers in the room with artists like David Bowie and Glenn Frey, focusing on the fear and excitement of the time. He wanted to counter what he called the ‘Wikipedia-ization’ of Bowie’s life, emphasising the singer’s nervous brilliance and warmth. Crowe also noted that Bowie encouraged him as a young writer, an experience he found ‘unimaginable.’
The memoir also delves into Crowe’s family life, including his oldest sister Cathy, who died by suicide when he was young. He said writing about her was a way to acknowledge the impact she had on his love of music. ‘The Uncool’ blends factual events with novelistic prose, a style Crowe says he developed after decades of screenwriting.
Crowe is currently working on a biopic of his friend Joni Mitchell, having previously written liner notes for her box sets. He is also embarking on a book tour, with public conversations featuring guests such as Jake Tapper and Sheryl Crow.
