(Book). Incurable Blues explores the life and genius of Hubert Sumlin, a highly influential guitarist who has survived cancer, alcoholism, and personal and professional tribulations to testify to the classic days of Chicago blues. Sumlin's incendiary guitar playing is heard on most of Howlin' Wolf's classic Chess sides. Sumlin's pick-less playing has inspired countless blues-rock luminaries. Author Will Romano places Hubert's playing and performing style in context, showing how it formed the basis of blues rock and rock n roll and how it bridges the gap between African folk; the work of early...

Alcoholic. Epileptic. Technically challenged. Described as all this and worse, Jimmy Reed nevertheless overcame these roadblocks to become perhaps the most successful R&B/pop crossover artist of the '50s. In "Big Boss Man," musicians, family members, and those whose lives Reed touched offer revealing and heart-wrenching insights into this now-revered bluesman. Although Reed's alcoholism was no secret, its effect on his musicianship is less understood -- this and more is explored in this comprehensive biography of a classic bluesman.

This is a wickedly incisive tour of rock music at its most spectacular. It is indeed the book prog rock fans have been waiting for, the only one of its kind, as fantastic as the subjects it covers.

Will Romano examines why Close to the Edge is the ultimate prog rock album in an era that was filled with progressive British rock classics.