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Artist Pass

Conversations From the Books That Define Rock

Bowie, Clapton, Dylan, Harrison, Page and over 200 contributors

Celebrating 50 years of publishing, Genesis is proud to present Artist Pass, a unique exchange between musicians, producers, writers, and photographers who together cover all things rock and roll. From six decades of interview transcripts, printed manuscripts, and previously unpublished material, the Genesis editors have dug deep into the publisher’s archives to create a new collection of essays from some of the biggest names in rock.

Artist Pass, a limited edition of only 500 copies, has been signed by the authors and photographers who have, over time, become an integral part of Genesis's history. These include Eric Clapton, Phil Collen, John Densmore, Mick Fleetwood, Olivia Harrison, Chrissie Hynde, Eric Idle, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love, Mike McCartney, Ringo Starr, Paul Weller, Bill Wyman, and many more, including photographers Dominique Tarlé and Henry Diltz. Each copy of Artist Pass is a testament to their contribution, signed by at least four of these iconic figures.

Artist Pass is the ultimate book for any rock and roll enthusiast. For anyone with a Genesis edition or two in their collection, this once-in-a-lifetime publication is quite simply a must-have item.

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THE PHOTOGRAPHY

Artist Pass

'Our two biggest senses are hearing and seeing. Music and photography go together, they're cousins.' - Henry Diltz

Since 1974, some of the most prestigious photographers, artists and designers have chosen Genesis to showcase their work, with the legendary Storm Thorgerson even designing the iconic Genesis logo. Artist Pass celebrates their work with nearly 100 photographs from Henry Diltz, Mike McCartney, Mick Rock, Kate Simon, and Dominique Tarlé, and artwork by Peter Blake, Shepard Fairey, and Ronnie Wood, all included, as well as previously unseen photography from the late Genesis founder Brian Roylance.

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THE MANUSCRIPT

Artist Pass

'Know your history. The history of music is very inviting to me. I listen to so much music out of the Forties and Fifties now. I like blues - Howlin' Wolf. I like rock 'n' roll from its very beginnings - Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Bo Diddley - all the way up to what rock is today.' - Chuck D

In 50 chapters, highlights from virtually every Genesis music edition are referenced, including the landmark publications I Me Mine, The Beatles Anthology, Blinds & Shutters, Moonage Daydream, Jimmy Page: The Anthology and many, many more. The resulting dialogue between a multitude of renowned authors and contributors - more than 200 in total - provides a completely unique, new commentary on pivotal moments in rock history. 

Genesis authors cover topics ranging from the blues, the electric guitar, the chemistry of the band, the influence of Indian music, songs of protest and peace, spirituality and psychedelia. A Yardbirds chapter brings together three of the greatest guitarists of all time, each musician also a Genesis author with seven Genesis editions between them. Meanwhile, a songwriting chapter celebrates the writing partnerships of Lennon and McCartney, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, as well as the creative process of prolific writers Paul Weller, Brian Wilson and David Bowie. In the I Me Mine chapter, we celebrate our first rock'n'roll author George Harrison whose artistic collaboration initiated a catalogue of books by some of the most legendary names in music. Subsequent chapters are inspired by the work and stories of these Genesis authors, from Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin, to psychedelic renegades Syd Barrett, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Doors, through to stadium giants Bon Jovi and Def Leppard. 

Through this collection of essays, Artist Pass presents the history of rock and roll - from the first US records by black artists to the interpretations by their white counterparts - tracing the pivotal moments, festivals, albums, musical innovation, and experimentation that shaped the genre. Along the way, other strands such as blues, folk, hip-hop, reggae, and mod culture are explored through the words and music of our authors.

Artist Pass includes previously unpublished text sourced from exclusive interviews conducted during the making of iconic editions. The work also draws on a number of projects that have remained hidden in the archives until now. For the first time, previously unpublished stories from George Martin, Elton John, Robin Gibb, Alice Cooper, Cilla Black, and many more are featured here in a new manuscript of more than 100,000 words. 
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  • Ronnie Wood and Brian Wilson
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THE AUTHORS

Artist Pass

'I count myself extremely lucky for the life I've had through music. I would never have travelled, met so many people and had so much fun.' - Paul Weller

Since the publication of I Me Mine by George Harrison in 1980, Genesis has become the publisher of choice for some of the biggest names in modern music. In this special anniversary limited edition, the story of rock and roll is told by more than 200 artists including Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Peter Blake, Jim Capaldi, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Chuck D, Roger Daltrey, Def Leppard, Bob Dylan, Faces, Janis Joplin, Shepard Fairey, Mick Fleetwood, George Harrison, Olivia Harrison, Chrissie Hynde, Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz, Jeff Lynne, George Martin, Nick Mason, Mike McCartney, Tom Morello, Graham Nash, Yoko Ono, Jimmy Page, Queen, Lou Reed, Carlos Santana, Ravi Shankar, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Stephen Stills, Pete Townshend, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Traveling Wilburys, The Who, Klaus Voormann, Paul Weller, Brian Wilson, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and many more.

'On reflection, I feel so lucky to have been able to do something that has been my passion throughout my life, to make a success of it, and through that to bring pleasure to the people who have heard my work and to whom my playing has meant so much. When people talk about lifetime achievement, well that's what it is.' - Jimmy Page

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THE LIMITED EDITION

Artist Pass

Artist Pass is published in a signed and numbered limited edition of 500 Deluxe copies.

Each Deluxe copy is hand-numbered and signed personally by at least four of the following contributors: Eric Clapton, Def Leppard's Phil Collen, John Densmore of The Doors, photographer Henry Diltz, contemporary artist Shepard Fairey, Mick Fleetwood, Olivia Harrison, Chrissie Hynde, Monty Python's Eric Idle, Bruce Johnston and Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Steve Jordan of the Rolling Stones, drummer Russ Kunkel, Mike McCartney, Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, Ringo Starr, photographer Dominique Tarlé, Paul Weller, and Bill Wyman. 

Fully bound in black cloth with an inset laminate pass and silver page edging, the 284-page book is housed in a handcrafted clamshell case. Additionally, each boxed set contains an envelope of rare facsimile items, including loose-leaf pages written and annotated by Genesis authors. In chronological order, these items are:
 
• a New York Public Library card belonging to Genesis founder Brian Roylance, 1979
• a draft, annotated manuscript page from the making of I Me Mine (George Harrison, 1980)
• a Japanese handbill from the launch of I Me Mine (George Harrison, 1980)
• a promotional button badge for 50 Years Adrift (Derek Taylor, George Harrison; 1984) 
• a handwritten page by Keith Richards introducing Blinds & Shutters (1990)
• a draft, annotated preface from the making of Raga Mala (Ravi Shankar, 1997)
• three handwritten pages by Noel Redding introducing Classic Hendrix (2004)


Edition: 500 numbered copies
Main Volume: 180mm x 240mm, 284 pages
Signed by: At least four contributors
Binding: Fully bound in black cloth with an inset laminate pass
Box: Handcrafted clamshell box 
Extras: Replica loose-leaf pages written and annotated by Genesis authors; vintage promotional flyers; button badge
 

Artist Pass

Conversations From the Books That Define Rock

Artist Pass

Artist Pass

  • ISBN:
    9781905662944
  • Deluxe:
    500 copies
  • Signed by:
    At least four contributors
  • Binding:
    Fully bound in buckram with an inset laminate pass
  • Box:
    Clamshell box
  • Extras:
    Replica loose-leaf pages written and annotated by Genesis authors; vintage promotional flyers; button badge.
Pre-order today. Shipping in January 2025.
Deluxe
British Pounds Sterling
Publication price £495
Pre-order price £425

US Dollar
Publication price $635
Pre-order price $545
Available from £140.25 per month. Learn more >

Celebrating 50 years of publishing, Genesis is proud to present Artist Pass. From six decades of interview transcripts, printed manuscripts, and previously unpublished material, the Genesis editors have dug deep into the publisher’s archives to produce a unique collection of essays from some of the biggest names in rock.

  • Published Jan 2025
  • Page size: 180mm x 240mm
  • 284 pages
  • 100000 words
  • 100 images
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The story of your book

Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.

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