Cornflakes with John Lennon

The legendary critic’s glimpse inside the hearts and minds of the greatest musical artists of our
time—from Elvis to Dylan, Michael Jackson to Bright Eyes

Robert Hilburn’s storied career as a rock critic has allowed him a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of some of the most iconic figures of our time. He was the only music critic to visit Folsom Prison with Johnny Cash. He met John Lennon during his “lost weekend” period in Los Angeles, and they became fast friends. Bob Dylan granted him his only interview during his “born-again” period. Michael Jackson invited Hilburn to watch cartoons with him in bed. When Springsteen took to playing only old hits, Hilburn scolded him for turning his legendarily lively shows into oldies revues, and Springsteen changed his set list.

In this totally unique account of the symbiotic relationship between critic and musical artist, Hilburn reflects on the ways in which he has changed and been changed by the subjects he’s covered; Bono weighs in with an introduction about how Hilburn’s criticism influenced and altered his own development as a musician.

“Cornflakes with John Lennon” is more than a story about one man’s adventures in rock and roll: It’s the gripping and untold story of how popular music has reshaped the way we think about the world and helped to define the American character.

“So many great memories came flooding back to me when I read “Cornflakes With John Lennon.” A must read for genuine music lovers.—Elton John

”It’s impossible to read this book and not encounter passages that surprise, sadden and hearten. It¹s also impossible to read this and not recognize Robert Hilburn as the greatest interviewer in rock & roll history.”
—Mikal Gilmore, author of Shot in the Heartand Night Beat: A Shadow History of Rock and Roll

ROBERT HILBURN, the long-time pop music critic and editor of the Los Angeles Times, is one of the most widely read and respected pop writers of the rock-and-roll era. His reviews and artist profiles have appeared in hundreds of publications around the world. Hilburn is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination committee. He lives in Sherman Oaks, California.

Onsale Date: October 13, 2009
ISBN978–1–59486–921–1
Hardcover / $24.95 / 304 pages
8-page black-and-white photo insert