Sign-In
Cart
Rock & Roll Underdogs: Hidden Gems Within the Shadows of Stardom, Volume 1
Paperback
MusiciansPop/RockMusic Reference
Publisher Price: $30.99
Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
Published: Oct 28 2025
Pages: 794
Weight: 2.30
Height: 1.58 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
They had the talent. The songs. The soul.
But not the spotlight.
Rock & Roll Underdogs dives deep into the stories of extraordinary bands and artists who lit up the edges of the music world-but never quite caught fire in the mainstream. With cultural context, personal reflection, and curated track lists, author Karl Sharicz brings to life the creative brilliance and stubborn spirit of these unsung heroes.
From cult favorites and overlooked geniuses to the nearly famous and criminally ignored, this is a passionate tribute to the raw authenticity of rock & roll-and the artists who made the music matter, even if history forgot their names.
An informative read and an insight into why so many talented musicians never quite break through... My advice to struggling musicians: You're only beaten if you give up.
-Leo Lyons, legendary bassist of Ten Years After & Hundred Seventy Split
We were driven by the joy of the music itself, not fame. Maybe that's exactly why we ended up as 'Underdogs'-and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
-Jim McCarty, founding drummer of The Yardbirds & Renaissance
One thing's for sure-most had a hell of a time in the clubs, halls, and practice rooms reaching for that gold ring-or record deal.
-Harry Sandler, original drummer for Orpheus
I never set out to be a rock star-just a working musician doing what I love... The music, the fans, and the fight to keep creating have always mattered more than the spotlight.
-Jim Babjak, guitarist & songwriter for The Smithereens
Also in
Pop/Rock
The Ultimate Guide to Vinyl and More: All You Need to Know about Collecting Essential Music from Cylinders and CDs to Lps and Tapes
Thompson, David
Paperback
A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond
Thayil, Kim
Tepedelen, Adem
Hardcover
Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other--And the World
Windolf, Jim
Hardcover
What Do You Do When You're Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle
Bernstein, Jonathan
Hardcover
Here Beside the Rising Tide: Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead, and an American Awakening
Newton, Jim
Hardcover
Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes (and Rock 'n' Roll)
Hyden, Steven
Hardcover
Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion
Deville, Chris
Hardcover
Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles
Emerick, Geoff
Massey, Howard
Paperback
Raised on Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola - The Aor Glory Years 1976-1986
Rees, Paul
Hardcover
Taylor Swift by the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, from Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets
Tatreau, Tiffany
Feder, Rachel
Hardcover
Little Book of Elvis Presley: Inspirational Quotes from the King of Rock 'n' Roll
Croft, Rod
Hardcover
Paint by Sticker (Official): Music Icons: Re-Create 10 Classic Photographs One Sticker at a Time!
Workman Publishing
Paperback
Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011
Goodman, Lizzy
Paperback
Brain Games - Puzzles and Quizzes: Dolly Parton Facts and Information
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
Paperback
The Silver Snarling Trumpet: The Birth of the Grateful Dead--The Lost Manuscript of Robert Hunter
Hunter, Robert
Paperback
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991
Azerrad, Michael
Paperback
The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall: Photos and Stories from the Formative Years, 1966-1977
Gans, David
Marshall, Jim
Davis, Amelia
Hardcover
We're Having Much More Fun: Punk Archives for the Present from Cbgb to Gilman and Beyond
McEnaney, Tom
Peraino, Judith A.
Paperback
Brain Games - Puzzles and Quizzes - Taylor Swift: The Ultimate Swiftie Activity Book Picture Puzzles, Trivia, Crossword, Word Search & More Unauthoriz
Brain Games
Kaplan, Arie
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection
Anderson, Brian
Hardcover
Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock's Darkest Day
Selvin, Joel
Paperback
Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to the Band
Lewis, Stephen T.
Hardcover
Lessons & Lace: Everything I Know about Dreams, Heartbreak, and Magic I Learned from Stevie Nicks
Brodsky, Rachel
Hardcover
Let's Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Supergroupies
Des Barres, Pamela
Paperback
Good Rockin' Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll
Hawkins, Martin
Escott, Colin
Paperback
Sharing in the Groove: The Untold Story of the '90s Jam Band Explosion and the Scene That Followed
Ayers, Mike
Hardcover
Mystery Train, 50th Anniversary Edition: Images of America in Rock 'n' Roll Music
Marcus, Greil
Paperback
The Silver Snarling Trumpet: The Birth of the Grateful Dead--The Lost Manuscript of Robert Hunter
Hunter, Robert
Hardcover
And on Piano ...Nicky Hopkins: The Extraordinary Life of Rock's Greatest Session Man
Dawson, Julian
Paperback
Deliver Me from Nowhere (Movie Tie-In): The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska
Zanes, Warren
Paperback
The House That Rock Built: How It Took Time, Money, Music Moguls, Corporate Types, Politicians, Media, Artists, and Fans to Bring the Rock Hall to Cle
Nite, Norm N.
Feran, Tom
Paperback
There Was Nothing You Could Do: Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." and the End of the Heartland
Hyden, Steven
Paperback
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years 1962-1970
Lewisohn, Mark
Paperback
The Taylor Swift Book: The Ultimate Guide to the Music, Life, Eras, and Legacy of an Icon
MacKenzie, Malcolm
Hardcover
Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever
Hermes, Will
Paperback
Pink Floyd All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track
Margotin, Philippe
Guesdon, Jean-Michel
Hardcover
Mr. Moonlight: Brian Epstein and the Making of the Beatles (Large Print Edition)
Norman, Philip
Paperback