Wordstock 2010: The Rock Bottom Remainders
The Rock Bottom Remainders are a literary rock band that has been lurching their way through middle age by making lots of noise for a good cause. You've read their books, now get to know the band!
By Melissa Hellstern
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images
The Rock Bottom Remainders
The Rock Bottom Remainders are arguably the world's most well-read rock band. The band's members—award-winning and best-selling authors such as Scott Turow, Amy Tan, Stephen King, Greg Iles and Dave Barry—have collectively published more than 150 titles, sold more than 200 million books and been translated into more than 25 languages. Once a year, these literary greats leave behind pen and paper, if only for a moment, to delve into the grit and grizzle that is the rock star life.
In the past 18 years, the Remainders have raised close to $2 million dollars for charitable causes. This year's Wordstock 2010 tour includes gigs on April 20–24 in several East Coast cities. Proceeds will go to support relief, education and literacy efforts in Haiti and literacy in local communities.
Meet the band members!
In the past 18 years, the Remainders have raised close to $2 million dollars for charitable causes. This year's Wordstock 2010 tour includes gigs on April 20–24 in several East Coast cities. Proceeds will go to support relief, education and literacy efforts in Haiti and literacy in local communities.
Meet the band members!
Photo: Evan Agostini /Getty Images
Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Founder, Remainderette, Musical Maven, Songstress and Author
"This has turned out to be the most in-groupy thing in publishing since the Algonquin Round Table." — Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Before she goes on the road, Kathi Kamen Goldmark answers 20 questions
Visit Kathi Kamen Goldmark's website
(Left to right: Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Amy Tan and Stephen King)
"This has turned out to be the most in-groupy thing in publishing since the Algonquin Round Table." — Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Before she goes on the road, Kathi Kamen Goldmark answers 20 questions
Visit Kathi Kamen Goldmark's website
(Left to right: Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Amy Tan and Stephen King)
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Dave Barry
Lead Guitarist, Vocals, Pulitzer Prize–winning Humor Columnist and Writing Partner to Ridley Pearson
"The band plays music as well as Metallica writes novels." — Dave Barry
Dave Barry on beagles
Visit Dave Barry's website
"The band plays music as well as Metallica writes novels." — Dave Barry
Dave Barry on beagles
Visit Dave Barry's website
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Sam Barry
Columnist and Author (and Dave Barry's Brother)
"We will not be playing our 'music' for money, because if we did, people would throw shoes at us. Rather, we will be playing to raise money for some good causes." — Sam Barry
Before he goes on the road, Sam Barry answers 20 questions
Visit Sam Barry's website
(Sam Barry is pictured on the bottom row, far left.)
"We will not be playing our 'music' for money, because if we did, people would throw shoes at us. Rather, we will be playing to raise money for some good causes." — Sam Barry
Before he goes on the road, Sam Barry answers 20 questions
Visit Sam Barry's website
(Sam Barry is pictured on the bottom row, far left.)
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Roy Blount Jr.
Crowd-Pleaser, Critics Chorus, Master of Ceremonies, Humorist, Columnist and Author
Roy Blount Jr. has said that being onstage is "like being inside a forest fire that you're helping, however modestly, to spread." He has described the Remainders as "hard-listening."
Before he goes on the road, Roy Blount, Jr. answers 20 questions
Visit Roy Blount Jr.'s website
Roy Blount Jr. has said that being onstage is "like being inside a forest fire that you're helping, however modestly, to spread." He has described the Remainders as "hard-listening."
Before he goes on the road, Roy Blount, Jr. answers 20 questions
Visit Roy Blount Jr.'s website
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Amy Tan
Lead Rhythm Dominatrix, Remainderette, Second Tambourine and New York Times Best-Selling Author
"We do it for charity and as Amy says, 'Man, this is so cool I'd do it to kill some whales!'" — Dave Barry
Hillary Clinton on Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club
Visit Amy Tan's website
"We do it for charity and as Amy says, 'Man, this is so cool I'd do it to kill some whales!'" — Dave Barry
Hillary Clinton on Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club
Visit Amy Tan's website
Photo: Vince Bucci /Getty Images
Ridley Pearson
Bass Guitar, Vocals, New York Times Best-Selling Author and Dave Barry's Writing Partner
"We have about 70 or 80 songs we can do, but all of them use the same chords." — Ridley Pearson
Before he goes on the road, Ridley Pearson answers 20 questions
Visit Ridley Pearson's website
(Left to right: Special guest Steve Martin with Ridley Pearson)
"We have about 70 or 80 songs we can do, but all of them use the same chords." — Ridley Pearson
Before he goes on the road, Ridley Pearson answers 20 questions
Visit Ridley Pearson's website
(Left to right: Special guest Steve Martin with Ridley Pearson)
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Greg Iles
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals and New York Times Best-Selling Author
"I think they only wanted me in the band because I have the right hair." — Greg Iles
Before he goes on the road, Greg Iles answers 20 questions
Visit Greg Iles website
"I think they only wanted me in the band because I have the right hair." — Greg Iles
Before he goes on the road, Greg Iles answers 20 questions
Visit Greg Iles website
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Scott Turow
Chorus, Sometime Remainderette and New York Times Best-Selling Author
"I am in the group to set a bottom threshold on musical ability. You can't be even worse than me and play with the Remainders. This is as far as they will go." — Scott Turow
Visit Scott Turow's website
"I am in the group to set a bottom threshold on musical ability. You can't be even worse than me and play with the Remainders. This is as far as they will go." — Scott Turow
Visit Scott Turow's website
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Mitch Albom
Keyboardist and International Best-Selling Author, Journalist and Screenwriter
"When we are playing, I spend a lot of time thinking, 'Ooohh, was that me?'" — Mitch Albom
Best Nonfiction of 2009: Have a Little Faith
Mitch Albom talks to Gayle King
How Tuesdays with Morrie inspired one book club
About For One More Day
Visit Mitch Albom's website
"When we are playing, I spend a lot of time thinking, 'Ooohh, was that me?'" — Mitch Albom
Best Nonfiction of 2009: Have a Little Faith
Mitch Albom talks to Gayle King
How Tuesdays with Morrie inspired one book club
About For One More Day
Visit Mitch Albom's website
Photo: Rock Bottom Remainders
James McBride
Saxophonist, Professional Musician and New York Times Best-Selling Author
Before he goes on the road, James McBride answers 20 questions
James McBride on a moment that defied spirituality
Read a review of James McBride's Song Yet Sung
Visit James McBride's website
(Left to right: Director Spike Lee and James McBride)
Before he goes on the road, James McBride answers 20 questions
James McBride on a moment that defied spirituality
Read a review of James McBride's Song Yet Sung
Visit James McBride's website
(Left to right: Director Spike Lee and James McBride)
Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Roger McGuinn
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and a Founding Member of The Byrds
"I haven't been cancelled from any of my booked gigs as a result of playing with the Rock Bottom Remainders." — Roger McGuinn
Before he goes on the road again, Roger McGuinn answers 20 questions
Visit Roger McGuinn's website
(Left to right: Dave Barry, Amy Tan, special guest Steve Martin, special guest Roger McGuinn and Ridley Pearson)
"I haven't been cancelled from any of my booked gigs as a result of playing with the Rock Bottom Remainders." — Roger McGuinn
Before he goes on the road again, Roger McGuinn answers 20 questions
Visit Roger McGuinn's website
(Left to right: Dave Barry, Amy Tan, special guest Steve Martin, special guest Roger McGuinn and Ridley Pearson)
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Stephen King*
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals and Prolific, International Best-Selling Author
"There's an audience out there, and the key is to kick it in the ass." — Stephen King
*Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevent Stephen King from being a part of the 2010 tour.
Stephen King's Different Seasons
Review of Under the Dome
Stephen King on love
Visit Stephen King's website
"There's an audience out there, and the key is to kick it in the ass." — Stephen King
*Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevent Stephen King from being a part of the 2010 tour.
Stephen King's Different Seasons
Review of Under the Dome
Stephen King on love
Visit Stephen King's website
Photo: The Rock Bottom Remainders
Matt Groening*
Critics Chorus, Drums, Syndicated Cartoonist and Creator of The Simpsons and Futurama
"People are throwing panties at us. They certainly never do that at my book signings." — Matt Groening
*Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevent Matt Groening from being a part of the 2010 tour.
Dan Castellaneta on his first "D'oh!" as Homer Simpson
More on the Rock Bottom Remainders
Reader's guides, reviews, excerpts and more for your book club
"People are throwing panties at us. They certainly never do that at my book signings." — Matt Groening
*Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevent Matt Groening from being a part of the 2010 tour.
Dan Castellaneta on his first "D'oh!" as Homer Simpson
More on the Rock Bottom Remainders
Reader's guides, reviews, excerpts and more for your book club
Published 04/14/2010