Grunge Is Dead

The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music

By: Greg Prato

Narrated by: Greg Prato

Grunge Is Dead weaves together the definitive story of the Seattle music scene through a series of interviews with the people who were there. Taking the form of an “oral” history, this books contains more than 130 interviews, along with essential background information from acclaimed music writer Greg Prato.

The early ’90s grunge movement may have last only a few years, but it spawned some of the greatest rock music of all time: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. This book contains the first-ever interview in which Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder was willing to discuss the group’s history in great detail; Alice in Chains’ band members and Layne Staley’s mom on Staley’s drug addiction and death; insights into the Riot Grrrl movement and oft-overlooked but highly influential Seattle bands like Mother Love Bone/Andy Wood, the Melvins, Screaming Trees, and Mudhoney; and much more.

Grunge Is Dead digs deeper than the average grunge history, starting in the early '60s, and explaining the chain of events that gave way to the grunge movement. The end result is a book that includes a wealth of previously untold stories and insight for the longtime fan, as well as its renowned story for the newcomer. Grunge Is Dead collects the whole truth of grunge music in one comprehensive volume.

©2009 Greg Prato (P)2021 ECW Press

Critic reviews

“[Grunge is Dead] is an accomplishment that will find fans as long as the music does. The book is remarkably comprehensive, nearly 500 pages long, and filled with rarely seen photographs, astute analyses of popular culture, insider gossip and interesting, funny and painful stories. Prato keeps the editorializing to a minimum, letting the players (Eddie Vedder, Slim Moon, Kim Thayil, Jerry Cantrell, Kathleen Hanna, Allison Wolfe, Blag Dahlia, Charles Petterson, Riki Rachtman, Chad Channing, et al) speak for themselves.” (Washington Post Express)

“A complete, exhaustive and authoritative account of Music 1.0’s last successful marketing experiment.... Grunge Is Dead is an invaluable record.” (Eye Weekly)

“Grunge Is Dead offers a definitive oral history of grunge.... Prato, a contributor to All Music Guide and Billboard.com, offers accounts from more than 125 musicians (with the exception of Nirvana), record label owners, and scenesters. The book traces grunge’s meteoric rise out of the 1980s hard-core punk scene - and its decline owing to the growing prevalence of heroin use.” (Library Journal Express)

Captivating

One of the more interesting and detailed stories about an era I grew up in. Before purchasing, I noticed the negative reviews for the narration and I respectfully disagree. I felt Greg did a great job keeping over 140 some different interviews organized, I even played a large portion for my family while we were traveling on vacation. If you can keep 16&18 yos attention, you’ve done something special! Highly recommended!

The narration makes it unbearable to listen

Wow. I can only think this guy has zero feedback on his narration. It’s absolutely terrible, makes it unbearable to listen.

pretty good

interest hearing from people I knew and a time I remember. unfortunate the reader couldn't pronounce NW words.

Good book, bad narrator

The story was good, I liked it. But the author reading it was a bad choice. He sounds like a robot..who…reads..to…five…year…olds

Bad narration

The pauses in the narrative makes it hard to understand at times but the content is interesting.