Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to tell his stories in a memoir

By Hillel Italie | Associated Press

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, one of rock’s most celebrated and eclectic musicians, is working on a memoir.

The currently untitled book, tracing the Chicago rocker’s journey from young Clash fan to Grammy-winning artist, has been acquired by Dutton. A release date has not been set, the publisher said Friday.

According to Dutton, Tweedy will share his thoughts on making music, the changes in the recording industry and evolution from underground to popular artist. The memoir will be “funny, disarming, and honest,” Dutton’s statement reads.

In comments issued through Dutton, the 48-year-old Tweedy said he wanted the book to combine personal and professional stories, including memories of Mavis Staples and the many other artists with whom he has collaborated.

“I have stories to tell, and I’d like for this book to be a combination of those stories about my experiences, and maybe a window into one person’s creative process, as well as some of what I’ve seen working with other artists in my current and former bands, in the studio, on the road, in my basement with my sons and more,” Tweedy said.

Financial terms were not disclosed for the book, which attracted the interest of several publishers. The deal is worth at least mid-six figures, according to two publishing officials with knowledge of the negotiations who were not authorized to discuss terms.

Dutton is an imprint of Penguin Random House.