Books on Tape: The Top 10 Collabs Between Authors and Musicians
Can you imagine a world where, instead of fossil fuels, modern machinery runs on the power of steam and everyone's favourite band is Rush?
If so, you've glimpsed into the alternate reality that unfolds in the forthcoming steampunk novel from sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson. The best-selling scribe of over 100 genre books, including titles for the 'Star Wars,' 'Dune,' and 'X-Files' franchises, is writing a companion novel to 'Clockwork Angels,' the upcoming studio album from Canadian prog-rock giants Rush.
"I take my inspiration from many sources, but music has always been a key to my literary imagination, more than just a soundtrack but a trigger for images, scenes, and strange worlds," Anderson tells Spinner.
In fact, he dedicated his first novel, 'Resurrection, Inc,' to the Rush album 'Grace Under Pressure,' a nod that spawned a friendship with Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart which eventually led to the 'Clockwork Angels' collaboration.
Anderson is not the only author for whom music is a muse. Over the years, beat poets, stuffy literature types, best-selling novelist and gonzo journalists have traded the lamplight for the limelight and emerged from the study long enough to align themselves with musicians.
So here are 10 of the best author and musicians collaborations that we thought operated like, well, clockwork.
Follow @Spinner on Twitter Like Us on Facebook Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Download Rush Songs Buy Rush Albums
