Wilco: Learning How to Die
Encyclopedia
Wilco: Learning How to Die (2004, ISBN 0767915585) is a book
by Chicago Tribune
rock critic Greg Kot
. The book was written with the cooperation of Wilco
band members past and present. It covers the time period from when Wilco singer Jeff Tweedy
was born, through the formation and breakup of Uncle Tupelo
, and the career of Wilco through their 2004 album A Ghost Is Born
. It is primarily written as an oral history
, featuring interviews with Tweedy, John Stirratt
, and other Wilco members, as well as manager Tony Margherita and Uncle Tupelo drummer Mike Heidorn
. The book's title comes from a lyric of Wilco's "War on War
", which appears on their 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
. It was published on June 15, 2004 by Broadway Books. The book received positive reviews from outlets such as The New York Times
.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
rock critic Greg Kot
Greg Kot
Greg Kot is an American writer and journalist. Since 1990, Kot has been the music critic at the Chicago Tribune, where he has covered popular music and reported on music-related social, political and business issues...
. The book was written with the cooperation of Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
band members past and present. It covers the time period from when Wilco singer Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy
Jeffrey Scot "Jeff" Tweedy is an American songwriter, musician and leader of the band Wilco. Tweedy joined rockabilly band The Plebes with high school friend Jay Farrar in the early 1980s, but Tweedy's musical interests caused one of Farrar's brothers to quit...
was born, through the formation and breakup of Uncle Tupelo
Uncle Tupelo
Uncle Tupelo was an alternative country music group from Belleville, Illinois, active between 1987 and 1994. Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn formed the band after the lead singer of their previous band, The Primitives, left to attend college. The trio recorded three albums for Rockville...
, and the career of Wilco through their 2004 album A Ghost Is Born
A Ghost Is Born
A Ghost Is Born is the fifth studio album by Chicago-based alternative rock band Wilco. Released on June 22, 2004, it features singer Jeff Tweedy on lead guitar more than any previous Wilco album...
. It is primarily written as an oral history
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
, featuring interviews with Tweedy, John Stirratt
John Stirratt
John Stirratt is the bassist and multi-instrumentalist for Wilco, and The Autumn Defense.Stirratt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 26, 1967 and grew up in nearby Mandeville. He attended Mandeville High School and the University of Mississippi...
, and other Wilco members, as well as manager Tony Margherita and Uncle Tupelo drummer Mike Heidorn
Mike Heidorn
Mike Heidorn, born 1967 in Belleville, Illinois, is the former drummer and founding member of alternative country bands Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt. Heidorn also played with the Uncle Tupelo precursors the Primitives and the one-off band Coffee Creek with Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy of Uncle Tupelo...
. The book's title comes from a lyric of Wilco's "War on War
War on War
"War on War" is a 2002 single by American band Wilco from their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.-Track listing:#"War on War" – 3:49#"The Good Part" – 2:47#"I'm the Man Who Loves You" – 3:36...
", which appears on their 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the fourth album by Chicago-based rock band Wilco. The album was completed in 2001, but Reprise Records, a Warner Music Group label, refused to release it. Wilco acquired the rights to the album when they left the label. In September 2001, Wilco streamed the entire album...
. It was published on June 15, 2004 by Broadway Books. The book received positive reviews from outlets such as The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
.