SPILL BOOK REVIEW: MELISSA AUF DER MAUR – EVEN THE GOOD GIRLS WILL CRY: A ’90S ROCK MEMOIR

MELISSA AUF DER MAUR – EVEN THE GOOD GIRLS WILL CRY: A ’90S ROCK MEMOIR

DA CAPO/GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

BOOK REVIEW BY TRISH MELANSON

Women finally emerged as a force in rock music in the 80s, led by trailblazers such as Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, and Ann and Nancy Wilson. By the time the grunge and alternative scene began to take hold in the 90s, it was inevitable that women would emerge as a force there as well. L7, Bikini Kill, The Breeders were definite leaders in the pack, but at the head of it was inarguably the iconic Hole – and no one had a better seat on that ride than Hole’s bass player, Melissa auf der Maur.

In Even the Good Girls Will Cry, auf der Maur shares her origin stories growing up in Montréal, the daughter of Linda Gaboriau, a staunch female activist and a journalist, who was key in shaping auf der Maur’s independent spirit and instilling in her a sense of empowerment of women. She was also the first female rock DJ on Montreal’s CHOM FM, a pioneer rock radio station in North America, first taking to the airwaves in 1969. Her father Nick auf der Maur was also a well-known CBC journalist and politician, whom Melissa also shared a close relationship with. From her incredible rise to fame from the burgeoning rock scene in her hometown, to being bass player for iconic Hole, to eventually joining Smashing Pumpkins on their final tour, auf der Maur chronicles her critical role in ‘90s grunge and alternative music as a female role model and inspiration.

But her goal here is not to spill the tea. Melissa auf der Maur has written this book “for my daughter River, and all the girls.” “I’m in it for the mission to get more women in rock.” For the most part, the memoir focuses primarily on the period from 1991 to 2001, exploring in particular her relationship with Courtney Love. It is clear that the relationship was one of mutual admiration. Auf der Maur was a beacon of stability, a life preserver in the maelstrom that was Love. And throughout, her narrative steadfastly portrays not only Love but all of the people in her life with humanity and empathy. “They were not rock gods to me. They were humans first, which meant far more.” Humans first and foremost, portrayed always with empathy, always with tenderness, always with deep understanding, and always with sense of hope. In describing tense moments on stage with Love, “In these moments, I know exactly why I am here: to help create music that will hold us all. And for women to be leading this ritual for all who need it.” The women in her life are not competition but inspiration.

Even the Good Girls Will Cry is an absolute page turner. In describing her incredible journey, one of amazing coincidences and synchronicity, auf der Maur combines her vivid, raw, and intimate anecdotes in ways that are at times humorous, at times heart-wrenching, but always inspiring. She is highly reflective and always grounded. Her accomplishments are innumerable and she remains true to herself from the first page to the last, telling only the story that is “hers to tell.” Written in beautiful, poetic prose, she will take you on a wild ride that will entertain you, will sadden you, but will most definitely inspire you.

ISBN-10: 0306833751
ISBN-13: 978-0306833755

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