Daisy Jones and the Six A Novel
8.38 / 10 1.9M ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2019
- Publisher
- Penguin Random House
- Pages
- 368
- ISBN
- 9781786331502
Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six. But nobody knows the reason they split up at the absolute height of their popularity, until now. Daisy is a girl coming of age in late sixties Los Angeles, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip and dreaming of singing rock and roll. By the time she's twenty, her voice is getting noticed. Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. When a producer realizes the key to success is to put the two together, the combustible chemistry of Daisy and Billy catapults the band to legendary status.
Told in the form of an oral history, this novel chronicles the whirlwind rise and infamous implosion of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. It is a story about the reckless abandon of the era, the creative friction that can produce great art, and the brutal cost of fame. What follows is the definitive account of what truly happened, revealing the mystery behind the music and the personalities that created a legend.
Told in the form of an oral history, this novel chronicles the whirlwind rise and infamous implosion of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. It is a story about the reckless abandon of the era, the creative friction that can produce great art, and the brutal cost of fame. What follows is the definitive account of what truly happened, revealing the mystery behind the music and the personalities that created a legend.
Subjects
- Literature & Fiction
- Genre Fiction
- Subjects
- Literary
- Historical
- Anthologies
- Business & Money
- Romance
- Contemporary
- United States
- Women's Fiction
- Politics & Social Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Fiction
- Industries
- Music
- Contemporary Women
- Performing Arts
- Women
- Biographical
- Man-woman relationships
- 20th Century
- Individual Composer & Musician
- Fiction, historical
- Cultural Heritage
- City Life
- Sagas
- FICTION
- New York Times bestseller
- New York Times reviewed
- Man-woman relationships, fiction
- Sports & Entertainment
Original edition
Daisy Jones & The Six A NovelOriginally published in 2019 English National Geographic Books
Other editions (16)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
The air in the Laurel Canyon of the 1970s hummed with a specific kind of electricity, a raw energy that drew dreamers and rebels alike. Among them were the Dunne Brothers, a band from Pittsburgh, who, under the charismatic and often volatile leadership of Billy Dunne, sought to carve their name into the rock and roll landscape. They became The Six, a tight unit fueled by Graham Dunne's steady guitar, Karen Sirko's cool keyboards, Eddie Roundtree's simmering bass, and Warren Rojas's drumming, all while Billy wrestled with the siren call of addiction and the quiet steadfastness of his love for Camila, who would become his wife.
Meanwhile, across the city, Daisy Jones was a force of nature unto herself. Born into privilege but left largely to her own devices, she drifted through the Sunset Strip, her beauty captivating, her voice a raw, untamed instrument. She wrote songs that spilled from her soul, refusing to bend to the will of record executives who wanted to package her. Her path, seemingly destined for a solo ascent, soon intertwined with that of The Six.
The collision truly began with a song. Billy, newly sober and a devoted father, penned a track, "Honeycomb," that needed something more, a feminine counterpoint to his own gruff honesty. It was producer Teddy Price, a visionary who saw the spark in both Daisy and The Six, who orchestrated their collaboration. The moment Daisy and Billy's voices first mingled in the studio was electric, undeniable, and fraught with a dangerous chemistry. They clashed, they sparred, but together, they created something legendary. The Six became Daisy Jones & The Six, and the world was about to listen.
Their debut album, "Aurora," was a masterpiece forged in the fires of creative tension and unspoken longing. Daisy, a supernova of talent, and Billy, a man tethered by his family yet constantly drawn to Daisy's wild flame, poured their very souls into the music. Every lyric, every harmony, vibrated with their complicated connection. While Daisy plunged deeper into drug use, often encouraged by her brief, ill-fated marriage to Niccolo Argento, Billy fought daily to maintain his sobriety, his commitment to Camila a fragile anchor in the turbulent waters of fame.
The "Aurora" world tour was a dizzying ascent into superstardom, but beneath the roar of the crowds and the flashing lights, the band began to fray. The unspoken feelings between Daisy and Billy pulsed, a dangerous current threatening to pull them apart, or worse, consume them both. Arguments simmered, resentments brewed, particularly from Eddie, the bassist, who felt perpetually overshadowed by Billy. Karen and Graham, too, wrestled with their own clandestine love, a relationship ultimately doomed by differing visions of the future.
The climax arrived on July 12, 1979, at their sold-out Chicago Stadium show. The performance was explosive, a raw outpouring of all the passion, pain, and talent that had defined them. But backstage, the fragile bonds snapped. Camila, Billy's steadfast wife, confronted Daisy, her words a quiet, powerful plea for Daisy to choose life, to choose sobriety, and to let Billy be the man she needed him to be for their daughters. Daisy, recognizing the truth in Camila's gaze, made a decision.
That night, Daisy Jones walked away from the band, a note left for her bewildered bandmates. Billy, faced with his own relapse and the stark reality of his choices, also stepped back. The Six dissolved at the peak of their fame, leaving behind a legacy of iconic music and unanswered questions that would echo for decades.
Years later, an interviewer sought out every member of the band, their inner circle, and their loved ones, piecing together the fragmented memories into a sprawling oral history. It was then revealed that the interviewer was Julia Dunne, Billy and Camila's eldest daughter, seeking to understand the story that had shaped her own life.
In the years that followed, Daisy found sobriety, built a life, and adopted children, her voice finding new avenues for expression. Billy remained with Camila, dedicating himself to his family, a quiet testament to enduring love. Karen continued to make music, a rock and roll survivor, while Graham found the family life he'd always yearned for. And in a final, poignant revelation, a letter from Camila, written before her passing, urged Billy to reach out to Daisy Jones, a silent acknowledgment of the profound, complicated connection that had always existed between them, a love that transcended the simple definitions.
Meanwhile, across the city, Daisy Jones was a force of nature unto herself. Born into privilege but left largely to her own devices, she drifted through the Sunset Strip, her beauty captivating, her voice a raw, untamed instrument. She wrote songs that spilled from her soul, refusing to bend to the will of record executives who wanted to package her. Her path, seemingly destined for a solo ascent, soon intertwined with that of The Six.
The collision truly began with a song. Billy, newly sober and a devoted father, penned a track, "Honeycomb," that needed something more, a feminine counterpoint to his own gruff honesty. It was producer Teddy Price, a visionary who saw the spark in both Daisy and The Six, who orchestrated their collaboration. The moment Daisy and Billy's voices first mingled in the studio was electric, undeniable, and fraught with a dangerous chemistry. They clashed, they sparred, but together, they created something legendary. The Six became Daisy Jones & The Six, and the world was about to listen.
Their debut album, "Aurora," was a masterpiece forged in the fires of creative tension and unspoken longing. Daisy, a supernova of talent, and Billy, a man tethered by his family yet constantly drawn to Daisy's wild flame, poured their very souls into the music. Every lyric, every harmony, vibrated with their complicated connection. While Daisy plunged deeper into drug use, often encouraged by her brief, ill-fated marriage to Niccolo Argento, Billy fought daily to maintain his sobriety, his commitment to Camila a fragile anchor in the turbulent waters of fame.
The "Aurora" world tour was a dizzying ascent into superstardom, but beneath the roar of the crowds and the flashing lights, the band began to fray. The unspoken feelings between Daisy and Billy pulsed, a dangerous current threatening to pull them apart, or worse, consume them both. Arguments simmered, resentments brewed, particularly from Eddie, the bassist, who felt perpetually overshadowed by Billy. Karen and Graham, too, wrestled with their own clandestine love, a relationship ultimately doomed by differing visions of the future.
The climax arrived on July 12, 1979, at their sold-out Chicago Stadium show. The performance was explosive, a raw outpouring of all the passion, pain, and talent that had defined them. But backstage, the fragile bonds snapped. Camila, Billy's steadfast wife, confronted Daisy, her words a quiet, powerful plea for Daisy to choose life, to choose sobriety, and to let Billy be the man she needed him to be for their daughters. Daisy, recognizing the truth in Camila's gaze, made a decision.
That night, Daisy Jones walked away from the band, a note left for her bewildered bandmates. Billy, faced with his own relapse and the stark reality of his choices, also stepped back. The Six dissolved at the peak of their fame, leaving behind a legacy of iconic music and unanswered questions that would echo for decades.
Years later, an interviewer sought out every member of the band, their inner circle, and their loved ones, piecing together the fragmented memories into a sprawling oral history. It was then revealed that the interviewer was Julia Dunne, Billy and Camila's eldest daughter, seeking to understand the story that had shaped her own life.
In the years that followed, Daisy found sobriety, built a life, and adopted children, her voice finding new avenues for expression. Billy remained with Camila, dedicating himself to his family, a quiet testament to enduring love. Karen continued to make music, a rock and roll survivor, while Graham found the family life he'd always yearned for. And in a final, poignant revelation, a letter from Camila, written before her passing, urged Billy to reach out to Daisy Jones, a silent acknowledgment of the profound, complicated connection that had always existed between them, a love that transcended the simple definitions.
What other readers say
Liked
Reviews for Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones & The Six largely praise its immersive quality and unique narrative approach. Many readers were captivated by the story, which is presented as an oral history through interview transcripts, making a fictional 1970s rock band feel incredibly real and authentic. Reviewers frequently commend the author's meticulous research and skill in crafting complex, nuanced characters and relationships, drawing readers deeply into their world. The book is celebrated for its raw and emotional storytelling, effectively capturing the spirit of the era's rock 'n' roll scene and delving into themes of fame, creativity, and the devastating nature of addiction with sensitivity and hope. The strong, dynamic female characters and the exploration of women's experiences also resonated positively with many.
Disliked
However, some readers found the interview transcript format to be a drawback, leading to a sense of detachment or a "tell, don't show" narrative that lacked emotional immersion. A segment of the audience felt the story was boring, repetitive, or that the plot lacked a clear objective, particularly finding some characters unlikable, irritating, or underdeveloped. Concerns were raised that the story, despite its build-up, delivered an unspectacular or unsatisfying ending for some. Additionally, a few reviewers felt the book dragged in parts or that the overall narrative wasn't fleshed out enough.
In short
Overall, Daisy Jones & The Six is highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, fictional memoirs, and the drama of the 1970s rock 'n' roll era. It is especially praised for its audiobook version, which features a full cast and is frequently described as the definitive way to experience the story, bringing the characters and their world vividly to life. Those who appreciate unique narrative structures, stories about the music industry, and complex explorations of human relationships and addiction will likely find this book a captivating read, while those who prefer traditional narrative styles or universally likable characters might approach it with caution.
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