Keith Rowe: The Room Extended

Brian Olewnick, 2018

Overview

This is the first and only authorized biography of Keith Rowe, exploring his solo career and his significant influence as the guitarist in the seminal improvised music band AMM. AMM, a group admired by figures like Syd Barrett, Sonic Youth, and Christian Wolff, was founded in London in 1965 by musicians seeking to revolutionize music creation. They rejected traditional structures, embracing improvisation with no repertoire, solos, regular rhythms, or melodies, and a fearless use of silence. Keith Rowe, a founding member, adapted his painterly approach to the guitar, treating it as a sound source manipulated with various implements, pioneering a new territory of exploration influential in rock, contemporary classical, and free improvisation.

Who it's for

• Fans of experimental and improvised music.
• Readers interested in the history of mid-60s London music scenes.
• Musicians and artists exploring unconventional creative approaches.

Key features

• Hardcover edition.
• 500 pages.
• Published by Simon & Schuster in 2018.
• ISBN: 9781576878644.
• Dimensions: 218x215 mm.