Writing an acknowledgments page for your first book is like sending out wedding invitations: There are people you have to include, people you should include, and lots of people you want to include but can’t because how the hell are you going to fit them all inside the same banquet hall? This page is a frustratingly small banquet hall.
This book would not have been possible without my agent, Anthony Mattero, the only person who ever decided to work with me because I’m a Counting Crows fan. (My love of the Adam Duritz songbook usually ends relationships, not starts them.) I’m also eternally grateful to my editor, Malin von Euler-Hogan, for her belief in this project, her hard work in seeing it through, and her tolerance of my criticism of Conan O’Brien and Christina Aguilera.
Writing a book can be very lonely, so kind and patient consiglieres are vital for maintaining sanity. The following people provided invaluable insight and support when I needed it: Chuck Klosterman, Shea Serrano, Dave Holmes, Steve Gorman, Jeff Weiss, Sean Fennessey, Mark Lisanti, Timothy Showalter, Bob Mehr, Ian Cohen, and Mike Powell. My most trusted consultant was the nicest man in rock criticism, Rob Sheffield, who was always available to read my latest chapter and whose enthusiasm for the book was restorative.
I want to thank the people who have hired me over the years. Ed Berthiaume hooked me up with my first paycheck as a writer, for a review of U2’s Zooropa, when I was fifteen. Seven years later, he hired me again as a features reporter at the Post-Crescent. Josh Modell made my dream come true when he hired me to edit the Milwaukee edition of the A.V. Club, and then he promoted me to national music editor. Dan Kois kindly got me in touch with Mark Lisanti, who gave me my first assignment for Grantland. Bill Simmons and Dan Fierman later brought me on full-time.
The following albums were essential for inspiring me during the writing of this book: Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Kurt Vile’s Wakin on a Pretty Daze.
Thank you to my power trio of siblings: Paul, Breanna, and Erin. Thank you to my fabulous in-laws: Fred and Mary; Ang, Matt, and Moses; Jonathan and Michelle; and the spouse patrol, Margaret and John. Thank you to my mom for raising me and always being there and teaching me to love the Packers.
I’m lucky to have so many wonderful friends, family members, coworkers, and confidants that have made me the person I am. Many of you are mentioned—though not always named, mostly for your benefit—in this book. I thank you all.
This book, like everything else in my life, is for Val and Hen.