Larry Sloman

Larry "Ratso" Sloman is an American author and journalist known for his work in music journalism and celebrity collaborations. His nickname was bestowed by folk singer Joan Baez, who noted his resemblance to Dustin Hoffman's character in Midnight Cowboy. During the 1970s, Sloman established himself as a prominent music journalist, writing for major publications including Rolling Stone, Crawdaddy, and Creem. He later gained recognition for his detailed account of Bob Dylan's 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour in his book "On the Road with Bob Dylan." Sloman has collaborated with numerous high-profile figures, most notably co-writing Howard Stern's bestselling books "Private Parts" and "Miss America." His creative partnerships also extended to the music industry, where he co-wrote songs with Welsh musician John Cale for multiple albums including "Caribbean Sunset" and "Artificial Intelligence." A recurring figure in Kinky Friedman's mystery novels, Sloman appears as a Watson-like character to Friedman's Sherlock Holmes, further demonstrating his versatility across different literary genres. His work consistently intersects with significant figures in both music and popular culture.

Readers view Sloman as a diligent chronicler who embeds himself in his subjects' worlds to capture insider details. His collaborations with celebrities like Howard Stern and Mike Tyson have over 4.0/5 ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. Readers praise: - Deep research and first-hand accounts - Ability to channel celebrity voices authentically - Candid behind-the-scenes revelations - Humor and engaging narrative style Common criticisms: - Sometimes wanders into tangents - Can focus too much on peripheral characters - Occasional repetition of anecdotes His Howard Stern collaboration "Private Parts" maintains 4.5/5 on Amazon (2,100+ reviews) and 4.2/5 on Goodreads (8,000+ ratings). "Undisputed Truth" with Mike Tyson holds 4.7/5 on Amazon (1,800+ reviews). One Goodreads reviewer noted: "Sloman captures the raw energy and chaos without losing the story thread." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "He lets his subjects speak but knows when to add context."

Reefer Madness: The History of Marijuana in America (1979) A comprehensive examination of marijuana's cultural and legal history in the United States, covering its criminalization and social impact.

On the Road with Bob Dylan (1978) A first-hand account of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour, documenting the performances, backstage moments, and interactions between musicians.

Private Parts (1993, with Howard Stern) Howard Stern's autobiographical work detailing his rise in radio broadcasting and personal life experiences.

Miss America (1995, with Howard Stern) A follow-up to Private Parts that chronicles additional aspects of Howard Stern's career and perspectives.

Steal This Dream (1998) A biographical account of 1960s activist Abbie Hoffman, based on interviews and personal documents.

The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero (2006, with William Kalush) A detailed biography of Harry Houdini exploring both his public performances and private investigations.

Scar Tissue (2004, with Anthony Kiedis) An autobiography of Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis chronicling his life and music career.

Mysterious Stranger (2010, with Mike Davis and David Blaine) A biographical work examining magician David Blaine's life, performances, and methods.

Kinky Friedman writes mystery novels featuring real-life characters from the music and entertainment world, similar to Sloman's insider perspective. His work combines humor with deep knowledge of the music industry and countercultural figures.

Peter Guralnick focuses on detailed music journalism and biographical works about iconic musicians, particularly in roots music and rock. He documents musical history through extensive research and firsthand accounts, similar to Sloman's approach with the Rolling Thunder Revue.

Nick Tosches writes about music, culture, and biography with an emphasis on underground scenes and controversial figures. His work combines journalism with literary elements, documenting both mainstream and counterculture movements.

Dave Marsh specializes in rock criticism and music biography, with particular focus on Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. His writing style combines cultural analysis with insider access to musicians and their circles.

David Ritz collaborates with musicians and celebrities on autobiographies and memoirs, working as a ghostwriter and co-author. His work spans multiple genres and focuses on capturing authentic voices of his subjects through extensive interviews and research.