Tougher than Leather: The Authorized Biography of Run-DMC
New York: Signet, 1987.
First edition. Signed by author Bill Adler on the dedication page with the inscription, "8-14-87 To Steve, from his old pal Adler, who's finally found a job he likes (and I don't mean p.r.). Love, Adler." 192 pp. with 16 pages of photos. Bound in publisher's wraps. Very Good, typical shelfwear and rubbing along edges, faint crease to spine, pages toned with age. One of the very first books devoted to hip-hop, a biography of the first superstars of rap, Run-DMC, written by the music industry figure and producer who wrote the group's hit song "Christmas in Hollis." His archive of hip hop material spanning 1970-2013 is held by Cornell University Library. A very early example of hip-hop in book form, published at a time when rap was still dismissed by many as a novelty.
Price: $950