Description

---

A thoroughly uncensored rollercoaster ride through the riotous, tumultuous and utterly singular life and career of one of rock's most enigmatic singers—now updated with new material and a new foreword by Randall J. Blythe of Lamb of God.

A Rough Trade Book of the Year (2017)

“Must-read for any fan of both Bad Brains and their enigmatic vocalist” No Echo

This gripping oral history features H.R. himself and the people who know him best, including Ian MacKaye, Questlove and members of Sublime and the Deftones.

The spiritual leader of Bad Brains was one of the most iconic and legendary front men in punk rock and hardcore. Paul "H.R." Hudson launched his unique, ferocious vocal assault and dynamic physical showmanship with love and Rasta in his heart, along with a hopefulness seldom found in punk. His journey has been riddled with unprecedented volatility: drugs, violence, disappearances and a debilitating mental illness. The disorder was so powerful?and the suffering so severe?that it's difficult to fathom how he even survived. How could one so tremendously troubled produce such an incredible body of work and have made such an impact?

Finding Joseph I features interviews with H.R.'s family, bandmates, friends, and those he has influenced and inspired. Interviewees include members of Bad Brains, Guns N' Roses, Black Flag, Living Colour, 311, Fishbone, the Wailers, Cro-Mags, Dead Prez, Murphy's Law, P.O.D., Michael Franti & Spearhead and many more. Packed with many rare and never-before-seen images, Finding Joseph I is the definitive account of the punk rock icon.

About the Author

---

Howie Abrams is a former music business executive turned author. He co-authored Finding Joseph I: An Oral History of H.R. from Bad Brains, The Merciless Book of Metal Lists, and Hip-Hop Alphabet. He co-hosts a weekly radio show called Merciless with rapper Ill Bill.

James Lathos is a director, cinematographer, editor, and published writer living in Florida. He made his documentary debut with Finding Joseph I: The Story of Paul "H.R." Hudson.

Praise For…

---

"Must-read for any fan of both Bad Brains and their enigmatic vocalist"
— No Echo

"From their modest beginnings, the band's rise to prominence within the underground scene is meticulously documented...By collecting stories and experiences from pretty much anyone who has ever been in close contact or shared a stage with H.R. the reader really gets the impression that no stone was left unturned as the main events in his life and career all unfold chronologically."
— Classic Rock Revisited

"At his peak, H.R. was the greatest living front man in the history of rock 'n' roll. No one came even close—NO ONE—& I mean that 100%. It was simply awe-inspiring; you had to see it IN PERSON to believe and understand it. But H.R. is a complex person—there are many, many stories about him, some of which I have been told by people close to him over the years, and some from strangers. There is a mythology built up around Bad Brains and this man in particular; a word-of-mouth portrait of a shaman, trickster, humanitarian, shyster, and just flat-out crazy person (crazy as in mentally ill, not the good kind). This just-released book, by Howie Abrams and James Lathos, is an unflinching oral history of H.R., his involvement with Bad Brains, and his struggles...I highly recommend it."  
— D. Randall Blythe, Lamb of God, via Instagram