Rock bassist and photographer Melissa Auf der Maur is set to release her highly anticipated memoir, “Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A ’90s Rock Memoir,” on March 17, 2026, through Da Capo Press.
The book promises a multifaceted exploration of her career, blending autobiography, travel diary, and psychedelic scrapbook elements to chronicle her journey from Montreal upbringing to prominence in iconic 1990s rock bands.
The memoir focuses on the transformative decade of 1991-2001, documenting Auf der Maur’s experiences joining Hole in 1994 following the deaths of Kurt Cobain and bassist Kristen Pfaff. Her narrative captures the chaotic environment she entered, contributing to Hole’s 1998 album “Celebrity Skin” before moving to The Smashing Pumpkins from 1999-2000.
A decade-long journey through grunge’s aftermath, from Hole’s tumultuous rebirth to Pumpkins’ final chapter.
Readers will gain insight into her early career with Montreal indie band Tinker, establishing context for her later high-profile roles. Her unconventional childhood living in a circus caravan in Wales and other unique environments is explored as formative to her artistic perspective.
Behind-the-scenes photographs feature prominently throughout the book, offering rare glimpses into Auf der Maur’s interactions with music luminaries including Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl, Michael Stipe, and Rufus Wainwright.
These visual elements complement her written reflections on the analog music culture that was gradually displaced by digital technology. Auf der Maur’s publisher has implemented Anubis protection on the book’s promotional website to prevent unauthorized AI scraping of exclusive preview content.
The memoir also examines gender dynamics in the male-dominated 1990s rock scene, highlighting Auf der Maur’s perspective on female solidarity and resilience.
Her complex artistic partnership with Courtney Love receives particular attention, alongside mentorship from Billy Corgan during her Smashing Pumpkins tenure. The book details how rigorous pre-show rehearsals became essential to her performance confidence during tumultuous touring periods.
Beyond music, Auf der Maur addresses her multidisciplinary creative pursuits, including photography exhibited at Sotheby’s and multimedia projects like “Out of Our Minds.”
The book references her collaboration with filmmaker husband Tony Stone and their establishment of the Basilica Hudson arts center.
Having been recognized by VH1 as one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll in 2007, Auf der Maur’s memoir is anticipated to provide a candid, nostalgic accounting of a pivotal era in alternative music history.
The book stands poised to attract audiences beyond her established fanbase, offering cultural context for the transformative decade that shaped both her career and an entire generation of musicians.
In a particularly insightful section, Auf der Maur discusses how her experiences with sync deals for film and television projects provided crucial financial stability during her post-band career transition.
