‘Being an outsider created the artists we love’: Director Cameron Crowe previews memoir ‘The Uncool’

Cameron Crowe, the iconic director behind “Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” is debuting his memoir, “The Uncool.”

His book chronicles how his passion for music and storytelling drove him to chase his dreams and celebrates the power of not fitting in.

The story behind ‘The Uncool’

Crowe told “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio that the title comes from famous rock critic Lester Bangs, whom he met when he was around 16 years old.

“He said to me something that I never forgot, which is: ‘If you didn’t feel included in your school and you weren’t the popular one, don’t feel bad, because a lot of the music that you love was created by people that felt like they were outsiders too,'” Crowe shared. “And he would say, almost as a rallying cry, ‘Come on, man, we’re uncool. Let’s not try and be anything else. That’s us.’ And to me, I guess privately, I always thought that was one of the coolest things I’d ever heard.”

Crowe noted many famous singers were once considered “uncool.”

“I did like the idea that being an outsider created so many of the artists that we love and still remember, from David Bowie and Tom Petty, and even the guys in Pearl Jam. I think you become somebody who music speaks to, and that’s what makes you feel like you’re a part of the world, and you find your voice in the world, and music guides you there. So that’s kind of the path I’ve always followed,” he said.

His book gives readers an exclusive glimpse into his creative journey and the stars he met along the way.

“I just feel like I’ve been on a fan’s journey. And it’s kind of what I always end up writing about, is let’s put you in the seat next to me, because I was lucky enough to be there and see some of this stuff and see somebody like Tom Petty as he’s finding his voice in the world. And so, here sit next to me. I’m going to write about it so that you feel you get a front row seat too,” Crowe shared.

Fans can catch Crowe’s book tour tonight, November 17, at Benaroya Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.