Cameron Crowe reflects on his early career as a music journalist in his new memoir, "The Uncool," released on October 28. The book offers a heartfelt look at his experiences covering iconic musicians like the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Joni Mitchell for Rolling Stone during the 1970s. Crowe, who won an Oscar for his film work, shares stories from a time when serious rock journalism was rare, allowing him unique access to artists and their private lives.

In the memoir, Crowe discusses his relationships with notable figures, including David Bowie, whom he followed as Bowie developed his Thin White Duke persona. He also portrays Jann Wenner, the founder of Rolling Stone, as a mentor with a complex dynamic. The book delves into Crowe's family life, particularly the impact of his sister Cathy’s suicide when she was 19, which he describes as part of the “odd chemistry” of his upbringing.

During a recent interview, Crowe spoke about his writing process and some of the stories that stand out to him. He recalled a moment with Led Zeppelin in Chicago, where he met a single mother who invited him to her apartment. "I watched her pay the babysitter," he wrote, capturing a poignant moment that felt real and honest.

Crowe also reflected on his early writing experiences, including a regrettable assignment with Bachman-Turner Overdrive. He admitted to feeling uncomfortable after writing a snarky piece about the band, despite their positive reaction to it. "I felt soiled by it," he said, expressing his struggle with balancing honesty and the expectations of his editors.

Another notable encounter was with John Travolta, whom Crowe interviewed in 1977. Crowe later expressed regret over his comments, which Travolta remembered years later when they met again. "You weren’t honest with yourself, were you?" Travolta told Crowe, highlighting the lasting impact of that moment on the filmmaker.

Crowe's memoir also revisits a tense interview with Gregg Allman, where Allman accused him of being a cop and took his interview tapes. Crowe described the emotional weight of that encounter, saying it felt violent and left a lasting impression on him. "I felt like I’d uncovered a wound somehow," he reflected.

The memoir includes Crowe's thoughts on artists he misjudged, such as Bob Dylan. He recounted a poorly received interview with Dylan that was never published, but years later, he had a more fruitful conversation with the musician while writing liner notes for Dylan's box set, "Biograph."

Crowe also shared his disappointment with Steve Miller, who questioned his qualifications during an interview. This encounter led Crowe to write a memo to Wenner expressing his reluctance to continue with the story.

In 2023, Wenner faced controversy after being removed from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame board following comments he made about his book "The Masters," where he only featured white male artists. Crowe's reflections in "The Uncool" provide a window into the complexities of music journalism and the relationships he built during his formative years in the industry. He continues to work on a biopic about Joni Mitchell, rumored to star Meryl Streep and Anya Taylor-Joy, and plans to release a collection of his journalism next year.