Bill Sassenberger

Bill Sassenberger was born in Springfield IL and was driven west like a tumbleweed, until he was wedged between rocks in Tucson AZ and settled down. His first book is TOXIC SHOCK Assassin of Mediocrity “A Story of Love, Loss and Loud Music”, published by Earth Island UK.

His second book is Wanderlust and Welcome Mats, the Broccoli Chronicles. This 158 page profusely illustrated full-color book covers the life of a punk rock innkeeper, as he becomes a successful author. After closing his record shop, becoming a widower and being laid off from his day job, Bill Sassenberger shares his story as he transitions into his new life as a Covid-19 era retiree, entering the world of managing short term rentals. Read about the Mushroom Lady, the Flamin' Hot Cheetos dude, the suicidal birthday party and more! Look behind the scenes of what it's like to become host to a cast of revolving strangers, renting out rooms in a historic home in the shadows of downtown Tucson. This also gives you a behind the scenes look at DIY publishing and a diary of the worldwide book tour to promote it, from the USA, Canada, Japan, Germany and the Netherlands.

Bill Sassenberger and his late wife Julianna Towns were the proprietors of Toxic Shock Records, which operated its gloriously weird store and record label at various Pomona locations from 1980 to 1988, before decamping to Tucson, Arizona where it became vital for a whole new group of outsider music fans up until its 2014 closure. Today, Bill lives in Tucson and enjoys spending his spare time traveling, collecting gimcrack and eating broccoli with his fiancee Sara.