The makers of hit HBO TV series 'The Wire'' have turned their attention from the death of the American dream to another institution fallen on hard times -- the music industry.

The show's makers have bought the rights to the book 'Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age,' a tome written by Rolling Stone journalist Steve Knopper which charts the industry's spectacular freefall in recent times.

The book looks at the last 30 years of the music industry, from the adoption of the CD to the boom times of the 80s and 90s, and the subsequent crash blamed on internet piracy and peer-to-peer filesharing.

"It's a rise and fall story of a once, very incredibly healthy, great, rich, throwing its weight and money around kind of industry, that is no longer quite as grand," explained the writer.

Knopper told BBC 6 Music he wanted the input of some musicians in the story. "Since the book came out I have heard from some musicians who have liked it and I would think, philosophically, hopefully many would want to be attached to a project like this.

"Of course, you never know. Some of these guys already have labels and don't want to burn any bridges. I criticise the record labels pretty harshly in my book," he said.

Playwright Victoria Stewart is reportedly already writing an adaptation of the book for HBO.