Book Review: "Rod, The Autobiography" By Rod Stewart

                                                                 

If you ever wondered what it would be like to be born into a working class family and then evolve into a Mega Rock and Roll Star with more money than you could ever have imagined, then this is the book you need to read. In this autobiography, Rod Stewart holds very little back in describing his incredible career and his more incredible personal life. He is the prototype of what life is like when you are a rock and roll supper star. I recently read and published several book reviews of epic superstars including Eric Clapton, Steven Tyler and Keith Richards, and they all share some common characteristics.  First and foremost, they are all survivors. They knew what their destiny was, and they let nothing including drugs, lifestyle and limited financial resources stop them from achieving their dreams. Financial success was not the driving force motivating them. They were all driven by an unrelenting drive to create, play and perform music. However, when success and money did arrive, they could never get enough of the life style that money and public success brought.

As written in Rod Stewart's autobiography, his personality reminded me, in some way to Keith Richards. They both were totally happy being submerged in music. While they both enjoyed the financial rewards that success brought, they never lost contact with where they came from and who they were.

I found the stories that Rod wrote about some famous musicians very interesting.  Rod's life story in his own words rings of honesty you don't usually get from other biographies of famous people. Much like Keith Richards, Rod Stewart has remained true to his working class upbringing.
                                                                        Book Review
                                         The Music Man Awards this book "3 Quarter Notes"

                                                    4 Quarter Notes= Excellent, Must read
                                                    3 Quarter Notes= Good Read
                                                    2 Quarter Notes= Somewhat Interesting
                                                    1 Quarter Notes= Save Your Time And Money

Book Review: Steven Tyler's Autobiography: "Does the Noise In My Head Bother You?"

When I decided to read Steven Tyler's autobiography "Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?", I really did not know what to expect other than Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll.  I was not disappointed but Tyler's book also gives us a very honest and frank look into more than Steven Tyler "The Rock Star". It also gives us an up close look at Steven Tyler "The Person".  While it seemed like Steven was having a lot of fun talking his way through his past life for this book, I believe that he did reveal the more real person under all the star trappings.  Along the way, Tyler colorfully tells us abut his life of debauchery, sex and drugs in a very off the cuff manner. Tyler wrote this book with the help of David Dalton, the founding editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.  Dalton did an remarkable job of organizing and making sense out of the constantly changing thoughts that seem to just pour out of Tyler. At times, Tyler seemed to be in a stream of conciseness with the clear purpose of playing with the reader's head. But that said, clearly Steven Tyler knows who he is, where he has been and where he still wants to go.

 Steven Tyler is highly intelligent as well as talented.  He knew what he wanted and he was willing to pay the price to get it. Tyler's description of his important and complicated relationship with his creative partner Joe Perry was fascinating.  Seems like most of the legendary rock bands of the 60's, 70's and 80's were defined by at least one strong partnership like Paul and John and Mick & Keith and of course,  Tyler and Perry.

This is the third "Rock Star" autobiography that I have read recently and still don't understand why with all of their outstanding musical and performing talents they all needed to immerse themselves in  drugs and alcohol to reach their creative highs? It's interesting to note that all three, Keith, Eric and Steven have been clean for years now and are still producing some talented and creative work without the "creative inspiration" of drugs or alcohol.

Music Man Awards This Book "3 Quarter Notes"

4 Quarter Notes= Excellent Book, Must Read
3 Quarter Notes= Good Book
2 Quarter Notes= Somewhat Interesting
1 Quarter Note=  Save You Time and Money