Rod

The Autobiography

By: Rod Stewart

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The extraordinary life and career of music legend Rod Stewart, in his own words for the first time. With his soulful and singular voice, narrative songwriting, and passionate live performances Rod Stewart has paved one of the most iconic and successful music careers of all time. He was the charismatic lead singer for the trailblazing rock and roll bands The Jeff Beck Group and The Faces, and as a solo artist, the author of such beloved songs as "Maggie May," "Tonight’s the Night," "Hot Legs," "Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?," "Young Turks," "Forever Young," and "You Wear It Well." Now after more than five decades in the spotlight, he is finally ready to take a candid and romping look back at his life both on and off the stage. From his humble British roots to his hell-raising years on tour with his bandmates, not forgetting his great loves (including three marriages and eight children) and decades touring the world, Rod delivers a riveting ride through one of rock's most remarkable lives.

©2012 Rod Stewart (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Funny, self-deprecating and a whole lot less boastful than he could be, Mr. Stewart offers a string of Grade-A rock ‘n’ roll debauchery stories and…makes them charming.” (The New York Times)

“In an action-packed memoir, Stewart explains how he survived the excesses of Seventies rock stardom…full of bad behavior and enough ex-wives to fill an entire soccer side.” (Rolling Stone)

“The best news about Stewart’s autobiography is that it revives the rollicking humor and self-deprecating personality of his early career. It takes the jolly perspective of a guy who knows he’s one of the world’s luckiest men, and the result proves infectious.” (New York Daily News)

Simply lovely.

Rod writes with great style, wit, and wry humor-- and he's led an amazing life. I remember going to a concert in the early 80's and being incredibly impressed by his energy and charisma as a performer. It was one of the two most enjoyable concerts I've ever attended. While Rod has been blessed with a tremendously successful career, which has afforded him a lavish lifestyle, he remains a very down to earth, regular guy from humble beginnings in North London. This book was a lovely, fun romp!

Very entertaining

Would you consider the audio edition of Rod to be better than the print version?

yes

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh a few times

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this Autobiography. I listened in as I was going about my day. It would have been better if Rod himself was narating, but I got used to Simon after a while. Its a great insight to what was going on in those early days.

Splendid read, isn't it, darling?

I read a snippet of this book when it was featured in rolling stone several years ago and made a mental note to get to it one day. I'm a neural rod Stewart fan but quite a literary beast of rock star biographies. This had a splendid mix of classy English debauchery, cups o' tea and anal cocaine all saturated in a very gracious UK overtone. Simon Vance does a wonderful job narrating with his uplifted English brogue, stellar emphatic delivery and dramatic pauses. I now find myself quite the rod Stewart fan. Well worth a listen- and put the kettle on, will you darling?

Outstanding

Among the rock and rollers I have read so far, I enjoyed God's account of his life is a "hair" better...actually much better. Simon Vance once again does a great job creating a believable picture of God's story in the first person.

Excellent book!

Great stories, life experiences, and bad decisions Rod tells it all. If your a fan it’s a must.

Rod an autobiography

Best book I ever read,Rod is so layed back,omg I wish I could meet Rod and penny !my husband and I are disabled,this would be a dream come true,his voice is incredible,especially the killing of georgie,I watch it 2x a day...I'm not a crazed fan,we have been married 40yrs...Rod and Penny we 2 couples could get along well,we have 5 grown kids and 11grandchildren..please touch base,we are a humorous couple..all our love Chris an Maria Reinhart

Where's Rod?

I just wish Rod would have read it. I just like it better when the artist is telling the story. nothing against the narrator. he was very good.

Rod's Rock and Roll Reverie

Fun story! Excellent narrator! Lots of old rock and roll myths cleared up while providing a great look at what it takes to be truly successful in the world of sex, drugs and rock. Rod never takes himself too seriously while sharing his stories and baring his soul.

If you think he's sexy - or not - give it a go!

For a story by a rocker -- I give it a 4 out of 5.

I thought I better leave a review since this is such a new book. I listened to it in a couple of days. Do you have any interest in Rod Stewart? You must or you wouldn't be here! So, go ahead and listen. It is worth the experience and I don't regret hearing what he had to say.

The narrator is one of the best and I thought that was a really smart choice to choose him.

So, is there something negative lurking around this review? A titch.

First, I learned a LOT of amazing things about Rod that I never even knew. I had to take a second look at how many times he was married. I would say that this is the area the book that got a little too repetitive and slightly irritating. I think in one wife episode he mentions his Lamborghini a few too many times to not alert the Freudian in the reader.

I found some of the decadence a little unpleasant and/or could have been presented with more elegance, although, I have no idea how. (I wasn't expecting this to be Shakespeare and I wasn't disappointed.)

What I did like is he was not abusive to the memories of the vast plethora of women and wives. He probably could have said a whole lot more than he did, but he does have 7 children to think about who are probably reading the book. I think he struck the right balance in trying to explain the life and behavior of a modern amoral "king."

What I like the most is that, in the end, finally, he found himself and (we hope) love. I don't hang on every word in the tabloids and had not really known too much about his personal life before reading this. I was really happy that there was a positive ending to his story thus far.

My conclusion to Rod's story is this: Extreme wealth and poverty are different sides of the same coin. Finding oneself is the same journey for all and just as hard for the rich as for the poor. The meaning and the closeness with his family and the strength learned from his humble beginnings is what helped him find himself in his later years.

So, yes, listen to it! If you have been touched as much as I have by his music then we owe him at least another listen to this, his story. I also give him a lot of credit for telling his story when he probably, absolutely, does not need the money.

Light, life and love to a great musician who has been a special part of the fabric of many of our lives.

One of the Best Bio's....

What made the experience of listening to Rod the most enjoyable?

I have been a huge Rod fan since for many years and was very excited when I saw this come out. This is a great bio from a great performer, but the humor in the book was outstanding. I found myself literally laughing out loud in my car at various points in the audio.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

I flet like it was Rod's voice throughout the entire listen. Exceptional narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES - once again, it has so much humor in it that I couldnt wait to hear Rod's next story or just his presentation of the event. Some of it was not so much the event itself, as it was his take on it. The book also comments on other British bands that were just getting started such as The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and how American singers such as Muddy Waters influenced their music.

Any additional comments?

I would say that if you are a Rod Stewart fan, this would be a must. If you are not, it is still a great listen. Getting a first hand look at the British invasion groups and the great story behind it is great.