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)

What a LIFE!

I absolutely loved this book!
It was easy to read and full of stories involving names and people you’ve heard about for years yet never had this kind of insight on. Fantastic book would recommend to anyone for a lively bit of reading!

slow start, but quite enjoyable once you get into

I will admit, I had heard that the book was quite enjoyable. I wasn't sure at what point of his career he had started the book.....it starts with him at. a very young age. it takes a slow start and awhile to get into it......but I quite enjoyed his life

One of the best music autobiographies I have read!

I only have one Rod Stewart album, but I like music biographies so I thought I would give this a go. I was pleasantly surprised. As well as very interesting, I found it to be incredibly funny as well. At times when listening I would just burst out laughing at some of the stories.

It gives an excellent overview of his life from his childhood, to his early career with Long John Baldrey, The Jeff Beck Group, The Faces and then to his solo career. Overall it is fantastic, I have seen him interviewed but he is much more articulate in this book.

I think even the casual listener would get a lot out of this book.

Lucky Talented Bast@rd

He comes across as the Rod you've known all these years- glib, mildly shallow, and overprivileged- and you end up somehow loving him for it anyway. Like you are pulling for him. I guess it's his balance of unapologetic wringing out every drop of life's fortunes one can, and also realizing that it is just that- fortune. And a superb voice. Go Rod! You are now officially forgiven for "Sexy."

great read!

What did you love best about Rod?

It's Rod Stewart what's not to like. I Loved it all! I'm an even bigger fan now then I was.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rod Stewart because his music is great!

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

anything about the songs do ya think I'm sexy and Maggie May. Anything about the 80's.

Any additional comments?

wish Rod would have narrated.

Immersive and great fun!

As a Rod Stewart fan, I purchased the hardback book when it was first released, however, due to lack of time, I didn’t finish reading it. I was so happy to see it available on Audible! I think the British gravely voiced narrator was an excellent choice. I already knew much of the Stewart story, but I found myself truly immersed. I listened in long stretches of time over a few days, and something about hearing the life story of my music idol in this way made me feel part of the story. We all know that music is story telling, and I’m glad this musician told his story!

Rock & Roll Shenanigans

I struggled with the narration for a while and it would have been great to have Rod reading. But after a few chapters, I got used to Simon Vance and just enjoyed the rock & roll shenanigans.

Great story, fantastic narrator.

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

I have been a Rod Stewart fan since the early 70's, the stories of how he and his bands got together and their times together were very enlightening and enjoyable. Rod is honest about his foibles and shortcomings, he has had way too much fun for one person.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Simon Vance is absolutely one of the very best narrators out there, the story of the life and times of Rod Stewart was a perfect match for such a fantastic narrating talent.

Just finished the book

One only has to dive deep back into the time with the 70s and 80s to remember just how good a voice and the great videos that Rod Stewart made. I had not kept up with him for the last 25 years but I’m glad to see he’s lived such a charmed life it was a great book I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’ve been spending time going back to his old videos and his MTV unplugged episode from the early 90s. It was quite a ride Rod…Thank you.

Great Story Great Life

I truly enjoyed hearing the life and times of Sir Rod Stewart! Been a fan since I was a kid hearing my mom play his music. Was great to hear stories of his life and stories behind the great songs. If you are a fan or if not, give this great story a listen!