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)

Didn't hide a thing

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

He's so funny!!! I had no idea. He doesn't take himself too seriously, but he knows what's important. He owned up to his mistakes and the lessons learned it life. It was refreshing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rod?

Too many to list. It was a little slow at the beginning but once it got going it was one great story after another. I think the "feuds" with Elton John were hysterical.

What three words best describe Simon Vance’s performance?

character, funny, charming

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

My big little 'ol life

Any additional comments?

Simon Vance did a great job, but I would have loved to hear Rod read it.

Wish it was more about the music.

I liked this book but wish that Rod had read it himself and that it focused more on the music and less on Rod's womanizing and sexual conquests. Still, it's very well-written and worth the time.

This Autobiography is equal to Maggie Mae in quality and Entertainment.

Rod Stewart is a mega star who never lost his blue collar perspective from which he came. His humor and frankness made this a very enjoyable listen.

Funny and real wit and wisdom.

Great real stories. Some you would expect with wit and charm, and others that may surprise you with how much Rod shaped popular music. He does not say this, but every chapter gives you a "oh yah" when you remember decades of songs that were with you for the last 40 plus years. Well done mr Stewart.

Good book

I usually do not read bio’s of celebrates. But all the reviews were very good and as I am a fan of Rod Stewart I was like okay. It was a very good book. I really enjoyed the parts of his telling of his friendship with Elton John, who I am also a fan. I am glad that both men seem as real as you see of them. I was so impressed with the telling of his past relationships and things that did not always go as planned how Rod Stewart never said a bad thing about one woman or experience that he had. He spoke very highly of all the woman and unfortunate things and took blame equally if not most. That to me is a sign a true person, and in this case gentleman. It was a good journey and I could remember a lot of the things that he talked about. Go ahead and get this book you will be glad of it and you just might get to know little more about Rod Stewart and enjoy a truly fine biography with some laughs and smiles along the way. The narration was excellent. At times you thought you were listening to Mr. Stewart. Thank you for a good book.

Peggyd

Fantastic Read and Listen!!

I received this book as a gift several years ago. I had read a few chapters and then placed on my bookshelf. I found it on audible and purchased to listen. I got the book out and started reading it again and listening on my walks. Rod is one my favorite entertainers and thoroughly enjoyed this book! So happy that he’s found happiness with Penny❤️

Jack the Lad

If you have ever wondered what the British term "Jack the Lad" means (as in, "I was very much Jack-the-lad in my twenties"), this book provides an extended definition. It means behaving like Rod Stewart, who has managed to maintain the stance for nigh unto seventy years. Rod (or his ghostwriter) has shaped an amusing, self-deprecating, lively narrative, long on anecdote and short on self-reflection, that rolls merrily along and does not overstay its welcome. Nor does it peer too closely into the darker corners of rock stardom, or the prolonged adolescence of its hero. Why should it? Rod the Mod is, he reminds us, an entertainer first and foremost. Looking round at his generational cohort, and their success at re-packaging their lives as beacons of boomers' youth (Pete Townshend, Keith Richards and Neil Young are a few who have had successful memoirs lately), he may well have decided to cash in. It's not even irritating when he fetches up at the end with an earnest tease for ... a new album, coming out this spring. Exasperating, but part of the bad-boy charm.

One of the (perhaps) unintentional running gags in this memoir is Mr. Stewart's persistent habit of marrying/having children by a tall, blonde underwear model. I use the singular because I googled Britt Ekland, Alana Stewart, Kelly Emberg, Rachel Hunter and Penny Lancaster and they all look exactly alike. One hopes all those kids take after their mothers.

The narrator, Simon Vance, deserves a special shout-out for conveying exactly the right tone without being intrusive. I am most used to listening to Mr. Vance as I make my way through Anthony Trollope's vast oeuvre, so to find him here amid amps and microphones was both funny and reassuring.

A Brilliant Autobiography

At times the reader made you feel like you were listening to Rod read this great book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I loved it!

If you could sum up Rod in three words, what would they be?

Funny, Talented and a Cad

What did you like best about this story?

I liked his truthfulness and his ability to take accountability for his lifestyle. He treated most of the women in his life like hell and he got it thrown back to him with Rachel Hunter. I thought it was very well thought out and interesting. I loved hearing about his early days in the music industry, his influences and how his love for his family shaped him into the person he is today. I really enjoyed this book!

Funny and entertaining

This book had me laughing from start to finish. It was very funny, amusing, entertaining, and did I happen to mention, FUNNY! Between the well written book to the marvelous narration, a true winner of a book. Although I would have surely enjoyed reading it, the narration added so much more to the story. Well done, in which our hero amused his entire audience. Cheers Rod.