Rocks

My Life in and out of Aerosmith

By: Joe Perry, David Ritz

Narrated by: Joe Perry

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of the megabestseller Life by Keith Richards, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry opens up for the first time about the wild inside story of his life in the legendary band he cofounded in 1970 - which is still going strong today.

In Rocks, Joe Perry exposes his unrepentant, unbridled life as the lead guitarist of Aerosmith. He delves deep into his volatile, profound, and enduring relationship with singer Steve Tyler and reveals the real people behind the larger-than-life rock gods onstage. The nearly five-decade saga of Aerosmith is epic, at once a study in brotherhood and solitude that plays out on the killing fields of rock and roll.

With record-making hits and colossal album sales, Aerosmith has earned their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But theirs is ultimately a story of endurance, and it starts almost half a century ago, with young Perry, the rebel whose loving parents wanted him to assimilate but who quit school because he didn't want to cut his hair. He met Tyler in a restaurant in New Hampshire and swayed him from pop music to rock and roll, and it didn't take long for the "Toxic Twins" to skyrocket into a world of fame and utter excess.

From the megasuccessful song and music video with Run DMC, "Walk This Way", to the realization that he couldn’t pay his room service bill, Perry takes a personal look into the human stories behind Aerosmith, the people who enabled them, the ones who controlled them, and the ones who changed them. In his own words, Rocks is the whole story: "the loner’s story, the band’s story, the recovery story, the cult story, the love story, the success story, the failure story, the rebirth story, the redestruction story, the postdestructive rebirth story".

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 Joe Perry and David Ritz (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

A must read and listen for the hardcore music fan

I am an even bigger Joe Perry Fan after hearing this. Joe Perry tells about the highs and lows of his life, his relationship with his Aerosmith Brothers and what inspired him to not accept no as an answer when it came to what he wanted to do with his life. The story he tells keeps you captivated and you will not want to press pause or stop. Joe tells it like it is and does not leave out any parts, whether they be good or bad. Great book Joe!!!

Comparable to Keith Richard’s Life

This book is the greatest rock memoir i’ve read along with Life from Richards. If you like music, rock and even more, Aerosmith, this is a must listen

Great story

Joe Perry does a great job. You always get the real meaning when the author reads. His treatment of the history of the band sea very balanced

Inspirational

This audio book was without doubt the greatest book I have listened to. Joe tells a believable story of life as a dedicated and passionate musician. I genuinely felt moved by his story. I didnt know much about Joe, the man, before I started the book, incorrectly believing that Aerosmith were musicians backing a great front man. At the conclusion of the book it is obvious the drive and talent came from all the band members, especially Joe. His story is told in a very understated way, and I URGE you to read it. 10 out of 10

Feels like I'm chatting with Joe himself

What an awesome story straight from the source. Joe is a joy to listen to and any guitar fan in a local band can dream about the journey he was on with Aerosmith. My only gripe with the book is you can clearly tell where Joe had to overdub some new vocals throughout the book.

Good Book

Great job Joe. Always looked forward to coming back to listen. I was bummed when it ended. What else can I say?

Joe Perry, a strong pulse in Rock's beating heart.

A personal and passionate view of what the essence of Rock n Roll was, is and what it represents as seen through the eyes of a Rock icon. A fascinating journey of struggle and triumphs for the band Aerosmith and for the man Joe Perry himself. Captivating and beautifully read by Joe. I loved it. Long live Rock!

NOW IT'S JOES TURN

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

THE STORY IS DETAIL RICH.

What did you like best about this story?

THE INSITE OF THE STORYAND THE LEVEL OF DRUG ABUSE WITHIN THE ENTIRE BAND

Did Joe Perry do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

LITTLE

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

YES, WHEN JOE REALIZES HIS WIFE IS AN IMMATURE B*TCH

Any additional comments?

JOE MUMBLES ABIT

Now I know why.....

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

It has to be because Joe read his words himself. You're so wrapped up in his story because he is the one telling it to you. I finished it in less than a week and I was disapointed when I was done, I wanted more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe, his women and Steven.

What does Joe Perry bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's an exceptional story teller. So good infact that you go through this book from start to finish in a flash. It was like watching a really good movie.

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

I lost it when he father passed. I mean I had to stop listening because I was crying like a baby. Then he had these moments that had me laughing outloud. I love his heart and his point of view. An artist far more than a rockstar. Big difference.

Now I know why he's lasted so long on the top...he's pretty extraordinary.

Any additional comments?

Obviously I listened to Steven's first. Very disapointed that he didn't read it himself. But I enjoyed the book regardless. I'm not endeared to it though, when someone else reads it, it's like you're not claiming your own words. Joe Perry read his and it makes all the difference in the world. If I had to choose one to read over the other, it would be Joe's.

Inspiring

This is the most incredible story I have ever read. I recommend this to anyone.