Rod: The Autobiography
- Narrated by:
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:10-11-12
- Publisher: Random House Audiobooks
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Publisher's Summary
The long-awaited autobiography of one of rock's true megastars. Rod Stewart (aka Rod The Mod and to a very select few, Dad) was born the working-class son of a Scottish plumber in North London. He was never, as some stories later had it, a professional footballer or a gravedigger, though he did become a bit of a singer - and a fairly good one at that. Rod started out in the early 1960s, playing alongside acts like The Rolling Stones, before his distinctively raspy voice and natural onstage presence caught the eye of the iconic guitarist, Jeff Beck.
An often-interesting two year stint with Beck’s group paved the way into the angst-inducing (for the world's hoteliers) five years with the Faces, whose offstage antics with alcohol, hotel rooms, and groupies have become the stuff of legend. And during all this, he found a spare moment to write "Maggie May", among a few others, and launch a solo career that has seen him sell in excess of 200 million records, be inducted into the Hall of Fame twice, and play the world’s largest ever concert. Not bad, as he says, for a bloke with a frog in his throat.
And then, there is his not so private life: marriages, divorces and affairs with some of the world’s most beautiful women - Bond girls, movie stars and supermodels - a struggle with steroid dependency, and a brush with cancer which very nearly saw it all slip away. Rod’s is an incredible life, and here, thrillingly and for the first time, he tells the whole thing, leaving no knickers under the bed. Joyously entertaining and at times deeply moving, this is the remarkable story of a guy with one hell of a voice - and one hell of a head of hair.
©2012 Rod Stewart (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks
What Members Say
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"Totally Entertaining"
I knew his life would be full of fascinating, entertaining, funny stories and I fully expected to enjoy it, but I had no idea he's such a fantastically entertaining writer.
If you're interested in him already - definitely get it, you'll love it even more than you expect.
Detail, honesty and humour by the bucketload. Particularly loved hearing about the process of how certain classic songs came to be written, and all the detail about different bands and people he played with over the years - all written in a totally entertaining way. Always fast moving and entertaining. Never angsty or plodding. Of course not, it's Rod.
And even if you're not particularly interested in him - get it anyway. It's a brilliant read, never a dull moment. Everything you'd expect, plus fantastic descriptions of life in London and L.A the 50's, 60's, 70's. Lot's of it is hilarious and he comes across as such a likeable person, with the exception of how he treated some women along the way, but even that's O.K since karma eventually got him for it.
Not only highly recommended - he should write more books!!0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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Alison St PierreLancashire11/18/12
"Funny and Fascinating!"
Funny, honest, interesting and excellently read! A social documentary of our times and an honest insight into an amazing life.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful -
Mark HKilwinning, United Kingdom10/27/13
"A candid insight into a charmed life"
I really like Rod Stewart's music and his highly entertaining performances. So, I wanted to read more about his life, beyond what I had read in the tabloids. This autobiography provides a candid insight into the charmed life of a talented, but non-academic artist. It is completely congruent with the tabloid image of a free spirit who has had more than his fair share of fast cars, beautiful women, drugs and immense luck. On the one hand Rod appears to be amoral, self-centred and above the law. On the other hand, his honesty, charm and young at heart approach is hard not to warm to. He was a working class boy who grasped opportunities with both hands and brought joy to the masses, through his music and songs. This is a well told story of Rod’s life so far.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
EileenBiggar, United Kingdom4/13/13
"Our Rod"
When I first saw this book I thought - good, a Rodders autobiology but why is Rod not reading it himself. Maybe he wants to save his voice. I have to say though that Simon Vance does a very good audition and makes it easy to come to think you are in fact listening to Rod. If you love Rod you will definitely love this book. He tells everything, warts and all.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
SallieF14/7/13
"What a nice guy ...."
I am an avid reader (listener) of biographies and couldn't wait to start this.
I loved it! I loved how open Rod was. What a thoroughly nice, self-depreciating and down to earth guy(who happens to be a rock star with millions).
There are some great stories in here, warts and all about his many romances and broken hearts.
Warmth when he speaks of his family, his football (c'mon the hoops) and his blessed life.
Rod fan or not, give it a go, you won't regret it.2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
ColinWATFORD, United Kingdom5/3/17
"An Excellent and Highly Entertaining Read..."
I was a teenager in the early 70s, and although not a fan of Rod’s there was no escaping his “Every Picture Tells a Story” album, complete with the iconic image of Rod, microphone in hand, which seemed to be playing from every radio in the land. There’s no denying the amazing career he’s had, and the times he has lived through, and so this book promised to be a most entertaining read, and so it has definitely proved.
Rod tells it like it is from the very start, from humble beginnings in North London, through the nights of dragging himself around smoky nightclubs, riding in barely-legal vans, meeting heroes and villains along the way, as he slowly but surely learns how to front a band. Months become years and, almost before he realises it, Rod finds he is a bona-fide Rock Star, a role he plays with gusto.
From the initial blues clubs with Long John Baldry, through the highly respected association with Jeff Beck, Rod seems to relish in the world of late-nights, boozy conversations and one-night stands. But it is when he joins The Faces, the 60s pop group who had just lost their lead singer and leader Steve Marriot, that the world starts to sit up and take notice.
It becomes clear that Rod can really tell a good story, and he has a wealth to choose from. He pulls no punches when recounting the years of heavy touring in The Faces, the high jinks and pranks on the road, and the stream of young women who suddenly seemed always available to him. He also talks frankly about his experiences with cocaine, the fashionable drug of the day, and how his life became one long party.
On a personal level, Rod also talks openly and with affection about his previous partners and wives, and his shocking behaviour toward them all, which he recounts with a notable air of regret.
The narration by Simon Vance is first-rate, and keeps you engaged and entertained throughout.
Park any preconceptions you may have about Rod and give this book a try. It really is excellent.1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
John McKiernan6/17/15
"Pure crap ."
I have just gone right off Rod who I always thought was a good lad.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
tonyWest Chiltington West Sussex, United Kingdom4/13/13
"Rod Tells All (nearly)"
What an enjoyably honest book..it was well paced ,well written with just enough scandle to keep you hooked, i look forward to reading Rods book again ,
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
John Hayes12/27/12
"Great listening & entertainment all the way...."
From start to finish this listen held me all the way...excellent in every way! He's very honest & blimey has he enjoyed himself & why not as he still remains very down to earth...I would love him as my mate, although I would probably have trouble keeping up with him and I'm 10 years younger!!!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
TRIDENTUK12/24/12
"Rod"
I'm a big fan of rod Stewart and found this book a great listen. Sometimes you loose the will with current music and the industry. This book takes you from the beginning of his music through to his obsession with model railways which is fantastic.Rod did not think people's knowing his passion for modelling was rock and roll but to me ,we want to know what people do with the other twenty two hours of the day to keep us all sane. Brilliant get it !
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
kevinwaltham, United Kingdom12/23/12
"Rodrick Rocks"
A very good book from a true Brit gent,would reccomended to anybody interested in Rod& the Faces
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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