From Cradle to Stage

Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars

By: Virginia Grohl

Narrated by: Dave Grohl, Virginia Grohl

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Written by Virginia Grohl, the mother of Dave Grohl - former Nirvana drummer and current frontman for the Foo Fighters - From Cradle to Stage shares stories and exclusive photos featuring mothers of rock icons, the icons themselves, and their behind the music-style relationships.

While the Grohl family had always been musical - the family sang together on long car trips, harmonizing to Motown and David Bowie - Virginia never expected her son to become a musician, let alone a rock star. But when she saw him perform in front of thousands of screaming fans for the first time, she knew that rock stardom was meant to be for her son. And as Virginia watched her son's star rise, she often wondered about the other mothers who raised sons and daughters who became rock stars. Were they as surprised as she was about their children's fame? Did they worry about their children's livelihood and well-being in an industry fraught with drugs and other dangers? Did they encourage their children's passions despite the odds against success, or attempt to dissuade them from their grandiose dreams? Do they remind their kids to pack a warm coat when they go on tour?

Virginia decided to seek out other rock star mothers to ask these questions, and so began a two-year odyssey in which she interviewed such women as Verna Griffin, Dr. Dre's mother; Marianne Stipe, Michael Stipe of REM's mother; Janis Winehouse, Amy Winehouse's mother; Patsy Noah, Adam Levine's mother; Donna Haim, mother of the Haim sisters; Hester Diamond, Mike D of The Beastie Boys' mother.

With exclusive family photographs and a foreword by Dave Grohl, From Cradle to Stage will appeal to mothers and rock fans everywhere.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Virginia Hanlon Grohl (P)2017 Hachette Audio

I absolutely loved this!

I was so sad to be near the end of this book, because I loved it so much. I did not want to stop! I found Virginia's writing eloquent & her voice mesmerizing. I also thoroughly enjoyed David's contributions to the book. Their love of music and each other was so obvious, that it made me want to be friends. I loved hearing about all the relationships of the musicians & their mothers. I HIGHLY recommend this - but especially the audio version!

Good, but not great

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you like musician biographies, go for it.

Any additional comments?

For her first book, its not awful, she has a nice pace and the chapter/story aren't that long and draw out.
Every story followed the same formula - Mini Bio about the musician, mini bio on the mom, childhood together, maybe a fun story, closing update on what they are doing now. The formula works well, but some of the moms just weren't interesting. I can think of maybe two that stood out to me.

The parts where Virginia talked about Dave was really fun. I wish this was more about her life with Dave and all the things she has seen on the road with small stories about other moms thrown in.

We Need More Teachers Like This

Virginia Grohl’s book took me by surprise at first because I thought it was going to primarily be about Dave and the Foo Fighters from a mother’s perspective. It was more than that. It was a conversation with a number of mothers with interesting stories to tell. The common thread being that by 12, most of the musicians mentioned already were basically non-conformist (possibly with ADHD) but were creative sorts with a driving musical focus. Being a teacher herself, Virginia Grohl was the type of parent to understand the type of nurturing various type of children need and she raise Davis that way. She seems to love being able to travel with her son and in her own voice, to take us on part of her journey. Although it took her 3 years of painstakingly putting this book together here’s hoping that she has the motivation to do more like it.

Reading it again. It fills my heart.

Incredible! As the mother of a future Rockstar, now 16 and with so many of our life events and experiences being paralleled, I just couldn't put this book down! Thank you for Virginia for sharing these wonderful stories. You made me laugh, cry, imagine, and dream. Your words drew such vivid pictures that I felt like I could share in some of your, or other mothers moments with pride, appreciation and love. I know my son would also really like your book as well, knowing that the kind of life he lives, and plans to live has been the story of so many others. Solidifying his unwavering goal of playing live, large, and soon. But it would probably escalate our conversations about dropping out of school! If anyone needs an energetic and committed lead guitarist for their tour, he's ready and available❤🤘🏻

Inspiring

I loved this book. It is so interesting to hear the mother's stories. It is also inspiring to hear how some of the mother's really understood to let their children follow thier dreams. Dave Grohl is one of my favorite musicians of all time and his mother Virginia is who to thank. She let him drop out of school to travel with his band. Without her blessing , maybe Nirvana or the Foo Fighters would not have existed. Tom Morello's story is my favorite next to Grohl's. His mom is awesome.So many great stories. I also want to point of that Virginia Grohl has the most soothing voice. I recommend this book to anyone that loves learning about musicians.

Awesome Listen

What amazing stories told by an amazing mother! I love that she covered many genres and types of music!

Very entertaining

Nicely written stories from mothers of some really talented rock stars., I would recommend this book.
LOVED IT!

Virginia is an Awesome Rock & Roll Mom!

I Loved this book! I got to party back stage with Dave a few times before they became Huge, so it was really interesting listening to Miss Virginia talk about her Rocker Mom life as well as other Amazing Rock Star Moms! Plus Virginia and Dave are the Narrators!

This narrator sounds beleaguered.

I learned a lot about the biographies of the moms of famous musicians. while I expected to learn more about patenting creative kids, I did come to understand that kids who grow into popular artists are often driven by their gifts and parents have to step aside.

A must read/listen....

This book is a must read for parents of teen musicians! Not just for moms! Dad's should read/listen too! You will see glimpses of your our child and yourself in these stories.