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Sideman  By  cover art

Sideman

By: Mark Rivera, Mike Poncy - contributor, Ringo Starr - foreword
Narrated by: Mark Rivera
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Publisher's summary

While most successful sidemen are lucky to spend a decade in the music business, multi-instrumentalist Mark Rivera is working on his fifth.

Rivera has shared the stage with some of Rock 'n' Roll's greatest performers, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Tony Bennett, Sheila E., Joe Walsh, Hall & Oates, and Peter Gabriel.

How does he do it while avoiding the typical pitfalls—falling out of favor with the band, burnout, depression?

A devoted father and husband for nearly forty years, Rivera's recollections in Sideman demonstrate that while he struggled to balance the two worlds—a rock 'n' roller circling the globe and a regular guy worried about putting food on the table—his body's compulsion to always be playing music kept him in constant pursuit of "the next gig."

Full of optimism, humor, and candor, Rivera turns the spotlight on the sideman's life, revealing not only what it takes to climb the industry ladder (and stay there), but something more surprising: a bit of ourselves rocking out amongst all those superstars.

©2023 Mark Rivera (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

What listeners say about Sideman

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A Book Every Hired Gun Should Read

Inspiring and educational! Loved it. I truly enjoyed this book. Highly recommend to any Musician , or even non musician.

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Thoughtful viewpoint of sideman in the world if touring.

A great picture of what a “sideman” can experience in the music world from a genuine source.

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The honesty of a life with music

I felt like I was there. Loved it! And also loved those many performances I was privileged to witness.

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Spectacular!!! Enjoyed every second!

Mark Rivera is a true inspirational rock star! A must listen. An amazing life story on perseverance and always finding the next gig! Rock on Marcus✌️❤️

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Grounded, Authentic, Without Ego, Insightful

Mark's story, his career as a Sideman, was everything unexpected from a "rock star." There was no ego, just the opposite. Laid bare, this sideman was a family man first, against all R&R odds. His delivery is one that is grounded, without fanfare, even one that touts how lucky he's been having worked with many of the greats - from Lennon, Joel, Jagger, Starr to many more. I truly didn't expect to stick with a story being a bit lucky myself in the music industry. Yet, Mark is instantly someone you want to be friends with, work with, rely upon and support. Kudos to a Sideman that can add author to his stellar career. To me, he's no longer a sideman, but a star in his own right - I'm hunting for his latest vinyl release as I submit this review. Looking forward to all that lies ahead...

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