Son of a Milkman

My Crazy Life with Tesla

By: Brian Wheat, Chris Epting - contributor, Joe Elliot - foreword

Narrated by: Brian Wheat

Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Tesla's Brian Wheat lifts the lid on living the rock 'n' roll life while struggling with anxiety, depression, and other issues seldom discussed by musicians. 

Brian Wheat is far from your typical rock star. As bassist for the multi-platinum band, Tesla, he's enjoyed the spoils of success and lived the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll lifestyle to the hilt. But it came at a cost, one that took years to repair. 

In this deeply honest and utterly revealing memoir, Wheat sheds light on the many challenges he faces, including bulimia, weight issues, and the crippling anxiety and depression caused by his conditions. Just like the songs his legendary band made, this is no-nonsense, blue-collar storytelling at its best. While revealing the vulnerable human behind the bass guitar, this autobiography also offers tremendous stories of life on the road, and collaborations and encounters with legendary figures like his pals in Def Leppard, David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper, and Paul McCartney. Son of a Milkman will entertain, surprise, and inspire longtime fans of this enduring band.

©2020 Brian Wheat (P)2021 Tantor

Tesla the Fan all ovah again

Im not a book reader by any means so this audio book was right for me. Best part narrator was Brian Wheat. I have always been a Tesla fan from when I was 16 in 1980 something and seeing MTV smash or trash video of modern day cowboy. I loved it so much next day picked my buddy Scott drove to record store and bought the cassette. Been seeing Tesla every-time they play near me and buy all their music.
My favorite all time song is Rubberband on Bust a Nut, I just sing every time. I loved finding out Brian wrote this song. I have never listened to soulmotor but i will give it a listen. Brian this book was great I really felt like i was in the room with all the stories. I wish you Brian all the best with your health sucks getting old hahaha. I will going to the Fillmore show soon in Charlotte and cannot wait going with my 23 yr old daughter who shares a love with all things Tesla. Again Brian A+ on this book!!

No way out

Loved this from start to finish. Brian doesn’t hold back and delivers a honest short and to the point story of his life and experiences with one of my favorite bands Tesla, that taught me bout the under appreciated inventor!

Enjoyed this a lot! Thank you for your story ❤️

Brian, it's true you may not be the best narrator I've ever listened to but you are as real as they get. I respect you even more than I did before I began this adventure with you. (･–･) \(･◡･)/

Thank you so much Brian for the opportunity to get to know you. Learning about your struggles and the strength it took to rise above them ⊂(◉‿◉)つ makes me admire you even more.

My husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and we are headed to NYC for the first time together to see the Scorpions at MSQ 5/5-5/7 I am pretty nervous because about the trip because I am disabled and have mobility issues but it's been on his bucket list since 1987. He had bought 6 tickets but his dad wouldn't lend him the car and he's kept those Scorpions tickets in his trinket box ever since.

I am telling you this story because your show in Hampton Beach is the following Friday and I had been contemplating buying tickets but I am just going to do it right after this review. I will always take an opportunity to see you guys perform - especially after the last time!

We saw you guys play 2 back to back shows in 2019 at the Lynn Auditorium in Mass then Hampton Beach the next night. The Hampton Beach show was ABSOLUTE FIRE 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥. We thought the Mass show was great but you guys kicked it up 1000 notches the next night. We still talk about what an incredible experience that was for us. Thank you for making that night so special! I truly don't get out much and my husband has been a truck driver for 35 years and doesn't usually like to go anywhere when he has time off.

Tesla has always been one of our/my favorite bands and I have seen you at least 2x in the 80's & 90's I found myself understanding a lot of your struggles. My life has never been an easy one but I have always tried to not judge a book by it's cover, tried to be kind and treat people the way I would like to be treated. I am definitely an emotional person that believes in fairy tales and cares for everyone and everything just a little bit more than myself. I need to work on that! ヾ(˙❥˙)ﾉ

I had always worked 2-3 jobs at a time since I was 14 due to having a single mom struggling with addiction. I grew up very fast and figured out ways to help put food on the table and care for my little brother and mother. I was thin, got a lot of attention from men and boys and always stuck up for kids and teachers who were bullied. I made the honor role more times than not was always full of energy and tried to let nothing stand in my way when I was young.

Then an abusive marriage, bad divorce and custody battle left me broken. I met my current husband we had our son, bought a house and then I fell off a ladder which left me with my current back injury and a lot of extra weight gain. It definitely hasn't helped my arthritis, knee problems, chronic pain, severe migraines and most recently a blood clot in my left lung which left me with Asthma even though I've never smoked cigarettes a day in my life.

Yet, I just keep pushing myself forward every day.. Unfortunately after watching my mother and brother both struggle with drugs and my husband struggle with alcohol I have fought so hard to stay away from pills and take the least amount of pain relief aids as possible. Which I'm sure anyone that struggles with chronic pain can tell you is not an easy task. I try to find holistic ways to fight the pain with CBD, Massage Therapy, Accupunture, Accupressure & Aromatherapy. I guess it is about the need to push yourself through each day regardless if there is pain or not that makes you strong. (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

This was genuinely a book I had looked forward to for a long time and I'm so glad you didn't disappoint me! Congratulations on everything you pushed yourself through in life and came out the other side a better person for having done it. I appreciate you and can't wait to see you guys perform again in Hampton Beach this May 2022! I will most likely be in an accessible area with a copy of your book to sign if you read this and wouldn't mind taking a minute for me✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧

Like him or don’t, I thought it was a good book and well done.

This was a great book. Lot of people giving negative reviews about the narration. I actually thought it made it authentic and at times I felt like I was sitting in a room just having a beer and talking to Brian in person.
I met the dude in North Carolina one time in the early 90’s, he’s just a regular guy, very down to earth. Tesla kicks ass and Brian does too. Also turned me on to some new music that I hadn’t even realized was out there, so thanks for that!!!

Time well spent.

I really enjoyed the entire book. Even better that Brian Wheat him self narrated it. I hope to find and buy a hard copy.
James Kelly Ward

band story great, but.......

for a professional musician and the time in the studio throughout decades, ...his edits suck and are just as annoying as his well fed sloppy voice. I love it when the author reads! Danny Trejo added charm, Brian did not! at all!! love the band but Brian's ego took over many times left you kinda wanting to punch him in the mouth! really good story. I would highly recommend a average 2nd grader read it for you.

painful.

i couldnt get through the first chapter. i like Tesla but Brian's reading of this is painful. very rushed and every sentance sounds like its running together. shame

sincere, entertaining, and uplifting

most powerful message in epilogue ever. excellent narration. I felt like I was sitting around a campfire shooting the shit with Brian sharing ups and downs. epilogue had me in tears. very touching and gave me personally a much needed in your face pep talk.

Good Tesla Stories

I enjoyed the Tesla stories, however the last 1.5 hours was really boring- about his studio, moving around, and his friends.

Tesla is an underrated band

Great stories, great message, great music, great band. You judge for yourself. I’m on a slick trip….