• Tell It Like It Is

  • My Story
  • By: Aaron Neville
  • Narrated by: Aaron Neville
  • Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (23 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Tell It Like It Is  By  cover art

Tell It Like It Is

By: Aaron Neville
Narrated by: Aaron Neville
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.49

Buy for $19.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

For the first time, legendary singer and songwriter Aaron Neville tells his personal story of overcoming poverty, racism, addiction, and loss through faith, family, and music.

Aaron Neville’s first #1 hit, “Tell It Like it Is,” was released in 1966. In the mid-70s he formed the Neville Brothers with Art, Charles, and Cyril—now known as the “First Family of New Orleans”—and they released more than a dozen influential albums. Given his one-of-a-kind, soaring falsetto, Aaron was the breakout star, and over the next six decades, he had four platinum albums, three #1 songs, numerous film and television appearances, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014. His triple-platinum duets with Linda Ronstadt (including the Grammy-Award-winning hit “I Don’t Know Much”) showcased the softer side of his voice, and the smoking hot funky soul of the Neville Brothers cemented his legacy as an R&B legend.

But few people know the challenging and circuitous road Aaron took to fame. Born in a housing project in New Orleans of Black and Native American heritage, Aaron struggled as a teenage father working to raise a family while building his career as a musician, surviving a stint in jail for car theft and many years battling heroin addiction.

Recognized by the dagger tattoo on his cheek and his St. Jude medallion earring, Neville credits St. Jude—the patron saint of lost cases—for turning his life around. He found healing and salvation in music. Aaron Neville is a man who by all accounts should not have made it. Tell It Like It Is shares his story for the first time.

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

©2023 Aaron Neville (P)2023 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

"Aaron Neville...[is] fully present as a narrator, and listeners will hear the joys of his musical achievements and the sorrows of his on-and-off struggles with street drugs." (AudioFile)

"When Aaron Neville sings he is the mightiest of Archangels. The truth he’s written in these pages is no less powerful. He tells his riveting story with all the triumphs and sorrows, joys and frustrations he has experienced in his eight decades of life."—Linda Ronstadt

What listeners say about Tell It Like It Is

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming Story

I started this on a trip and could not stop listening. Loved the honesty, good and bad. I also appreciated the acknowledgement and credit to Saint Jude, who has been one of my go to intercessors during tough times. Great job with the narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming, inspiring, and authentic

Aaron tells his truth and you can feel it! His voice is sincere and soothing. I thoroughly enjoyed “Tell it Like It Is” God Bless us all!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Truly Special Book

So wonderful to hear Aaron Neville’s story in his own voice. I have loved his music and been blessed to see him in concert several times. To hear him tell all his challenges and successes is humbling and amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey so far may it continue for many years.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

It took me home to Uptown, New Orleans

I was born and raised in NOLA, and my Dad grew up around Valence St Uptown. We followed the wild Tchoupitoulas every Mardi Gras Day as a child. It was a family ritual. I would hear my Mom say they spent their wedding night following the Neville Brothers. My Dad recently transitioned, and I hear his story in every word. So, as I go through my grief, I miss my Dad. I feel closer to him in every word and every chapter.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The real Aaron

When Aaron was On Montel Williams Show He Said Big Things Come In Small Packages. He Voice Is A Big Thing. Aaron Always Been Honest About His Life The Good And The Bad. And He Said St Bernadette Got Him Off Of Drugs. He Is A Family Man And He Love His First Wife And God Brought Sara In His Life. Aaron Found A Career That Made Him Happy Singing. Tell It Like It Is Is The Aaron Neville Story Because He Is Going To Tell :You The Real Aaron Neville. Hawthorne James Will Make A Perfect Aaron Neville In A Movie He Is Cuddy Like Him And Strong. They Got Broad Shoulders. The Grand Tour Was His Best Work He Sung Country Songs And He Met George Jones. I Hope To Sing With Him. I Love Him.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • RF
  • 02-23-24

A Fan

A very compelling narrative. Aaron Neville is a national treasure and he sings like an angel. Great read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Feel good story. Triumphant

I love this book. Shows how we all are similar with our ups and downs trials and tribulations and triumph

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

His beautiful angel voice

wonderful book! I listened to the whole thing in ONE day! I laughed and cried. missed it when it was over.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I loved it!

I already loved Aaron Neville and love him even more now! This is a wonderful book! From Rachel

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love all your GOD given gifts!

GOD has blessed you Aaron Neville, thank you for blessing me! Loved listening to you read your life story! So grateful GOD sent you your beautiful bride Sarah!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!