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Rod: The Autobiography

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 611 ratings · 176 reviews

The extraordinary life and career of music legend Rod Stewart, in his own words for the first time.

With his soulful and singular voice, narrative songwriting, and passionate live performances Rod Stewart has paved one of the most iconic and successful music careers of all time. He was the charismatic lead singer for the trailblazing rock and roll bands The Jeff Beck Group...more

ebook, 368 pages

Published October 23rd 2012 by Crown Archetype (first published January 1st 2012)

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Apr 02, 2013 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography

This book was amusing and easy to read. I saw Rod Stewart on Graham Norton promoting his book and it sounded interesting. He is quite a comedian and seems to be a lot of fun. I had no idea model trains were a passion of his, but I knew soccer was. He's definitely not someone I would have wanted to date seriously - he is obviously somewhat of a womanizer, maybe having TOO much fun? Lots of good pictures in the book. Books like these are always great for name-dropping. It is so funny that twice in...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Nycdreamin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When "Rod: The Autobiography" was released this past October, it was a well known fact (or should have been) to anyone who knows my Mother-in-law that she would be picking up a copy a.s.a.p. Of course, she did just that, and, having read it in short order, she had enjoyed it as expected she said. And then, a couple months back, when she and her husband were leaving for a mid-winter stay in Mexico, she asked, knowing I enjoy a good rock-related read, if I'd want to borrow it while she was gone.

Ni...more When "Rod: The Autobiography" was released this past October, it was a well known fact (or should have been) to anyone who knows my Mother-in-law that she would be picking up a copy a.s.a.p. Of course, she did just that, and, having read it in short order, she had enjoyed it as expected she said. And then, a couple months back, when she and her husband were leaving for a mid-winter stay in Mexico, she asked, knowing I enjoy a good rock-related read, if I'd want to borrow it while she was gone.

Nice of her to offer of course.

"Uh...Sure!" I smiled, reaching to take the book from her. But I was thinking, "Oh boy, Rod Stewart. How interesting can this be?" I thanked her of course and brought the book home and it has nagged at me for a month or two now from the shelf upon which it was placed. About a week and a half ago I pulled it down and decided to finally get on with it. And to my surprise, it is actually a rather enjoyable book.

Of course, growing upas I had in the late 70's and 80's, one had to live under a rock not to know who Rod Stewart was. He was always on the radio with his latest hit song. Or on the cover of some magazine with his latest super-model squeee. But I was never really a fan. I didn't hate the guy like I did, say, Bob Segar. Or Bruce Springsteen. I just wasn't a fan of that whole early-mid 80's pop rock scene anyway - I was into Kiss and AC/DC and Black Sabbath and stuff that actually rocked...not Rod Stewart. It would only be several years later I would finally come around to listening to some of Rods early stuff with The Faces and Jeff Beck Group...and some of that shit did actually rock! So, back to the book, I decided I'd read through it...until I got bored with it at least.

Well, as it turns out, I read the entire book and enjoyed it very much. No one is as surprised about this turn of envents as me I'm sure. Pretty much your typical rock 'n' roll biography, the stories Rod recalls throughout his biography are told with a uniquely Rod Stewart style humor that will keep you entertained. Of course there are the stories of growing up and his early days in kicking around trying to figure out who he was going to become. But, thankfully, he doesn't dwell on stories of his youth for too long before getting to the interesting stuff.

Here are some great stories of how, through the mid-late 60's he actually began his ascention to heights of rock 'n' roll stardom mostly only dreamed about by others, kicking off a career that sees him releasing an impressive catalog of diverse recorded material, selling millions, and, as a proud Grandfather, still touring spoadically even now in 2013. The book actually ends with the revelation that there will be a new CD released in 2013.

And, of course, there are tons of great stories about his rock and roll friends and their occasional excesses and all the hot chicks he dated, diddled and/or married. People with famous names like Ron Wood, Jeff Beck, Carmine Appice, Mick Fleetwood, Elton John, Britt Eckland, Kelly Emberg and tons more litter the pages and stories of Stewarts life and are recalled here with obvious affection.

Tales here also include once narrowly escaping a shootout, an entire chapter on his hair and how it got that way, plenty of football (scoccer) stories and revelations of having a fondness for beautiful homes and expensive, fast European sports cars and a life-long love of model railroading.

So you take all that, sprinkle in plenty of rock and roll memories from nearly five decades of touring around the planet...Rod Stewart's seen and experienced much along the way and he highlights many of his favorite memories in a highly enjoyable tone and stylish class that is definatley lacking in some other recent rock and roll bios you may have read. There's no biterness here and its rather refreshing to read a bio written by someone who seems truely grateful for all those experiences, good and bad, that his fame and fortune have afforded him.

(less)

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Mar 09, 2013 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed Rod, even though I had read bits that had been releases in various websites and magazines, reading it altogether made it all the more entertaining. Truly a life of rock and roll excess, with lots of girls, drugs and music, I still got the impression that Rod Stewart, is a good honest bloke, who loves his family, his friends, model railways and football. He might have had a lot of groupies and girlfriends, but you could tell that he really loved all the women that he lived with l...more

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May 10, 2013 Shawn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biographies-memoirs-autobio-us

I listened to the audio version of this book, as I like to do when an author reads their biography. I think being able to hear the authors voice inflection etc adds to understanding the author. However, in this instance the book would have been a better choice...or at least in the first part of the book. Here the author jumps around a bit and it makes it difficult to follow when listening to. At one time the author gives a list of 5 or 6 questions and then later answers them by just giving the a...more

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Jan 19, 2013 David Kudlinski rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of the best rock star biographies out, and a very well written book indeed. Rod started out as a liberal anti-government protestor in the 1960s, who didn’t want to work a normal job. So he became a rhythm and blues singer. He kept improving, paying his dues, and moving up the ladder, until his big break came to join the Jeff Beck group with Ronnie Wood and tour the US. Rod Stewart was never punk or new wave; he was always rock and roll. Rod and Ronnie left Jeff Beck (a selfish jerk)...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2012

This book was so much fun to read. Rod debunks a number of myths, some of which he has encouraged in the past. He admits, for example, that he was never a "pro" soccer player; he wasn't good enough. He discusses songwriting at some length, and I now understand why the guy who wrote "Maggie May" records stuff like "Some Guys Have all the Luck." I was very excited to read that he has been writing songs for the first time in years and has a new rock album, with original songs, coming out soon. When...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, non-fiction

This is a very entertaining autobiography and if Rod Stewart wrote it himself then he's got some talent as a raconteur.

Rod gives us a no holds barred account of his life, told with lots of humour (much of it self-deprecating) and an honesty that doesn't try to hide or make excuses for his jack-the-lad type behaviour with women. Fidelity was certainly not a word in Rod Stewart's vocabulary for the first 45 years of his life, but as most of his wives and lovers began dating him while he was still...more

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May 05, 2013 Ray Campbell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2013

I'm grew up in the 70s. I was a fan of what we now call "Classic Rock" as well as a part time practitioner. For some, the name Rod Stewart conjures images of a big hair, "If you think I'm sexy" disco and bad ballads sung with a gravelly voice. For me, Rod Stewart says The Faces, Jeff Beck, Britain in the 60s with the Yardbirds, Clapton and what would become Zeppelin - yes, Rod Stewart was there and I thought his story might ROCK, and it did.

This is the usual narrative style, introspective, self...more I'm grew up in the 70s. I was a fan of what we now call "Classic Rock" as well as a part time practitioner. For some, the name Rod Stewart conjures images of a big hair, "If you think I'm sexy" disco and bad ballads sung with a gravelly voice. For me, Rod Stewart says The Faces, Jeff Beck, Britain in the 60s with the Yardbirds, Clapton and what would become Zeppelin - yes, Rod Stewart was there and I thought his story might ROCK, and it did.

This is the usual narrative style, introspective, self deprecating biography rock stars write. They never expected to be rich and famous after growing up poor and from the wrong side of the tracks. Never the less, Rod's distinctive voice and a bit of luck, put him in the middle of the 70s classic rock scene where he partied and had entertaining insights on everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Mick Jagger. As the stories ramble, Rod tells tales of great soccer matches, beautiful model girlfriends and wives, writing hits like Maggie Mae and Gasoline Alley, as well as the shame of "If you think I'm sexy". This was a fun book to read and it provided amusing insight into a period I loved.

I've read biographies of the Beatles, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and others. This story has the distinction of being told by a Cockney of Scottish background whose major vice was beautiful woman, not heroin. Stewart is really funny. His reflections are ironic and sentimental, not fuzzy and drug addled. I was particularly amused by his Elton John reflections. Since Rod was a good friend who knew the real deal even when the world had no idea, Elton comes across as a cartoon character - though it is clear he loves the guy, his comments paint a picture that is nothing but wonderful, full of love and affection.

I'd also like to mention that the book spends a bunch of ink on Ronnie Wood and the rock star antics of the Faces. Once again, I find that the autobiography, despite honesty on many goofy issues, serves to encourage affection for the real guy. There are 70s vintage songs I'll love all my life because of this wonderful artist while I'm almost embarrassed to say I read this book knowing some of BS he did in the 80s. Again, if you are interested in the period, this is worth a read. Rod is very funny, candid and charming. There is lots of amusing insight and in the end, everyone lives happily ever after. I liked it.(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Julie Barrett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: memoirs, finished-2013

I started this memoir immediately after finishing Pete Townshend's memoir and while reading I kept comparing it to Pete's book. I feel like I should write a term paper comparing and contrasting the two men. Both born in 1945 in England, went to the same clubs as teens, knew a lot of the same people, recorded at the same studios etc. However, the men are different as night and day. Pete is by far a better musician, a better songwriter and much cleverer than Rod. Also Pete is by far a bigger wanke...more I started this memoir immediately after finishing Pete Townshend's memoir and while reading I kept comparing it to Pete's book. I feel like I should write a term paper comparing and contrasting the two men. Both born in 1945 in England, went to the same clubs as teens, knew a lot of the same people, recorded at the same studios etc. However, the men are different as night and day. Pete is by far a better musician, a better songwriter and much cleverer than Rod. Also Pete is by far a bigger wanker. Rod is infinitely more pleasant to read than Pete. Rod is a hoot. Really funny. Loads of stories. I bet he is a lot of fun at a party. Pete Townshend takes himself soooo seriously that it was a relief to read a memoir where the person was able to poke fun at themselves. Lots of laughs about Rod's clothes and hair.

I'm not a fan of Rod's music. I could only name two of his songs prior to reading this book(though I recognized more when he brought them up in the book). While he does - obviously - talk about writing and recording his music, I found his comments on the music scene in general far more interesting than discussing his specific albums. Writing about the development of rock music and the youth culture; on the influences of blues and jazz and folk in rock; about how there was no blueprint on what to do and how to develop as a rock musician; about navigating the business side of the industry; about how rock became so segmented in the 70's and how little blending of styles there was (disco, punk, progressive rock, heavy metal, etc). To bring up the Pete/Rod comparison again - Pete wrote of his anguish when punk emerged - how he felt old & embarrassed & wanted to fit in & be cool like the punk rock guys. Pete admits to changing the way he dressed & befriending a younger punk guy to help him regain his coolness. Rod also brings up the punk movement and how Johnny Rotten called Rod an old fart. He wasn't devastated like Pete. He liked the attitude of the punks, the "just get up & do it" ethos, but didn't feel he needed to change himself to fit in. He also makes a joke about how his silk harem pants he wore at the time were much more comfortable than bondage trousers.

Thankfully Rod didn't spend eons on his childhood - a pet peeve of mine when reading memoirs. Only very very rarely does someone's childhood and family history warrant more than a few chapters. Rod establishes that he had a regular, happy childhood. Admits he was a bit spoiled. Then after a few chapters he moves onto his teenage years and his beginnings on the music scene and then the fame & fortune.

This memoir focuses much more on his personal life than it does on music. Which was fine with me. I don't think a lengthy analysis of Hot Legs or Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? is really needed. It's his life that is interesting, not his music per se. It was a pleasant change to read a memoir where the person is aware of what a huge role luck plays in someone getting famous. He is very aware. It's also refreshing to read about a person enjoying their wealth and fame and admitting they would be sad if it went away. Rod references a quote from Sting(whose memoir I have also read. He's more of a Pete than a Rod) and Sting says something to the effect that if his wealth and fame ended and he went back to living in a small apartment he'd be fine. Bollocks, says Rod. First, he doesn't believe Sting and then Rod says it would be terrible to lose everything - it's a lot of fun being wealthy and traveling the world and living in beautiful houses etc.

A large chunk of the book is devoted to his love life. He was a busy, busy man. And he really sticks to his type - blond, tall, gorgeous & young. I read Britt Ekland's memoir years ago & recall her being devastated by Rod and his philandering ways. He admits now that what he did was horrible. He explains (rationalizes?) his behavior by saying he was young, a rock star, it was the seventies, everybody was sleeping around, how could a young guy resist all these women throwing themselves at him etc. Personally I think no famous musician or actor should commit to monogamy until he is at least 50. And no kids until at least 55. Rod was terrible to the women in his life until Rachel Hunter. Ooooh, payback time. She was the first woman he was ever faithful with and she dumped him because he was old & stuffy & she felt trapped. He finally got it right with his current wife. Rod is old enough and mellow enough to (apparently) be faithful to her. He also seems to be a great Dad to his two youngest sons. As for his older kids - not such a great dad. I mean, how many times has his kid Sean been in rehab? Sean must talk a lot in therapy about how his Dad is so great with his much younger half-brothers and was a terrible dad to him. Tough luck there Sean.

Rod also spends a lot of his book talking about his various passions. While I am not into his hobbies of model trains & football & cars, I appreciate other people's passions. What is interesting in another person is their love & passion for something. It would be boring to only be around people with similar interests - I like hearing about things I don't know about and hearing about why a person likes something. I googled Rod after reading this book & came across a video of him weeping a few months ago after his beloved football won some big game. Awww. He really loves football. His chapter on collecting art was pleasant to read. I'm not into the period of art he collects but I respect that he immerses himself into learning about it & collecting it & about the joy art gives him.

This memoir would be a good beach read or airplane read. Quick, funny, nothing too taxing. A perfect frothy light hearted read. No need to love his music.(less)

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Nov 12, 2012 Everyday eBook rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Everyday by: Naina Sharma

In honor of Rod Stewart's Rod: The Autobiography, here are eight life lessons and playlist suggestions I took away from this fun, juicy, honest book.

1. "Blondes (Have More Fun)": There's no shame in extreme hair maintenance.
Rod devotes the second chapter of his book to his hair, which, let's face it, we all want to hear about. And, as he says, maybe he is a bit extreme with his hair, but how many other people can say they're recognizable for the spiky tips on the top of their heads?

2. "Maggie Ma...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Shahine Ardeshir rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A good old romp: That's what Rod Stewart's life was, and that's what this book was.

Rod Stewart is not a great musician, let's be clear. He's an entertainer, with a phenomenal voice, who's been churning out hit records for forty years. Nor is he a great writer. And this isn't about to be nominated for a Booker prize anytime soon. But that said, he doesn't pretend to be anything other than a bloke who got lucky and made the most of the cards that he was dealt.

What he does have is a great sense o...more

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Apr 20, 2013 Erik rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely loved this book. I love rock and roll autobiographies, and Rod's stands in stark contrast to recent efforts by Springsteen, Townshend, and Clapton. While those artists are all capable of making themselves miserable no matter what the circumstances, Rod has a good time no matter what. Nothing seems to upset him, whether it's rumors started by his old press agent, unexpected classification as a disco star, or even a bout with cancer. He was far more productive, musically, than I'd rea...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Mira rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: music

I learned many things about Rod. He *really* likes gorgeous blondes. A lot.
He has a wonderful turn of phrase. To my joy he's a fabulous raconteur and a great storyteller too! The story is written in Rod's very own conversationalist voice, and this makes it all the better.

I love an old rocker. I loved Ronnie Woods and Keith Richards autobiographies, because I love the Stones and I love those guys. Rod, I didn't know so much about. I'm not a super Rod fan, but I really enjoyed this book. Ergo, sci...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this Immensely, I've always liked Rod though was not particularly a fan but surprised how many of his records I own especially those with the faces.
It was much as I expected drunkenness debauchery and Pranks Sure he was a womanizer when he was younger and he couldn't commit He must have been hell for his ladies but while he was with them it must have been wild!
The Rachel hunter stuff seemed like his comeuppance and from then on you see a man finally catching u with himself and blessing...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I very much enjoyed this book. I'm not a big follower of all the glitz and glamour of Rod's life - sure I remember stories being told and it always seemed he had another beautiful blonde on his arm, but I never wasted too much time on that tabloid stuff. I'm also not a huge fan of his music. I like it all right and I saw him in concert once (it was a very good show), but he's not in my top 10 artists.
After listening to this, I have two reactions. Rod is a lot more 'human' than people would have...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Jeffrey McKinley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rod Stewart has been one of my idols (along with Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee) since I was a child. If there is a person who has lived the perfect life as far as having love, friends, material goods and a jolly swell time, it is him. His music has been the soundtrack of my life. I have read other biographies by authors and longed for the day when the man himself would tell the tale. After waiting a year after hearing of its release, I have read it in two days and loved it. Rod Stewart fills his li...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Dr. Detroit rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

High atop the Mount Rushmore of 70’s hair are Farah Fawcett, Roger Daltrey, Keith Richards…and Rod Stewart.

Outside of Joe Cocker, it’s hard to imagine a more recognizable voice from that glorious decade than Stewart’s. At the peak of their powers, the Faces roamed the earth like a mighty, 10-legged punch-drunk beast in search of a cheap bottle of plonk, a place to play, and a few birds to shag after the show. And while it's undeniable that wine and women were at the vortex of the band's legend,...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Ian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not a great fan of Mr Stewart, largely due to my age. I'm not quite old enough to remember him in the Faces or his early solo work, probably first becoming aware of him with "I Am Sailing". These days he appears to be the ultimate definition of an artist who has "sold out"; taking the money rather than living in poverty with his artistic integrity intact, which is where we like our music stars after all. I'm more aware of him as the housewives' choice than teenage rebel icon.

This doesn't det...more

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Dec 26, 2012 manwithoutqualities rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: music

Having just completed Rodders’ autobiography I’m pleased to report that there are no surprises: he’s a thoroughly decent bloke who never forgot his family and friends and is deeply aware of his incredible good fortune. He also admits to behaviour that by his own admission qualifies as being an arsehole . . . but he is all grown up now and has found contentment.

Speaking of growing up, it’s really about time that the fetishists get over DYTIS and TGASB: Rodders’ gives a frank, critical analysis an...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, music

OK, I admit that I was a Rod Stewart fan back in his early days, though his womanizing with young blond models and foppish fashion sense turned me off after his first few albums. I’m glad that a friend recommended his autobiography, because Rod is a surprisingly good writer. His candidness and sense of comic timing kept me laughing and reading on late into the night. At age 67, he’s developed perspective, though it might be a stretch to say emotional maturity, and seems like an interesting, ener...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Chrisb rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thoroughly enjoyed Rod: The Autobiography. As far as autobiographies go, it was a page turner. He kept a perfect balance of presenting himself as nothing more than a completely lucky guy while, at the same time, spending ample time reveling in his success and subsequent excess. I also enjoyed how he narrated through his many female relationships, mostly with a wink and a nod. Once again, he was able to come across as likeable by describing the hurt he caused with humility, mild regret, and hum...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Connie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you're looking for a tell-all about Rod's women and raunch, you may be a little disappointed. The info is there, for sure, but not front and center as I thought it would be. He is very open about all aspects of his life, from his music career to his women to his love of model trains. It kept my interest.

He did, however, cross a line when he had a section toward the end of the book on advice for fathers. Rod Steward has sired seven children, but I can't say that he has been a father to very ma...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Ellen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An interesting trip through a time I thought I knew a great deal about. He is quite honest about himself throughout -- the infidelity, drugs, alcohol and especially his image of himself as a 'rock star.' Even as he is telling his stories about the houses and cars he continues to be astonished that this plumber's son is driving a lambourghini and living in a mansion. He dispelled several of the myths about himself: he was never a grave digger although he did work for a short time in a cemetery. H...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiography

It looks as if Rod Stewart wrote this himself, and the book reads like Rod is sitting in a pub telling you his life story over a pint. As such, it's easy going and very enjoyable stuff, and you cannot help but agree with his summation that he's lived a bit of a charmed life. Just a bit. He wears his success very lightly, and is happy to admit that Lady Luck and being in the right place at the right time played a big part in a lot of his story. In the end though, you have to admit that the talent...more It looks as if Rod Stewart wrote this himself, and the book reads like Rod is sitting in a pub telling you his life story over a pint. As such, it's easy going and very enjoyable stuff, and you cannot help but agree with his summation that he's lived a bit of a charmed life. Just a bit. He wears his success very lightly, and is happy to admit that Lady Luck and being in the right place at the right time played a big part in a lot of his story. In the end though, you have to admit that the talent shone through as he reels through the successes that flowed from his pen during the Seventies when he wrote some utter classics of songs that will still be getting airplay when he is long gone. He wrote some stinkers too, but Rod will be the first to admit it, and continually pokes fun at himself as the book progresses - but he also tries to take a hard look at where he also went wrong, usually with women.
I particularly enjoyed the start of the book as London in the Swinging Sixties is captured in Eel Pie Island and finds Rod making his way in the music scene in a haphazard but quietly determined way. He doesn't come across or remember himself as the confident, cocky front man, and it's easy to relate to this time before he blasts off into Spinal Tap territory as his career takes off. It's then difficult to have much sympathy as he bemoans how unlucky in love he has been, and Rod often comes across like a guy with syphilis, Aids and gonorrhea standing under a lampost with a red rose in his hand: an incurable romantic. He's in love with the idea of love, but also with the idea of being a rock star, and he finds it difficult to reconcile the two. Despite feeling that he's the one guy in the world who really is in the postion to have it all, he finds he can't: the wife still comes to drag him out of the pub on a Saturday afternoon with the lads, and really can't be arsed with him and his mates. Well, who hasn't been there?
As the book progressed I felt that Rod had become a bit bored with the autobiography project, or maybe it was that he felt that an old man's reflections on life, the Universe and everything weren't half as interesting as "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rock Star". He speeds over the latter years of both his personal life and career, but I can't say I was disappointed with this approach. Like Rod seems to be, I was a bit more interested in his youth. A really easy and enjoyable read, all the same, and he'll no doubt understand that when he does his next tour there's no way I'll be paying eighty quid for a ticket, nor hold it against me when I admit that I borrowed this from the library. Saved myself a tenner, ya beauty. (less)

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Feb 10, 2013 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this warts and all memoir by a favorite singer. We saw him in concert maybe ten years ago and enjoyed the show immensely. He admits to his failings as a husband and father (8 children by 5 women), but hopes that he finally got it right with marriage number 3. I liked that it concentrated on his career (more rock and roll than sex and drugs) instead of salacious details of his private life, although there was plenty of that as well. For all his problems with women, he seems like...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Dionne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really well written biography from his humble begins right up to his soon to be released album. I listened to the audiobook and the only thing that could have made it better would have been Rod reading it himself. I wasn't a huge fan of his until he came out with the American standards series of recordings as his singing those old tunes connected me with memories of my grandparents. Don't get me wrong i liked what i heard on the radio and saw on MTV but never enough to buy his CDs until then. Th...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Marla Sommer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rod Stewart has always pushed my buttons, much the way The Letterman pushed Anita's buttons. This book is filled with stories of his antics with his friend Ronny Wood (yes that Ronny), Elton John and many others. One funny story with Elton was at Christmas Rod gave Elton a small refrigerator, when he opened it he thanked Rod for the ice bucket. Elton then gave Rod his present a Reimbrant painting. Rod and Ronny also were petrified of Janis Joplan and were always hiding from her because she alway...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Gillian Torckler rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book, it was honest and revealing, and since I am such a RS fan I was really into the music references and his life. It was a little repetitive but I guess that's what his life has been like - lots of rock n roll, touring, pranks, soccer, cocaine, and beautiful long-legged blonde woman who got increasingly younger!

He seems like a reasonably guy despite all of that and GE is brutally honest about what a b****** he was to many of the woman especially at the end of their relat...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Dave rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-audio, 2013-read, autobiography, good-enough-but-nothing-special, 3-star

I find it difficult to take Rod Stewart seriously; I suppose he is a rock icon, but to me, he just doesn't belong along side the likes of Bowie, Elton, Neil, etc. I know he had hit after hit, but his work never struck me as that important when you look at the big picture. I liked his early years and think of Never a Dull Moment as the high point.

The book is entertaining, but borders on the ridiculous at times. It feels like Rod is saying that he invented rock and roll, yet other times he is very...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Andrew Rostan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rod Stewart's autobiography gives no indication of a ghostwriter's presence, and quite frankly, the conversational yet fully developed style feels so natural and unedited that I have to believe Stewart produced this on his own.If so, I would love to see an entire novel from him...he is an engaging and honest writer, and very funny at that. He repeats some jokes and sometimes gets tripped up in expression, but his tales are realistic and charming, and he emerges as lovable man with a giant heart...more

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About Rod Stewart

In the Sixties and Seventies, Rod Stewart was a jet-setting bon vivant and blond sex symbol with a grizzled-yet-buoyant voice. He tasted fame with Jeff Beck Group and then the Faces, but Stewart's most significant commercial success came as a solo artist. After garnering initial critical acclaim for his unerring choice of cover material, Stewart in the late Seventies began to lean toward self-mock...more In the Sixties and Seventies, Rod Stewart was a jet-setting bon vivant and blond sex symbol with a grizzled-yet-buoyant voice. He tasted fame with Jeff Beck Group and then the Faces, but Stewart's most significant commercial success came as a solo artist. After garnering initial critical acclaim for his unerring choice of cover material, Stewart in the late Seventies began to lean toward self-mocking (or just plain cheesy) material. Although he didn't exactly maintain exacting quality control, Stewart's self-mocking charm and seemingly effortless singing have consistently kept him popular.

The son of a Scottish shopkeeper, Stewart was born and raised in London. After a short stint as an apprentice to a pro soccer team, he joined a series of local bands that included Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions, the Hoochie Coochie Men, and Long John Baldry's group, which eventually morphed into Steampacket. In 1967 former Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck enlisted him as lead vocalist for the Jeff Beck Group. Beck had lots of rocker cred in America, and this new group toured the U.S after the release of their 1968 debut, Truth. Petrified by the size of audience during the first night of shows at New York's Fillmore East, Stewart sang the opening number from backstage. The band was expert at flashy blues rock, and the power of Beck-Ola (1969) established Stewart as a rough-and-ready rock & roll front man.

In 1969 while still working with Beck, Stewart signed a contract with Mercury. His solo debut, The Rod Stewart Album (Number 139, 1969), was recorded with Mick Waller and Ron Wood of the Jeff Beck Group, plus Small Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan and guitarist Martin Quittenton. Stewart's material was a grab bag of mellow folk songs, bawdy drinking tunes, a taste of soul, and a couple of barrelhouse rockers. The album sold modestly; Jeff Beck Group fans considered it too subdued, but critics were impressed by Stewart's overall sound. Planning to form a new band with Stewart and the Vanilla Fudge's Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, Beck disbanded his group. That project didn't materialize until 1972, long after Stewart and his buddy Wood had joined the Small Faces, soon redubbed the Faces. Stewart spent the next seven years dividing his time between that band and a solo career, recording a Faces album each time he recorded one of his own.

In 1970 the Small Faces made First Step, and Stewart released Gasoline Alley (Number 27, 1970). Their arrival was followed by tours of the U.S. Working as both group member and solo artist gave the singer ample opportunity to show the world the breadth of his interests. In the studio with the Faces, Stewart was simply a member of a quintet of equals, merrily banging out hard-swinging rock & roll. On his own, he was different; the moody Gasoline Alley amplified his reputation as an emotionally compelling storyteller. When Every Picture Tells a Story came out in June of 1971, the response was swift and strong. The record refined its predecessor's strong points, putting a rock & roll spin on soul and R&B items, and bringing some emotional heft to reflective folk tunes. In October, the album sat in the Number One slots in America and Britain, the first record to achieve such status. Its success was driven by "Maggie May," a Stewart-Quittenton song that has become one of classic rock radio's most resilient ditties. Before "Maggie May" had faded, Stewart followed up with a gritty version of the Temptations' "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (Number 24, 1971). The similarly powerful Never a Dull Moment (Number Two, 1972), with his own "You Wear It Well" (Number 13, 1972), was also a hit.

With two gold albums made on his own, Stewart's role in the Faces became strained. Other labels wanted a piece of the star, and late in 1974 he released his final disc for Mercury, Smiler (Number 13). Stewart hired veteran American producer Tom Dowd and Muscle Shoals session musicians to record his forthcoming Warner Bros. debut,(less)

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Quotes from Rod: The Autobiography

“..the power outage caused the stage manager to drop the curtain - much to the surprise of Ronnie Wood, who was standing directly underneath it at the time and was almost killed by about half a ton of falling velvet (because, let me tell you, in those days a curtain was a curtain.) It was while we were backstage, getting the power restored, that I noticed I had spent the entire opening number with my flies undone.” — 2 people liked it

“A set list? Set lists were for wimps. Wimps and professionals. Better to just get out there and communicate the set by shouting the old Faces' battle cry: "What number are we doing?” — 1 person liked it

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