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Devils & Blue Dresses: My Wild Ride As a Rock and Roll Legend
A gifted writer with an original voice, Mitch Ryder first gained fame as the leader of the iconic rock group Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. With hits such as Devil With a Blue Dress On / Good Golly, Miss Molly, Sock it to Me Baby, and Jenny Take a Ride, Mitch quickly rocketed to international fame. This resulted in a roller coaster ride of sex, drugs, celebrity, and rock and roll. Along the way, he became a legend who did it all. Here, Mitch emerges as a real person who wants nothing more than goodness a fair person who loves his family and is amazed they still love him despite his many mistakes. Readers learn how John Lennon saved Mitch s life, about Mitch s plan to kidnap a celebrity s son, of Percy Sledge s stage secret, and many other backstage tales. Includes more than three-dozen previously unpublished photos, and copies of personal letters from and to the author. A full discography of Mitch s musical works, an index, and a CD of Mitch s music are also included.
- GenresMusic
263 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 24, 2013
In so many rock and roll biographies, the self-obsessed sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle – that shiny bright but tainted symbol of success – is there front and centre. Yet the rationale for pop stars becoming so self-destructive seems strangely missing.
The reader gets the vicarious thrill of looking on from afar, but still leaves without ever really understanding what drove their idols to such explosive behavior, what devils and demons have possessed them and led them on the path to fame, fortune and ultimately ruin.
Mitch Ryder’s Devils & Blue Dresses My Wild Ride As A Rock and Roll Legend may just be the exception to the rule. The author, in a spectacularly self-analytic and at times self-effacing style, lays it all on the line in the very first pages. There may have been secrets before but no longer.
Those who followed the pop scene in the 60s and 70s will recall Ryder as the man who brought fire and soul to the heart of the Detroit music scene and on the international stage with such dynamic chart-toppers as Jenny Take A Ride, Little Latin Lupe Lu and, of course, Devil with a Blue Dress On.
This book gives him the freedom to reveal just who he was during those heady days and how the 68-year-old rocker has managed to survive in such an unforgiving world that has claimed so many victims – Joplin, Hendrix, Morrison and more.
For a man chiefly known as a songwriter/musician and performer who seemed hell bent in delivering the show of his life every time he cranked it up in front of a live audience, he’s now proven to be a surprisingly articulate writer who grasps the power of the right words and where to use them.
If there was any mystery as to whether his early days in the small seven-block neighbourhood of Warren, Michigan had any bearing on shaping his later years in the crazy, unbridled world of rock and roll, he clears that up soon and with great eloquence:
A bizarre, eclectic crowd who, with few exceptions, were culled from the debris of human failings and moral bankruptcy, peopled the neighborhood. There was alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, beating and battering, incest, adultery, child molestation, prostitution and a sense of well-being that any sane person would find disgusting and repugnant.
From that particularly painful recollection, one sees quickly how Ryder, born into the world as William S. Levise Jr. on February 26, 1945, seemed destined to consume and be consumed by the kind of craziness and utter disregard for law and order by which the lords and ladies of rock and roll lived and so often died.
His time with the Detroit Wheels, as a solo artist, later incarnations of the Wheels and The Thrashing Brothers, was peppered with the famous and infamous. He was an integral player in the heydays of Motown, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Berry Gordy and masters of soul and rhythm and blues such as the volatile Wilson Pickett.
The book is a living, breathing account of a roller coaster ride that would see him deal and ultimately been shunned by music powerhouse Bob Crewe, playing to packed houses and then learning the hard lessons of reinventing oneself. In his early days he would watch in dismay as the once great jazz drummer Gene Krupa, nearing the end of his career would stumble and fall in a New York. He would chuckle at the odd behavior of Tiny Tim and watch on as Jimi Hendrix, who would later offer him a job, rocketed to superstardom.
Along a sometimes magical road that took him to Great Britain and, in later years to Germany, Ryder would taste the highs and lows of stardom, only to see dreams shattered, his groups dismantled and resurrected – all of this and more, as he watched and became part of a world marked by violence and drug addiction.
His brief encounter with John Lennon, whom he dubbed the “Good Beatle”, is recalled as a life-saving moment. The wonder at hearing and simply being in the presence of such pop luminaries as Bob Dylan, Procol Harum and the Doors is a tribute to Ryder’s odd penchant for being modesty. A strange thought because so many, like an up and coming John Mellencamp, openly admitted to how strong an influence he was and continued to be on his career.
Often Ryder is poetic in his observations, particularly when he turns to his love of music:
Music is such a natural and significant part of the American character, flowing so effortlessly, commercially and aesthetically through inbred class differences that its impact defines who were are to the rest of the world. It is loud and quiet, and beautiful and ugly and powerful. But never, never weak.
He also demonstrates a keen sense of vicious humor. His view of noted music critic Dave Marsh: He was Mark Twain’s cynical, illegitimate, genetic missing link. Packed with insights and recollections of the times when he dallied with possible movie stardom, the book is one eye-popping jolt after another, each one packing a delightful punch that rocks you with surprise.
Perhaps the most telling revelation of Ryder’s character in this wonderfully enlightening book is a passage in the author’s note:
The only thing that makes me different from you is a bizarre twist of fate. I found fame in America. Fame is a twisted concept that garners such an odd reaction from the public that it borders on insanity. Did fame make me a better person than you? You read this book and tell me. Did fame solve any of my problems or make my life easier? Hell no. Fame only did one important thing for me. It gave me a goal to overcome, or die trying.
For the reader, it poses a delightful dilemma. This time it is no clique – how do I put this book down? For anyone remotely interested in the life of the man who in many ways defined the Detroit sound and has been called the unsung hero of Michigan rock and roll, it is nearly impossible.
Compelling and beautifully written, packed with a genuine sense of personal drama and often bone-chilling insights, it’s as if Ryder was belting out every word on each page in his trademark rock and roll voice – crying out for the reader to feel both his pain and sorrow.
The reader gets the vicarious thrill of looking on from afar, but still leaves without ever really understanding what drove their idols to such explosive behavior, what devils and demons have possessed them and led them on the path to fame, fortune and ultimately ruin.
Mitch Ryder’s Devils & Blue Dresses My Wild Ride As A Rock and Roll Legend may just be the exception to the rule. The author, in a spectacularly self-analytic and at times self-effacing style, lays it all on the line in the very first pages. There may have been secrets before but no longer.
Those who followed the pop scene in the 60s and 70s will recall Ryder as the man who brought fire and soul to the heart of the Detroit music scene and on the international stage with such dynamic chart-toppers as Jenny Take A Ride, Little Latin Lupe Lu and, of course, Devil with a Blue Dress On.
This book gives him the freedom to reveal just who he was during those heady days and how the 68-year-old rocker has managed to survive in such an unforgiving world that has claimed so many victims – Joplin, Hendrix, Morrison and more.
For a man chiefly known as a songwriter/musician and performer who seemed hell bent in delivering the show of his life every time he cranked it up in front of a live audience, he’s now proven to be a surprisingly articulate writer who grasps the power of the right words and where to use them.
If there was any mystery as to whether his early days in the small seven-block neighbourhood of Warren, Michigan had any bearing on shaping his later years in the crazy, unbridled world of rock and roll, he clears that up soon and with great eloquence:
A bizarre, eclectic crowd who, with few exceptions, were culled from the debris of human failings and moral bankruptcy, peopled the neighborhood. There was alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, beating and battering, incest, adultery, child molestation, prostitution and a sense of well-being that any sane person would find disgusting and repugnant.
From that particularly painful recollection, one sees quickly how Ryder, born into the world as William S. Levise Jr. on February 26, 1945, seemed destined to consume and be consumed by the kind of craziness and utter disregard for law and order by which the lords and ladies of rock and roll lived and so often died.
His time with the Detroit Wheels, as a solo artist, later incarnations of the Wheels and The Thrashing Brothers, was peppered with the famous and infamous. He was an integral player in the heydays of Motown, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Berry Gordy and masters of soul and rhythm and blues such as the volatile Wilson Pickett.
The book is a living, breathing account of a roller coaster ride that would see him deal and ultimately been shunned by music powerhouse Bob Crewe, playing to packed houses and then learning the hard lessons of reinventing oneself. In his early days he would watch in dismay as the once great jazz drummer Gene Krupa, nearing the end of his career would stumble and fall in a New York. He would chuckle at the odd behavior of Tiny Tim and watch on as Jimi Hendrix, who would later offer him a job, rocketed to superstardom.
Along a sometimes magical road that took him to Great Britain and, in later years to Germany, Ryder would taste the highs and lows of stardom, only to see dreams shattered, his groups dismantled and resurrected – all of this and more, as he watched and became part of a world marked by violence and drug addiction.
His brief encounter with John Lennon, whom he dubbed the “Good Beatle”, is recalled as a life-saving moment. The wonder at hearing and simply being in the presence of such pop luminaries as Bob Dylan, Procol Harum and the Doors is a tribute to Ryder’s odd penchant for being modesty. A strange thought because so many, like an up and coming John Mellencamp, openly admitted to how strong an influence he was and continued to be on his career.
Often Ryder is poetic in his observations, particularly when he turns to his love of music:
Music is such a natural and significant part of the American character, flowing so effortlessly, commercially and aesthetically through inbred class differences that its impact defines who were are to the rest of the world. It is loud and quiet, and beautiful and ugly and powerful. But never, never weak.
He also demonstrates a keen sense of vicious humor. His view of noted music critic Dave Marsh: He was Mark Twain’s cynical, illegitimate, genetic missing link. Packed with insights and recollections of the times when he dallied with possible movie stardom, the book is one eye-popping jolt after another, each one packing a delightful punch that rocks you with surprise.
Perhaps the most telling revelation of Ryder’s character in this wonderfully enlightening book is a passage in the author’s note:
The only thing that makes me different from you is a bizarre twist of fate. I found fame in America. Fame is a twisted concept that garners such an odd reaction from the public that it borders on insanity. Did fame make me a better person than you? You read this book and tell me. Did fame solve any of my problems or make my life easier? Hell no. Fame only did one important thing for me. It gave me a goal to overcome, or die trying.
For the reader, it poses a delightful dilemma. This time it is no clique – how do I put this book down? For anyone remotely interested in the life of the man who in many ways defined the Detroit sound and has been called the unsung hero of Michigan rock and roll, it is nearly impossible.
Compelling and beautifully written, packed with a genuine sense of personal drama and often bone-chilling insights, it’s as if Ryder was belting out every word on each page in his trademark rock and roll voice – crying out for the reader to feel both his pain and sorrow.
August 15, 2024
1/7/13
I have always loved his voice and songs. When I saw the blurb (I don’t remember where I saw it, maybe the NYTimes) that he was writing a book I made a mental note and waited for it to be published.
His story was incredible. I was upset reading June Havocs life… (Gypsy Rose Lee’s sister). The back stage lewdness, lack of basic grooming habits, education and the poverty. Mitch’s life was even more shocking for me. He grew up in a bad neighborhood in Detroit. Gangs, violence, alcoholism, sex fiends and not the best parents….only to grow up and mixed up in the record business. Add drugs, greed and immorality at all levels and multiply. He has experienced way too much pain and trauma. He is a survivor.
It is sad to learn how so many talented people were blatantly manipulated and too young and naïve to know better. In many cases some were desperate for money or to get out other bad situations. Or that so many producers, like Bob Crewe and a few other ones…would claim writing credits on the songs and retain royalties.
Mitch (Billy) can’t be more candid and open about his life, his choices and his thoughts. It was tough reading his life. I never could imagine his life was like this.
He did include a list of all the countries he visited and played (with personal comments) and a list with comments of other artists he has met. As well as his discography.
I have always loved his voice and songs. When I saw the blurb (I don’t remember where I saw it, maybe the NYTimes) that he was writing a book I made a mental note and waited for it to be published.
His story was incredible. I was upset reading June Havocs life… (Gypsy Rose Lee’s sister). The back stage lewdness, lack of basic grooming habits, education and the poverty. Mitch’s life was even more shocking for me. He grew up in a bad neighborhood in Detroit. Gangs, violence, alcoholism, sex fiends and not the best parents….only to grow up and mixed up in the record business. Add drugs, greed and immorality at all levels and multiply. He has experienced way too much pain and trauma. He is a survivor.
It is sad to learn how so many talented people were blatantly manipulated and too young and naïve to know better. In many cases some were desperate for money or to get out other bad situations. Or that so many producers, like Bob Crewe and a few other ones…would claim writing credits on the songs and retain royalties.
Mitch (Billy) can’t be more candid and open about his life, his choices and his thoughts. It was tough reading his life. I never could imagine his life was like this.
He did include a list of all the countries he visited and played (with personal comments) and a list with comments of other artists he has met. As well as his discography.
July 1, 2013
A friend of mine loaned me this book and has connections to this family so I was interested in reading more about Mitch Ryder and his group. I knew of some of his songs but really nothing else. This book allowed me to delve into this man's rise to stardom and then to see him at his worst. It made me really think about the musicians of today and how hard it is to even get one hit in their lifetime. A very interesting read whether you are a fan of this group or not, I think you will walk away with something that will really make you think.
July 24, 2013
INCREDIBLE book.
As said by Geoff Dale in The Beat magazine: "For the reader, it poses a delightful dilemma. This time it is no cliché – how do I put this book down? For anyone remotely interested in the life of the man who in many ways defined the Detroit sound and has been called the unsung hero of Michigan rock and roll, it is nearly impossible."
As said by Geoff Dale in The Beat magazine: "For the reader, it poses a delightful dilemma. This time it is no cliché – how do I put this book down? For anyone remotely interested in the life of the man who in many ways defined the Detroit sound and has been called the unsung hero of Michigan rock and roll, it is nearly impossible."
September 1, 2012
A chaotic but interesting autobiography.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews