Rod: The Autobiography by Rod Stewart

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Rod: The Autobiography by Rod Stewart


                The opening pages of this autobiography were written in such a hilarious form that I knew instantly that I was going to enjoy this book. When Rod Stewart announced in the first paragraph of the first chapter that he knew he was a mistake because his parents were “forty two and thirty nine with four children to feed, the youngest of them already ten” I laughed. Then he took it further to justify these feelings by also announcing that his birth happened during World War II, though near the end. Rod Stewart set the stage early on that he was going to make fun of himself, many of his situations and be honest. He was all of those things throughout the pages, which takes us through his untimely birth, his youth in London, his many trials and tribulations with bands, his solo careers and his marriages, turbulent as they may have been.

                The best ways to describe this autobiography: witty, hilarious, well written, intriguing, without a dull moment. The best ways to describe Rod Stewart: an unadulterated, philandering mess, with poufy hair, an unwavering love of Scottish football, a sense of adventure and an ability to perform his heart out in front of the crowd. I like Rod Stewart and I said all those things in a light hearted and joyous fashion. His autobiography gave me the opportunity to understand Rod Stewart. He didn’t hold back many details about his rise in the music industry, his image (to the point where he went into painstaking detail about how he created his trademark hair), his marriages (all three), his issues with being faithful, and how hard it was for him to be a father while also being a touring artist. Rod described the rise and fall of the bands that helped him along the way, his relationship with other artist like Elton John and what it felt like to receive a CBE from the Queen. I really enjoyed this autobiography and getting to know Rod Stewart. You can tell in his writing style that he had a story to tell and one he enjoyed telling. I give this novel 4 out of 5 stars. Definitely a recommendable read for any fan of music history. 

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