Stevie Van Zandt

As a fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, the Sopranos, Lilyhammer, the Asbury Jukes, the Disciples of Soul, and Little Steven's Underground Garage, there was little chance I would not enjoy this book. I know Steve Van Zandt longest as Bruce's sidekick -- his consiglieri -- and I also knew a little bit about his arranging genius. I knew about his political activism, his work in South Africa (Sun City), his Wicked Cool Records label, and producing Darlene Love. I was sad when he left the E Street Band in the 1980s and thrilled when he returned for the Reunion Tour in 1999 and all the tours that followed. And how could you not love him as Silvio Dante or Frankie "The Fixer" Tagliano!

But now I know how incredibly creative, hardworking, and smart Miami Steve is, as well as charmingly self-deprecating even if he can be grumpy. I loved learning the behind-the-scenes details about his various projects, the disappointments, the decisions he made (and why he made them). But what I came away with most is how incredibly generous and kind he is to just about everybody -- until they turn out to be egomaniacal jerks. Written in a conversational style, this memoir showcases all of Steve's various and diverse incarnations, which are tied together with the same underlying thread: his love for and dedication to preserving the centrality of the arts in our culture, and especially music. You don't have to be a fan of him in any of his various life roles to appreciate this memoir; it’s a love song to the Arts.… (more)