Rocks

My Life In and Out of Aerosmith

By: Joe Perry, David Ritz

Narrated by: Joe Perry

Joe Perry’s New York Times bestselling memoir of life in the rock-and-roll band Aerosmith: “An insightful and harrowing roller coaster ride through the career of one of rock and roll’s greatest guitarists. Strap yourself in” (Slash).

Before the platinum records or the Super Bowl half-time show or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Joe Perry was a boy growing up in small-town Massachusetts. He idolized Jacques Cousteau and built his own diving rig that he used to explore a local lake. He dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. But Perry’s neighbors had teenage sons, and those sons had electric guitars, and the noise he heard when they started playing would change his life.

The guitar became his passion, an object of lust, an outlet for his restlessness and his rebellious soul. That passion quickly blossomed into an obsession, and he got a band together. One night after a performance he met a brash young musician named Steven Tyler; before long, Aerosmith was born. What happened over the next forty-five years has become the stuff of legend: the knockdown, drag-out, band-splintering fights; the drugs, the booze, the rehab; the packed arenas and timeless hits; the reconciliations and the comebacks.

Rocks is an unusually searching memoir of a life that spans from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel—several times. It is a study of endurance and brotherhood, with Perry providing remarkable candor about Tyler, as well as new insights into their powerful but troubled relationship. It is an insider’s portrait of the rock and roll family, featuring everyone from Jimmy Page to Alice Cooper, Bette Midler to Chuck Berry, John Belushi to Al Hirschfeld. It takes us behind the scenes at unbelievable moments such as Joe and Steven’s appearance in the movie of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (they act out the murders of Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees).

Full of humor, insight, and brutal honesty about life in and out of one of the biggest bands in the world, Rocks is “well-paced, well-plotted…a mini-masterpiece” (The Boston Globe).

A must read and listen for the hardcore music fan

I am an even bigger Joe Perry Fan after hearing this. Joe Perry tells about the highs and lows of his life, his relationship with his Aerosmith Brothers and what inspired him to not accept no as an answer when it came to what he wanted to do with his life. The story he tells keeps you captivated and you will not want to press pause or stop. Joe tells it like it is and does not leave out any parts, whether they be good or bad. Great book Joe!!!

Comparable to Keith Richard’s Life

This book is the greatest rock memoir i’ve read along with Life from Richards. If you like music, rock and even more, Aerosmith, this is a must listen

Great story

Joe Perry does a great job. You always get the real meaning when the author reads. His treatment of the history of the band sea very balanced

Inspirational

This audio book was without doubt the greatest book I have listened to. Joe tells a believable story of life as a dedicated and passionate musician. I genuinely felt moved by his story. I didnt know much about Joe, the man, before I started the book, incorrectly believing that Aerosmith were musicians backing a great front man. At the conclusion of the book it is obvious the drive and talent came from all the band members, especially Joe. His story is told in a very understated way, and I URGE you to read it. 10 out of 10

The heart and soul of Aerosmith

Must listen/read for any fan of rock and roll. Joe Cool is the man!