Liberty

Life, Billy and the Pursuit of Happiness

By: Liberty DeVitto, Billy Joel

Narrated by: Libert DeVitto, Billy Joel, Torrey DeVitto

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Narrated by Liberty DeVitto.
Foreword narrated by Billy Joel.
Also includes additional narration from Torrey DeVitto (Actress - Chicago Med).
Audiobook includes additional stories not contained in the print edition.

For 30 years, Liberty DeVitto was the driving force behind one of the biggest pop artists of all time. With his intense drive, endless creativity, and New York swagger, Liberty created the grooves for 13 platinum Billy Joel albums that have sold over 150 million copies, and wrote and performed the drum parts on 22 of Billy's 23 top-40 hits and all of his six GRAMMY@ Award-winning recordings. He toured the world multiple times as one of the most well-known drummers of his era. The amazing success did not come without a price. This is Liberty's story: a tale of an Italian-American kid who followed his dream and attained unimaginable success, only to see it crumble before his eyes, and ultimately experience a rebirth after passing through the fire of broken relationships, divorce, substance abuse, the death of a brother and a bandmate and the pain of losing the persona the world knew as "Billy Joel's drummer".

In this compelling memoir, Liberty takes you back to his immigrant roots and ultimate settling on Long Island, a place he recounts in warm detail. He then traces a musician's journey: early childhood bands, a rise through the local club scene, wedding bands, building a career, his first tours, and then a juggernaut of success, excess, and stardom with Billy Joel. The making of each of Billy's albums is recounted in detail, with specific memories from the recording sessions of every song on every album from Turnstiles through Storm Front. Liberty then shares stories from the production and tour for River of Dreams and the end of his tenure with Billy.

©2020 Hudson Music LLC (P)2021 Hudson Music LLC

Loved it.

This is one of my favorite books so far. It's right up there with I'm Keith Hernandez. It's a great read, I mean, a great listen. I really like it when the author reads the book.

Liberty! A Fan Must!

Years ago I did audio books on cassette & CDs.
But, to hear your music hero tell his story about his life and journey with another musical hero felt like he was tell me directly. Could be a Brooklyn/Long Island/Italian thing. Hearing this heart felt, bitter sweet story by Liberty has touched me and inspired me not to stop doing what I was put here for.
Thanks Lib! God bless!
Joe

great book

this book has great stories and a lot of sound life advice. it was great learning about Liberty's family going back generations.

Rock 'n' roll drummers

If you are a fan of rock 'n' roll or rock 'n' roll drummers is a fantastic read.

Liberty tells a sincerely account of his life!

I truly enjoyed Liberty’s non-nonsense approach to telling his story. As a long time fan of his drumming, I appreciated his desire, motivation, and aspiration to reach beyond just being average. This is a great book for anyone who desires to see the hard work and adversity that artists can go through in order to do what they love.

Great fella, great story

Having had the pleasure of sharing the stage w/ Liberty and getting to know him a little off the stage, hearing his story in this book furthers my respect for the man. His accomplishments and professional attitude and respect for his craft is top notch. I enjoyed hearing stories of his family background and growing up in New York. Thanks for a great book, Lib.

Have we made it yet?

I loved hearing the story read (performed) by Liberty. He brought authenticity to the words. I thought there was just enough of Billy Joel information without having the story be about him or be a tell all tattletale. It amazes me that after so much success each album still seemed to be make it or break it. After decades of being in the band good and bad are going to follow. The break up and reconciliation with Billy was inevitable. I'm glad they both recognized that the friendship was more important than whatever got in the way. I was also quite surprised at how childlike Liberty admitted to be at such a advanced age of 53. I guess when you're on the road partying and making your life you never really have to grow up until you have to grow up. I thought this was a very vulnerable admission to make in a very public way and I give Liberty a lot of credit for being brave. coming from an Italian family myself I relate to some of the stories and I'm glad to know that even with all his fame he still felt as just a child within that family as opposed to above it or beyond it. it's liberty's curse to take on what he felt some people blamed him for and that's his right to do, I don't think he had anything to do with those assumptions. People are their own person they take action for themselves you may influence them but their ultimately responsible for their actions. Liberty if you read this I hope that you're at peace with your brother and his way of life.

Great listen

If you are a Billy Joel fan this is a must. Liberty has great stories to tell from his immigrant family to his love of music and his drive to be a highly respected drummer. Ups and downs and admission of his weakness for alcohol and drugs and how it affected his life. I play an instrument and his love of music explains my desire to play better.

Great story

love it when the author narrates. liberty brought personal emotion to the reading . very entertaining.

A wonderful memoir

An amazing story of the triumph of the human spirit. Liberty has gone through all the highs and lows of a career in the brutal music business and has come back out on top.

I highly recommend this audiobook.