Memoir of a Roadie – a book review

3 days ago, I received an email from Joel Miller about Memoir of a Roadie.

Hello,

The other day my book Memoir of a Roadie hit #1 on Amazon in the categories of biographies. It’s still there! I would love the opportunity to send you the book for review. The book is my autobiography about being a roadie for GNR, STP, Poison, & The Cranberries.

Thank you,

Joel Miller

Being a person who doesn’t particularly like to do a lot of reviews and only really having done one other book “review“; I quickly pondered my response, re-read the e-mail, and simply responded with… the most elaborate e-mail I have ever sent: “I’m definitely interested.” A few hours later a pdf copy of the book and a jpg of the front cover ended up in my inbox.Some time after downloading and opening it, I figure I’ll read the first chapter of the book and get a good feel for it… but I was wrong. By 1:43 am that night, I’m almost halfway through the book and my wife is telling me to get to bed. I’ve spent the entire night reading and sending the hilarious chapter titles from the book to friends, they may be the best chapter leads I’ve ever seen. 

Upon waking Saturday morning I managed to find Joel on facebook and I sent him a message about how the night had gone and how I was worried about not being able to do this book justice with a review. I start reading the book afterwards. To my surprise, at 9:52am I got a response from him and we had a small conversation. By Saturday 2:14pm I’ve read the last page and begin to think about how to do a proper review of this book…

I’m not usually a person that reads for enjoyment or quickly. If it had not been for my wife refusing to let me pull an all-nighter, I would have finished this book without sleeping. I just couldn’t put it down.

Early on, I figured out that Joel and I are relatively the same age. This, and my involvement in my local music scene, made it very easy for me to relate to the stories and adventures that Joel has recounted in this phenomenal work. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like on the road of a rock tour, this book is a definite must read. Not only do you get to read about how stages are born and die, interactions between the behind the scenes staff, interactions with the people who live in the city, but also down to Earth conversations with rock gods are also covered. Joel does an excellent job of pulling you into the lifestyle and letting you live through his trials, tribulations, and emotions.

…back full circle to that Facebook conversation. In response to my comment about being worried about doing the book justice, Joel responded, “Justice is overrated.” While it may be, this book deserves all the accolades I have read since finishing it.


Memoir of a RoadieMemoir of a Roadie by Joel Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Early on, I figured out that Joel and I are relatively the same age. This and my involvement in my local music scene made it very easy for me to relate to the stories and adventures that Joel has recounted in this phenomenal work. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like on the road of a rock tour, this book is a definite must read. Not only do you get to read about how stages are born and die, interactions between the behind the scenes staff, interactions with the people who live in the city, but also down to Earth conversations with rock Gods are also covered. Joel does an excellent job of pulling you into the lifestyle and letting you live through his trials, tribulations, and emotions.

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