Unrequited Infatuations: A Memoir

Unrequited Infatuations: A Memoir

  • Downloads:1674
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-09-30 10:51:07
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Stevie Van Zandt
  • ISBN:0306925427
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Uncover never-before-told stories in this epic tale of self-discovery by a Rock n Roll disciple and member of the E Street Band。

What story begins in a bedroom in suburban New Jersey in the early '60s, unfolds on some of the country's largest stages, and then ranges across the globe, demonstrating over and over again how Rock and Roll has the power to change the world for the better? This story。 
 
The first true heartbeat of Unrequited Infatuations  is the moment when Stevie Van Zandt trades in his devotion to the Baptist religion for an obsession with Rock and Roll。 Groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones created new ideas of community, creative risk, and principled rebellion。 They changed him forever。 While still a teenager, he met Bruce Springsteen, a like-minded outcast/true believer who became one of his most important friends and bandmates。 As Miami Steve, Van Zandt anchored the E Street Band as they conquered the Rock and Roll world。 
 
And then, in the early '80s, Van Zandt stepped away from E Street to embark on his own odyssey。 He refashioned himself as Little Steven, a political songwriter and performer, fell in love with Maureen Santoro who greatly expanded his artistic palette, and visited the world’s hot spots as an artist/journalist to not just better understand them, but to help change them。 Most famously, he masterminded the recording of “Sun City,” an anti-apartheid anthem that sped the demise of South Africa’s institutionalized racism and helped get Nelson Mandela out of prison。 
 
By the '90s, Van Zandt had lived at least two lives—one as a mainstream rocker, one as a hardcore activist。 It was time for a third。 David Chase invited Van Zandt to be a part of his new television show, the Sopranos—as Silvio Dante, he was the unconditionally loyal consiglieri who sat at the right hand of Tony Soprano (a relationship that oddly mirrored his real-life relationship with Bruce Springsteen)。 
 
Underlying all of Van Zandt's various incarnations was a devotion to preserving the centrality of the arts, especially the endangered species of Rock。 In the twenty-first century, Van Zandt founded a groundbreaking radio show (Little Steven's Underground Garage), created the first two 24/7 branded music channels on SiriusXM (Underground Garage and Outlaw Country), started a fiercely independent record label (Wicked Cool), and developed a curriculum to teach students of all ages through the medium of music history。 He also rejoined the E Street Band for what has now been a twenty-year victory lap。 

​Unrequited Infatuations chronicles the twists and turns of Stevie Van Zandt’s always surprising life。 It is more than just the testimony of a globe-trotting nomad, more than the story of a groundbreaking activist, more than the odyssey of a spiritual seeker, and more than a master class in rock and roll (not to mention a dozen other crafts)。 It's the best book of its kind because it's the only book of its kind。

Download

Reviews

Georgette

Very good。 Interesting to see this side of The E Street Band from his viewpoint。 Also interesting on his take on the music industry now vs then。 His forays into acting and side music projects were also interesting, and his sarcasm was refreshing as well。

Karen R

A revelatory memoir from a multi-faceted, incredibly talented artist who’s led a full life。 Van Zandt packs his book with stories of music and activism, offering up fascinating anecdotes that involve many recognizable names。I received a complimentary copy of this book。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。

Michael Burke

Stevie Van Zandt has always been more than just Bruce Springsteen's sidekick。 This man has been a comet of creative energy ever since he arrived on the scene。 His memoir, "Unrequited Infatuations" takes us on a non-stop ride from the first page to the last。 We soar up the ladder of rock stardom, the carefully considered solo statements, the film projects, the creation of his radio world, the musical productions for his idols, and his very significant political, educational and humanitarian work。 Stevie Van Zandt has always been more than just Bruce Springsteen's sidekick。 This man has been a comet of creative energy ever since he arrived on the scene。 His memoir, "Unrequited Infatuations" takes us on a non-stop ride from the first page to the last。 We soar up the ladder of rock stardom, the carefully considered solo statements, the film projects, the creation of his radio world, the musical productions for his idols, and his very significant political, educational and humanitarian work。 Just summarizing has me wondering how this page turner was not multi-volumes long。 Stevie has no lack of self confidence and is blunt when naming names of the people he has been disappointed in, but this book is not a tell-all project and (thankfully) does not fall into the self-congratulatory exercise a lot of music bios do。 We do get insights into his relationship with Springsteen, including the arguments and disagreements, but this is just part of a very rich artistic landscape covered。 There is Sun City and The Sopranos, too! A very enlightening and enjoyable read。 I rate this 5 bandanas, 5 stars。I am grateful to Stevie Van Zandt, Hachette Books, and NetGalley for providing the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review。 #UnrequitedInfatuations #NetGalley"Unrequited Infatuations" is to be published on September 28, 2021 and this review will be posted on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookBub, Facebook and Twitter on that day。 。。。more

John Anderson

Received free via NetGalley。 Who knew Little Steven was so diverse? Great read, a little in-depth with the music/music business lingo but very entertaining with a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor。 Highly recommend this read to all E Street Band, Soprano, Lillehammer, or just music, humanitarian, social justice fans。 Little Steven covers all basis。 👍🏼👍🏼

Steve Essick

Music memoirs are a dime a dozen but Stevie Van Zandt’s new entry, #Unrequited Infatuations, is worth a million bucks。 for, if nothing else, a glimpse of his raw enthusiasm。 Van Zandt, first known as Bruce Springsteen’s Underboss Guitarist in The E Street Band, tells his tales of life in the music business, life as an actor, and life as a renowned activist with refreshing candor and honesty。 But more than anything his true love of the music from the 50’s and 60’s shines through as we are given a Music memoirs are a dime a dozen but Stevie Van Zandt’s new entry, #Unrequited Infatuations, is worth a million bucks。 for, if nothing else, a glimpse of his raw enthusiasm。 Van Zandt, first known as Bruce Springsteen’s Underboss Guitarist in The E Street Band, tells his tales of life in the music business, life as an actor, and life as a renowned activist with refreshing candor and honesty。 But more than anything his true love of the music from the 50’s and 60’s shines through as we are given an insider’s view of this music, yesterday, today and tomorrow。 The book had particular relevance for me because Van Zandt and I are roughly the same age and new music was tantamount to both our lives, but where he pursued it by being in a band, I couldn’t hold a beat if my life depended on it and therefore was co-owner of Toledo’s only independent record store from 1973 until 2004。 Also , I was fortunate enough to attend TheE Street Band show in Akron 8/8/75 which I believe was the final show before their 5 night New York Bottom Line run, which is discussed in the book。 And if his music stories weren’t enough, we’re treated to anecdotes about Stevie’s acting career ( The Sopranos, Lilyhammer ) and inside peaks of the many causes he gives his time and money to。 And, the book is told with a charming swagger and bravado, which fits perfectly with the narrative of the tale。 All in all, #Unrequited Infatuations is a splendid book and as a bonus, after reading it you’ll feel 20 years younger ! 。。。more

Ruth

SVZ writes in a conversational and very educational tone about this life, most of it in music with a short diversion to acting (Sopranos)。 Clearly a master musicologist, he introduced many obscure artists and music personnel who have never received their due respect。 This is a must-read for those who follow music of ALL genres, as it’s written concisely and is also entertaining。

Sherry Thomas

Unrequited Infatuations begins with the main character hiding under a blanket in a car driving to an unknown destination in a country rife with hatred and division。 This could easily take place in 2021, but this particular event occurred in the ‘80s and the main character is probably one of the most recognizable consiglieres on the planet - the incomparable Stevie Van Zandt。 Unrequited Infatuations is part music history, part “Stuff You Missed In History Class”, and so much more。 Without giving Unrequited Infatuations begins with the main character hiding under a blanket in a car driving to an unknown destination in a country rife with hatred and division。 This could easily take place in 2021, but this particular event occurred in the ‘80s and the main character is probably one of the most recognizable consiglieres on the planet - the incomparable Stevie Van Zandt。 Unrequited Infatuations is part music history, part “Stuff You Missed In History Class”, and so much more。 Without giving too many spoilers, I will say that this book will make you laugh, cry, scream, scratch your head, and, most importantly, think。 Everyone from the music and television connoisseur to the political and cultural guru can learn something from his story。 Unrequited Infatuations won my heart and it will win yours too。 Bravo!Thanks to #NetGalley and #HatchetteBooks for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this gem! 。。。more