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Rock Stars Stole My Life!

A Big Bad Love Affair with Music

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Rock Stars Stole My Life!

By: Mark Ellen
Narrated by: Mark Ellen
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About this listen

In a sodden tent at a '70s festival, the teenage Mark Ellen had a dream. He dreamt that music was a rich meadow of possibility, a liberating leap to a sparkling future, an industry of human happiness - and he wanted to be part of it. Thus began his 50-year love affair with rock and roll.

From his time at the NME and Smash Hits to Radio One, Old Grey Whistle Test, Live Aid, Q, Select, Mojo, and The Word magazines, he's been at the molten core of its evolution, and watched its key figures from a unique perspective. This funny and touching personal memoir maps out his eventful journey. It tells stories and settles scores. It charts the peaks and disappointments. It flags up surprising heroes and barbecues the dull and self-deluded. It puts a chaotic world to rights and pours petrol on the embers of a glorious industry now in spiralling decline.

©2014 Mark Ellen (P)2014 Hodder & Stoughton Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Witty Feel-Good

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Editor reviews

The loud and tremendous journey of rock and roll is told straight from Mark Williams - a man who lived and breathed it. He's author and narrator of his autobiographical audiobook Rock Stars Stole My Life!: A Big Bad Love Affair with Music. Williams’ life has been entwined with music from his very beginnings. His career sparkling with musical endeavors. Here he tells the magical journey that has seen him conquer the world of rock and roll and come out a legend. This is an honest, awe-inspiring recount of the surging music industry through the decades. Available now from Audible.
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What made the experience of listening to Rock Stars Stole My Life! the most enjoyable?

Mark Ellen's career has spanned pretty much of my own life listening to music. Interesting to be reminded of the early careers of bands that I had nearly forgotten. Especially, my youth when we were so starved of decent music to listen to, I would also record Top of the Pops on my cassette recorder, not to mention listening to the wavering signal of Radio Luxembourg under the bed clothes

What did you like best about this story?

I think that sharing the same time span ( we must be about the same age), kept me listening

What does Mark Ellen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Mark is an experienced DJ and presenter, he is the ideal person to have read the book

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It wasn't the sort of book that has great emotional highs and lows but did bring back many memories

An interesting trip down memory lane

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Was familiar with Mark but not aware of everything he’d done and been involved with. I’d probably read a lot if it over the years. Really enjoyed this book.

Great tale of someone who was there.

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Always warmed to Mark Ellen . This reinforced my opinion. Entertaining, witty, and infectiously modest.

A very enjoyable listen

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.. and so sad when it had finished! A great romp through the music of our lives .. Lots of funny stories, and some shockers too ...
Highly recommended!

SO GOOD

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I really enjoyed Mark Ellen ' s musical memoir of working in the music press over the last thirty years . Enlightening and very very funny.

fabulously entertaining!

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A great read that encapsulates just how much the music industry has changed since the heady day of the late 60's and 70's. Lots of familiar names mixed in with names I had forgotten about.

The Times They Are A Changin

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Would you consider the audio edition of Rock Stars Stole My Life! to be better than the print version?

I haven't seen the print version so can't really comment but I wouldn't want to read it whilst driving!

What other book might you compare Rock Stars Stole My Life! to, and why?

I don't usually listen to biographies but if there were another of a rock magazine editor/OGWT presenter, I might compare it to that.

What about Mark Ellen’s performance did you like?

Excellent, I didn't feel that he was reading to me, just telling me the tale.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Well it's not a whodunnit is it? So no. Came back and dipped in many times.

They pilfered quite a bit of mine too!

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I could listen to Mark Ellen all day, he clearly enjoys reading aloud and he’s full of wit and insider’s anecdote, without ever losing the outsider’s astonishment and glee at where he found himself. Very, very funny and just lovely. At one point my other half (who’d read the paper version) wandered through and said”Are you still listening to Mark Ellen? I don’t remember the book going as far as this.” (the closing of The Word). I replied “I suspect they’ve left him in the studio and he’s enjoying himself so much they’ll never stop him”. I think audio is the best way to consume this book because of his warm voice. Recommended.

Charmed

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What made the experience of listening to Rock Stars Stole My Life! the most enjoyable?

Mark Ellen has a joy for life and a rare sense of self awareness. He can tell a great story and fashion some funny phrases. The book is like a good mate telling you his stories.

What did you like best about this story?

He said what I would have said if I could have had his experience, skill charm, memory and talent.

What about Mark Ellen’s performance did you like?

He may talk a lot for his living but he is not an actor. He kep the pace high and the enthusiasm wsa full on.

Mark Ellen was there so you didn't have to be

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The great writing you'd expect from Mark Ellen. Only dropped a star because his delivery of the early chapters is as whimsical as the period he's describing. Such casualness is infuriating but soon he ups the commitment and it's hard to 'put down'/ pause.

the exciting musical trip you'd expect from Ellen

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