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Unrequited Infatuations
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Stevie Van Zandt
- Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins
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Unrequited Infatuations
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Summary
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 institutionalised 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 21st century, Van Zandt founded a groundbreaking radio show (Underground Garage), 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 20-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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
"An inimitable Rock 'n' Roll life told as boldly as it was lived." (Bruce Springsteen)
"A wonderfully original take on a Rock and Roll autobiography." (Paul McCartney)
What listeners say about Unrequited Infatuations
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 11-12-21
A must read
Simply sensational what a story what a life, book of the year and Stevie’s performance is incredible.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr
- 13-12-21
Nobody heard it!
Overall, Incitefull, funny and an enjoyable listen, I knew next to nothing about his role in ending apartheid in South Africa, he deserves a huge amount of credit for this.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Terry M
- 17-11-21
What a life.
What a life this man has led. This book brings back so many memories for me of seeing Springsteen and Stevie all of them good. Hearing how he has impa Ted on some of the greatest historical moments of the 20th Century was eye opening and inspiring. And now his work with the teach rock foundation further cements his legendary status.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Paul baxby
- 26-01-23
Wonderful.
Simply a must for any Bruce and rock and soul fans out there, and film buffs, a great insight into the man with social conscience . Enjoy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 31-12-21
Absolutely superb
I wish I'd never heard it so I could listen to Stevie read it again. In fact I will because my girlfriend is going to listen to it next and I'll be listening with her.
Thanks, Stevie. A life well lived.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- mo
- 10-07-22
Stevie
Loved it ,great read,listen to it at night,very informative, of his life and music,
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- steve barber
- 06-06-22
Very entertaining
A most enjoyable and enlightening book. I learnt a great deal about Stevie and his career
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Neil
- 24-01-22
a hero's autobiog
This may have been done in one or two takes which makes it all the better. Possibly the best ever audiobook read by the author and one where you could easily argue it's better to listen to the author than read the book (which I will do anyway) but to hear this in Stevie's own voice, especially the bits where he laughs as he reads the bits where he's kinda tongue-in-cheek, just adds so much. Amazing man, hear his story: love him more than you already did if that's possible.
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- Gareth I. J. Robinson
- 18-11-21
Silvio Dante Tells the Story of Rock n Roll.
Stevie Van Zandt, Miami Steve, Little Steven, Silvio, Frankie the Fixer... narrates the story of rock n roll from the second generation who got to experience it, take it to its zenith and truly understand its impact on society. This is not your typical, bawdy rock star confessional, but Stevie is not your typical rock star. Not always anyway.
This is the book of Stevie's journey through life and the art he is simultaneously telling the history of and paying tribute to. His decision to leave the E Street Band just as they became the biggest band on the planet, while having a political awakening and his subsequent devotion to activism is a fascinating and atypical twist in the rock n roll memoir. Then his career switch to acting, his involvement in the rock n roll hall of fame, producing, writing and his dedication to keep rock music alive and culturally significant. Stevie Van Zandt is a man of many facets, all of which are beautifully told and unearthed in this tome, in his own inimitable, bada-bing-bada-boom, rock n roll consigliere, not the boss (or THE Boss) but the man, style. A must for all fans of rock music.
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- Pete
- 09-04-22
You’ve just got to hear this!!!
An interesting story that moves a long at a rollicking pace, made all the better for being narrated by Stevie himself…one of those guys you may think you know from records, stages and screens, but to whom there are undoubtedly more facets than you’re aware of. Great stuff!!!
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