Under A Rock

Author: Chris Stein

Paperback

Under A Rock, the first memoir from Blondie's Chris Stein, is a quintessentially New York story of the golden age of the East Village and the makings of international superstars.

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Summary

Under A Rock, the first memoir from Blondie's Chris Stein, is a quintessentially New York story of the golden age of the East Village and the makings of international superstars.

Description

At its heart, Under A Rock is a love story. The codependent bond between Chris Stein and Debbie Harry carried Blondie through their many tribulations: terribly misogynistic music scenes, greasy record execs, bitter band mates, gruelling schedules, and hard drug abuse abound, and Chris lays it all bare with blunt sincerity and humour. Ultimately, Chris and Debbie broke up, but their bond never dissipated; they remain closest of friends, and continue to tour and promote their various projects together to this day.

Critic Reviews

'With a stream-of-consciousness writing style and a talent for storytelling, the author recounts with intriguing specificity the trajectory his life has taken, replete with wild, sometimes unbelievable stories... a fascinating yet cautionary account regarding the hazards of rock 'n' roll and celebrity' Kirkus (starred review)
'[An] atmospheric narrative' Publishers Weekly
'[E]ngaging...Written in an off-the-cuff style, this memoir offers a descriptive, highly impressionistic account of the author's role in Blondie and his life in New York City. Will engage general readers' Library Journal
'Stein emerges as genuinely likable [and] genuinely fascinating, above and beyond his rock star status... [Under A Rock is] that rare thing: a music autobiography that leaves you wanting more, not less' Alexis Petridis, Guardian
'so evocative that it almost vibrates with music from the era. It is also surprisingly funny and candid, and a tender love letter to [Stein's] lifelong partner and friend' The i
'[Stein's memoir] is snappy and high-octane, but also tender, fuelled by the love he still has for [Debbie] Harry... it's a document of a remarkable life' Sunday Times
'In this richly packed memoir, Stein unsentimentally traces Blondie's journey from pre-punk NYC's scuzzy downtown streets to a pop stardom... as a keen photographer, Stein has an excellent eye for little textural insights - [Stein's] desire to document his world, frame by extraordinary frame, never dulls' -- Alice Thomas Mojo magazine

About the Author

Chris Stein is a renowned visual artist and cofounder of the rock group Blondie. His high school band opened for the Velvet Underground at the Gymnasium. In the 1970's he produced a Manhattan local cable show, Hollywood Spit, that regularly featured legends of the punk scene. He and his girlfriend, the rock goddess Debbie Harry, roomed with the Ramones, hobnobbed with the Warhol crowd at Max's Kansas City, and perfected Blondie's sound at the fledgling CBGBs. Chris Stein has previously published two books of photography, both with Rizzoli, and wrote the foreword for Debbie Harry's memoir.