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Rock Stars Stole My Life!
- A Big Bad Love Affair with Music
- Narrated by: Mark Ellen
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
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Rock Stars Stole My Life!
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Summary
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.
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Editor reviews
What listeners say about Rock Stars Stole My Life!
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- R. Watson
- 26-06-15
fabulously entertaining!
I really enjoyed Mark Ellen ' s musical memoir of working in the music press over the last thirty years . Enlightening and very very funny.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Fanshaw
- 30-04-17
An interesting trip down memory lane
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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Justin
- 20-01-23
Great tale of someone who was there.
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D Turnpenney
- 29-04-15
A very enjoyable listen
Always warmed to Mark Ellen . This reinforced my opinion. Entertaining, witty, and infectiously modest.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. A. Palmer
- 21-06-21
SO GOOD
.. 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!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Stewart Booth
- 20-07-15
They pilfered quite a bit of mine too!
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- North Norfolk
- 02-06-15
Charmed
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sarah
- 19-05-14
Mark Ellen was there so you didn't have to be
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.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Nicholas O'CONNOR
- 18-05-15
the exciting musical trip you'd expect from Ellen
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.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Downey
- 10-09-14
Great music history and read by the author
My favourite ever audible title, it took me straight back to my teenage years in the late seventies and eighties when NME, Melody Maker, Old Grey Whistle Test and Smash hits and the bands they covered were part of life. All audible books should be read by the author it makes such a difference having them read with passion and knowledge compared with some of the dire narrations that are out there.
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1 person found this helpful