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The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music
So, I've written a book.
Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities ("It's a piece of cake! Just do 4 hours of interviews, find someone else to write it, put your face on the cover, and voila!") I have decided to write these stories just as I have always done, in my own hand. The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I've recorded and can't wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child.
This certainly doesn't mean that I'm quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it's like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall, bedtime stories with Joan Jett or a chance meeting with Little Richard, to flying halfway around the world for one epic night with my daughters…the list goes on. I look forward to focusing the lens through which I see these memories a little sharper for you with much excitement.
Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities ("It's a piece of cake! Just do 4 hours of interviews, find someone else to write it, put your face on the cover, and voila!") I have decided to write these stories just as I have always done, in my own hand. The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I've recorded and can't wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child.
This certainly doesn't mean that I'm quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it's like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall, bedtime stories with Joan Jett or a chance meeting with Little Richard, to flying halfway around the world for one epic night with my daughters…the list goes on. I look forward to focusing the lens through which I see these memories a little sharper for you with much excitement.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
About the author
Dave Grohl
22 books1,356 followersDavid Eric Grohl is an American musician. He rose to fame as the drummer for the grunge band Nirvana and sustained a high level of post-Nirvana with the alternative rock band Foo Fighters. He is also the drummer and co-founder of the rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 17,613 reviews
January 11, 2024
Perfect for anyone who loves music or emotional intelligence!
Before you do anything, open YouTube and type in "Dave Grohl Plays Nirvana NYC 2021."
This book spoke to me as a music lover. When I was in middle school, I was given a choice: a radio or TV. Of course, we were too broke to afford cable TV so the choice was easy: radio! I must have listened to Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls at least 2,000 times.
The Storyteller was an extremely entertaining memoir where Dave's love of music shines and shines through. Dave strolls through his childhood and his days in the business, primarily with Scream, Nirvana, and the Foo Fighters. Although Dave never mentions it, he is simply a master in emotional intelligence. He spent years touring in a van with numerous other bandmates. If I had to tour in a van, I would not last more than 24 hours. Recently, there was a lawsuit filed by the baby on the cover of Nirvana's most famous cover (now a man in his 30's) who is claiming that he was taken advantage of and would like the cover to be altered (despite the fact that he has reenacted the cover scene many times and has stated that he didn't really do anything for Nirvana). When Dave Grohl was asked what he thought, "I have many ideas of how we should alter that cover but we'll see what happens. We'll let you know. I'm sure we'll come up with something good. I think there is much more to look forward to and much more to life than getting bogged down in those kinds of things." This guy is a rock star just for saying that! Instead of cutting this freeloader down to size, he went positive and said that he has a lot of creative ideas. How cool is that?!
The Storyteller had me laughing out loud often. I never even knew who Dave Grohl was before reading this book so you don't have to know who he is to enjoy it. For this book, I practiced immersion reading (listening to the audio while following along in a printed copy). The audiobook was read by Dave Grohl himself. He has an incredible rich voice that was a pleasure just to listen to. There is also about 10 minutes of bonus material in the audiobook that was not in my Kindle version.
Overall, a must read if you really love music! Rock on!
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
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Before you do anything, open YouTube and type in "Dave Grohl Plays Nirvana NYC 2021."
This book spoke to me as a music lover. When I was in middle school, I was given a choice: a radio or TV. Of course, we were too broke to afford cable TV so the choice was easy: radio! I must have listened to Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls at least 2,000 times.
The Storyteller was an extremely entertaining memoir where Dave's love of music shines and shines through. Dave strolls through his childhood and his days in the business, primarily with Scream, Nirvana, and the Foo Fighters. Although Dave never mentions it, he is simply a master in emotional intelligence. He spent years touring in a van with numerous other bandmates. If I had to tour in a van, I would not last more than 24 hours. Recently, there was a lawsuit filed by the baby on the cover of Nirvana's most famous cover (now a man in his 30's) who is claiming that he was taken advantage of and would like the cover to be altered (despite the fact that he has reenacted the cover scene many times and has stated that he didn't really do anything for Nirvana). When Dave Grohl was asked what he thought, "I have many ideas of how we should alter that cover but we'll see what happens. We'll let you know. I'm sure we'll come up with something good. I think there is much more to look forward to and much more to life than getting bogged down in those kinds of things." This guy is a rock star just for saying that! Instead of cutting this freeloader down to size, he went positive and said that he has a lot of creative ideas. How cool is that?!
The Storyteller had me laughing out loud often. I never even knew who Dave Grohl was before reading this book so you don't have to know who he is to enjoy it. For this book, I practiced immersion reading (listening to the audio while following along in a printed copy). The audiobook was read by Dave Grohl himself. He has an incredible rich voice that was a pleasure just to listen to. There is also about 10 minutes of bonus material in the audiobook that was not in my Kindle version.
Overall, a must read if you really love music! Rock on!
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
October 11, 2021
After listening to this audiobook, I love Dave Grohl even more - how is that fucking possible?! His memoir is full of warmth, humor, absorbing behind-the-scenes stories of rock'n'roll adventure, heartbreak and mischief, and, yes spirituality, but not of the esoteric kind, but of the "music, friends and family are my religion"-conviction. While other rock stars spend their careers trying to build elaborate badass images, Grohl is like "my mom is my best friend, and my daughter taught me the names of all Disney princesses; and oh, I partied with Pantera, played a stadium rock show with a smashed leg and, you know, changed the landscape of rock with two of the biggest bands ever to exist on this planet. Now let me tell you about my friend Tom Petty. Isn't life wild?"
Grohl seems like an extremely hard-working, humble, intelligent guy who has never fallen into the trap of rockstar kayfabe, he is not chasing the idea of a public persona that is created in other people's minds, and you have to admire him for his zero-fucks-given attitude. He also refrains from ventilating gossip or attacking people who wronged him, and some parts of the text suggest how Grohl tends to overcome setbacks: E.g., his infamous phase of drinking and depression after Kurt's passing is mostly turned into a kind of rebirth, an episode in which he decided to take a new leap - which certainly isn't wrong, but you could probably frame the whole thing very differently. But Grohl didn't - and his determination is probably key to his achievements. This memoir mostly remains upbeat, intending to inspire, and there's nothing wrong with it, but it also means that aspects like the difficult dynamics in Nirvana remain enigmatic and key personal turning points like Grohl's divorce are hardly mentioned. Did this take away from my enjoyment of the book? Not at all.
This guy is a rock'n'roll unicorn, and I could listen to him for days.
Grohl seems like an extremely hard-working, humble, intelligent guy who has never fallen into the trap of rockstar kayfabe, he is not chasing the idea of a public persona that is created in other people's minds, and you have to admire him for his zero-fucks-given attitude. He also refrains from ventilating gossip or attacking people who wronged him, and some parts of the text suggest how Grohl tends to overcome setbacks: E.g., his infamous phase of drinking and depression after Kurt's passing is mostly turned into a kind of rebirth, an episode in which he decided to take a new leap - which certainly isn't wrong, but you could probably frame the whole thing very differently. But Grohl didn't - and his determination is probably key to his achievements. This memoir mostly remains upbeat, intending to inspire, and there's nothing wrong with it, but it also means that aspects like the difficult dynamics in Nirvana remain enigmatic and key personal turning points like Grohl's divorce are hardly mentioned. Did this take away from my enjoyment of the book? Not at all.
This guy is a rock'n'roll unicorn, and I could listen to him for days.
December 5, 2021
Kudos to Dave Grohl for keeping it classy and crafting a memoir that exudes his appreciation for the musical life he’s lived without resorting to titillating gossip and scandalous revelations.
The Storyteller is a collection of the Foo Fighters front man’s reminiscences that will delight music lovers, Gen-Xers, and readers who just love honest self portraits written with eloquence. Even as someone with a pretty neutral take on the guy, I hung on every word. I picked the book up not because I love Nirvana or Grohl or grunge, but because it’s said to be a great read. And I’m here to confirm… it is.
Don’t expect to learn new details about Kurt Cobain’s death or anything tawdry like that. Do expect to listen to how much Dave Grohl loves his mom, being a dad, playing onstage with friends and famous rockers, and just generally living life. The storyteller, indeed.
4.5 stars
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
The Storyteller is a collection of the Foo Fighters front man’s reminiscences that will delight music lovers, Gen-Xers, and readers who just love honest self portraits written with eloquence. Even as someone with a pretty neutral take on the guy, I hung on every word. I picked the book up not because I love Nirvana or Grohl or grunge, but because it’s said to be a great read. And I’m here to confirm… it is.
Don’t expect to learn new details about Kurt Cobain’s death or anything tawdry like that. Do expect to listen to how much Dave Grohl loves his mom, being a dad, playing onstage with friends and famous rockers, and just generally living life. The storyteller, indeed.
4.5 stars
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
April 17, 2022
I miss Taylor Hawkins. I figured reading this would be the next best thing to hanging with Dave during this sad time. It felt like sitting down in a bar with him while he shared random stories from his life. He’s certainly a born storyteller and I found this a captivating read. It was refreshingly different from the usual rock bios. I even loved the way it was laid out; from the chapters and titles, to the inclusion of black and white photos and postcards scattered among the pages.
Dave’s story is inspiring, and will no doubt motivate many musicians or those pursuing anything creative.
“I was read the riot act and given a most hopeless life forecast of poverty and despair by my father and the guidance counselor.”
I didn’t expect the Law of Attraction and manifestation to feature so prominently.
“I have to think that I manifested my destiny that night, utilizing the Law of Attraction, calling upon the universe, tapping into a higher power, or whatever. I just know that today, the success I prayed for in my carport that night has found me.”
Being a fellow drummer and music nerd, The Storyteller resonated on many levels. Dave's love for music is the heart of the book, and how it helped shape his identity and journey through life. He’s the ultimate music fan, and the book is filled with countless anecdotes and stories of him meeting his idols. In fact, you could argue he neglects his personal life (mention of wife, and exploring more heavy issues in-depth) in favour of “the time I met..” – but it helps when the stories feature my favourite musicians and he writes so well.
My favourite parts of the book involved Dave talking drums and his career; particularly his early days touring in vans, joining Nirvana and forming Foo Fighters. I loved how fondly Dave spoke of Australia and was surprised at the unexpected supernatural twists that stories occasionally took. His dedication to “the show must go on” despite various hurdles and catastrophic injuries was admirable and blew my mind. The way Dave lives life itself is inspiring and you can’t help but want to take life by the scruff of the neck after reading.
“Every day was a blank page waiting to write itself.”
Reading of his grief upon losing Kurt made me hurt too.
“If only he could have seen the joy that his music brought to the world, maybe he could have found his own.”
And I couldn’t help thinking of how Dave’s doing since losing Taylor. One of the nicest parts of reading The Storyteller (besides the overflowing love he has for his amazing Mum) was that Taylor Hawkins was very much alive in the pages of the book.
“Tearing through the room like an F5 tornado of hyperactive joy was Taylor Hawkins, my brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet.”
I couldn’t put this book down and didn’t want it to end. I hope it's not the last we see of Dave's writing. An impressive collection of stories and 'moments' from a man who has achieved so much in life.
“I had built an entire career on abiding by one very simple rule: you fake it till you make it.”
Dave’s story is inspiring, and will no doubt motivate many musicians or those pursuing anything creative.
“I was read the riot act and given a most hopeless life forecast of poverty and despair by my father and the guidance counselor.”
I didn’t expect the Law of Attraction and manifestation to feature so prominently.
“I have to think that I manifested my destiny that night, utilizing the Law of Attraction, calling upon the universe, tapping into a higher power, or whatever. I just know that today, the success I prayed for in my carport that night has found me.”
Being a fellow drummer and music nerd, The Storyteller resonated on many levels. Dave's love for music is the heart of the book, and how it helped shape his identity and journey through life. He’s the ultimate music fan, and the book is filled with countless anecdotes and stories of him meeting his idols. In fact, you could argue he neglects his personal life (mention of wife, and exploring more heavy issues in-depth) in favour of “the time I met..” – but it helps when the stories feature my favourite musicians and he writes so well.
My favourite parts of the book involved Dave talking drums and his career; particularly his early days touring in vans, joining Nirvana and forming Foo Fighters. I loved how fondly Dave spoke of Australia and was surprised at the unexpected supernatural twists that stories occasionally took. His dedication to “the show must go on” despite various hurdles and catastrophic injuries was admirable and blew my mind. The way Dave lives life itself is inspiring and you can’t help but want to take life by the scruff of the neck after reading.
“Every day was a blank page waiting to write itself.”
Reading of his grief upon losing Kurt made me hurt too.
“If only he could have seen the joy that his music brought to the world, maybe he could have found his own.”
And I couldn’t help thinking of how Dave’s doing since losing Taylor. One of the nicest parts of reading The Storyteller (besides the overflowing love he has for his amazing Mum) was that Taylor Hawkins was very much alive in the pages of the book.
“Tearing through the room like an F5 tornado of hyperactive joy was Taylor Hawkins, my brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet.”
I couldn’t put this book down and didn’t want it to end. I hope it's not the last we see of Dave's writing. An impressive collection of stories and 'moments' from a man who has achieved so much in life.
“I had built an entire career on abiding by one very simple rule: you fake it till you make it.”
April 11, 2023
Grohl's prose is surprisingly effective. If this was written without a ghostwriter, it's an admirable effort. However, I found the overall work to be a bit scattered and shallow. Grohl jumps back and forth through time a bit too often, and grants entire chapters to episodes of questionable interest. I'd have appreciated a bit more of a deep dive into some of the things that have made Grohl's life so special; his jump from high school student to international touring drummer of the band Scream seemed so abrupt that I almost felt I had skipped a chapter.
In one moment, Grohl is talking about his first girlfriend. Then, it seemed, in the next, he was playing a show with Scream in the Netherlands. How did such a jump change a teenager? How did this new perspective alter his worldview, cause him to grow as a human being? These sorts of engaging questions are abandoned for amusing, though ultimately disposable anecdotes about being chased through European alleyways by junkies and skinheads. This issue is exacerbated by Grohl's questionable inclusion of chapters on seemingly disposable events, such as being hit in the head as a child and the claims that Grohl does not feel physical pain.
The Nirvana chapters are also comparatively light. Grohl and Cobain lived together in the pacific Northwest during their time in Nirvana, but very little of Cobain is shared beyond what everyone already knows: that he was a brilliant songwriter, that he was a depressive, that he was staunchly anti-establishment. So desperate for Cobain crumbs was I that I found Grohl's mention of Cobain's endless love of strawberry milk to be one of my favorite tidbits in the book.
Too much of this reads as a surface-level description of Grohl's life, and the man—although undoubtedly having lived an incredibly interesting, eventful life—seems to lack the insight as to what, exactly, makes his life so incredible and eventful. Thus we're regaled with pitter-patter, here-and-there stories which seem scattershot and don't dive into any real meaning or cohesive theme which drives Grohl's experience, and seem more instead like a smattering of unrelated tidbits from an old-but-gold rocker. Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for. But Grohl has been there for such monumental events in recent music history that I'd hoped for a bit more.
Foo Fighters and Grohl fans will undoubtedly enjoy this, but those of us on the outside of those descriptors will likely be left wanting more. A solid effort nonetheless, but there's nothing profound to be had here.
In one moment, Grohl is talking about his first girlfriend. Then, it seemed, in the next, he was playing a show with Scream in the Netherlands. How did such a jump change a teenager? How did this new perspective alter his worldview, cause him to grow as a human being? These sorts of engaging questions are abandoned for amusing, though ultimately disposable anecdotes about being chased through European alleyways by junkies and skinheads. This issue is exacerbated by Grohl's questionable inclusion of chapters on seemingly disposable events, such as being hit in the head as a child and the claims that Grohl does not feel physical pain.
The Nirvana chapters are also comparatively light. Grohl and Cobain lived together in the pacific Northwest during their time in Nirvana, but very little of Cobain is shared beyond what everyone already knows: that he was a brilliant songwriter, that he was a depressive, that he was staunchly anti-establishment. So desperate for Cobain crumbs was I that I found Grohl's mention of Cobain's endless love of strawberry milk to be one of my favorite tidbits in the book.
Too much of this reads as a surface-level description of Grohl's life, and the man—although undoubtedly having lived an incredibly interesting, eventful life—seems to lack the insight as to what, exactly, makes his life so incredible and eventful. Thus we're regaled with pitter-patter, here-and-there stories which seem scattershot and don't dive into any real meaning or cohesive theme which drives Grohl's experience, and seem more instead like a smattering of unrelated tidbits from an old-but-gold rocker. Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for. But Grohl has been there for such monumental events in recent music history that I'd hoped for a bit more.
Foo Fighters and Grohl fans will undoubtedly enjoy this, but those of us on the outside of those descriptors will likely be left wanting more. A solid effort nonetheless, but there's nothing profound to be had here.
November 3, 2021
If you listen to this, (and you must listen to it) make sure you keep listening after the credits.
This is a phenomenal, inspiring book, that brought me to tears several times. Dave Grohl is an energetic, committed, hardworking mofo that loves his mom.
If you’re a fan, you’ll love him even more, if you’re not, let this serve as a primer on how to never give up.
All the stars!
*Thanks to my local library for the free audio download. Libraries RULE! *
This is a phenomenal, inspiring book, that brought me to tears several times. Dave Grohl is an energetic, committed, hardworking mofo that loves his mom.
If you’re a fan, you’ll love him even more, if you’re not, let this serve as a primer on how to never give up.
All the stars!
*Thanks to my local library for the free audio download. Libraries RULE! *
February 3, 2022
If you don’t love Dave Grohl, there’s something wrong with you
February 10, 2023
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music
Dave Grohl (Author/Narrator)
After reading reviews I knew I wanted to listen to Dave Grohl tell his stories. He does a fantastic job and if he ever had more free time, he could make a career out of narrating. Yes, I know, he's way too busy with his other career.
Decades ago I attended a Gladys Knight and the Pips concert and a ZZ Top concert. I was so out of my element at both due to a problem with noises and crowds. Still I was interested in music and was surprised by how many of the people that Grohl mentions in his book that I was at least a little familiar with. But I didn't really need to know all these people. Grohl is a fantastic storyteller and I enjoyed listening to his voice and his stories. A lot of the stories had me searching for names and events so I could refresh my memory or learn more about people, places, and happenings. This was an enjoyable listen and it even took me down some long forgotten memories of my own.
First published October 5, 2021
Dave Grohl (Author/Narrator)
After reading reviews I knew I wanted to listen to Dave Grohl tell his stories. He does a fantastic job and if he ever had more free time, he could make a career out of narrating. Yes, I know, he's way too busy with his other career.
Decades ago I attended a Gladys Knight and the Pips concert and a ZZ Top concert. I was so out of my element at both due to a problem with noises and crowds. Still I was interested in music and was surprised by how many of the people that Grohl mentions in his book that I was at least a little familiar with. But I didn't really need to know all these people. Grohl is a fantastic storyteller and I enjoyed listening to his voice and his stories. A lot of the stories had me searching for names and events so I could refresh my memory or learn more about people, places, and happenings. This was an enjoyable listen and it even took me down some long forgotten memories of my own.
First published October 5, 2021
January 10, 2022
Mr Dave Grohl is most certainly a Storyteller, and each story he shares is a journey through music history. Captivating from start to finish.
He describes his childhood and teen years in Virginia, where he first learnt to play the drums with only one lesson, practicing with pillows and keeping rhythm with his teeth! He shares his decision to leave school and follow his dreams to join the punk rock band Scream in the late 80s. Then joining Nirvana in the early 90s and being catapulted to mega stardom after the success of single ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and the album Nevermind. He also goes into the eventual collapse of the band after the death of Kurt Cobain, and how he coped with that tragedy. It’s important to note this book is not a part bio on Nirvana nor is any ‘dirt’ spilled. So if you’re looking for that this may not be the one for you.
There is of course, plenty on the Foo Fighters and all the crazy adventures from some of their tours over the years. Including a chapter about a tour in Australia for Big Day Out on the Gold Coast in 2000 which resulted in a drunk driving arrest (which I remember was all over the news down here) lol
There are stories of fatherhood and the love and pride he has for his daughters. He shares special moments meeting his idols, Paul McCartney, AC/DC and Little Richard to name a few.
Overall, The Storyteller is funny, honest and full of amazing personal stories from an incredibly talented, down to earth, wonderful man who has created music that is loved by millions around the world.
I will leave you with these beautiful words he had to say about Kurt Cobain and his friend Jimmy Swanson (also passed).
“These deaths still resonate like a long echo throughout my life, and not a day goes by when I don't think of Kurt and Jimmy. There are simple reminders: A song on the radio that Jimmy would air-drum to while driving his old, beat-up Renault car. The pink strawberry milk that Kurt would sometimes buy at the gas station as a treat for himself. The smell of the cheap Brut cologne that Jimmy would douse himself in each morning, for no one to enjoy but himself. The Elmer Fudd hat that Kurt would often wear to hide his face from the public, and the white-framed Jackie O glasses that became his trademark. It seems that everywhere I turn there is a reminder to be found, and I have come to a place where they no longer break my heart; they make me smile.
But it's when I sit down at a drum set that I feel Kurt the most. It's not often that I play the songs that we played together, but when I sit on that stool, I can still picture him in front of me, wrestling with his guitar as he screamed his lungs raw into the microphone. Just like staring at the sun will burn a spot into your retinas, his image will forever be burned in mine when I look past my drums to the audience before me. He will always be there.”
He describes his childhood and teen years in Virginia, where he first learnt to play the drums with only one lesson, practicing with pillows and keeping rhythm with his teeth! He shares his decision to leave school and follow his dreams to join the punk rock band Scream in the late 80s. Then joining Nirvana in the early 90s and being catapulted to mega stardom after the success of single ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and the album Nevermind. He also goes into the eventual collapse of the band after the death of Kurt Cobain, and how he coped with that tragedy. It’s important to note this book is not a part bio on Nirvana nor is any ‘dirt’ spilled. So if you’re looking for that this may not be the one for you.
There is of course, plenty on the Foo Fighters and all the crazy adventures from some of their tours over the years. Including a chapter about a tour in Australia for Big Day Out on the Gold Coast in 2000 which resulted in a drunk driving arrest (which I remember was all over the news down here) lol
There are stories of fatherhood and the love and pride he has for his daughters. He shares special moments meeting his idols, Paul McCartney, AC/DC and Little Richard to name a few.
Overall, The Storyteller is funny, honest and full of amazing personal stories from an incredibly talented, down to earth, wonderful man who has created music that is loved by millions around the world.
I will leave you with these beautiful words he had to say about Kurt Cobain and his friend Jimmy Swanson (also passed).
“These deaths still resonate like a long echo throughout my life, and not a day goes by when I don't think of Kurt and Jimmy. There are simple reminders: A song on the radio that Jimmy would air-drum to while driving his old, beat-up Renault car. The pink strawberry milk that Kurt would sometimes buy at the gas station as a treat for himself. The smell of the cheap Brut cologne that Jimmy would douse himself in each morning, for no one to enjoy but himself. The Elmer Fudd hat that Kurt would often wear to hide his face from the public, and the white-framed Jackie O glasses that became his trademark. It seems that everywhere I turn there is a reminder to be found, and I have come to a place where they no longer break my heart; they make me smile.
But it's when I sit down at a drum set that I feel Kurt the most. It's not often that I play the songs that we played together, but when I sit on that stool, I can still picture him in front of me, wrestling with his guitar as he screamed his lungs raw into the microphone. Just like staring at the sun will burn a spot into your retinas, his image will forever be burned in mine when I look past my drums to the audience before me. He will always be there.”
June 1, 2024
When I was seventeen years old, music had become my counselor when I needed guidance, my friend when I felt alone, my father when I needed love, my preacher when I needed hope, and my partner when I needed to belong.
Not only is this my 129th-read book this year, but it is also my first five-star of the year.
I don’t like reading memoirs and biographies because it feels weird to “rate” someone’s life. But in reality, I’m not rating their life; I’m rating how they tell their life. Even in real life, there are bad storytellers, people whose events they recall make me sleepy instead of curious about more. But there are also those storytellers who are good at recalling the good and the bad, good at keeping our attention.
Dave Grohl is a good storyteller.
I cannot in good conscience give this less than five stars. I could say I’m biased because I like rock (if we’re talking genres, metalcore is my preferred genre), or I could say it’s because it’s an author’s life I’m technically rating. I’m not gonna say it’s either because it isn’t. In my opinion, this was just really good. If I could read more non-fiction and memoirs/autobiographies (me using them interchangeably because I still can’t tell them apart) like this, my shelves would have more added.
So, when you hear that parade coming down the street, spreading joy and love with every note, don't just listen; join in the march. You never know where it may lead you.
I feel like I know Dave personally, and that takes some good writing. Dave takes the spotlight here on becoming the only author writing about his life that I’m giving five stars. There’s a lot of reminiscing here and it’s all beautiful. The writing is incredible: it never loses its spark, never becomes dwelling, and is always offering something new in his life. It’s difficult to not deny the accuracy of these types of stories, because can people remember this much, this well? Regardless, Grohl does an amazing job at capturing the different emotions of his life, from his childhood and rebellious teenage angsty years to his time with the bands Scream and Nirvana to becoming one of the most well-known artists of Foo Fighters. And I’m not even a big fan of FF (sorry Dave), but I had to listen to There Is Nothing Left To Lose while reading this after Dave considered it their best album.
There’s a lot to unpack on this story that it feels impossible for someone to write everything within less than 400 pages, but Dave captured everything well, with great detail and a clear vision of what he wanted to tell. The storytelling element is poignant, never missing details but also offering enough to give our attention to. The writing is beautiful, never making the reading experience boring. It’s elaborate and divine, full of many highlight-worthy quotes and segments. Dave’s artistic talents don’t only apply to music, that’s for sure. Dave is humble, which sadly a lot of artists aren’t, and he never fails to show us. His values, fatherhood, and being a former punk-rock kid with big dreams shape him to be a good person.
And so, without the conventional structures and rules that usually went along with such things, I considered music my religion, the record store my church, the rock stars my saints, and their songs my hymns.
For a memoir, I was thoroughly impressed. There wasn’t a single moment I found myself bored; instead, I just wanted to continue reading to learn more about Dave. More about his love for his mom, his adoration for his daughters, his rebellious teenage years and moments of embarrassment in large arenas, and his anxious and nervous moments when he’d be meeting his idols and inspirations. It’s pretty fucking surreal to think that THE Dave Grohl is a fanboy of others. I think too often people forget these artists are actually humans just like us and can also (and do) experience the same emotions, feelings, and issues many of us also face. Dave talks about his experiences meeting some of his artistic inspirations like Little Richard, AC/DC, Joan Jett, and many more, which makes this all the more real. It explains why Dave is also the way he is, as he explains: And when I finally come face-to-face with someone who has inspired me along the way, I am thankful. I am grateful. And I take none of it for granted. I am a firm believer in the shared humanity of music, something that I find more rewarding than any other aspect of what I do. When the one-dimensional image becomes a living, breathing, three-dimensional human being, it fills your soul with reassurance that even our most cherished heroes are flesh and bone. I believe that people are inspired by people. That is why I feel the need to connect with my fans when they approach me. I’m a fan too. In almost 400 pages, we learn a lot about Dave; about his time on Scream when he took a chance on life at 17 years young; about his three-year time period with Nirvana and Kurt Cobain’s impact on his life; on his formation of Foo Fighters and addition of the other members; of his strong friendship with Taylor Hawkins, before his passing. How ironic, that Dave lost his lead singer and guitarist as a drummer, and lost his drummer as a lead singer and guitarist. The world works in mysterious ways, and not always for the best.
You cannot predict a person's sudden passing, but there are certain people in life that you prepare yourself to lose, for whatever reason. You foolishly try to protect yourself by building a wall around your heart as a sort of preemptive defense mechanism so that when you get that call, you are prepared somehow. Like being emotionally vaccinated, you have already built up an immunity to their inevitable passing.
I could listen to Dave talk about his life because that’s how it felt with this. I didn’t listen to the audiobook, so I don’t know who narrated it and how the narrator did, but I would listen to Dave read his story to me. I’d be captivated entirely.
Overall, I wouldn’t have picked this up if it weren’t for the PopSugar reading challenge, but I’m glad I did. Full of a lot of courage, personal statements, vulnerability, laughter, hope and love, and of course, a lot of reminiscing about rock music, The Storyteller offers a big glimpse into the life of one of the worlds greatest and most humble male artists in the world.
Side note: This quote made me recall my first ever circle and mosh pits, which I had on May 7th this year, a couple of weeks ago, when I saw the band Attila.
People on top of people. Slam dancing, stage diving, the crowd chanting the words to each song with fists in the air like an army of loyal sonic soldiers. I was stepped on. I was shoved and punched. I was thrown about like a rag doll in the melee of the crowd, and I fucking loved it. The music and violent dancing released an energy within me that had been pent up for years, like an exorcism of all of my childhood traumas.
It’s true what Dave expresses. It’s adrenaline-inducing, an environment of nothing but violence and grit but also safety and concern; it’s fun, full of rage and nerves coming together. There’s nothing but big men and women pushing you as you circle, fighting for your life to stay up but also doing your best to have the best time of your life at that moment. Crowdsurfers pile on top of you, people cartwheeling, others swinging and punching, others pushing, others running around. You’re on your own, but you’re also within the community of people protecting you, and when you’re down, the #1 rule of metal is to stop what you’re doing and pick them up. That night was one of my favorite nights and I have no regrets for being pushed, falling twice, and getting picked back up, only to be thrown back into the pit, getting slapped on the face, and thinking my nose broke (luckily it didn’t!)
Read for 2024 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book by a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing author
Not only is this my 129th-read book this year, but it is also my first five-star of the year.
I don’t like reading memoirs and biographies because it feels weird to “rate” someone’s life. But in reality, I’m not rating their life; I’m rating how they tell their life. Even in real life, there are bad storytellers, people whose events they recall make me sleepy instead of curious about more. But there are also those storytellers who are good at recalling the good and the bad, good at keeping our attention.
Dave Grohl is a good storyteller.
I cannot in good conscience give this less than five stars. I could say I’m biased because I like rock (if we’re talking genres, metalcore is my preferred genre), or I could say it’s because it’s an author’s life I’m technically rating. I’m not gonna say it’s either because it isn’t. In my opinion, this was just really good. If I could read more non-fiction and memoirs/autobiographies (me using them interchangeably because I still can’t tell them apart) like this, my shelves would have more added.
So, when you hear that parade coming down the street, spreading joy and love with every note, don't just listen; join in the march. You never know where it may lead you.
I feel like I know Dave personally, and that takes some good writing. Dave takes the spotlight here on becoming the only author writing about his life that I’m giving five stars. There’s a lot of reminiscing here and it’s all beautiful. The writing is incredible: it never loses its spark, never becomes dwelling, and is always offering something new in his life. It’s difficult to not deny the accuracy of these types of stories, because can people remember this much, this well? Regardless, Grohl does an amazing job at capturing the different emotions of his life, from his childhood and rebellious teenage angsty years to his time with the bands Scream and Nirvana to becoming one of the most well-known artists of Foo Fighters. And I’m not even a big fan of FF (sorry Dave), but I had to listen to There Is Nothing Left To Lose while reading this after Dave considered it their best album.
There’s a lot to unpack on this story that it feels impossible for someone to write everything within less than 400 pages, but Dave captured everything well, with great detail and a clear vision of what he wanted to tell. The storytelling element is poignant, never missing details but also offering enough to give our attention to. The writing is beautiful, never making the reading experience boring. It’s elaborate and divine, full of many highlight-worthy quotes and segments. Dave’s artistic talents don’t only apply to music, that’s for sure. Dave is humble, which sadly a lot of artists aren’t, and he never fails to show us. His values, fatherhood, and being a former punk-rock kid with big dreams shape him to be a good person.
And so, without the conventional structures and rules that usually went along with such things, I considered music my religion, the record store my church, the rock stars my saints, and their songs my hymns.
For a memoir, I was thoroughly impressed. There wasn’t a single moment I found myself bored; instead, I just wanted to continue reading to learn more about Dave. More about his love for his mom, his adoration for his daughters, his rebellious teenage years and moments of embarrassment in large arenas, and his anxious and nervous moments when he’d be meeting his idols and inspirations. It’s pretty fucking surreal to think that THE Dave Grohl is a fanboy of others. I think too often people forget these artists are actually humans just like us and can also (and do) experience the same emotions, feelings, and issues many of us also face. Dave talks about his experiences meeting some of his artistic inspirations like Little Richard, AC/DC, Joan Jett, and many more, which makes this all the more real. It explains why Dave is also the way he is, as he explains: And when I finally come face-to-face with someone who has inspired me along the way, I am thankful. I am grateful. And I take none of it for granted. I am a firm believer in the shared humanity of music, something that I find more rewarding than any other aspect of what I do. When the one-dimensional image becomes a living, breathing, three-dimensional human being, it fills your soul with reassurance that even our most cherished heroes are flesh and bone. I believe that people are inspired by people. That is why I feel the need to connect with my fans when they approach me. I’m a fan too. In almost 400 pages, we learn a lot about Dave; about his time on Scream when he took a chance on life at 17 years young; about his three-year time period with Nirvana and Kurt Cobain’s impact on his life; on his formation of Foo Fighters and addition of the other members; of his strong friendship with Taylor Hawkins, before his passing. How ironic, that Dave lost his lead singer and guitarist as a drummer, and lost his drummer as a lead singer and guitarist. The world works in mysterious ways, and not always for the best.
You cannot predict a person's sudden passing, but there are certain people in life that you prepare yourself to lose, for whatever reason. You foolishly try to protect yourself by building a wall around your heart as a sort of preemptive defense mechanism so that when you get that call, you are prepared somehow. Like being emotionally vaccinated, you have already built up an immunity to their inevitable passing.
I could listen to Dave talk about his life because that’s how it felt with this. I didn’t listen to the audiobook, so I don’t know who narrated it and how the narrator did, but I would listen to Dave read his story to me. I’d be captivated entirely.
Overall, I wouldn’t have picked this up if it weren’t for the PopSugar reading challenge, but I’m glad I did. Full of a lot of courage, personal statements, vulnerability, laughter, hope and love, and of course, a lot of reminiscing about rock music, The Storyteller offers a big glimpse into the life of one of the worlds greatest and most humble male artists in the world.
Side note: This quote made me recall my first ever circle and mosh pits, which I had on May 7th this year, a couple of weeks ago, when I saw the band Attila.
People on top of people. Slam dancing, stage diving, the crowd chanting the words to each song with fists in the air like an army of loyal sonic soldiers. I was stepped on. I was shoved and punched. I was thrown about like a rag doll in the melee of the crowd, and I fucking loved it. The music and violent dancing released an energy within me that had been pent up for years, like an exorcism of all of my childhood traumas.
It’s true what Dave expresses. It’s adrenaline-inducing, an environment of nothing but violence and grit but also safety and concern; it’s fun, full of rage and nerves coming together. There’s nothing but big men and women pushing you as you circle, fighting for your life to stay up but also doing your best to have the best time of your life at that moment. Crowdsurfers pile on top of you, people cartwheeling, others swinging and punching, others pushing, others running around. You’re on your own, but you’re also within the community of people protecting you, and when you’re down, the #1 rule of metal is to stop what you’re doing and pick them up. That night was one of my favorite nights and I have no regrets for being pushed, falling twice, and getting picked back up, only to be thrown back into the pit, getting slapped on the face, and thinking my nose broke (luckily it didn’t!)
Read for 2024 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book by a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing author
November 11, 2021
Contrary to every second reviewer so far, I’m not the Foo Fighters' #1 fan, nor am I obsessed with Dave Grohl. I remain a product of my generation, however, and Grohl has been in my life for the last 30 years; when I stumbled upon this book by chance, this fall, a mere two weeks after it came out, I picked it up on the spot.
I’m glad I did. This reads like an extensive road trip in the best possible company for a Gen Xer. Loved the tour anecdotes. Loved the humble beginnings and the candid life lessons, sinking in one by one and retold with the advantage of a more worldly perspective, decades after. Loved the portrait of the artist as a family man, too.
Worship doesn’t come easily to me, but respect sometimes develops over time – for certain authentic bands and people. Grohl definitely sealed the deal with this publication.
Maybe I'll buy the t-shirt, one day.
I’m glad I did. This reads like an extensive road trip in the best possible company for a Gen Xer. Loved the tour anecdotes. Loved the humble beginnings and the candid life lessons, sinking in one by one and retold with the advantage of a more worldly perspective, decades after. Loved the portrait of the artist as a family man, too.
Worship doesn’t come easily to me, but respect sometimes develops over time – for certain authentic bands and people. Grohl definitely sealed the deal with this publication.
Maybe I'll buy the t-shirt, one day.
February 25, 2024
5 Stars
My biography/memoir "disclaimer" spiel: This rating is not a review or judgment of the subject's life, struggles, or journey. It’s just a reflection on how much I enjoyed the book as a reading experience.
I love biographies/memoirs about musicians and have read some really good ones that made me love the artist even more...but I have also read a couple that turned me off so much, it tainted their previously loved music for me. Which is silly, but it is what it is...Regardless, it definitely makes me go into each biography with a small sense of trepidation now.
And this one was huge. Because, like many, I was a child of the 90's, I LOVED Nirvana, and I vividly remember when Kurt Cobain died. I also went on to love the Foo Fighters and just have a lot of respect for Dave Grohl as a musician. I'll never forget his Grammy award acceptance speech in 2012:
“To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of music is what’s important. Singing into a microphone and learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that’s the most important thing for people to do… It’s not about being perfect, it’s not about sounding absolutely correct, it’s not about what goes on in a computer. It’s about what goes on in here [your heart] and what goes on in here [your head].”
I just loved everything about what he said.
So, as I said, I was nervous about reading this and it tainting Nirvana, Foo, and DG for me.
But I should have trusted in the Dave.
What an amazing human being. He just seems like such a great guy and I loved that he narrated this himself (thus my choice to consume this one via audio book).
He manages to talk about people with whom his had issue or who had demons and struggles without any negativity or judgment. And that's really a special skill and says a lot about him as person. I also really liked how this wasn't a strict chronological accounting of his life and experiences, but a collection of stories that showed rather than told.
That said, I enjoyed this immensely.
My biography/memoir "disclaimer" spiel: This rating is not a review or judgment of the subject's life, struggles, or journey. It’s just a reflection on how much I enjoyed the book as a reading experience.
I love biographies/memoirs about musicians and have read some really good ones that made me love the artist even more...but I have also read a couple that turned me off so much, it tainted their previously loved music for me. Which is silly, but it is what it is...Regardless, it definitely makes me go into each biography with a small sense of trepidation now.
And this one was huge. Because, like many, I was a child of the 90's, I LOVED Nirvana, and I vividly remember when Kurt Cobain died. I also went on to love the Foo Fighters and just have a lot of respect for Dave Grohl as a musician. I'll never forget his Grammy award acceptance speech in 2012:
“To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of music is what’s important. Singing into a microphone and learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that’s the most important thing for people to do… It’s not about being perfect, it’s not about sounding absolutely correct, it’s not about what goes on in a computer. It’s about what goes on in here [your heart] and what goes on in here [your head].”
I just loved everything about what he said.
So, as I said, I was nervous about reading this and it tainting Nirvana, Foo, and DG for me.
But I should have trusted in the Dave.
What an amazing human being. He just seems like such a great guy and I loved that he narrated this himself (thus my choice to consume this one via audio book).
He manages to talk about people with whom his had issue or who had demons and struggles without any negativity or judgment. And that's really a special skill and says a lot about him as person. I also really liked how this wasn't a strict chronological accounting of his life and experiences, but a collection of stories that showed rather than told.
That said, I enjoyed this immensely.
January 18, 2023
Dave Grohl might be THE nicest guy in rock ‘n’ roll. He knows his career as a musician is enviable, he knows he makes great music, and he knows that everyone, even the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, wants to be his friend. Yet in his book of stories, the aptly named, The Storyteller, Grohl is nothing but humble and grateful for his family, his friends, and his music.
Grohl talks of his modest upbringing in Virginia and the years he spent roughing it on the road with Scream. Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures – no band is missed. And most endearingly, he makes sure we know how much he loves his mom, his wife, and his three daughters. This man will literally fly across the world and back for those who mean the most to him.
Grohl’s stories are touching and hilarious. Some are jaw-dropping. A few are also tinged with sadness for the reader, seeing as he wrote The Storyteller prior to the passing of Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins, who he more than once refers to as his “best friend” and “brother from another mother.” Oh, Dave …
If you enjoy audiobooks, by all means allow Grohl to share these stories with you himself. After listening to his gentle voice in my ear for nearly a week, I miss him, now that I’ve heard the last of his tales.
And like Sir Paul, I want to be Dave’s friend, too.
Can I, Dave? Please?
Grohl talks of his modest upbringing in Virginia and the years he spent roughing it on the road with Scream. Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures – no band is missed. And most endearingly, he makes sure we know how much he loves his mom, his wife, and his three daughters. This man will literally fly across the world and back for those who mean the most to him.
Grohl’s stories are touching and hilarious. Some are jaw-dropping. A few are also tinged with sadness for the reader, seeing as he wrote The Storyteller prior to the passing of Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins, who he more than once refers to as his “best friend” and “brother from another mother.” Oh, Dave …
If you enjoy audiobooks, by all means allow Grohl to share these stories with you himself. After listening to his gentle voice in my ear for nearly a week, I miss him, now that I’ve heard the last of his tales.
And like Sir Paul, I want to be Dave’s friend, too.
Can I, Dave? Please?
February 22, 2022
Finally finished this amazing audiobook. My husband and I were listening to it in the car, and it seemed like for months we were either with other people or not going anywhere far enough away to put in the time. Well, today was the day that we took a long trip and were able to get it finished.
Over the years I've grown in appreciation for Dave Grohl's musicianship and his dedication to music. This book is just thoroughly delightful, because it is him telling stories about his life--from growing up outside of Washington DC (funny aside: he and I have the exact same birthday so I could totally relate to so much of what he was talking about during the years when he was growing up.
He is also a tried and true music fan. He loves a wide variety of music and those who create it, and is just as much in awe of people like Paul McCartney as the rest of us would be. He doesn't take anything he has done or experienced in his life for granted, and his love for his family is evident on every page.
His humor is fantastic and it comes across wonderfully in the audiobook. His disdain for Kurt Cobain's turtle is palpable and made me burst out laughing every time he mentioned it. His experiences with his Seattle "haunted house" were equally as funny, and he never ever takes himself too seriously.
Even if you're not a fan of the Foo Fighters or Nirvana (or Queens of the Stone Age, etc), I would venture a guess that you'd enjoy this book anyway. Grohl is a true storyteller, and truly a delight to listen to.
Over the years I've grown in appreciation for Dave Grohl's musicianship and his dedication to music. This book is just thoroughly delightful, because it is him telling stories about his life--from growing up outside of Washington DC (funny aside: he and I have the exact same birthday so I could totally relate to so much of what he was talking about during the years when he was growing up.
He is also a tried and true music fan. He loves a wide variety of music and those who create it, and is just as much in awe of people like Paul McCartney as the rest of us would be. He doesn't take anything he has done or experienced in his life for granted, and his love for his family is evident on every page.
His humor is fantastic and it comes across wonderfully in the audiobook. His disdain for Kurt Cobain's turtle is palpable and made me burst out laughing every time he mentioned it. His experiences with his Seattle "haunted house" were equally as funny, and he never ever takes himself too seriously.
Even if you're not a fan of the Foo Fighters or Nirvana (or Queens of the Stone Age, etc), I would venture a guess that you'd enjoy this book anyway. Grohl is a true storyteller, and truly a delight to listen to.
October 15, 2021
I loved listening to Dave Grohl narrate the book. He brought the book to life with his voice. However, I was disappointed in the book. One reason is that although there are a lot of stories none of them go deep. I felt that these were just surface layer stories he would tell to any fan or person he wasn't close to. He skims over the juiciest parts that fans and readers want to know about...the ups and downs of being in Nirvana, starting the Foo Fighters, his personal life. Another thing that I didn't like is the sequence of the story. The timeline jumps around constantly. This was confusing as a listener to the audiobook. I never knew where we were in his life when the stories were taking place.
January 19, 2022
A heart-warming, uplifting look back at some of the highs and lows of Dave Grohl's amazing life!
I do not read non-fiction much at all, but when I saw Regina's review of this, I knew I had to get it on audible! Why? Because it's Dave Grohl!
I think a lot of people would enjoy this audio even if they didn't know of Mr Grohl, but if you are a fan, like I am, then you're in for a treat! I was, and am still a massive Nirvana and Foo Fighters fan, so delighted in hearing his tales and memories of both bands. There isn't much on the Nirvana years, but then, unfortunately, he only spent a fraction of his life in that band.
I remember seeing the Foo Fighters at Reading Festival (pronounced Redding) in 2000 (I think) and they absolutely rocked it! But what I remember the most, is that people got really over excited and surged forwards, and Dave kept stopping and asking people to be careful and to help people up. He wouldn't play again until everyone was up and safe.
Although not chronological, The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music covered some really interesting parts of Dave's life, was very entertaining, without being gossipy and I could just feel his love of music and life! He was a fantastic narrator, his rich voice drawing me in, and I found myself wishing I was his friend! He made me laugh several times and swears just as much as I do ha ha!
I just liked his down to Earth attitude, he came across so humble and thankful for everything he has, and just seems like such a good guy. A family man, he tries hard to be a good son, husband, father and friend. Dave seems such a genuine guy!
I had never really thought about why he went from drumming, to being lead singer, and found this part of the book really emotional. I was sad listening to how his friend and bandmate's suicide made him spiral, but I am so glad that music saved him!
In between listening to this, I obviously binge listened to the Foo Fighter's greatest hits for about two weeks!
I think I love him even more now, and would honestly listen to anything he narrated, even if he did go off on a little tangent about aliens and ghosts at one point lol
To sum up, this is a must listen for fans of Dave's bands, but that you might enjoy it also if you just love music!
Oh and if you do listen, make sure you listen past the end credits, I only did accidentally, but was treated to one more extra treat of a story!
🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
I do not read non-fiction much at all, but when I saw Regina's review of this, I knew I had to get it on audible! Why? Because it's Dave Grohl!
I think a lot of people would enjoy this audio even if they didn't know of Mr Grohl, but if you are a fan, like I am, then you're in for a treat! I was, and am still a massive Nirvana and Foo Fighters fan, so delighted in hearing his tales and memories of both bands. There isn't much on the Nirvana years, but then, unfortunately, he only spent a fraction of his life in that band.
I remember seeing the Foo Fighters at Reading Festival (pronounced Redding) in 2000 (I think) and they absolutely rocked it! But what I remember the most, is that people got really over excited and surged forwards, and Dave kept stopping and asking people to be careful and to help people up. He wouldn't play again until everyone was up and safe.
Although not chronological, The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music covered some really interesting parts of Dave's life, was very entertaining, without being gossipy and I could just feel his love of music and life! He was a fantastic narrator, his rich voice drawing me in, and I found myself wishing I was his friend! He made me laugh several times and swears just as much as I do ha ha!
I just liked his down to Earth attitude, he came across so humble and thankful for everything he has, and just seems like such a good guy. A family man, he tries hard to be a good son, husband, father and friend. Dave seems such a genuine guy!
I had never really thought about why he went from drumming, to being lead singer, and found this part of the book really emotional. I was sad listening to how his friend and bandmate's suicide made him spiral, but I am so glad that music saved him!
In between listening to this, I obviously binge listened to the Foo Fighter's greatest hits for about two weeks!
I think I love him even more now, and would honestly listen to anything he narrated, even if he did go off on a little tangent about aliens and ghosts at one point lol
To sum up, this is a must listen for fans of Dave's bands, but that you might enjoy it also if you just love music!
Oh and if you do listen, make sure you listen past the end credits, I only did accidentally, but was treated to one more extra treat of a story!
🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
January 3, 2023
Audiobook read by Dave Grohl
…..10 hours and 35 minutes.
I had to stop listening to this *WONDERFUL* audiobook to open my Apple-music-playlist to listen to dozens of songs….
“Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey…..
“Best of You”…. by Foo Fighters
“Stay With Me”….(Sam Smith singing)
Led Zeppelin > “Stairway to Heaven”
Tom Petty > “Wild Flowers”
“Photograph” > Ed Sheeran
etc…..
This audiobook was all-encompassing passionately profoundly brilliant!!
…with added bonus-gifts to any reader/music lover who takes their own reflective time to ‘STOP’…. listen to a few favorite songs >
…..to remember the good and hurtful times - cry - laugh - get in touch with the depths of love in one’s own heart …..
Dave Grohl is not only down-to-earth-cool, real, an artist’s hero, human as anyone can be, but he epitomizes the richness of life itself!!
💕🎸🥁🎤💕
- [ ]
…..10 hours and 35 minutes.
I had to stop listening to this *WONDERFUL* audiobook to open my Apple-music-playlist to listen to dozens of songs….
“Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey…..
“Best of You”…. by Foo Fighters
“Stay With Me”….(Sam Smith singing)
Led Zeppelin > “Stairway to Heaven”
Tom Petty > “Wild Flowers”
“Photograph” > Ed Sheeran
etc…..
This audiobook was all-encompassing passionately profoundly brilliant!!
…with added bonus-gifts to any reader/music lover who takes their own reflective time to ‘STOP’…. listen to a few favorite songs >
…..to remember the good and hurtful times - cry - laugh - get in touch with the depths of love in one’s own heart …..
Dave Grohl is not only down-to-earth-cool, real, an artist’s hero, human as anyone can be, but he epitomizes the richness of life itself!!
💕🎸🥁🎤💕
- [ ]
June 24, 2022
I loved every minute of this. The audio is a MUST!
December 18, 2021
Dave Grohl seems like a very pleasant, well adjusted person. His book was disorganized, superficial and boring.
Kurt Cobain was mentioned as briefly as possible. Courtney Love is not mentioned at all. This probably to avoid lawsuits, but entire years are glossed over.
He writes at length about being a father, but writes nothing about his wife, not even meeting her. At times he seems like a single father doing it all on his own.
The book jumps back and forth through time, basically repeating, “to think this misfit kid from Virginia hit it big and met all his idols, who were amazing” over and over.
He was also corny, with metaphors that should be left on the cutting room floor.
Some of his stories are cute, but the book was not really for me. Sorry Dave.
Kurt Cobain was mentioned as briefly as possible. Courtney Love is not mentioned at all. This probably to avoid lawsuits, but entire years are glossed over.
He writes at length about being a father, but writes nothing about his wife, not even meeting her. At times he seems like a single father doing it all on his own.
The book jumps back and forth through time, basically repeating, “to think this misfit kid from Virginia hit it big and met all his idols, who were amazing” over and over.
He was also corny, with metaphors that should be left on the cutting room floor.
Some of his stories are cute, but the book was not really for me. Sorry Dave.
January 28, 2024
One time drummer of Nirvana and founder and songwriter of the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl, is one of the best-known musicians on the planet. The first thing you learn about him (but most of us fans know this anyway), is that he’s generous and a nice bloke. This comes through in spades in this autobiography, it’s also evident for those of us who have seen the Foo Fighters live – the only time I saw them, they played for almost three hours. It was the best live show I have ever seen (they played with Tenacious D FFS! – how lucky was that?) – and I’ve been to a few concerts over the years. The only bands I reckon I might enjoy more would be ACDC or Radiohead – they’re on my bucket list.
In this audiobook, Grohl talks about his humble beginnings, living with his mom and sister in working-class Springfield, Viriginia. I really enjoyed hearing his early experiences practising drums on pillows, and following local punk bands as he was growing up. Even though he wasn’t musically trained, he had enough pluck to put himself out there and, even though he said he benefited from serendipity at times, I truly believe he made his own luck. One can only admire the guy. The way he phoned for an audition to the well-known band Scream, when only a young inexperienced home drummer, was admirable, yes – he got the gig, and the rest is history. He doesn’t say it – but he had balls, but he's never cocky.
Learning about his time with Nirvana was interesting, the capricious Kurt Cobain was difficult to work with at times, a junkie – but what an obscene talent. His death had a massive impact on Grohl, despite Cobain’s tricky character, he was also a heroin addict – which was a whole different world from Grohl’s world of smokes, weed and booze. They seemed to grow apart when Cobain started to down spiral.
Grohl played for a number of bands over this time, often as a guest (see the link to Queens of the Stone Age below – you’ll get an idea of Grohl’s energetic drumming style).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s88r_...
One of my favourites – Grohl, punching the crap out of those skins man!
Then there’s this – him playing to the soundtrack of Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdBnL...
And just a very short clip of Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl dedicating a song to his best friend, and the Foo's drummer Taylor Hawkins and Glastonbury.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qFVLF3...
Sad – RIP Taylor Hawkins
Magic.
I love this and I was sad to finish it………………….. 5 Stars❤️ #FF
In this audiobook, Grohl talks about his humble beginnings, living with his mom and sister in working-class Springfield, Viriginia. I really enjoyed hearing his early experiences practising drums on pillows, and following local punk bands as he was growing up. Even though he wasn’t musically trained, he had enough pluck to put himself out there and, even though he said he benefited from serendipity at times, I truly believe he made his own luck. One can only admire the guy. The way he phoned for an audition to the well-known band Scream, when only a young inexperienced home drummer, was admirable, yes – he got the gig, and the rest is history. He doesn’t say it – but he had balls, but he's never cocky.
Learning about his time with Nirvana was interesting, the capricious Kurt Cobain was difficult to work with at times, a junkie – but what an obscene talent. His death had a massive impact on Grohl, despite Cobain’s tricky character, he was also a heroin addict – which was a whole different world from Grohl’s world of smokes, weed and booze. They seemed to grow apart when Cobain started to down spiral.
Grohl played for a number of bands over this time, often as a guest (see the link to Queens of the Stone Age below – you’ll get an idea of Grohl’s energetic drumming style).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s88r_...
One of my favourites – Grohl, punching the crap out of those skins man!
Then there’s this – him playing to the soundtrack of Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdBnL...
And just a very short clip of Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl dedicating a song to his best friend, and the Foo's drummer Taylor Hawkins and Glastonbury.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qFVLF3...
Sad – RIP Taylor Hawkins
Magic.
I love this and I was sad to finish it………………….. 5 Stars❤️ #FF
January 14, 2022
'Though I have never been one to collect "stuff", I do collect moments'
With that Dave Grohl takes you on his crazy journey through rock 'n roll from his time as a punk rocker touring in the back of a van in the 80's to playing sold out stadiums today, and how he was part of a rock revolution in the 90's. This is not his full biography as there are gaps, but it is his stories that he tells that had a profound impact on him and all the chapters has a lesson in living in them. What I also found endearing is that he is a family man and that he admits that his greatest achievement is his family. His musical journey is a soundtrack of my youth through the bands he played (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age) and his songs always bring back good memories for me. Highly recommended for fellow rockers.
With that Dave Grohl takes you on his crazy journey through rock 'n roll from his time as a punk rocker touring in the back of a van in the 80's to playing sold out stadiums today, and how he was part of a rock revolution in the 90's. This is not his full biography as there are gaps, but it is his stories that he tells that had a profound impact on him and all the chapters has a lesson in living in them. What I also found endearing is that he is a family man and that he admits that his greatest achievement is his family. His musical journey is a soundtrack of my youth through the bands he played (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age) and his songs always bring back good memories for me. Highly recommended for fellow rockers.
February 26, 2022
I believe what they say that Dave Grohl IS the nicest person in Rock Music.
I thoroughly enjoyed his stories, encompassing his youth, career, parents, wife and daughters… his awe in meeting fellow musicians, and his remembrance of Kurt (not a whole lot on Kurt)
Dave keeps it classy throughout!
I listened to the audio!
I thoroughly enjoyed his stories, encompassing his youth, career, parents, wife and daughters… his awe in meeting fellow musicians, and his remembrance of Kurt (not a whole lot on Kurt)
Dave keeps it classy throughout!
I listened to the audio!
May 2, 2024
This was a fantastic memoir about music, family and friendship and I loved each and every page of it. ❤️
I wish I could meet Dave Grohl in real life. He seems so cool and laid-back and absolutely the kind of person I’d want to befriend.
I loved that he didn’t talk all about sex, drugs and alcohol the whole time which was exactly what I was expecting. It was very family and friend forward and talked a lot about his music process and I got to re-listen to songs I haven’t heard in ages and learn new ones along the way. It got me back into some music that I haven’t listened to in a decade!
This is my second memoir of 5 towards my reading resolution this year and out of all the memoirs I’ve ever read, my favorite. I think my next three will be hard to top this one. 😄
If you love Nirvana and Foo Fighters or just love rock music in general, then you should definitely pick this book up.
Easy 5 ⭐️
I wish I could meet Dave Grohl in real life. He seems so cool and laid-back and absolutely the kind of person I’d want to befriend.
I loved that he didn’t talk all about sex, drugs and alcohol the whole time which was exactly what I was expecting. It was very family and friend forward and talked a lot about his music process and I got to re-listen to songs I haven’t heard in ages and learn new ones along the way. It got me back into some music that I haven’t listened to in a decade!
This is my second memoir of 5 towards my reading resolution this year and out of all the memoirs I’ve ever read, my favorite. I think my next three will be hard to top this one. 😄
If you love Nirvana and Foo Fighters or just love rock music in general, then you should definitely pick this book up.
Easy 5 ⭐️
November 30, 2022
So, I’ve got to rate this 5 stars.
I'll lose my honorary grunge badge if I don't. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I knew that I would like The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music but I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did.
Back in the 90s, I loved this dude from the years of being in Scream and then Nirvana.
When he started The Foo Fighters after Kurt Cobain's death, I was impressed with that as well.
In fact, I'm going to their concert this year in Seattle and I can't wait!
If you can get this on audio, I think you’ll enjoy it more.
I’m sure the printed version is good but to hear Dave Grohl talk about his life, his music career and now being a Dad of three girls, it’s even better!
His enthusiasm and humor are top notch in this!
As a grunge fan rocking flannel, cut up jeans with paint and bobby pins, and also purple hair back in the 90s, I loved the parts of the book with his days with Nirvana and how Kurt Cobain’s suicide really affected him.
This was the part of the book that I really wanted to listen too. I can’t tell you how many times I listened to Bleach and Nevermind back in the day.
I also lost a best friend in the 90s to suicide and it’s tough to go through this at an early age.
The questions of "Why?", "Could I have done more?" and "What the fuck?!" don’t really go away.
I loved to hear about what music means to him and how he’s always trying to be genuine and uniquely himself, even if others don’t like it.
I love this about him and wish more celebrities and people in general cared less about other’s opinions, and cared more about being yourself and happy!
If you are a big fan of music, especially alternative or rock, check this one out.
I don't think you'll regret it!
And even if you're not a big fan of music and alternative/rock in general, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by this book.
It’s well put together; the pacing is great and it’s extremely entertaining to listen to Dave talk. He's actually a great narrator!
I'll lose my honorary grunge badge if I don't. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I knew that I would like The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music but I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did.
Back in the 90s, I loved this dude from the years of being in Scream and then Nirvana.
When he started The Foo Fighters after Kurt Cobain's death, I was impressed with that as well.
In fact, I'm going to their concert this year in Seattle and I can't wait!
If you can get this on audio, I think you’ll enjoy it more.
I’m sure the printed version is good but to hear Dave Grohl talk about his life, his music career and now being a Dad of three girls, it’s even better!
His enthusiasm and humor are top notch in this!
As a grunge fan rocking flannel, cut up jeans with paint and bobby pins, and also purple hair back in the 90s, I loved the parts of the book with his days with Nirvana and how Kurt Cobain’s suicide really affected him.
This was the part of the book that I really wanted to listen too. I can’t tell you how many times I listened to Bleach and Nevermind back in the day.
I also lost a best friend in the 90s to suicide and it’s tough to go through this at an early age.
The questions of "Why?", "Could I have done more?" and "What the fuck?!" don’t really go away.
I loved to hear about what music means to him and how he’s always trying to be genuine and uniquely himself, even if others don’t like it.
I love this about him and wish more celebrities and people in general cared less about other’s opinions, and cared more about being yourself and happy!
If you are a big fan of music, especially alternative or rock, check this one out.
I don't think you'll regret it!
And even if you're not a big fan of music and alternative/rock in general, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by this book.
It’s well put together; the pacing is great and it’s extremely entertaining to listen to Dave talk. He's actually a great narrator!
December 31, 2021
Dave Grohl’s memoir, The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music, was very good. I highly recommend the audiobook, which Dave narrates himself. He is truly a storyteller — I appreciated his humor, animation, and ability to tell both funny, entertainment focused stories and those with more depth that were personal.
I honestly had very little familiarity and knowledge of Dave or The Foo Fighters or Nirvana before reading The Storyteller. Of course I know the classic song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” but wasn’t working with much beyond that. I share this to emphasize that you don’t need to be a huge fan of the bands to enjoy this book.
Dave grew up in Virginia. He dropped out of high school to join a band, Scream, and traveled the country in a van with his bandmates. Eventually he joined Nirvana and after Kurt Cobain’s death, formed The Foo Fighters.
While music is appropriately a huge part of Dave’s story, I really enjoyed the stories he shared about his family — His mom being his number one fan, through and through, and his clear commitment to and love for his wife and their 3 daughters.
I honestly had very little familiarity and knowledge of Dave or The Foo Fighters or Nirvana before reading The Storyteller. Of course I know the classic song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” but wasn’t working with much beyond that. I share this to emphasize that you don’t need to be a huge fan of the bands to enjoy this book.
Dave grew up in Virginia. He dropped out of high school to join a band, Scream, and traveled the country in a van with his bandmates. Eventually he joined Nirvana and after Kurt Cobain’s death, formed The Foo Fighters.
While music is appropriately a huge part of Dave’s story, I really enjoyed the stories he shared about his family — His mom being his number one fan, through and through, and his clear commitment to and love for his wife and their 3 daughters.
January 31, 2024
Hard to review this one. I have had it a while, and reviews I have read are either hot or cold. The Foo Fighters played a gig in Christchurch last week, which I attended, torn Achilles in a moon boot and all.
The Foo Fighters are renowned for always delivering at a live performance, and as expected they didn't let the crowd down. Having previously seen them in a much (much) smaller venue in around 1998, this was a vastly different experience, but still great (stadium gig). More for my own benefit I have included the setlist below - so I can find it again if I feel the need!
I read it pretty quickly, and it wasn't unenjoyable. Dave Grohl is recognised as a nice guy, a grounded guy, a family man. All of this is reinforced over and over in the book.
He is also humble, and deferential to any musician he feels influenced by. There were large sections of the book where we learn the circumstances in which he meets many (many, many) of these musicians all of whom are his biggest influence. It did get a bit repetitive. I have no doubt he really does have a massive circle of friends.
For me one of the best parts of these sorts of bio's is the gritty stories of how the musician made it. Dave delivers on some of these, providing plenty of background from his time in the bands Scream and then of course Nirvana, as when he joined they still had no profile.
There were however plenty of anecdotes which were amusing and interesting. It was interesting to learn how he met his band members although it doesn't spell out all the circumstances in which they come and go. Occasionally the anecdotes are out of sequence, which jarred a little. One minute he refers to his wife, next minute he is in an anecdote about his girlfriend flying out to meet him on tour - not sinister, just jumping out of time sequence...
Did I love this book? No. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. Did it share lots of unknown things? Probably.
I can't go below three stars, or above four stars. Arbitrary I guess, at 3.5, rounded down.
If you are a fan, then find a copy and read it your self - YMMV.
The Foo Fighters are renowned for always delivering at a live performance, and as expected they didn't let the crowd down. Having previously seen them in a much (much) smaller venue in around 1998, this was a vastly different experience, but still great (stadium gig). More for my own benefit I have included the setlist below - so I can find it again if I feel the need!
So to the book.
- All My Life
- No Son of Mine
- Rescued
- The Pretender
- Walk
- Time like These
- Generator
- La dee da
- Break Out
- My Hero
- The Sky is a Neighbourhood
- Learn to Fly
- Arlandria
- These Days
- Statues
- The Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners
- Nothing at All
- White Limo
- Monkey Wrench
- Aurora
- This is a Call
- Best of You
encore
-Everlong
I read it pretty quickly, and it wasn't unenjoyable. Dave Grohl is recognised as a nice guy, a grounded guy, a family man. All of this is reinforced over and over in the book.
He is also humble, and deferential to any musician he feels influenced by. There were large sections of the book where we learn the circumstances in which he meets many (many, many) of these musicians all of whom are his biggest influence. It did get a bit repetitive. I have no doubt he really does have a massive circle of friends.
For me one of the best parts of these sorts of bio's is the gritty stories of how the musician made it. Dave delivers on some of these, providing plenty of background from his time in the bands Scream and then of course Nirvana, as when he joined they still had no profile.
There were however plenty of anecdotes which were amusing and interesting. It was interesting to learn how he met his band members although it doesn't spell out all the circumstances in which they come and go. Occasionally the anecdotes are out of sequence, which jarred a little. One minute he refers to his wife, next minute he is in an anecdote about his girlfriend flying out to meet him on tour - not sinister, just jumping out of time sequence...
Did I love this book? No. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. Did it share lots of unknown things? Probably.
I can't go below three stars, or above four stars. Arbitrary I guess, at 3.5, rounded down.
If you are a fan, then find a copy and read it your self - YMMV.
February 27, 2022
"Music had become my counselor when I needed guidance, my friend when I felt alone, my father when I needed love, my preacher when I needed hope, and my partner when I needed to belong." -- page 364
I tend to tread carefully around show-biz memoirs and autobiographies as the celebrity author may start a lot of (or is too many?) sentences with "I," repeatedly mention to the audience how gosh-darn fabulous they are, and/or insufferably name-drop every famous person that they have encountered in their career. Still, I consider Dave Grohl to be one of those guys that is help keeping rock music alive - I was fortunate to catch the Foo Fighters in 2005 at the Spectrum (and may that legendary concert venue rest in peace) in Philadelphia, and I fondly remember that night with the happily loud and fiercely high-energy performance - in these days of its sadly waning worldwide popularity. So is this musician - now 30+ years (!) into his career between two renowned rock bands - any good at penning a book like he is at writing lyrics? Yes. Grohl pleasantly comes across as a somewhat typical suburban native who still loves his idyllic hometown on the outskirts of Washington D.C. as well as his supportive mother, dotes on his three young daughters, and likely awakens in the middle of the night to hug himself with joy that he has gotten to share the stage with rock legends ranging from Paul McCartney to Joan Jett. (Grohl's sincere love of music is evident throughout the text. He may now be a 'name' act on his own but he absolutely loves to give real compliments to dozens of folks or acts, whether they be obscure or world-famous, who have inspired him throughout his life.) Barring the sections on the passing of Kurt Cobain, this was an often humorous and upbeat self-work from a man who seems genuinely thankful for and still amazed by his various experiences.
I tend to tread carefully around show-biz memoirs and autobiographies as the celebrity author may start a lot of (or is too many?) sentences with "I," repeatedly mention to the audience how gosh-darn fabulous they are, and/or insufferably name-drop every famous person that they have encountered in their career. Still, I consider Dave Grohl to be one of those guys that is help keeping rock music alive - I was fortunate to catch the Foo Fighters in 2005 at the Spectrum (and may that legendary concert venue rest in peace) in Philadelphia, and I fondly remember that night with the happily loud and fiercely high-energy performance - in these days of its sadly waning worldwide popularity. So is this musician - now 30+ years (!) into his career between two renowned rock bands - any good at penning a book like he is at writing lyrics? Yes. Grohl pleasantly comes across as a somewhat typical suburban native who still loves his idyllic hometown on the outskirts of Washington D.C. as well as his supportive mother, dotes on his three young daughters, and likely awakens in the middle of the night to hug himself with joy that he has gotten to share the stage with rock legends ranging from Paul McCartney to Joan Jett. (Grohl's sincere love of music is evident throughout the text. He may now be a 'name' act on his own but he absolutely loves to give real compliments to dozens of folks or acts, whether they be obscure or world-famous, who have inspired him throughout his life.) Barring the sections on the passing of Kurt Cobain, this was an often humorous and upbeat self-work from a man who seems genuinely thankful for and still amazed by his various experiences.
September 12, 2024
ETA: not so much anymore (smh)
Well, not sure how another rock memoir is going to top that one. Storyteller is right.
Humble, intelligent, insightful, engaging and sometimes a little emotional. So much to relate to in this.
Highly recommend for any music lover.
I was a “Nirvana’s drummer” Dave Grohl fan before but now I am definitely just a Dave Grohl “the person” fan.
Well, not sure how another rock memoir is going to top that one. Storyteller is right.
Humble, intelligent, insightful, engaging and sometimes a little emotional. So much to relate to in this.
Highly recommend for any music lover.
I was a “Nirvana’s drummer” Dave Grohl fan before but now I am definitely just a Dave Grohl “the person” fan.
October 22, 2021
Nirvana was my favourite band when I was 15. I bought Nevermind the day it was released (on cassette!) after reading several rave notices, which referenced The Pixies, Husker Du, Sonic Youth et al. A lot of bands were subject to such (in their cases) overblown press (remember The Vines? The greatest band since Nirvana, according to NME. How about The Music? 'The best new band in Britain') but I was all-in every time, on the off-chance that, this time, it was all true. I went out and bought the album from the one place in the town next to mine that sold music, ran up to my bedroom wondering what all the fuss was about (probably very little; remember Mudhoney? Did they ever pay Iggy Pop royalties?), put the tape in, pressed play and waited.
Pretty soon, everything made sense. I'd been waiting for those songs and the wait was over, and I was grateful and overwhelmed. This was the stuff, finally! Once the shock of that melodic battering ram had worn off a little, I started thinking about what made the songs work, why they were so much better than everyone else's, what the three (!) musicians were doing to create such a thrilling blitz of noise. It seemed so maddeningly simple. Guitar, bass and drums played like the world was about to end. And this the miraculous result. Conclusion: whatever these three men had, they had more of it than anyone else.
The next album was different, but Nevermind was unrepeatable. In Utero was less urgent, more interesting, more sombre. Whatever they had was still in evidence, had been dialled down, was lying in wait. And then it was all over.
I went back to Bleach, an album I'd never really warmed to, and which confirmed that only with Dave Grohl in the line-up was the alchemy right. Whatever weird confluence of luck and judgement that had brought the Scream drummer into Nirvana had turned them into the world's greatest rock act. Those drums drove Cobain and Novoselic to places they would otherwise never have reached. It was a shame it was all done after two albums. There were no other Kurt Cobains to go around.
The NME featured Grohl's next venture, Foo Fighters, in which it seemed he'd be playing lead guitar, not drums. Oh crap, I thought -- this could be like Cast, a dire Las spin-off. Don't besmirch the legacy, Dave! But I was right behind it, desperate for it to be at least passable. If so, I'd just say it was great. Nirvana would live on! Sort of.
I was a little older by now, but the process was still basically the same. Get on the bus, buy the album, take it home, sit with it and see what was what. Though this time, it felt cruel. Nirvana were not coming back. Here was the unquestionably great drummer doing a potentially embarrassing Paul McCartney circa Abbey Road, the only man in the studio, playing all the instruments, everyone else gone and no longer under any illusions.
And yet that Foo Fighters debut was pretty great, and those were definitely Grohl drums. It was enough. Many of the songs were clearly, openly about Nirvana, about Kurt Cobain, but the misery, the parlayed dyspepsia had all been spent, distilled and bottled into those two landmark albums. The Foo Fighters were fun, even when the lead singer was shrieking, even when the song was a sad one. And though they'd never be great, they would be good, and they would last, and they'd put a smile on your face whenever they came on the radio.
This memoir is funny and excellent company. It's like a really good Foo Fighters song: too likeably formulaic to hit the heights, but never dull. And the bits about the Nirvana years -- featuring a horrible apartment in which Grohl struggles to sleep on a couch beside Cobain's pet turtle which taps on its tank throughout the night -- are the best of it.
'These deaths still resonate like a long echo throughout my life, and not a day goes by when I don’t think of Kurt and Jimmy. There are simple reminders: A song on the radio that Jimmy would air-drum to while driving his old, beat-up Renault car. The pink strawberry milk that Kurt would sometimes buy at the gas station as a treat for himself. The smell of the cheap Brut cologne that Jimmy would douse himself in each morning, for no one to enjoy but himself. The Elmer Fudd hat that Kurt would often wear to hide his face from the public, and the white-framed Jackie O glasses that became his trademark. It seems that everywhere I turn there is a reminder to be found, and I have come to a place where they no longer break my heart; they make me smile.
But it’s when I sit down at a drum set that I feel Kurt the most. It’s not often that I play the songs that we played together, but when I sit on that stool, I can still picture him in front of me, wrestling with his guitar as he screamed his lungs raw into the microphone. Just like staring at the sun will burn a spot into your retinas, his image will forever be burned in mine when I look past my drums to the audience before me. He will always be there.'
Pretty soon, everything made sense. I'd been waiting for those songs and the wait was over, and I was grateful and overwhelmed. This was the stuff, finally! Once the shock of that melodic battering ram had worn off a little, I started thinking about what made the songs work, why they were so much better than everyone else's, what the three (!) musicians were doing to create such a thrilling blitz of noise. It seemed so maddeningly simple. Guitar, bass and drums played like the world was about to end. And this the miraculous result. Conclusion: whatever these three men had, they had more of it than anyone else.
The next album was different, but Nevermind was unrepeatable. In Utero was less urgent, more interesting, more sombre. Whatever they had was still in evidence, had been dialled down, was lying in wait. And then it was all over.
I went back to Bleach, an album I'd never really warmed to, and which confirmed that only with Dave Grohl in the line-up was the alchemy right. Whatever weird confluence of luck and judgement that had brought the Scream drummer into Nirvana had turned them into the world's greatest rock act. Those drums drove Cobain and Novoselic to places they would otherwise never have reached. It was a shame it was all done after two albums. There were no other Kurt Cobains to go around.
The NME featured Grohl's next venture, Foo Fighters, in which it seemed he'd be playing lead guitar, not drums. Oh crap, I thought -- this could be like Cast, a dire Las spin-off. Don't besmirch the legacy, Dave! But I was right behind it, desperate for it to be at least passable. If so, I'd just say it was great. Nirvana would live on! Sort of.
I was a little older by now, but the process was still basically the same. Get on the bus, buy the album, take it home, sit with it and see what was what. Though this time, it felt cruel. Nirvana were not coming back. Here was the unquestionably great drummer doing a potentially embarrassing Paul McCartney circa Abbey Road, the only man in the studio, playing all the instruments, everyone else gone and no longer under any illusions.
And yet that Foo Fighters debut was pretty great, and those were definitely Grohl drums. It was enough. Many of the songs were clearly, openly about Nirvana, about Kurt Cobain, but the misery, the parlayed dyspepsia had all been spent, distilled and bottled into those two landmark albums. The Foo Fighters were fun, even when the lead singer was shrieking, even when the song was a sad one. And though they'd never be great, they would be good, and they would last, and they'd put a smile on your face whenever they came on the radio.
This memoir is funny and excellent company. It's like a really good Foo Fighters song: too likeably formulaic to hit the heights, but never dull. And the bits about the Nirvana years -- featuring a horrible apartment in which Grohl struggles to sleep on a couch beside Cobain's pet turtle which taps on its tank throughout the night -- are the best of it.
'These deaths still resonate like a long echo throughout my life, and not a day goes by when I don’t think of Kurt and Jimmy. There are simple reminders: A song on the radio that Jimmy would air-drum to while driving his old, beat-up Renault car. The pink strawberry milk that Kurt would sometimes buy at the gas station as a treat for himself. The smell of the cheap Brut cologne that Jimmy would douse himself in each morning, for no one to enjoy but himself. The Elmer Fudd hat that Kurt would often wear to hide his face from the public, and the white-framed Jackie O glasses that became his trademark. It seems that everywhere I turn there is a reminder to be found, and I have come to a place where they no longer break my heart; they make me smile.
But it’s when I sit down at a drum set that I feel Kurt the most. It’s not often that I play the songs that we played together, but when I sit on that stool, I can still picture him in front of me, wrestling with his guitar as he screamed his lungs raw into the microphone. Just like staring at the sun will burn a spot into your retinas, his image will forever be burned in mine when I look past my drums to the audience before me. He will always be there.'
January 3, 2022
Dave Grohl has often been referred to as the nicest man in rock. And he certainly lives up to that title in this memoir - the Foo Fighters frontman makes great company, telling many colourful stories about his time in the music business, but never forgetting where he came from, or the people who helped him along the way.
Grohl was raised in Springfield, Virginia, mostly by his mother, a teacher. He didn't really see eye to eye with his Dad, a Republican political consultant. When cousin Tracey introduced Grohl to punk rock at age 13, his eyes were opened, and he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He began to dedicate his free time to learning the drums, and somehow ended up wangling an audition for Scream, one of his favourite bands. He nailed it and even though he was only 17 at the time, was asked to join the group as a full-time member. He toured extensively with Scream, though they remained an underground band, never attaining mainstream popularity. Everything changed when he agreed to join Nirvana, who of course became the biggest music sensation on the planet. Kurt Cobain's death had a major effect on Grohl, but he eventually pulled himself together to establish the Foo Fighters. This venture has been a huge success, and he spends his days touring the world with the band and raising three daughters with his wife Jordyn.
Grohl comes off as such a likeable guy in the book. He has managed to stay humble somehow, even though he can call Paul McCartney a friend and has performed for Presidents. He's got some great stories of life on the road, and I think I enjoyed his recollections of Scream the most, even though I knew little about the band. Something about the tireless effort they made, all the crap venues they played, the dirty floors they slept on - it seemed like a magical journey even though they never really made it. He speaks of that time very fondly and I'm sure he wouldn't change a thing.
If I have a criticism of the book, it's what has been left out. It was a bit light on Nirvana for my taste. I know Grohl wasn't in the band all that long, but I would love to have read a few more Cobain anecdotes or to discover what it was really like to record Nevermind, arguably the most important album of the 90s. He also barely mentions his first marriage, which I found a little odd. Maybe it's a wound he would rather not pick at, but I would like to hear his whole story, not just the happy memories.
All in all though, it's a pleasure to read. Grohl is a witty, spirited narrator and it's no mystery why he has managed to stay at the top for so long - his enthusiasm is infectious. The Storyteller is a fast-paced and entertaining perspective on what it takes to make it in the rock business, and what happens when those dreams come true.
Grohl was raised in Springfield, Virginia, mostly by his mother, a teacher. He didn't really see eye to eye with his Dad, a Republican political consultant. When cousin Tracey introduced Grohl to punk rock at age 13, his eyes were opened, and he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He began to dedicate his free time to learning the drums, and somehow ended up wangling an audition for Scream, one of his favourite bands. He nailed it and even though he was only 17 at the time, was asked to join the group as a full-time member. He toured extensively with Scream, though they remained an underground band, never attaining mainstream popularity. Everything changed when he agreed to join Nirvana, who of course became the biggest music sensation on the planet. Kurt Cobain's death had a major effect on Grohl, but he eventually pulled himself together to establish the Foo Fighters. This venture has been a huge success, and he spends his days touring the world with the band and raising three daughters with his wife Jordyn.
Grohl comes off as such a likeable guy in the book. He has managed to stay humble somehow, even though he can call Paul McCartney a friend and has performed for Presidents. He's got some great stories of life on the road, and I think I enjoyed his recollections of Scream the most, even though I knew little about the band. Something about the tireless effort they made, all the crap venues they played, the dirty floors they slept on - it seemed like a magical journey even though they never really made it. He speaks of that time very fondly and I'm sure he wouldn't change a thing.
If I have a criticism of the book, it's what has been left out. It was a bit light on Nirvana for my taste. I know Grohl wasn't in the band all that long, but I would love to have read a few more Cobain anecdotes or to discover what it was really like to record Nevermind, arguably the most important album of the 90s. He also barely mentions his first marriage, which I found a little odd. Maybe it's a wound he would rather not pick at, but I would like to hear his whole story, not just the happy memories.
All in all though, it's a pleasure to read. Grohl is a witty, spirited narrator and it's no mystery why he has managed to stay at the top for so long - his enthusiasm is infectious. The Storyteller is a fast-paced and entertaining perspective on what it takes to make it in the rock business, and what happens when those dreams come true.
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