This was a very interesting book from his childhood to eventually being part of Springsteen's band and then onto T.V. and the Sopranos where more people got to know him. He actually got better as an actor from the first season to the last. Overall this was a good read and worth the time if you are into music and T.V. A good book. .

Wow, Stevie Van Zandt has led an interesting life and did a lot of things that I had no idea about! He comes off as a little arrogant and jaded in this, but he also comes across as thoughtful, wistful, and introspective at times. I greatly enjoyed this. The stuff with Bruce Springsteen was VERY superficial, and I get the impression that he has a complicated relationship with Bruce that he doesn't like talking about. Still, the stuff about his solo work, politics, and acting career were varied enough to keep me constantly interested. I wish there was a little bit more Sopranoes stuff, it seems like Stevie wanted to skim past the two things he's most well known for to highlight some other stuff he wishes he got credit for. Like for instance, helping Nelson Mandela get released.....by recording a song? I get what he was going for but maybe his self-importance got in the way here. I do recommend this memoir, though, if you like Van Zandt or like rock/actor memoirs!

Two and a half stars, rounding up.
I didn't really know much about Little Steven before I read his book. I knew he is a talented musician in a great band and a successful actor who has obviously lead an amazing life. Unfortunately, he's one of a few people whose memoirs made me like them less after I read them.

I was really looking forward to this one. I like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and I love reading rock memoirs. There are so many great partnerships in music - Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Lennon and McCartney, Elton John and Bernie Taupin. I was excited to read about his partnership with Bruce Springsteen, his music, his inspirations and as well as him successfully making the leap to acting. What I got was Little Steven's ego, and lots of it. He was apparently personally responsible for everything from Bruce's marriage and family to ending apartheid and diverting a nuclear war (No, really. I'm serious.) I know it's a memoir and it should be about him, but it was just so self-indulgent it became unbelievable and outright cringy after a while. I think the only thing Steven is infatuated with is himself.

Definitely, go ahead and read it if you're a fan, otherwise... meh.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hachette for the opportunity to read and review Unrequited Infatuations.

https://rockandrollglobe.com/rock/stevie-van-zandts-unrequited-infatuations-and-the-persistence-of-memory/

Little Stevie, Miami Steve, Silvio Dante; all the same person Stevie Van Zandt.
In his new autobiography Steve tells all. From his Jersey roots to his early band days, to record producer, to side man for Bruce Springsteen, to loving husband to wife, Maureen...to Sun City, Nelson Mandela, The Sopranos, Lilyhammer, The Rascals, The R'ock n Roll Hall of Fame , to Sirius Radio's Outlaw Country to Little Stevie's Underground Garage to Darlene Love--this guy knows it all, has seen it all and is a pretty great writer.

He's the Zelig of Rock 'n Roll.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read. Totally enjoyed it. Wish the advance had photos.

4.5 rounded up
Big Little Steven fan and big Bruce fan. Loved the stories and tidbits from SVZ. Lots of background on the band, the Sopranos, Lilyhammer and the rebel albums. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

In this autobiography/memoir, Stevie Van Zandt offers insight into his life as a professional consigliere--whether as Bruce Springsteen's good friend and longtime member of the E Street Band or as the fictional Silvio Dante on The Sopranos. When he branches out on his own--as musical producer, director, political activist, fundraiser, etc.--he has far greater success, but rarely achieves either financial success or the recognition he deserves.

I did have a pretty solid overview of Steven Van Zandt's life and achievements, but I still enjoyed (and learned from) this deep dive into his activities. Told in his inimitable voice, the memoir is fascinating--occasionally somewhat self-glorifying in a self-deprecating way, but he deserves far greater recognition than he has ever received. He certainly doesn't hold back and his story is the better for it. #UnrequitedInfatuations #NetGalley

Unrequited Infatuations: A Memoir
By Stevie Van Zandt

Highly disappointing-

I had such high expectations for this story. Clearly, someone who was in the E Street Band, the Sopranos, Lilyhammer, and who was a long-time friend of Bruce Springsteen’s would have fascinating stories to tell?

SVZ does, only his storytelling methodology didn’t sit well with me. I found the book filled with digressions and rambling statements and quite frankly too lengthy. Often, I found it hard to follow since he weaves in and out of subjects. Maybe because he decided to leave Bruce and the E street band and become a “political rock artist”, he felt he was so special? After all, he played a part in ending apartheid in South Africa and Nelson Mandela had to ask him what to say before he got to an NYC fundraiser that SVZ helped put together.

Throughout the book, he uses every opportunity to put people down and point out how talented and street smart he is and doesn’t hold back on using profanity. “Sol Kerzner, the main owner of Sun City made the mistake of challenging me on the Phil Donahue Show, spewing the usual bullshit apartheid talking points. I squashed him like the cockroach he was.” Wow, no holding back there!

I wouldn’t deny the fact that throughout his life’s journey, he has met and known riveting, influential people and clearly did take on political agendas and help further children’s education on music. But, with all the negative things going on in the world at this time, do we really need to read an egotistical memoir by some aging rocker? His story had so much potential….

What a run ride and read about a classic Rock N Roll disciple. It was a very interesting read about Stevie’s music and acting career and learning about his activist passion. Thanks netgalley for the ARC of this great book!

I had a great time being taken along for the ride that this book sent me on. Like most artist memoirs it is not going to change the game with the way it was written but there are some great stories in here.

A revelatory memoir from a multi-faceted, incredibly talented artist who’s led a full life. Van Zandt packs his book with stories of music and activism, offering up fascinating anecdotes that involve many recognizable names.

Stevie Van Zandt has written a marvelous memoir of his life as a rock’n’roller, activist, TV star, producer, and so much more. The casual, conversational tone is at times self deprecating and at times boastful bravado but always enjoyable. He’s a great storyteller, and is both quick witted and opinionated. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended

Stevie Van Zandt has always been more than just Bruce Springsteen's sidekick. This man has been a comet of creative energy ever since he arrived on the scene. His memoir, "Unrequited Infatuations" takes us on a non-stop ride from the first page to the last. We soar up the ladder of rock stardom, the carefully considered solo statements, the film projects, the creation of his radio world, the musical productions for his idols, and his very significant political, educational and humanitarian work. Just summarizing has me wondering how this page turner was not multi-volumes long.

Stevie has no lack of self confidence and is blunt when naming names of the people he has been disappointed in, but this book is not a tell-all project and (thankfully) does not fall into the self-congratulatory exercise a lot of music bios do. We do get insights into his relationship with Springsteen, including the arguments and disagreements, but this is just part of a very rich artistic landscape covered. There is Sun City and The Sopranos, too! A very enlightening and enjoyable read.

I rate this 5 bandanas, 5 stars.

I am grateful to Stevie Van Zandt, Hachette Books, and NetGalley for providing the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. #UnrequitedInfatuations #NetGalley

"Unrequited Infatuations" is to be published on September 28, 2021 and this review will be posted on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookBub, Facebook and Twitter on that day.

Music memoirs are a dime a dozen but Stevie Van Zandt’s new entry, #Unrequited Infatuations, is worth a million bucks. for, if nothing else, a glimpse of his raw enthusiasm. Van Zandt, first known as Bruce Springsteen’s Underboss Guitarist in The E Street Band, tells his tales of life in the music business, life as an actor, and life as a renowned activist with refreshing candor and honesty. But more than anything his true love of the music from the 50’s and 60’s shines through as we are given an insider’s view of this music, yesterday, today and tomorrow. The book had particular relevance for me because Van Zandt and I are roughly the same age and new music was tantamount to both our lives, but where he pursued it by being in a band, I couldn’t hold a beat if my life depended on it and therefore was co-owner of Toledo’s only independent record store from 1973 until 2004. Also , I was fortunate enough to attend TheE Street Band show in Akron 8/8/75 which I believe was the final show before their 5 night New York Bottom Line run, which is discussed in the book. And if his music stories weren’t enough, we’re treated to anecdotes about Stevie’s acting career ( The Sopranos, Lilyhammer ) and inside peaks of the many causes he gives his time and money to. And, the book is told with a charming swagger and bravado, which fits perfectly with the narrative of the tale. All in all, #Unrequited Infatuations is a splendid book and as a bonus, after reading it you’ll feel 20 years younger !

Many people know Stevie Van Zandt as Bruce Springsteen's main sideman, and as Silvio Dante on the Sopranos. In reading this spectacular autobiography, I learned of his passion for righteousness and truth, his loyalty, and his fierce dedication to his artistic vision beyond his musicianship and acting. His passion to give a voice to musicians who have been overlooked is phenomenal.

In engaging and conversational prose, Van Zandt describes in detail his various creative and philanthropic endeavors. We learn of a man who is much, much more than his various roles. Highly recommended not only for Springsteen or Soprano fans, but for all musicologists.

I'm a fan of his music and Lilyhammer the Netflix show he starred in but I didn't realize how many other things he was involved with. At one point in the book he describes himself as "a fun-loving rock and roller" who became a "boring workaholic".

It's an enjoyable read but sometimes it reads as a shopping list--"I did this then I did that".
He is an engaging character but it doesn't always come through.

Unrequited Infatuations begins with the main character hiding under a blanket in a car driving to an unknown destination in a country rife with hatred and division. It could easily take place in 2021, but this particular event occurred in the ‘80s and the main character is probably one of the most recognizable consiglieres on the planet - the incomparable Stevie Van Zandt.

Unrequited Infatuations is part music history, part “Stuff You Missed In History Class”, and so much more. Without giving too many spoilers, I will say that this book will make you laugh, cry, scream, scratch your head, and, most importantly, think. It’s not just a book; it’s an experience.

Everyone from the music and television connoisseur to the political and cultural guru can learn something from his story.

Unrequited Infatuations won my heart and it will win yours too.

Bravo!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HatchetteBooks for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this gem.

I was just riffing on the foodie TV show cliche of "this is [the chef] on a plate," so I'm just gonna say this book is Stevie on a plate. His work's been a part of my life for so long, I read the book and heard his voice in its pages without needing the audiobook version. Surprisingly candid for an artist's memoir, but not at all surprising, too, since it's Van Zandt. I wouldn't have expected anything less, or else. It's an honest and rollicking ride with one of our time's (more than--he's been an active player in more ways than one) Zeligs that has me itching for an appropriately off-kilter screen version, a la Clooney's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Thinking Van Zandt's probably had the same thought and is probably trying to cut a deal for it as I tap this out if he hasn't already. I sure hope so.