My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this memoir by a singer, songwriter, visual artist, and man-about-town, who discusses his art, his opportunities and the many people he has met along the way, enriching and educating him, and in turn the readers of this fascinating book.

I worked in a music store during the nineties and we had a a customer, well he was probably our best customer. Art was older a doctor in a field where his patients were usually at the end of life, and as such he used music to joy in his life. Art was the the only customer our boss let look at the weekly preorder list, for domestic, import and bootlegs. Art had his own highlighter, and would put a red mark by what he wanted. Art also got first look at anything that came in. Art loved music, in fact probably had forgotten more about music than the entire staff ever knew. Art didn't talk much, but one day a discussion was going on about best concerts we had seen. Art surprised us by saying J. Geils Band, early seventies. Saw them six times. Each show better than anything I had seen. First I think we were surprised that the band who sang Centerfold was around in the early seventies. And this was Art, a band on MTV was his favorite live act. Art also added Peter Wolf was not only cool to watch, he was cool to talk too. After reading this book, I must admit Art was right, and I will have to add Peter Wolf is cool to read too. Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses by Peter Wolf is a memoir of a man never afraid of asking questions, stepping up, learning more, with profiles of people both that is almost a Who's Who of famous, infamous, and people that should be known.

Peter Wolf was born in the Bronx of two parents who loved art, loved to entertain, and loved to live life the way they wanted, and wanted the world to be. Wolf grew up seeing shows, working in music stores and had an interest in art, but upon leaving high school had no idea what to do with his life. Wolf began to wander, attending college classes, crashing in breakrooms, and always learning new things and meeting new people. Like Bob Dylan, who he first heard in the backroom of a record shop, of sharing a room with David Lynch in Boston, who Wolf still owed back rent to years later. Muddy Waters would rest on his couch between shows. Sly Stone would scream at him about babies in bags. Faye Dunaway would be his wife. Wolf's band the J. Geils Band, would just make it big, thanks to his work, and toss him out at their peak. Wolf learned from all this, sharing his tales, and even more sharing the inner lives of these famous people, quiet moments that might not make their memoirs, but Wolf knows are important for the world to see.

Peter Wolf is the Zelig of entertainment. He has known, knows or has been around most of the important moments in rock n roll, art, and or movies. Wolf is also a very good writer. One could make a book like this and say Hey Look At Me and THESE FAMOUS PEOPLE. Wolf does not do this. Wolf shares moments where he learns things, or where the public facade breaks, Aretha Franklin thinking about her lost friends. Merle Haggard sharing stories about his failing health. There is some sadness, lost loves, and friends who are no longer here, but there is a lot of love, and a real spirit. Art means putting yourself out there, in painting, writing, singing, or whatever. Wolf put himself out there, made a lot of friends, and Wolf shares them with us.

A really great book, far more than I thought it would be. I had an idea that Wolf had an amazing life, but the scope and the people he has crossed paths with is extraordinary. Also there is no complaining. No settling of scores. If anything Wolf is harder on himself than the people he meets. A book for music fans, or people who just love to read books on interesting people. Peter Wolf sure is interesting.

Peter Wolf has always been a mystery to me. I’ve loved his work for most of my life, but he seems to be a very private person. When I saw this, I had to read it!

I loved this. It doesn’t have the typical musician vibe at all. It’s an artist looking over his life. There’s not a lot of rock and roll dirt here, and it could definitely have gone deeper into The J. Geils Band period, but that’s my only complaint.

It’s very well written and I recommend this to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This autobiography by Peter Wolf, former lead singer of the J. Geils Band, was a neat surprise to find while browsing NetGalley. I am a huge fan of his work, but he rarely gives interviews and is a rather elusive figure. He was not the type of person I thought would ever write an autobiography.

Peter actually wrote this autobiography himself. He occasionally bounced ideas off an artist friend and legendary writer Peter Guralnick, but these are clearly his words.

The first few chapter are about Peter's childhood, but after that, he really does not shine much light about himself. However, this appeared to be his intention. Each chapter is about his interactions with a different famous person or group - and it's not a case of name-dropping. He frequented Greenwich Village as a youth and frequently saw and spoke with an unknown musician named Bob Dylan. He somehow struck up a friendship with notable misanthrope Van Morrison. Wolf is incredibly literate and hung in communities with musicians, artists, eccentrics, and men/women about town. There are chapters about varied writers such as Tennessee Williams and Robert Lowell.
Given that he's well read, Wolf's prose in the biography is phenomenal. He uses luminous adjectives yet aims for brevity, rather than showing off his vocabulary.

There is little about the J. Geils Band, his song-writing process, or typical rock-and-roll behavior.

It's a rather unique autobiography, as he's just as likely to quote something from a 19th century foreign playwright, artist, or somewhat obscure blues musician (at least the latter of the three I'm well versed in).
While I can't say I know Peter a lot better than before, it was nifty to learn about so many famous people - and a reminder that behind the stage, that they are indeed human beings.

I am deducting a star because the stories of exquisite dinner parties, drinking fine wine and expensive cheese with the literary and wealthy hoi polloi, and highbrow conversations with intellectual snobs get to be repetitive.

I still loved the book. It's as close as I'll likely get to knowing Peter Wolf, one of my favorite musicians. He and I also like similar old blues musicians and other obscure, but influential musicians and producers, so it was cool to learn about them as regular people behind the genius.

If you're expecting a typical rock and roll autobiography with stories of backstage debauchery, the musical process, and grievances - you will likely be disappointed. 

If you're a Peter Wolf fan or my review for this rather unique form of autobiography is of interest - by all means buy this book when it is released.

I would like to thank Little, Brown, and Company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.