Book Review: You Never Know: A Memoir By Tom Selleck with Ellis Henican (HarperCollins)

By: Jesse Striewski

It’s interesting going from a rock bio like Alex Van Halen’s, the last book I had reviewed prior to Tom Selleck’s recent memoir You Never Know, to essentially the polar opposite with the much more reserved actor Selleck’s life story.

I knew much of the Magnum P.I. actor’s work before diving into his book, but never put much thought into just how his (or many other actors for that matter) career had begun. From juggling time in the army reserves, a love of playing baseball, and more or less stumbling upon attending an entry-level acting program via a major film studio, there’s no shortage of intrigue or grace for the extremely fascinating and respectable journey he has taken and put into print here.

As a child of the ’80s, I’ll confess I always wanted to be one of the “good guys” I saw on TV and in film, and in full disclosure, in my adult life I may or may not have at one point actually worked as a licensed Private Investigator (well, an intern at least) thanks in part to Selleck’s previously mentioned-role as one. Surely that kind of influence on people has got to stand for something.

But I digress; there’s a good amount of actor’s around from my childhood today that I don’t necessarily maintain much respect for after all of these years. Selleck definitely does not fit in this category; read You Never Know and you’re sure to find out why for yourself.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: Brothers By Alex Van Halen (HarperCollins)

By: Jesse Striewski

The moment I heard that legendary Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen would be releasing his memoir Brothers, chronicling both his life and that of his late brother/bandmate and legendary guitarist Edward Van Halen, I knew I’d be one of the first in line to read it.

From their early years as Dutch immigrants learning music through their father and musician Jan Van Halen, to ultimately achieving the American dream and rising to total rock stardom and carving out a lasting legacy their own, it gets harder and harder to put the book down with each new page.

The insight offered on the band’s formative years and first several tours with the classic lineup is nothing short of fascinating, and paint a vivid picture of what it was like to be there at that time. It is however disappointing that the story seems to end coinciding with the departure of original vocalist David Lee Roth from the band in the mid-’80s, leaving so much left to still be desired, particularly the Sammy Hagar and even Gary Cherone eras of the band.

On a personal note, I must admit there is some envy on my part in terms of the life Alex Van Halen was able to lead with his late brother, and not simply because of the obvious fame and fortunes they acquired in their lifetimes. Despite the one and only time I saw the band live back in 2008 being with one of my own siblings, I’ve never been able to truly say I know what it’s like to have that close relationship any of them (a notion I’ve always longed for, though don’t believe will ever come to fruition at this point). For that alone, the Van Halen’s were fortunate in every way.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: Halloween 3: “Where the Hell is Michael Myers?” The Definitive History of Horror’s Most Misunderstood Film By Tommy Lee Wallace (BearManor Media)

By: Jesse Striewski

Admittedly, I should’ve had this review of Tommy Lee Wallace’s book Halloween 3: “Where the Hell is Michael Myers?” completed by last October. But to be fair, I didn’t even now the book existed until I actually met Wallace at Spookala 2023 just a few months prior, and even after that it took even more time just to track down a copy (my thoughtful wife actually bought me one for my birthday earlier this year) and then of course actually read it.

But I digress; I’ve always maintained Halloween III: Season of the Witch is not only the best overall film in the Halloween franchise, but also one of the best horror movies of all time. Granted, I could be a bit bias; it was actually the first film in the series I ever saw as a kid after randomly landing on it while flipping through cable channels (the image of Tom Atkins as Dr. Challis casually strolling through a desolate town in the dark of night was the first I recall seeing of the film, and has been forever ingrained in my mind).

So when Writer/Director Wallace stated he had written a book (with a foreward written by the film’s lead Tom Atkins) entirely about the film, it was a downright no-brainer that I’d be reading and reviewing it soon enough. And as a superfan of it, the book is everything you could possibly want on the movie and more.

Wallace leaves no stone(henge) unturned here, detailing every part of the film-making process from initially signing on, re-writes of the script (via both himself and John Carpenter) casting, scouting locations, and any other bumps along the way. There’s even a fun section at the end where Wallace shares original artwork, and a partial section including the film’s original script by Nigel Kneale.

With a recent resurgence in popularity, the film’s lasting effect has been undeniable, making it a fan-favorite on the con circuit these days. This was witnessed more than once firsthand, when Rewind It attended both the previously-mentioned Spookala in 2023, and 2022’s Fantasam Orlando. Not only was there plenty of merch for the eyes to behold and cast and crew meet-and-greets available at each, but a full Halloween III discussion panel featuring Director/Writer Tommy Lee Wallace, Actors Tom Atkins and Stacey Nelkin, and Stuntman/Actor Dick Warlock was dedicated to the film at said Spookala event (see photo below).

Halloween III discussion panel at Spookala 2023 on 6/12/23 with (from left to right) Dick Warlock, Tommy Lee Wallace, Stacey Nelkin, Tom Atkins, and host (photo by Brooke Striewski).

Love it or hate it, there’s no stopping this “little horror film that could,” and just one read of Wallace’s book here is more than enough to convince any reader that Halloween III is here to stay indefinitely.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Book Review: Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl By Rebecca Quin (Gallery Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

I knew going into it I would be reading through WWE star Rebecca Quin’s new biography with that distinct Irish accent of hers in my head the entire time. However I did not know realize just how relatable and likable I would find her as an actual person (and I can’t help but also draw some occasional parallels between her and my wife, who is also of Irish descent).

From an awkward kid with no real trajectory in life (weren’t we all at one point though?), to almost accidentally finding her path in the world of wrestling thanks to an older sibling, and eventually trailblazing her way to the top of the WWE as “The Man” Becky Lynch, there’s no shortage of inspiration for one to unpack with her story, which is no doubt filled with tenacity.

Fans and naysayers of wrestling alike often do not separate the individual in the ring from the actual human beings portraying their respective characters each night. Each and every time a tell-all life story such as The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl comes along, it’s a reminder of just how human these larger than life wrestlers can actually be.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: Garage Sale Vinyl By Christopher Long with Bryan Dumas (Bibliozona Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

The moment I first heard author and longtime friend of the Rewind It Magazine extended family Christopher Long had a new book coming out all about the joys of collecting vinyl and the music contained within the grooves of many a great record, I knew I had to quickly get on board with this train.

Along with the help of Byran Dumas (as well as a foreword from the lovely Bella Perron of the band Plush), Long paints a perfect picture of what a lifetime of hunting for “a song” is like for a true collector that still has the drive to allow physical media to take precedence over any “download” or “stream.”

Even the very first record mentioned, Aerosmith’s Toys in the Attic, holds a special place in my own heart, ironically being the first rock album I ever owned (albeit on cassette format rather vinyl), helping add to a personal level of nostalgia.

The only compliant? (if one can even call it that); I only wish the book was a bit longer to give readers a little more time to enjoy it. But who knows, perhaps we’ll even see a sequel book later on down the line in the near future (hint hint!).

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Book Review: My Effin’ Life By Geddy Lee (Harper Collins)

By: Jesse Striewski

I can vividly recall the first time I ever really heard Rush and listened to the basslines of frontman Geddy Lee – not to mention Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris – not long after having just picked up the bass guitar myself, and knew I really needed to step up my game (it should come as no surprise to anyone that I did not ever reach the same skill level or heights on the instrument as the two mentioned bassists). Still, my interest was more than just a tad piqued to learn more about one of my personal bass heroes via his new biography, My Effin’ Life.

Granted, the title may not be the most eloquent (I personally like and respect the fact that Lee uses the term “eff” in place of the F-word itself, something I’ve been known to do myself from time to time in place of stooping to vulgarities), but his story of awkward small town Jewish kid rising to eventual rock God status is nothing short of phenomenal.

Perhaps the most unique and surprising moment found in My Effin’ Life though is the third chapter, which is solely dedicated to his parents’ story of actually meeting while in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. It’s both a heartbreaking, yet triumphant and encouraging story of bravery that touches anyone connected in anyway to that dark period of history (my grandfather, Herman, along with his three brothers – one of which was killed in action in Serrig and buried in Luxembourg, Germany – all proudly served in the U.S. Army and Air Force during World War II, so the subject tends to hit home on a personal level for me as well).

But I digress, Lee’s journey is one that resonates in a multitude of ways, and it’s more than just a little relieving to hear that him and former Rush bandmate Alex Lifeson are still close to this day. The stories involving late drummer Neil Peart and the tragedies he experienced (many of which I was not aware of prior) are nothing short of amazing themselves. The casual fan may only find a limited amount of interest within the pages of My Effin’ Life, but the die hard should no doubt find it more than a tad difficult to even put down at all.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Book Review: Definitely: The Official Story of Def Leppard By Def Leppard (Genesis Publications)

By: Jesse Striewski

I remember when VH1 first premiered its made-for-television bio pic Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story back in 2001, and how ultimately intrigued and fascinated it got me. This time the band presents their own story, in their own words, in this massive, detailed-oriented book that even the most causal of fans will be able to appreciate.

Beginning appropriately with their humble roots in Sheffield, England in 1977 by vocalist Joe Elliot, bassist Rick Savage, guitarist Pete Willis, and drummer Tony Keating, it thankfully does not simply gloss over the band’s formation, even allowing early members – and late guitarist Steve Clark via archival interviews – to share their voices to some degree.

As each subsequent member comes along in the story, such as drummer Rick Allen, and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campell, they’re each given a platform to share their versions of events from joining, all the way up to today. All this is presented with new unique glossy photos to boot.

I’ve long since loved a good back story for as long as I can remember now; if you’re anything like me at all, this should quench your thirst for one just the same.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Review: Walking with Sam: A Father, A Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain By Andrew McCarthy (Grand Central Publishing)

By: Jesse Striewski

When I read and reviewed Andrew McCarthy’s 2021 memoir Brat: An ’80s Story, I found things about the actor, author, and former brat-packer that I never knew we shared in common (for starters, we’re both originally from New Jersey). But now after having read his latest printed offering, I realize we’re almost one and the same when it comes to one extremely vital role of adulthood; parenting.

It’s almost uncanny to learn just how many similarities we share as fathers after reading Walking with Sam…, which detailed his walk across the Camino de Santiago in Spain with his still teenaged son (the aforementioned “Sam” in the title). Not only are our respective sons close in age (his is nineteen in the book, while mine is currently seventeen), he also seems to have almost identical struggles, like getting his offspring out the door on time in the morning (which I suppose is fairly universal these days).

Along the path, they learn things about one another, process personal traumas and regrets, and ultimately grow as human beings. It’s a bittersweet journey that McCarthy allows us an intimate look at his inside thoughts, and the dynamic between parent and child and the sometimes difficult decisions we have to make along the way.

Those looking for a walk down ’80s memory lane similar to Brat are not likely going to find much of that here, sans the occasional mention when it pops up as a topic of conversation. Regardless, there’s no shortage here of discovering who McCarthy truly is as a person, which in turn causes one to look further into themselves; that alone is worth taking the journey with him.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Book Review: Into the Void – From Birth to Black Sabbath and Beyond By Geezer Butler (Harper Collins)

By: Jesse Striewski

When Ozzy Osbourne released his autobiography back in 2010, I of course was all over it at the time. But I’m honestly more prone to the “just the facts” type of memoir rather than those set up mainly for shock factors, and that’s exactly what fans are given here by Osbourne’s once band mate and original Black Sabbath bassist, Geezer Butler.

After a brief rundown of his early life and how he got from point A to point B, Butler goes through each period of his time in the band from album to album, describing each process in great detail (my personal favorite was his breakdown of what he described as the band’s “Sabbath Tap” period during the lesser-remembered Born Again era of the early ’80s).

There’s no overt need to be crude or crass found here, though Butler still maintains a sense of open honesty that still shines through. As a bass player myself who once honed their skills based around many of Butler’s riffs, and as just a metal and rock fan in general, this is truly the type of memoir I always have, and always will seek out for myself.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Book Review: The Lives of Brian By Brian Johnson (Dey Street Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

The very first concert that started it all for me was AC/DC – fronted by the unmistakable Brian Johnson – all the way back in 1996. Since then there’s been no turning back as rock n’ roll has become not only my strongest subject, but my savior, largely in part to Johnson and the rest of the guys in the band that night.

It’s always been fascinating for me to learn just how the musicians I listen to get to that stage in front of me. Johnson’s life story is not unlike many before him; humble upbringings, paying dues, and plenty of mistakes and hardships along the way. Everything, from his early days with Geordie (a band name I had only ever heard over the years, though never really took the time to look up until after reading the book), to his one and only encounter with his AC/DC predecessor Bon Scott, to his eventual joining the band in 1980 and finding worldwide success, is covered here.

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit too much information sometimes however, and at times I found myself wishing Johnson would simply get to the point a little faster. But to be honest, I’ve always been more of a fan of Johnson’s era of the band than Scott’s. As a whole, it’s the perfect source for those about to rock their reading material; if you’re already an established AC/DC fan, there’s no doubt this should be right up your alley, too.

Rating: 4/5 Stars