Steven Tyler: The Biography [Hardcover]

Laura Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008

Steven Tyler is one of life's natural born survivors. With an exhaustively vibrant personality, this dynamic lead singer has been one of the most distinctive figures in rock music for more than three decades. Raised in a close, loving family, Tyler survived a tough upbringing in the Bronx. His inherent passion for performing and a talent for playing instruments propelled him into rock music as a teenager. He fronted a succession of local bands before meeting the guys with whom he would form Aerosmith in 1970. Laura Jackson reveals the stories behind Tyler's relationships with band members and the many women in his life, his battle with Hepatitis C, and his drug-fueled meltdown during the late 1970s and early 1980s when he was snorting pure heroin. She also explores his visits to rehab in the 1980s which saved his life. Tyler has lived a roller coaster life of excess—spending over a million dollars on drugs—but is miraculously still performing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"When it comes to getting close to the rich and famous Laura Jackson is second to none."  —Sky TV

"Laura Jackson is the queen of biographers."  —Daily Express

About the Author

Laura Jackson's other biographies include Bono: His Life, Music, and Passions; Jon Bon Jovi; Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion; and Queen: The Definitive Biography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Piatkus Books (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074995180X
• ISBN-13: 978-0749951801
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,624,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One of the worst biographies ever, December 4, 2008

By 

Laura "Bookworm" (New York USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Steven Tyler: The Biography (Hardcover)

This book is nothing more than a watered down version of "Walk this Way: An Autobiography of Aerosmith". Even though it is supposed to be the biography of its front man, there is as almost as much information about other band members, but essentially it is just a distillation of various press reports and other prior publications. There is absolutely nothing new or interesting about this book. It is boring and at times inaccurate. There are numerous anecdotes about other rock personalities whose careers paralleled Tyler's in some way, but this just seems to be pointless filler. To make matters worse, the author's constant efforts to use "hip" language is just annoying.

While the author is touted as someone who gets "close" to rock personalities, I doubt she has ever met Steven Tyler or even been to an Aerosmith concert. There is not a single insight into his personality that has not been already been offered in other works, and although this book is replete with direct quotes, the source is never given. The author does not cite a single personal interview with a band member, family member, friend, business associate, or even groupie or hanger on!

It is not worth the time it took to read it or the money it took to buy it. Steven Tyler is one of rock's most fasinating men, but you would never know it from this book. I would wait for Tyler's own work on the subject, which he is reportedly at work on. At least it will be something that hasn't been written a thousand times before.

50 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Where is Stephen Davis for an update when you need him?, March 9, 2009

By 

mermaid (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steven Tyler: The Biography (Hardcover)

This is the worst rock bio I have ever had the misfortune to read. Like or loathe Steven Tyler and his music, the man is hardly dull. Laura Jackson, in this dreary, hagiographic cut-and paste job (complete with inaccurate plagiarism) has made an utter hash of what should have been a no-brainer. Really, if you buy this - you are very silly. Get it from the library, or do the trashmen's muscles a favour - don't touch it!!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A pathetic excuse for a biography, July 20, 2010

By 

Tommy Morais (The Great White North) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steven Tyler: The Biography (Paperback)

Steven Tyler is a rock `n`roll legend, he had an interesting and colourful career with many ups and many downs. It`s no secret that he did it all and had it had; the girls, the fortune, the fame and the drugs. Tyler is one of the most fascinating frontman of rock, his band Aerosmith sold millions of albums around the world, he has his own flashy look and a great voice. A biography on this man would be worth looking at you might think, however this particular one is not. Where Stephen Davis` "Walk This Way" autobiography of the band offered an excellent inside look at Aerosmith and the band members, "Steven Tyler : The Biography" fails just about everything it attempts to do which I`m still not sure what it was exactly. It`s like reading an empty book, really.

Laura Jackson has probably never even met Steven Tyler to begin with which automatically makes the book less interesting. Still you think that there would be some good content and a deep look at Steven`s life, yet it`s not the case here. The information is almost always taken from "Walk This Way" or is generally known by a big Aerosmith fan, This book was written with little real knowledge of the subject, Steven Tyler. However it does cover Tyler`s career...that`s it really. It goes in a straight line to tell you nothing. There`s no interviews with Tyler or anyone remotely close to the band or Tyler himself, it`s just a bunch of information taken from here and there without any real content. The best part of the book is probably the pictures, they really aren`t that great but that`s the truth.

What can I say about Laura Jackson`s "biography" on Steven Tyler? It`s a pathetic excuse for a bio and anyone should stay away from it. It doesn`t even seem as if the author is a fan of Tyler or Aerosmith or is really interested in it. If you are interested in Aerosmith and Tyler I`d strongly recommend "Walk This Way" or Tyler`s upcoming late 2010 bio "Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?" which is sure to be a worthy read, not this garbage. 1 star, a total waste of time and money.