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Joe Vitale: Backstage Pass Hardcover – November 1, 2008

by Joe Vitale (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
Get a Backstage Pass for all the craziness of rock n roll! After years of hearing the comment, ""You should write a book,"" world renowned drummer Joe Vitale finally takes you backstage for a rare and intimate look behind the scenes, as told to his wife of thirty-five years, Susie Vitale. This book includes Joe s all-time favorite stories and over a hundred pages of his personal photographs. Backstage Pass is a very personal, humorous, and nostalgic history-in-stories from on the road and in the studio, spanning over forty years of his rock n roll drumming career. His stories, dating right up to 2008, include experiences with legendary performers such as Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Joe Walsh, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Ronnie Wood, Carl Wilson, Rick Derringer, Van Morrison and many more. Vitale's many songwriting credentials include the classic, "Rocky Mountain Way" from "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" album by Joe Walsh and, "Pretty Maids All In A Row" from The Eagles album, "Hotel California." Vitale has two solo albums and is releasing his third, "Speaking In Drums," the summer of 2008. His son, Joe Vitale Jr.'s album, which Joe Sr. produced called, "Dancing With Shadows" will also be simultaneously released. Joe continues to tour, record, write, produce, and has no plans for slowing down. The foreword for Backstage Pass is written by David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Stephen Stills.
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  1. Print length
    488 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hit Records Llc
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.5 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    098167190X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0981671901
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susie Vitale has been the wife of world renowned rock drummer Joe Vitale for the past thirty-five years. Over the past several years, she's recorded Joe's stories and has written them in this history-in-stories of Joe's career. She graduated from Kent State University and attended Malone College and Akron University for postgraduate studies. She is the President of The Community Television Consortium and has been the host of the television program ""What's Happening In Stark County"" for over 20 years. Joe Vitale has spent more than forty years playing and recording with legendary artists and bands.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hit Records Llc
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2008
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 488 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 098167190X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0981671901
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.17 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.5 x 9 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,918,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 46 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
46 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book to be a great read with fantastic stories and pictures galore. They appreciate Joe Vitale's musicianship and entertainment value, with one customer particularly enjoying the nightly pranks. The writing style receives mixed reactions from customers.

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ReadabilityMusicianStory qualityEntertainment valuePicturesWriting style
7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as consistently interesting.

"Great book, thank you ! Fast shipping ! Super happy !" Read more

"My husband is a long time music fanatic and really enjoyed the book." Read more

"A Must have Book! Fascinating life of one of the Best Rock Drummers ever! I only wish that the Vitales will update this wonderful book!" Read more

"...I found his book to be very entertaining. A Good read." Read more

5 customers mention "Musician"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate Joe Vitale's musicianship, describing him as an excellent musician and a great showman.

"...Interesting story by an excellent musician from my hometown." Read more

"...Great showman and entertainer. Knew his record producer, Nick Boldi. We both still live in the Canton, OH area. Great memories!!" Read more

"A Must have Book! Fascinating life of one of the Best Rock Drummers ever! I only wish that the Vitales will update this wonderful book!" Read more

"...Pass you get it from several bands along with one of the top pro drummers Joe Vitale and life on the road with Rocks greatest Acts...." Read more

5 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the stories in the book.

"...Joe comes across as a genuinely nice guy and his book is full of great stories and a ton of nice pictures...." Read more

"Big book full of fantastic stories and the pics are fantastic. It came signed too!!!" Read more

"...Interesting story by an excellent musician from my hometown." Read more

"...Enjoyed very much all the Colorado stories obviously, but quite enjoyed Susie's writing and the decision not to approach his book as an "expose",..." Read more

4 customers mention "Entertainment value"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning enjoying the nightly pranks and another noting it's fun to read about the parties.

"...Great showman and entertainer. Knew his record producer, Nick Boldi. We both still live in the Canton, OH area. Great memories!!" Read more

"...I loved the nightly pranks that went on between the touring bands. No one has more scoop on Joe Walsh than Joe Vitale...." Read more

"Consistently interesting and hilarious..." Read more

"So much fun to read about the parties and backstage antics of ......" Read more

4 customers mention "Pictures"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pictures in the book, with one mentioning it includes many photos of various artists on the road.

"...his book as an "expose", but more like a biography. Filled with photos, yet not at the expense of information...." Read more

"Big book full of fantastic stories and the pics are fantastic. It came signed too!!!" Read more

"...genuinely nice guy and his book is full of great stories and a ton of nice pictures. A very storied career-well deserving of a lengthy book." Read more

"...There are many photos with various artists on the road and in the studio. I loved the nightly pranks that went on between the touring bands...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"2 positive1 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book.

"One of the best written books I have read for quite awhile. It was like sitting down with a good friend and talking about the "good old days"...." Read more

"...I'm docking it one star for the writing style-the flow isn't great and each chapter starts off the same-very regimented with dates and every player..." Read more

"...Enjoyed very much all the Colorado stories obviously, but quite enjoyed Susie's writing and the decision not to approach his book as an "expose",..." Read more

how this local drummer made it BIG!
5 out of 5 stars
how this local drummer made it BIG!
I Know Joe and his wife personally and Joe grew up in our town of Canton Ohio . This book is very special to me and a must read for all! It is written so well about Joe that only his wife Susie could have done such a great job telling it this way. from early bands in high school to the top Bands he has been a Drummer for. get it today! you won't be able to put it down. Above is a picture of Joe Jr myself and Joe Vitale a show he did in Canton some years back. He was a great Friend growing up that inspired me to play Drums
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Holly Charboneau
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories and pictures!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Big book full of fantastic stories and the pics are fantastic. It came signed too!!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Boulderoid
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Boulderoid Says...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I lived in Boulder CO when the two Joe's moved to Nederland when I was Joe Walsh's "biggest" fan. My wife and I saw them play at 'Saturdays' and at the Draft House in Denver before the album 'Barnstorm' was released. They played covers with plenty of James Gang music. I was amazed how good the music production was in such a small club. While Kenny Passarelli was there, Rocke Grace was not. Same with the Draft House. I quickly recognized that Joe Vitale was going to "make it". His drumming was so tasteful that I, being a musician I guess, could tell that his 'understated' technique would set him apart from other drummers. At one of those shows Tommy Bolin sat in playing slide.
    When 'Barnstorm' was released they did a four night stint at Tulagis On The Hill. We saw two of those shows. Again, small club, great sound. They played the album, in order, and rounded the show with some James Gang songs. I, by then knew the 'Barnstorm' album inside and out, and knew they were performing the record as close as they could. Rocke Grace was there by then, and again I was even more impressed by Joe Vitale's drumming. There, he played keyboards, flute and "finger cymbals", which was a kick. He would stand up at the appropriate time and wait for the cue, then he would put those little "finger cymbals" right next to the over head mic and hit them together (I think, only one hit) and sit back down and continue playing. (These "finger cymbals" are only about 1 1/2" in diameter.
    If you listen to those early recordings you can hear many fills that are very sparse, and yet keep the music moving in a very interesting way. So much so that in many ways, they become hooks. Very pleasant to hear.
    And so, I bought his book. Enjoyed very much all the Colorado stories obviously, but quite enjoyed Susie's writing and the decision not to approach his book as an "expose", but more like a biography.
    Filled with photos, yet not at the expense of information. I found his book to be very entertaining. A Good read.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Sally C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Consistently interesting and hilarious
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Joe Vitale is an amazingly skilled musician and creative person in general. It's so nice to be able to read all these stories from his life of creating the music I love and being around so many other extraordinary artists. Also, the color pictures included are a huge bonus. A must-own book for any fan of Joe Vitale and the musicians he's collaborated with over the years.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sound Investor
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Even if this book had been written about musicians you'd never heard of, it would have been good. The celebrity aspect just enhances the experience. I was horrified at some of the bad boy antics, laughed out loud at others, and felt nostalgia for those days of originality and talent. When the cop walks into the hotel room, his feet squishing on the wet carpet (while the band is denying any knowledge of the water fight) and tells the bass player to get out of bed, which he does, fully dressed in his wet clothes...well, you'll have to read it for yourself.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Steven Hale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lifes Been Good to Joe!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Most rock band books you get the behind the scenes info on that band. With Backstage Pass you get it from several bands along with one of the top pro drummers Joe Vitale and life on the road with Rocks greatest Acts. There are many photos with various artists on the road and in the studio. I loved the nightly pranks that went on between the touring bands. No one has more scoop on Joe Walsh than Joe Vitale. To my surprise, Joe and Susie refer to their life in Canton, Ohio where I was raised and had some of the same fond memories that they also had. Joe is still touring so I will be waiting for his and Jr's next book. Thanks Susie for putting it all down in ink.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • AnonymousAA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating life of one of the Best Rock Drummers ever
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A Must have Book! Fascinating life of one of the Best Rock Drummers ever!
    I only wish that the Vitales will update this wonderful book!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Douglas B
    4.0 out of 5 stars Stories and pictures galore!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book for the most part, although I was glad when I was done with it. I'm docking it one star for the writing style-the flow isn't great and each chapter starts off the same-very regimented with dates and every player on the album or tour. Joe comes across as a genuinely nice guy and his book is full of great stories and a ton of nice pictures. A very storied career-well deserving of a lengthy book.
    Helpful
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  • Jeff McDonald
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of laughs
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I laughed out loud many times reading about the shenanigans pulled off by Joe & Company over the years. It was very surprising how many different famous groups and individuals Joe played with. Finally, I know now it's probably a real good thing Joe Walsh didn't get elected President!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mr. H. Dodds
    5.0 out of 5 stars Three cheers for "Joe Bob"
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    If you are a big fan of the two Joes, Dan Fogelberg and CSN which I am, then you will love this book! It's very honest and makes a very easy read. Thorougly recommended. The photos are really good too!
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  • Caracatus
    4.0 out of 5 stars Life on the road
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I like Joe Vitale, he is a great drummer, he plays other intruments, mostly keyboards and flute, he is even a song writer. He has worked with so many great bands it makes an interesting read. Some of his stories, I guess you had to be there :-) and they hardly seem like the tales of excess of some rock bands. What comes accross strongly is a dedicated professional who is hugely respected by all the people he has performed with.
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