When Steve Van Zandt needed endorsements for the back cover of his just published memoir, Unrequited Infatuations, he turned to some of his music pals, including Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. Here is Steve Van Zandt on getting blurbs from Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan for his memoir, Unrequited Infatuations.
“Some of the comments for the book have been phenomenal. I mean, when Paul McCartney gives you a blurb, you know, when Bob Dylan gives you a blurb. People can only remember one other time he’s [Dylan] ever done that like 40 years ago for Allen Ginsberg or somebody. Yeah, it’s very, very rare to get a blurb from Bob Dylan. And Paul’s unfortunately came in after they had printed the cover so people aren’t gonna see Paul McCartney’s until a second edition. But, you know, it’s amazing.”
Dylan gave quite a lengthy blurb, writing in part, “This indeed is a cautionary tale filled with outrageous humor, worldly wisdom and an uncanny sense of daring. No doubt about it, Stevie proves it time and time again he’s the man to know.”
McCartney says, “Unrequited Infatuations is a wonderfully original take on a rock and roll autobiography.”
And Bruce Springsteen, friends with Van Zandt since they were teenagers, says, “An inimitable rock and roll life told as boldly as it was lived. From the stages of the biggest stadiums in the world to the politically roiling provinces of South Africa, my good friend pursued his rock and roll vision with a commitment few have displayed. A must read for E Street Band fans and rock fans the world over. In this book, Little Steven LETS IT ROCK!”
Steven naturally writes about Springsteen in the book, as well as his encounters with McCartney and Dylan. Steve Van Zandt shares a funny encounter with Bob Dylan from his memoir, Unrequited Infatuations.
“Right after [The] Sopranos came on, you know, he asked me to come on stage for the encore. And I plug the guitar in and the crowd’s going crazy and he comes over and he goes [in a Dylan imitation], ‘Man, I saw you on TV. You were wearing a wig.’ [Laughs] He had just discovered Sopranos, you know, and he was like he was shocked that I was doing that.”
Unrequited Infatuations sits at number-15 on the New York Times Best-Sellers list, and number-19 on Publisher’s Weekly.
Van Zandt held a fundraiser for his TeachRock foundation Sunday afternoon in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Springsteen once again interviewed him about the book, and other guests who participated included Jon Stewart, Richie Sambora, Nona Hendryx, Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau and Steve Buscemi.
The event was filmed for future release.
REUTERS PHOTO
