The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music

I was in my 20s and a fan of MTV in the early 90s. So, of course, I knew of Nirvana. I was, however, agnostic about their music as I was about the Foo Fighters'. I might be able to name a song or two from both groups but I had never bought any or even purposely sought them out. However, every time I came across a story about Dave Grohl, he just seemed like a cool guy. So, when I had an extra Audible credit that I needed to use before it expired, I bought the audiobook for The Storyteller (read by Grohl, himself).

After listening, my impression is confirmed. Dave just seems like a totally awesome, down-to-earth guy who had a couple lucky breaks but who mostly worked his you-know-what off to get where he is. I loved the stories of his show more life on the road, particularly in the early days (pre-Nirvana) when he was slogging around in a van, sleeping on people's floors and living on a per diem of $7.50 a day. The later stories, when he's finally hit it big and is hobnobbing with celebrities could get tiresome, especially when he expresses surprise that he's actually given good seats and backstage passes to a charity concert featuring some of his idols. But you really believe that he is a humble guy who is truly star struck and above all, grateful to meet his heroes and for all that he has. You finish the book thinking that Dave is not only a lot of fun, but more importantly, a good human being, a great friend and an awesome dad and family man. I'd love to hang with him. Might have to go out now and buy some Foo Fighters songs. show less

I'm not sure I will articulate this well, but please know this is delightful in every way.
For Christmas, my brother and I unknowingly purchased this book for each other. He is a musician and a fan of basically every band ever. The ideal target audience for a musician's autobiography. I listen to music, even have a couple Foo Fighters albums, and I think Dave Grohl is a cool dude. But I HATE autobiographies. I've attempted so many and finished only 1 (Betty 'Badass Bitch' White). But I promised my brother I'd read this, and I promised myself I would finish no matter what.
Less than 3 days later I am convinced that Dave Grohl isn't a cool dude. He's the *coolest fucking dude*! I DNF bios because they are always pretentious and hollow. The show more author is convinced the world will listen simply because they are the ones speaking. I quickly lose interest.
The Storyteller is a collection of batshit stories told in the most humble way possible by someone who is just grateful to have lived in these moments. These things would never happen to me, but they are so relatable! I laughed so often. I almost cried (how dare you). And while a lot of the music-legend-name-drops were lost on me, I still enjoyed this ride. Immensely.
I've already reserved the audiobook when it becomes available at my library. Reliving these stories will be something I do time and time again. Thank you, Dave. (& brother John). show less

A music lover writing about his love of music for other music lovers? YES, PLEASE.

Reading The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl right after finishing up Paul McCartney's The Lyrics was absolutely the best decision I could have made. Firstly, Dave is a huge Beatles fan (and a friend of the man himself!) so there were tons of references to him and his music making it feel like I was enmeshed in an almost surreal literary musical infinity loop. Secondly, the parallels to their musical journeys are undeniable (and fascinating). Thirdly, both books absolutely engrossed me and fired up my imagination. [A/N: And since I've had a fairly slow start reading wise this year I am eternally grateful to these two men for this.]

The show more Storyteller is exactly what the subtitle claims it to be: Dave Grohl's musical journey from his childhood playing "pillow drums" in Virginia, leaving on tour as a teenager with the band Scream, making music history with the super band Nirvana, and creating his own label with his bandmates the Foo Fighters. Reading this book felt like watching a behind the scenes documentary of the 90s punk scene. It's gritty and devastating at times, full of heart always, cheeky (I definitely laughed out loud multiple times), and just an all-around excellent book for anyone who has ever felt overcome by the power of music. 10/10 show less

There was a fair bit of controversy surrounding this musical memoir because of Grohl's newly discovered infidelities. And, to be honest, Grohl didn't do himself any favors with his repeated and vehement avowals of fatherhood and family in the memoir. If he'd just played it a bit cooler, focused on his strained and difficult relationship with his own father, instead of blasting all over the place how he'd be so much better and different - the controversy would have been less.

But I read the book without much regard or knowledge of the controversy, and quite enjoyed it. A music lover and fan needing out about music,. then getting a dream come true to play with some of the alternative heroes whom he slavishly followed - it's all a show more music-lovin' fest. So, I was in. I'd already known how much of the alternative music of Grohl's time was connected, like different strands of one big family. But Grohl's inside seat at the drums to all of it brought it home in a different way. And his ringside seat to Cobain's demise was both powerful and heartbreaking.

4 bones!!!! Woulda been higher if not for the tick he had to make himself the best family man EVER.
Stile Recommended!!!! show less

Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller is not the usual kind of rock and roll autobiography whose arc most often goes from rags to riches with a side tour into addiction. Instead it’s a series of short vignettes that illustrate his love of music and his gratitude towards the people and circumstances that helped him get where he is. In that is very refreshing to read.

Grohl started out as the drummer for the grunge band Nirvana. Though his career with them lasted only four years (up to the time of Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994) it’s perhaps what he’s best remembered for, even though his later band, the Foo Fighters, lasted eight times longer and garnered more Grammys. I had followed Nirvana’s career since the Bleach days, but neglected show more to follow up on Dave’s. Most of the 2000s I was immersed in the world of Latino music, Rock en Español, as it seemed to me that with the decay of the Grunge era, and the rise of boy bands, there was nothing new or interesting in the U.S. rock scene anymore. Perhaps I should have. There was no dirt in the book on Kurt (for whom he had the highest respect) or Courtney Love, and I didn’t expect there to be. The Storyteller is not a book about bitterness.

Grohl’s tone is genial and he comes across as the world’s biggest geek, and also the world’s biggest rock and roll fan. That was the main difference I found between him and some other music autobiographies I’ve read — Pete Townsend, Grace Jones, Scott Weiland. He felt more like a peer than a virtuoso. We are six years apart in age but grew up in similar circumstances – middle class East Coast – and experienced the same eras. It was sobering, in fact, to realize that we both lived through decades that are long gone and never coming back, and that the music world itself has inexorably changed from the time Nirvana first released Nevermind.

The book’s design enhanced the text. The front and back inside covers are filled with Grohl’s handwritten notes and notable comments of his in the text are set off in a font based on his handwriting. There are many fine photographs and some of them gave me a bittersweet feeling as well, like the postcards he sent to his mom from the road, which are crowded with innocent text and little drawings, something I, too, did in the late 1980s while traveling and quirky postcards were available everywhere. It’s hard to remember that Grohl was barely 21 when he joined Nirvana, and not even 25 when it disbanded. Even though I was older when they were at their height, I thought they had worlds of experience beyond me. Turns out, I was wrong. The first thing Grohl bought with his first Nirvana check were some air guns and a game system from the Olympia Fred Meyer.

A bittersweet journey overall. show less

This audiobook was such a unique experience, with the author himself narrating. As a fan of his music, I was drawn to this personal exploration of his life and career. Grohl's narration adds an extra layer of authenticity and emotion to the storytelling. His passion for music shines through, and the music between chapters enhances the listening experience. While I appreciated Grohl's candidness and heartfelt delivery, I found the structure somewhat disjointed. The non-linear approach occasionally led to revisiting certain topics out of order, which disrupted the flow for me. His focus on fatherhood as his ultimate role was touching, and his humility throughout the book was commendable. Despite his encounters with numerous celebrities, show more he remains grounded and relatable as a fan of the craft. Themes of overcoming fears and believing in yourself resonate throughout the book, adding depth to Grohl's reflections on his journey. While he doesn't shy away from sharing his successes, his storytelling never felt preachy. It’s a must-listen for fans of Dave Grohl's music. From his days in Nirvana to his current work with Foo Fighters, this audiobook offers insight into the man behind the music. show less

I expected to laugh, but I never expected to cry. But here we are, hours after reading The Storyteller by Dave Grohl, and I am still filled with emotions.

Dave Grohl is a national treasure: talented, funny, generous, and all heart. As soon I learned he was writing a memoir, I knew I would buy it on release day and read it as soon as I could. And I did. And let me add: I am so glad I did.

Why I admire Dave, even more so now that I've read The Storyteller, is that he never gave up when so many would have. Here he was, a member of one of the most transformative rock bands in history, and the singer dies at the height of their journey. He could have taken his money and crawled into a cave. Instead, he started again. Dave was not done. When he show more mangled his ankle and foot jumping off a stage, he was not done then either. He kept going, and going, and going.

The Storyteller will fill you with joy, hope, and faith. You'll learn about Dave's childhood, his children, and everything in between. And when you arrive at Dave's concluding chapter, where he wraps it up so beautifully, you'll probably shed a tear like I did. This man has seen a lot. I am grateful that Dave shared some of it in these pages: a gift, much like this songs, that will forever leave a mark on rock-and-roll history...and your heart. show less