When We Were the Boys: Coming of Age on Rod Stewart’s Out of Order Tour

Product Description

This book is a backstage pass to the ups, downs, and all-out craziness of arena rock—deep discussions with Rod Stewart, jamming with legends like Mick Jagger and Justin Timberlake, gaining groupies, and striking out solo. Stevie Salas was one of many boys coming of age in the 1980s—when the American dream was rock superstardom. As lead guitarist for a San Diego band, Salas played backyard parties and school dances and even scored the music for the cult classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. When he auditioned for Rod Stewart—where he was the youngest band member by a decade—Salas’s life truly hit a turning point.Salas pulls no punches to describe the initial skepticism and hazing he faced as the youngest member of Stewart’s band, the night he stood up for himself on the tour plane, and the emotional late-night talk with Rod Stewart that restored the frontman’s faith in his young, untested guitar player and his new group that was struggling to find its groove. Yet they became a band of brothers and formed a camaraderie they share to this day. When We Were the Boys revolves around the year Salas began as an inexperienced musical prodigy and finished as a seasoned rock ’n’ roll veteran—more mature as a man and musician.

Review

Just when things were getting dull, Stevie Salas pops his head above the parapet, waving his (very personal, I must say) take on the life full-throttle. It’s rock ’n’ roll taken to a place called EXTREME. Those with an aversion to sex & drugs, read at your own risk. — Simon Le Bon, singer, songwriter, Duran Duran

Stevie Salas gave me my first break. He busted my ass, but he showed me that music isn’t about perfection; it’s about feeling—about finding the groove of the song. Stevie taught me that music is a work in progress, and he proves that in When We Were the Boys. If not for Stevie, I could possibly be delivering a pizza to your house tonight. For that, and many other reasons, I’ll love the guy forever. — Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters

Stevie, Stevie, Stevie. I have to thank you for taking me back to one of the best times in my life with When We Were the Boys. I was in the band when you arrived, and you definitely brought a different energy to the band. It was a tough time to beat but an even tougher band to beat. We were on fire. Great job my brother! — Jimmy Roberts, saxophonist, The Rod Stewart Band

Stevie Salas has been my rock ‘n’ roll buddy for the past twenty-five years. He’s achieved the greatest thing in our game: he lived a life worth living, and then was able to remember it all long enough to write it down! — Silm Jim Phantom, The Stray Cats

Stevie Salas is the ultimate insider, and When We Were the Boys is your backstage pass. This book is a vibrant, unfiltered collection of stories from a rookie guitarist earning his stripes with rock legends—from hazing to Hooters girls, and everything in between. — Spike Feresten, Emmy Award–winning writer, producer, and comedian whose work includes Seinfeld

Rock ’n’ roll pirate Stevie Salas spins a captivating yarn about his days aboard the great ship Rock Star. A fast and fun read, full of brass, balls, and bollocks, much like the man himself. — Sass Jordan, multi-platinum recording artist

We met Stevie shortly after he left the Rod Stewart Band. Jeff Healey was a funny cat when it came to guitar players. He would interact with very few during our live shows, but he really dug Stevie’s playing from day one and would have him sit in whenever possible. This led to a great friendship and writing partnership—as well as some killer good times. — Tom Stephen, manager/drummer, The Jeff Healey Band

Stevie’s expertise and diverse musical abilities were invaluable when we worked with the contestants from American Idol. Now, after reading When We Were the Boys, I think that most of his ‘diverse musical abilities’ came on the fly! — Stirling McIlwaine, music business manager

Stevie’s one of the busiest people in th