From Cradle to Stage cover art

From Cradle to Stage

Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars

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From Cradle to Stage

By: Virginia Hanlon Grohl
Narrated by: Virginia Hanlon Grohl, Dave Grohl
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About this listen

Virginia Grohl, mother of Dave Grohl, had not seen any of it coming. Not the arenas of screaming fans, not Nirvana or the Foo Fighters, not the induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and certainly not her son, Dave, performing with Sir Paul McCartney at the White House.

Theirs had always been a life full of music - the Grohl family sang together on long car trips, harmonising to Motown and David Bowie - yet Virginia never expected her son to become a musician. But when Virginia saw Nirvana play for the first time to crazed applause from thousands of screaming fans, she knew nothing would ever be the same. She was the mother of a rock star. And as Virginia watched her son's star rise, she often wondered about the other mothers who raised sons and daughters who became rock stars. Were they as surprised as she was about their children's fame?

Virginia often wondered about the mystical force that urges some of us to listen, to play, to surround ourselves with music. She wanted to talk about it with the other mothers whose sons and daughters were sharing stages with Dave, and she decided to seek them out wherever they were.

So began a two-year odyssey where she had conversations with such women from all over the world, such as Verna Griffin, Dr Dre's mother; Carolyn Williams, Pharrell Williams' mother; Janis Winehouse, Amy Winehouse's mother; Patsy Noah, Adam Levine's mother; Donna Haim, mother to the Haim sisters; and Hester Diamond, Mike D of the Beastie Boys' mother, to name just a few. From Cradle to Stage will appeal to mothers everywhere but particularly to those with children who march (or play) to the beat of their own drum; and it's for those children who have their mothers to thank for everything.

For music lovers and rock fans, it's the ultimate backstage pass - for anyone who has wondered what it's like to be on the inside, looking out at a packed arena.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2017 Virginia Hanlon Grohl (P)2017 Hachette Audio
Entertainment & Celebrities Motherhood Music Parenting & Families Relationships Celebrity
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This book gives such an interesting perspective on a world that you almost never think about it. Virginia’s voice is kind and heart warming, and the way she tells these stories is done with such respect

Soo Good

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This is such an interesting perspective behind the scenes look at the lives of creatives. I also love the relationships that mothers have with their kids. A must read for any parent. Highly recommended. I was expecting a very different book and was surprised and delighted.

Great

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I loved this book with a huge passion! I’ve read it twice now. Learning about the lives of our most sort after musicians mums’ eyes is eye opening! From Adam Lavign to Gedde Lee, Pharell Williams to one of my most fave musicians! Tom Morello!!!! This book is definitely recommended to anyone who has a passion for music, anyone wanting to learn about what it’s like to have a musician as a kid of your own, or anyone in general, to be fair, who loves music! Loved this book so much!!!!

Loved learning about mums’ experiences!!!

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Thank you Mamma Grohl I enjoyed every minute of this and you gave me goosebumps for than once. I might of laughed out loud on the bus too.
You do forget some times that your heroes were once kids too.

Thank you Mamma Grohl

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Loved it a great and easy listen. What a lovely mum and what a great man she has raised . The world thanks you for nurturing that tremendous talent Mrs Grohl.

Virginia Grohl rocks.

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Loved hearing the different stories as told to the author by mother's of musicians.
The follow up discussion with Dave and his mother at the end of the acknowledgements was so genuine.

Heart warming

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Great to hear a mum's perspective on not just the music world but creative children in general.

Insightful.

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Such lovely, reflective stories about amazing musicians from their Mum's. Really inspirational in thinking about my own children in school, how mainstream schools are not for every child, success can be achieved over time and art finds a way

loved it

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VG has given us a glimpse into the complex and diverse lifestyle of the rock and roll mother. It aint all rock n heavy either, and it aint just about sons. Very balanced, interesting, captivating.

Fantastic

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I really enjoyed this book. Well written, insightful about both the people and what it is like for both the parents and the musicians.

great read, great insight

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