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From Cradle to Stage
- Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars
- Narrated by: Virginia Hanlon Grohl, Dave Grohl
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Music
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Publisher's Summary
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.
What listeners say about From Cradle to Stage
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 23-03-2022
loved it
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
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- A-M-L
- 10-01-2022
Loved learning about mums’ experiences!!!
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!!!!
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- Kindle Customer
- 11-11-2021
Virginia Grohl rocks.
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.
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- Looshbaby
- 12-05-2021
Fantastic
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.
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- Simon
- 08-10-2020
Great
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.
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- Anonymous User
- 25-09-2019
bloody hard to follow
it had a great idea behind the book but with the way it is read its very hard to keep track of the story line of the interview etc and found it too boring in places.
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- Anonymous User
- 02-07-2019
Insightful.
Great to hear a mum's perspective on not just the music world but creative children in general.
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- Sonya
- 30-06-2018
great read, great insight
I really enjoyed this book. Well written, insightful about both the people and what it is like for both the parents and the musicians.
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- Anonymous User
- 18-04-2018
Thank you Mamma Grohl
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.
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- Anonymous User
- 31-08-2018
Loved it.
I just loved it ! Very interesting stories, that give some perspective to some of the biggest names in the music industry. Thank you.
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- Jeffers
- 11-12-2020
Amazing!
what an amazing insight into the lives of the top musicians and their families lives from their upbringing to fame. And its got me listening to bands and music I'd heard of but never listen to. the chat at the end between Dave and his mum had me laughing out loud. Thank you Virginia for this amazing book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Mr. M. J. Ray
- 13-05-2022
somewhat disappointed
lovely factual listening to many mothers of famous people, however as nice as it was to listen to Dave's mum, I was hoping for more from dave himself and about their relationship through his early year so a little disappointed.
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- Alison Tait
- 25-04-2022
With a Mum like this, no wonder Dave is so beloved!
Such a great book - I loved it. Virginia is a natural story teller. And the little Mother & Son interview at the end is great
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- Mrs smiley
- 04-04-2022
Absolutely loved it.
A rare find. A great insight into the lives of music creators.... The Mothers of Music Makers. Well told Virginia and excellently narrated with that granny like soft, soothing voice. I loved it ❤️
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- Sally Matthews
- 31-03-2022
A great listen
A great listen. Enjoyable, insightful and well narrated. I love Dave Grohl's mum! What a wonderful woman.
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- Janella
- 10-03-2022
Amazing insights told in an interesting way
It's great to hear the author reading her own book in the way she envisaged it. the stories contained within are fascinating and interesting. I was intrigued by the artists I knew, especially Virginia's son, Dave. I learnt about a few musicians I'd never heard of before and subsequently listened to their music.
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- Kate Housby
- 02-02-2022
insightful
a great listen, full of short sharp stories... took a couple of weeks to complete as I listened to a chapter at a time doing odd jobs!
If you love great music this is for you!
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-11-2021
excellent book
I absolutely loved this. a different perspective lovingly told; an excellent book, highly recommended
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- Tony Bhoy
- 22-10-2021
Wonderful woman
Most parents want their kids to study and become what they can be proud of. Well Dave’s mum let him get on with who he wanted to be. A wonderfully powerful insight to the path she led and the people she met supporting her son.
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- Mrs. Joanne Jones
- 22-08-2020
absulitley fantastic!
not only a fascinating insight into the families behind famous rockstars but notes on education and parenting and how to raise successful balanced and happy kids. loved every minute and the fantastic relationship that is evident between dave and Virginia is utterly heartwarming. loved it!!!
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