Stevie Van Zandt Shares His Charismatic Story Via Compelling Memoir ‘Unrequited Infatuations’ (BOOK REVIEW)

Stevie Van Zandt is the consummate sidekick, whether it’s playing Little Stevie to Bruce Springsteen or Silvio Dante to James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano. There are few better at not stealing the spotlight when they have the charm and charisma to easily do so.

In his fantastic memoir, Unrequited Infatuations, Van Zandt digs into both of those worlds – as a musician and actor – each with compelling backstage stories and refreshing frankness. He also digs into his role as an activist, detailing his dangerous exploits in Africa doing his part as a musician with a global megaphone trying to bring an end apartheid (including writing, producing and recording the Artists Against Apartheid protest song “Sun City”).

Among the revelations told here are how he got the nickname Miami Steve; his role in how Springsteen became synonymous with the Fender Telecaster (Van Zandt was so associated with the instrument in New Jersey bands that Springsteen called and asked if it was ok if he started playing one – that’s how small and tight the Jersey music scene was in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s); how he came to play Silvio in the Sopranos instead of taking the role of Tony; and his biggest musical regret (leaving the E Street Band in 1984). But almost as fascinating as his stories as part of one of the biggest bands the world has ever known is his work as a solo artist – playing much smaller venues – and his job producing, arranging and in many cases reviving a slew of old rockers from Gary U.S. Bonds, Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes (a band he co-founded) and Darlene Love.      

Van Zandt’s humor and humility is evident throughout the book, speaking nonchalantly and often in self-deprecating ways about his role and impact on some of biggest pop and art cultural moments in modern memory. But more refreshing is his unabashed take on current politics and religion peppered throughout and featuring prominently in the closing chapter as he outlines the nine moves he would immediately institute if he ran the country. At a time when even passive has-beens and almost-weres in the music world are being offered deals to write rock memoirs, Van Zandt does the book category justice offering up one of the most compelling music memoirs in years.  

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