Under a Rock

A Memoir

By: Chris Stein, Debbie Harry

Narrated by: Chris Stein, Debbie Harry, Dennis Boutsikaris, Romy Ashby

“Chris Stein has an amazing memory, an engaging, offbeat storytelling style, and a gift for memorable formulations… a fascinating yet cautionary account regarding the hazards of rock ’n’ roll and celebrity.”—Kirkus

This program includes a foreword written and read by Debbie Harry. The main text is read by Dennis Boutsikaris, known for his roles in Better Call Saul, The Good Wife, and Sugar. It also includes "Heartbreak Kid," a song from the upcoming Blondie album.

"A Downtown Memory" is written and read by Romy Ashby.

Debbie Harry defined iconic band Blondie’s look. Chris Stein—her performing partner, lover, and lifelong friend—was its architect and defined its sound. “Parallel Lines”, their third album, catapulted to #1, sold 20 million copies, and launched singles like “Heart of Glass”, "Hangin' On the Telephone," and “One Way or Another”, providing the beat when Bianca Jagger and Halston danced at Studio 54 and the soundtrack to every 1970’s punk-soundtracked romance.

Chris Stein knows how to tell a story. Under A Rock is his nothing-spared autobiography. It's about the founding of the band, ascending to the heights of pop success, and the hazards of fortune.

Famous names march through this book—Warhol, Bowie, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and more–but you can get famous names anywhere. What you can’t get anywhere else is a plunge into the moments that made a giant 1980's artistic sensation. Stein takes us there in this revelatory, propulsive, distinctive memoir.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.

©2024 Chris Stein (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] atmospheric narrative."—Publishers Weekly

"With a stream-of-consciousness writing style and a talent for storytelling, the author recounts with intriguing specificity the trajectory his life has taken...fascinating."—Kirkus starred review

"[E]ngaging...Written in an off-the-cuff style, this memoir offers a descriptive, highly impressionistic account of the author’s role in Blondie and his life in New York City. Will engage general readers."—Library Journal

excellent narration. sadly, a story of so many drugs, which at times overshadowed the musical experiences

Amazing narration, but unlike the description, this book is NOT read by Debbie Harry or Chris Stein.
it's a very interesting story that captures perfectly the underbelly of New York in the '60s the seventies and eighties. unfortunately, so much of this book is taken up with drug use that it doesn't really delve into the making of particular albums, or how certain songs came about. in fact, it's hard to keep track of exactly when this is happening until the end of the book when they start using dates in the 2000s. it would have been so much more interesting to hear the recording process and More band interaction rather than the simple fact that he was nearly always stoned. still it's a good book but could have been more. nonetheless, it sheds a light into just how pivotal Blondie has been and how relevant they continue to be.

just brilliant

loved hearing about new york and blonde i recommend for sure. amazing writing completely enjoyed

This Blondie fan LOVED IT

The reader really captures Chris, loved this book, Chris is so smart and funny, fantastic stories to share. Love the Blondie song at the end!!

Raw honesty and a vivid picture of Chris’ story.

I am sad about Akira. While Blondie will remain as always one of my top favorite bands.

Gaviritr Book About New York

Chris is a great storyteller and has an incredibly compelling story to tell. I wasn’t a huge Blondie fan but love his photos of NYC, like Blondie, and am fascinated by New York of the 60s to present day. I loved it.