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Once Upon a Rock Star: Backstage Passes in the Heavy Metal Eighties - Big Hair, Bad Boys [and One Bad Girl]
Rock me all night long...
A decade of rock history...and a decade of rock fan adoration for one little chiquita from Omaha who spent star-studded nights with superstars of eighties rockdom: David Lee Roth with Van Halen, Billy Squier, Ozzy Osbourne's Jake E. Lee, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, Bret Michaels and Poison, Vivian Campbell and Def Leppard, the J. Geils Band's Peter Wolf, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and plenty more.
Rockin' Rita and her sexy entourage were ultra-fans who rocked the boys in the bands backstage and between the covers when the heavy metal rockers and hair bands rolled into town in their tour buses. With her own outrageously high hair and edgy original clothing designs, Rita never missed an opportunity to get the coveted backstage passes that led to dressing room parties and hotel hook-ups.
This is a sex-and-tell story about her obsession for sex and drugs with rock stars. Rita reveals her flirtatious romps and hard rock tales with the bad boys of eighties heavy metal in her legend-filled story...Once Upon a Rock Star
A decade of rock history...and a decade of rock fan adoration for one little chiquita from Omaha who spent star-studded nights with superstars of eighties rockdom: David Lee Roth with Van Halen, Billy Squier, Ozzy Osbourne's Jake E. Lee, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, Bret Michaels and Poison, Vivian Campbell and Def Leppard, the J. Geils Band's Peter Wolf, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and plenty more.
Rockin' Rita and her sexy entourage were ultra-fans who rocked the boys in the bands backstage and between the covers when the heavy metal rockers and hair bands rolled into town in their tour buses. With her own outrageously high hair and edgy original clothing designs, Rita never missed an opportunity to get the coveted backstage passes that led to dressing room parties and hotel hook-ups.
This is a sex-and-tell story about her obsession for sex and drugs with rock stars. Rita reveals her flirtatious romps and hard rock tales with the bad boys of eighties heavy metal in her legend-filled story...Once Upon a Rock Star
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2012
219 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Rita Rae Roxx
1 book22 followersA friend wrote in Rita’s 1982 high school yearbook: “I hope that someday you will meet your true David Lee Roth … and become a rock and roll queen.”
After leaving Omaha and moving to LA, Rita continued her pursuit of heavy metal bands throughout the 1980s. She eventually traded rock stars for movie stars and did a stint as a stand-up comic at the Improv, The Comedy Store, and the Rose Tattoo. She worked at the exclusive Tramps of London club where she met many more movie stars and the glitterati of Hollywood—who are in the stories for Rita’s next book continuing her adventures in California in the 1990s.
After leaving LA with more memories than any single person could ever experience, Rita returned to her hometown and turned over a new leaf. She is a hard-working mom who is active in her church (just in case a higher power is needed!).
Her extensive scrapbooks of backstage passes and personal photos document a lifestyle that rock fans only dream about. Because there were too many photos to include in this book, “Like” Rita Rae Roxx on Facebook to see more photos or go to the book’s website at OnceUponaRockStarBOOK.com where more photos are available.
After leaving Omaha and moving to LA, Rita continued her pursuit of heavy metal bands throughout the 1980s. She eventually traded rock stars for movie stars and did a stint as a stand-up comic at the Improv, The Comedy Store, and the Rose Tattoo. She worked at the exclusive Tramps of London club where she met many more movie stars and the glitterati of Hollywood—who are in the stories for Rita’s next book continuing her adventures in California in the 1990s.
After leaving LA with more memories than any single person could ever experience, Rita returned to her hometown and turned over a new leaf. She is a hard-working mom who is active in her church (just in case a higher power is needed!).
Her extensive scrapbooks of backstage passes and personal photos document a lifestyle that rock fans only dream about. Because there were too many photos to include in this book, “Like” Rita Rae Roxx on Facebook to see more photos or go to the book’s website at OnceUponaRockStarBOOK.com where more photos are available.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 4, 2017
This book brought back lots of memories of the 80's and the rock and roll bands. Early MTV and becoming hooked on seeing your favorite bands right in your living room singing and playing music on videos, rather than just sound coming from a speaker of a music playing device. Going to concerts and thinking about meeting the rocker of your dreams, either backstage, by the tour bus, or at their hotel. And the author lived that life for years, meeting all kinds of rockers in this coming-of-age memoir. Wild nights of partying and of crazy sex. She found ways of getting free passes and backstage passes and became very good at getting them. This is her recounting of her years of being a rock star addict, looking for that something more... telling what went on behind the scenes. A sex filled, name-dropping, easy read that's not overly long. A fun trip down memory lane of the 80's groups. So, is there a 2nd book with the rest of the story, or was that just a tease?
My thanks to NetGalley and Arbor Oaks Books for providing me with a free review copy in return for my honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Arbor Oaks Books for providing me with a free review copy in return for my honest opinion.
February 16, 2013
Borrowed this from the Kindle Lending Library. Terribly written, every chapter can be summed up as follows: we looked hot, we got some coke, we rocked it out. Some entertaining stories, seem pretty true especially concerning those she could not sleep with. It's a shame, with a talented editor, this could have been a good book. Definitely brought me back to the good old hair metal days.
November 14, 2012
I like how all the GR reviews so far start with the disclaimer, "I got this book for free..."
Well, I will say that this book is available through the Kindle Lending Library, but I would pay for this book. I grew up loving MTV and hair metal and wanting to marry David Lee Roth, so although I was far too young to actually go out and see most of these bands, I can identify with Roxx's love of the music and infatuation with the adventure and lifestyle. She's like a ten-years-later, probably-more-realistic version of Penny Lane. I appreciate that in telling her story (a midwestern gal who lost her virginity at 15 to Billy Squier on a tour bus, and followed that with a decade of nearly religious metal & hair metal concert attendance and sexual debauchery), Roxx includes the fun experiences and the more humiliating ones. It sounds more realistic that other similar memoirs. In all, it's a loose, fun collection of anecdotes from all of the concerts and after parties she attended, featuring everyone from Robert Plant and Daryl Oats to David Lee Roth and Bret Michaels. This book isn't going to win any awards for literary style, but that's not who the author is, and it is a really enjoyable read - I plowed through it in < 24 hours. I look forward to Roxx's next book.
Well, I will say that this book is available through the Kindle Lending Library, but I would pay for this book. I grew up loving MTV and hair metal and wanting to marry David Lee Roth, so although I was far too young to actually go out and see most of these bands, I can identify with Roxx's love of the music and infatuation with the adventure and lifestyle. She's like a ten-years-later, probably-more-realistic version of Penny Lane. I appreciate that in telling her story (a midwestern gal who lost her virginity at 15 to Billy Squier on a tour bus, and followed that with a decade of nearly religious metal & hair metal concert attendance and sexual debauchery), Roxx includes the fun experiences and the more humiliating ones. It sounds more realistic that other similar memoirs. In all, it's a loose, fun collection of anecdotes from all of the concerts and after parties she attended, featuring everyone from Robert Plant and Daryl Oats to David Lee Roth and Bret Michaels. This book isn't going to win any awards for literary style, but that's not who the author is, and it is a really enjoyable read - I plowed through it in < 24 hours. I look forward to Roxx's next book.
May 13, 2013
Um....I am not ashamed that I knew just about every band she spoke of or the fact that I know the difference between aqua net and stiff stuff (I agree w Rita on that debate). All this book was was I was so hot, my friends were so hot,.. It was like reading the same chapter over and over just with a different rock star. Interesting and amusing topic to me, but man were they just handing out book deals somewhere? She really does not write well. But good for her for living it up while she was young...and hot.
May 26, 2015
As a former fixture on the Sunset Strip in the 80's, I question how much of these stories are true. The book reads like a 14-year-old's diary and maybe that's what this really is considering there's no way she'd be able to remember so many details if she took the amount of drugs she said she did. I got nauseated every time I read the phrases "rocked it" and "rocked it hard." Also, she's not hot. Maybe she's an Omaha 8 but she's an L.A. 3. That's why the rock stars snubbed her in L.A. There were way hotter women at the Rainbow. Sad that she was used mostly for drugs & doesn't realize it. There are way better groupie books out there with better writing, editing & details. And a much better ending. This one just ended abruptly....as well as a sales pitch for her next book about the 90's which I will pass on.
December 15, 2016
This is for anyone who was in love with the ‘80’s and the rock scene at that time. It was groupies and MTV and everything in excess. You are left wondering sometimes how girls during that time made it out without all the issues that are known of today. This book was more entertaining than anything else and you are left wondering if she would do that all over again now that she is older and wiser.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for a freely given honest review.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for a freely given honest review.
February 12, 2017
Loved every word of this book! As someone who also 'rocked it' in the 80s and loved those long haired rock stars, Rita lived the life I craved. In my small town naivete, I didn't know that the secret to access was drugs. I always find the stories told from the woman's point of view infinitely more interesting than the male perspective and this was no exception. Love live rock and roll, rock gods, and the women who worship them!
October 12, 2020
This book was what I needed in my life in 2020. Who doesn't want to walk right out of this year and onto the back of David Lee Roth's motorcycle? I was in the middle of two serious books from the library when this book arrived in the mail, and I ditched them like class so I could smoke cigarettes behind the tennis courts and binge through the '80s. I've read other groupie books, but these were the bands that my fantasies were made of, so it was really fun to live vicariously through Rockin' Rita. A literary masterpiece it's not, but I was looking for a one-night-stand when I read it, and I got one that will stick with me and that I can fantasize about for a while. It did end kind of abruptly, sort of like a lot of Rita's adventures, but the same way she looked forward to the next time the band came to town, I look forward to hearing the rest of her story.
November 2, 2022
Poorly written fuck-and-tell book. Three stars for entertainment value.
June 3, 2015
I just finished this book. Before I read it, I read many, many (mostly negative) reviews, but wanted to form my own opinion.
I loved the 80s music scene, and love reading 'true life' stories from that era. I spent a lot of time at the clubs on the Sunset Strip myself and saw a lot of what the author describes.
The book was definitely entertaining, but as another person commented, I felt like I was reading her diary. The language and grammar was of someone that was still a teenager and still had that mentallity, even though the author's bio says that she cleaned up her act and is active in church. I'm not here to judge...I'm just saying it sounds like the author kept a diary, and basically published it.
Definite overuse of the phrase 'We rocked it out' and the author was very narcissistic.
Just to reiterate, it was entertaining and I enjoyed it. I recommend it to anyone who has a love of the 80s hard rock/heavy metal music scene.
I loved the 80s music scene, and love reading 'true life' stories from that era. I spent a lot of time at the clubs on the Sunset Strip myself and saw a lot of what the author describes.
The book was definitely entertaining, but as another person commented, I felt like I was reading her diary. The language and grammar was of someone that was still a teenager and still had that mentallity, even though the author's bio says that she cleaned up her act and is active in church. I'm not here to judge...I'm just saying it sounds like the author kept a diary, and basically published it.
Definite overuse of the phrase 'We rocked it out' and the author was very narcissistic.
Just to reiterate, it was entertaining and I enjoyed it. I recommend it to anyone who has a love of the 80s hard rock/heavy metal music scene.
September 9, 2012
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I wasn't alive in the 80's but I'm sure this would be a great nostalgic read to anyone who lived in the 8o's and was into the rock scene.
The problems I had with this book was that it was choppy and the sentences didn't really flow together. She had a lot of "stories for another time" and that just made me feel like she was advertising for her upcoming book.
I will say that she had a lot of very interesting stories. I like how in the beginning of the book she has a playlist for the reader and the photos in the book were a nice touch.
Overall, if you can get past how poorly written it was and just focus on the stories then by all means feel free to read this book.
I wasn't alive in the 80's but I'm sure this would be a great nostalgic read to anyone who lived in the 8o's and was into the rock scene.
The problems I had with this book was that it was choppy and the sentences didn't really flow together. She had a lot of "stories for another time" and that just made me feel like she was advertising for her upcoming book.
I will say that she had a lot of very interesting stories. I like how in the beginning of the book she has a playlist for the reader and the photos in the book were a nice touch.
Overall, if you can get past how poorly written it was and just focus on the stories then by all means feel free to read this book.
April 23, 2014
Teen gone bad. Adults using minors for sex toys, etc. Not her fault for it All!!
I wasn't sure about rating a 4 or 5 . the way it was written kinda sucked, pardon the pun. hopefully she has some self esteem now and realizes she was way too good and young for what she wished for and got. some of those guys should be in jail for ruining a big time minor, which nowadays they probably would be. waiting for the next one to see how she turned out. good diary like reading. was she ever that young ever? David Lee eeewww.
I wasn't sure about rating a 4 or 5 . the way it was written kinda sucked, pardon the pun. hopefully she has some self esteem now and realizes she was way too good and young for what she wished for and got. some of those guys should be in jail for ruining a big time minor, which nowadays they probably would be. waiting for the next one to see how she turned out. good diary like reading. was she ever that young ever? David Lee eeewww.
June 19, 2016
Love books about this era and reading all about where I would've liked to have been if I was a 20-something in the 80s! Flew threw this one and was highly entertained.
The book is rather poorly written and I definitely felt bad hearing her brag about the way she was used by so many guys (not too bad because she loved it), but if you're in it for the entertainment it's perfect. Although if I never hear "we rocked it out" again it'll be too soon.
The book is rather poorly written and I definitely felt bad hearing her brag about the way she was used by so many guys (not too bad because she loved it), but if you're in it for the entertainment it's perfect. Although if I never hear "we rocked it out" again it'll be too soon.
May 19, 2017
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. In exchange, I was asked to write an honest review and post it. My thanks to them both.
Not much I can say. I choose this book because I love a good gossipy tell all. It’s my guilty pleasure. I was torn between saying “you go girl, do your thang” and thinking that she sounded like a self absorbed sociopath. Truthfully If she writes another book I will probably read it. It was enjoyable.
Not much I can say. I choose this book because I love a good gossipy tell all. It’s my guilty pleasure. I was torn between saying “you go girl, do your thang” and thinking that she sounded like a self absorbed sociopath. Truthfully If she writes another book I will probably read it. It was enjoyable.
December 15, 2012
If you love the 80's and all the excess of everything of the decade and always wondered what the hair metal gods were like with the females this is the book you have to read. This chick went all out with these guys - I enjoyed reading her romps thru the 80's - real doozies with the biggest rockers of the decade - truly yummy - Rita is the 80's version of Pam Des Barres no doubt
April 13, 2014
Makes you feel like you're there!
I love reading groupie stories, so this book really interested me. It wasn't overly sexually explicit, but you got the idea of what happened. It's probably just me, but the phrase "we rocked it out" seemed to be used too often. Other than that, it's a good read, and I recommend it to anyone that loved the "hair bands" heyday.
I love reading groupie stories, so this book really interested me. It wasn't overly sexually explicit, but you got the idea of what happened. It's probably just me, but the phrase "we rocked it out" seemed to be used too often. Other than that, it's a good read, and I recommend it to anyone that loved the "hair bands" heyday.
June 25, 2014
yawn....
Boring...
Poorly written/ She doesn't go into much detail other then she "fucked the shit out off him"
Full of herself.
Summed up. I looked hot/sexy (get over yourself)
Got coke
Went to the show
Got backstage
Went to the hotel
Got laid ( or didn't in some case's)
The only thing that kept me reading is the cool bands/guys named in the book!
Boring...
Poorly written/ She doesn't go into much detail other then she "fucked the shit out off him"
Full of herself.
Summed up. I looked hot/sexy (get over yourself)
Got coke
Went to the show
Got backstage
Went to the hotel
Got laid ( or didn't in some case's)
The only thing that kept me reading is the cool bands/guys named in the book!
September 22, 2013
The author brings a lot of unnecessary drama into her own life, and she and I would probably never be friends. With that being said, I enjoyed her tales of life as a rock star groupie, and I would read her next release (which she alludes to in the closing).
July 4, 2017
Garbage
Trashy bit of garbage written by a sleazeball who seems to be quite happy with her "conquests". Seriously there were no conquests. Just a bunch of hook ups that went nowhere. Sad, very sad
Trashy bit of garbage written by a sleazeball who seems to be quite happy with her "conquests". Seriously there were no conquests. Just a bunch of hook ups that went nowhere. Sad, very sad
January 9, 2024
I don't know what I expected from this book, but I have to say I am kind of disappointed.
It's not written very well and is really just a summary of 'I went to this concert and looked really hot, I rocked out, did some coke and had sex with this rockstar".
Clearly the author is not a writer but felt she had a story to tell, and I commend her for that, but it's a shame that the publisher did not assist with editing to make it less repetitive.
Some of the stories could have been really interesting but stopped before revealing too much. Was this to protect the rocker/manger/crew concerned? I don't know, but that's where it was lacking.
Maybe Rita should have taken a leaf out of Bobbie Brown and Caroline Ryder book Dirty Rocker Boys. They named and shamed and told a much more put together story.
Writing quality aside, I was torn while reading this book. On one hand I thought it was appalling how she could just throw her body at these rockers & be used by them. On the other, she did it all willingly and seemed happy with her lifestyle choice. Another part of me could relate. I too loved rock stars & would have loved to have met and maybe even slept with the odd few in my youth. What teenager doesn't have that dream?
So if you love 80s rock and just want a quick read then you may enjoy this book but if you're hoping for any graphic descriptions on your favorite rock star then you will be disappointed.
ahh - the 80s - it was a different time.
It's not written very well and is really just a summary of 'I went to this concert and looked really hot, I rocked out, did some coke and had sex with this rockstar".
Clearly the author is not a writer but felt she had a story to tell, and I commend her for that, but it's a shame that the publisher did not assist with editing to make it less repetitive.
Some of the stories could have been really interesting but stopped before revealing too much. Was this to protect the rocker/manger/crew concerned? I don't know, but that's where it was lacking.
Maybe Rita should have taken a leaf out of Bobbie Brown and Caroline Ryder book Dirty Rocker Boys. They named and shamed and told a much more put together story.
Writing quality aside, I was torn while reading this book. On one hand I thought it was appalling how she could just throw her body at these rockers & be used by them. On the other, she did it all willingly and seemed happy with her lifestyle choice. Another part of me could relate. I too loved rock stars & would have loved to have met and maybe even slept with the odd few in my youth. What teenager doesn't have that dream?
So if you love 80s rock and just want a quick read then you may enjoy this book but if you're hoping for any graphic descriptions on your favorite rock star then you will be disappointed.
ahh - the 80s - it was a different time.
August 23, 2021
REALLY? I mean REALLY? She really expects to believe SHE turned down one of the hottest men of that time period? Jon Bon Jovi? Come on! This girl has a very high opinion of herself! “I was hot”. “I looked amazing.” “No one could resist me!” Lol. And I tend to doubt she could really remember the conversations she had with anyone with the amount of drugs she says she took let alone the exact words in the conversation. It reads like a teenaged girls fantasy. Like she took everything that was in her mind she wished would happen and made a book. The pictures I saw in the book looks more like the generic everyday meet and greet pics you have seen fans most many times. Not really any I was really close with this person pics. I also find it hard to believe that these rock stars that could have as much ass as they want would be upset that one of the other rockstars banged her. I mean come on lol. I guess it was entertaining if you like fantasy because that’s sure what it seemed like lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2021
A juicy read ....
If you want to open a time capsule and examine the contents of the sex-driven-rock-and-roll of the 80's then this book is for you!!! It's a guilty pleasure consumed in one evening - and quite the little tell all too. Sure, it is often pathetic how beautiful girls throw themselves at rock stars, but it's been going on forever and not likely to change. Best to leave the judgemental attitude home and enjoy the ride!!! And you will - that I promise.
If you want to open a time capsule and examine the contents of the sex-driven-rock-and-roll of the 80's then this book is for you!!! It's a guilty pleasure consumed in one evening - and quite the little tell all too. Sure, it is often pathetic how beautiful girls throw themselves at rock stars, but it's been going on forever and not likely to change. Best to leave the judgemental attitude home and enjoy the ride!!! And you will - that I promise.
September 29, 2018
The story told is fine, but after i read a third of this I got tired of hearing about her fuck-me fashions, and how she was so hot. I grew up in the 70's in Los Angeles, saw hundreds of concerts, and saw plenty of Ritas all over the place. And you know what? Us average looking girls weren't jealous of your type!
May 29, 2019
Couldn't put it down...
If you were a teen during this time, you will love this book, or just curious about the backstage antics, this book will be a must read for you. Rita's book will draw you in whether you were part of this era or not, but especially if you remember those good old days with a twinkle in your eye...
If you were a teen during this time, you will love this book, or just curious about the backstage antics, this book will be a must read for you. Rita's book will draw you in whether you were part of this era or not, but especially if you remember those good old days with a twinkle in your eye...
June 12, 2022
“Groupie memoir” isn’t exactly a prestige genre of literature, but they can still be fun for a bit of tawdry rockstar gossip. Unfortunately, this one is rather short on details, and there’s a lot of sameness to most of the stories in it, so it wound up being a dull read. It at least has an index though, which is more than most memoirs have.
October 1, 2024
What was I thinking
I don't know why I read this book. It's certainly not my usual type of book. It didn't have much substance. It was dress like a slut, be sure to remind the reader how smokin hot you were, go to rock concert, blow someone for backstage passes, screw someone (anyone) in the band or entourage, snort lines, rinse and repeat.
I don't know why I read this book. It's certainly not my usual type of book. It didn't have much substance. It was dress like a slut, be sure to remind the reader how smokin hot you were, go to rock concert, blow someone for backstage passes, screw someone (anyone) in the band or entourage, snort lines, rinse and repeat.
November 6, 2022
A must read for the 80s nostalgia
A wonderful tale of the 80s to bring you back to an Era of sexuality, music and the girls who loved the bands. A wonderful read to take you back in time.
A wonderful tale of the 80s to bring you back to an Era of sexuality, music and the girls who loved the bands. A wonderful read to take you back in time.
December 10, 2022
Enjoyed it
I love reading books about groupies and their conquests! I’m an old groupie. These girls are a delight. It brought me back to the 80’s. I Had a lot of fun and met many of the same rock stars. I would definitely read Rita’s next book,
I love reading books about groupies and their conquests! I’m an old groupie. These girls are a delight. It brought me back to the 80’s. I Had a lot of fun and met many of the same rock stars. I would definitely read Rita’s next book,
September 3, 2020
Very interesting...talk about sex, drugs and rock n roll!
December 20, 2020
The Rocking '80s
I never wanted it to end! Loved the escapades of Rita and her girlfriends! Totally took me back to the '80s! Where's the sequel??
I never wanted it to end! Loved the escapades of Rita and her girlfriends! Totally took me back to the '80s! Where's the sequel??
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews