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All These Things That I've Done: My Insane, Improbable Rock Life
“The most trusted opinion in rock music” (Billy Corgan, The Smashing Pumpkins), Matt Pinfield offers the ultimate music fan’s memoir, an “entertaining and insightful” (Clive Davis) chronicle of the songs and artists that inspired his improbable career alongside some of the all-time greats, from The Beatles to KISS to U2 to The Killers.
Matt Pinfield “makes rock ‘n’ roll fandom sound like a lifelong heroic quest—which it is” (Rob Sheffield). He’s the guy who knows every song, artist, and musical riff ever recorded, down to the most obscure band’s B-side single on its vinyl-only import EP. As a child, Pinfield made sense of the world through music. Later, as a teenager, Pinfield would approach his music idols after concerts and explain why he loved their songs. As an adult, rock music inspired his career, fueled his relationships, and, at times, became a life raft.
In this “charming, rambling account of a life saved by rock ’n’ roll...Pinfield is a disarmingly likable guide” ( Kirkus Reviews ) through his lifelong music obsession—from the heavy metal that infused his teenage years, to his first encounters with legends like Lou Reed and the Ramones and how, through his MTV years, he played a major role in bringing nineties alt rock mainstream. Over his long career Pinfield has interviewed everyone from Paul McCartney to Nirvana to Jay-Z, earning the trust and admiration of artists and fans alike. Now, for the first time, he shares his five decades of stories from the front lines of rock ‘n’ roll, exploring how, with nothing more than passion and moxy, he became a sought-after reporter, unlikely celebrity, and the last word in popular music. Featuring a rousing collection of best-of lists, favorite tracks, and artist profiles, All These Things That I’ve Done “is an excellent read” ( Publishers Weekly ) about how a born outsider wound up in the inner circle.
Matt Pinfield “makes rock ‘n’ roll fandom sound like a lifelong heroic quest—which it is” (Rob Sheffield). He’s the guy who knows every song, artist, and musical riff ever recorded, down to the most obscure band’s B-side single on its vinyl-only import EP. As a child, Pinfield made sense of the world through music. Later, as a teenager, Pinfield would approach his music idols after concerts and explain why he loved their songs. As an adult, rock music inspired his career, fueled his relationships, and, at times, became a life raft.
In this “charming, rambling account of a life saved by rock ’n’ roll...Pinfield is a disarmingly likable guide” ( Kirkus Reviews ) through his lifelong music obsession—from the heavy metal that infused his teenage years, to his first encounters with legends like Lou Reed and the Ramones and how, through his MTV years, he played a major role in bringing nineties alt rock mainstream. Over his long career Pinfield has interviewed everyone from Paul McCartney to Nirvana to Jay-Z, earning the trust and admiration of artists and fans alike. Now, for the first time, he shares his five decades of stories from the front lines of rock ‘n’ roll, exploring how, with nothing more than passion and moxy, he became a sought-after reporter, unlikely celebrity, and the last word in popular music. Featuring a rousing collection of best-of lists, favorite tracks, and artist profiles, All These Things That I’ve Done “is an excellent read” ( Publishers Weekly ) about how a born outsider wound up in the inner circle.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2016
21 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Matt Pinfield
6 books2 followersMatt Pinfield is a music personality and TV host best known as a video deejay on MTV and VH1. From 2011 to 2013 he was the host of the MTV2 alternative music program 120 Minutes, which he also hosted from 1995 to 1999. In 2015, Matt became a DJ on SiriusXM Radio's Lithium channel. He lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 6, 2018
I don’t think Matt Pinfield knows what a woman is. Sure it’s great to read about some of my favorite rock bands but there are ZERO stories of women. On his 50 essential albums of each decade there are maybe 3 women listed for each. The only times women are mentioned is for being playmates or wanting to suck rock star dick. It doesn’t seem intentional, but this brand of misogyny is so frustratingly typical.
May 25, 2016
I enjoyed this book. Pinfield's obsessive passion for rock and rock gods is definitely contagious and his knowledge is part scholar and part geek fanboy. I also read memoirs by Carrie Brownstein, Chrissy Hynde and Kim Gordon this year. What sets Pinfield's memoir apart from the pack (not in a good way) is that he seems to skim the surface of the role rock has played in his life. If you remove the word "life" from the subtitle and replace it with "career" you'd have a closer representation of the book. If you are looking for something deeper than his encyclopedic knowledge of rock or stories of having sex with groupies, you will be sadly disappointed with the occasional mentions of drug use and failed marriages. After the birth of his first child, she is never mentioned again, even when he is talking about fatherhood. However, it was a fun read for the back stories on certain bands and rock stars and learning how obsessed he was even as a little kid. It's interesting because he seems to see the only value in his memoir to be the moments he was in the presence of a rock star which are interesting and entertaining; but, I would have preferred more introspection. Maybe in 10 or 15 years, he'll write another one that digs deeper. I'd read it.
June 16, 2019
I know Matt Pinfield only as the gravelly-voiced music nerd VJ from MTV's "120 Minutes," on the air back in the latest Cretaceous when one could still discover new and exciting musical acts on the network. Pinfield tells his story, from shoplifting CDs, to a local radio show in Jersey, to MTV, to being an A&R man for Columbia. Interspersed with the narrative are accounts of meetings with his rock heroes: Oasis, Lou Reed, KISS, David Bowie, and so on. Part scholar and part wide-eyed fanboy and 100% lucky as hell, Matt has impressed everyone with the depth of his rock knowledge, and the rewards have been a music fan's dream: interviewing everyone from Oasis to the Rolling Stones, jamming and singing with KISS, hanging with the Ramones, touring with Coheed and Cambria, and most astonishingly being asked to swing by David Bowie's house to discuss which tracks should be included on the then-upcoming album Heathen. Clearly, Matt's got solid bona fides, if people like Reed and the Thin White Duke are staying in touch with Matt and not the other way around.
Some readers seem to carp about the fact that there's not much in the book about Pinfield's divorce or problems with drugs, but he does talk about them, and his private issues aren't the focus of the book. A much more troubling omission is the lack of female artists, DJ's, fans, and execs in the book. Pinfield doesn't seem to know any, or pal around with any, which is an odd thing considering how deep into the music business he is otherwise. Sadly, the women he does mention are groupies and Playboy playmates. Other than that, this is enjoyable reading for a music nerd like me, especially the stories Pinfield tells about his time with great musicians, the lucky bastard.
Some readers seem to carp about the fact that there's not much in the book about Pinfield's divorce or problems with drugs, but he does talk about them, and his private issues aren't the focus of the book. A much more troubling omission is the lack of female artists, DJ's, fans, and execs in the book. Pinfield doesn't seem to know any, or pal around with any, which is an odd thing considering how deep into the music business he is otherwise. Sadly, the women he does mention are groupies and Playboy playmates. Other than that, this is enjoyable reading for a music nerd like me, especially the stories Pinfield tells about his time with great musicians, the lucky bastard.
May 23, 2019
P.137, that's when I had to stop. "One night.... I ran into a promotion person from Atlantic Records. She introduced me to her boyfriend Kurt Steffek, who was in the music department at MTV."
Another woman pushed to the background.
This book goes on for 137 pages (and probably more) with hardly a mention of the women in the scene. Female college rock DJs, female superfans, and definitely female musicians - we existed. Pinfield essentially self-defines as the DJ who brought 90s alternative rock to our ears, and he omits some of the best of the time - Liz Phair. PJ Harvey. Kathleen Hanna. Kim Gordon. Kim Deal. Juliana Hatfield. Ani DiFranco. Even SPIN was writing about these women in the 90s. Here we are 20 years later, and Pinfield pushes them to the background.
I'm a Jersey girl who grew up listening to Matt Pinfield on "Modern Rock at the Jersey Shore," came of age watching many of the same bands at many of same NJ and NYC clubs, and I was in no way the only girl there - for the record.
Another woman pushed to the background.
This book goes on for 137 pages (and probably more) with hardly a mention of the women in the scene. Female college rock DJs, female superfans, and definitely female musicians - we existed. Pinfield essentially self-defines as the DJ who brought 90s alternative rock to our ears, and he omits some of the best of the time - Liz Phair. PJ Harvey. Kathleen Hanna. Kim Gordon. Kim Deal. Juliana Hatfield. Ani DiFranco. Even SPIN was writing about these women in the 90s. Here we are 20 years later, and Pinfield pushes them to the background.
I'm a Jersey girl who grew up listening to Matt Pinfield on "Modern Rock at the Jersey Shore," came of age watching many of the same bands at many of same NJ and NYC clubs, and I was in no way the only girl there - for the record.
July 7, 2017
He really loves rock, he really loves music, but there isn't a single female artist who gets more than a single sentence mention in the entire book.
August 7, 2017
Long winding road thru the start and current state of matt's life. Though I think he wound up in rehab just after the book release. Exciting life tempered with stories of the things you miss when you are busy 24/7. I loved all the local nj stuff. Actual writing was a lil jumbly and didn't always flow. Fun rock reading
March 9, 2019
My Improbable Life- Matt Pinfield
Matt Pinfield was easy to like as a deejay at the Jersey Shore in the 1990s. By his admission here, he was bald, build like a rock and had a granite chewing voice. The thing was, he loved the music. He knew about bands and he knew bands. He was a normal guy who could be your friend with the cool music.
Some of that image changes in this book. He starts hoarding and shop lifting music in his youth. Then he practically becomes a music star by playing music. He has loads of sex, drugs, and clubbing. He goes through girlfriends who are there just to provide free CDs to him.
When the good scene at the Jersey Shore dries up, he becomes a media music guy on cheesy shows raving about Sisquo's Thong Song. The book stops being as interesting in the late 90s until he becomes a record company guy.
All in all a good book about the changing music world from a guy who was in the thick of it and did what he could to stay part of it.
Matt Pinfield was easy to like as a deejay at the Jersey Shore in the 1990s. By his admission here, he was bald, build like a rock and had a granite chewing voice. The thing was, he loved the music. He knew about bands and he knew bands. He was a normal guy who could be your friend with the cool music.
Some of that image changes in this book. He starts hoarding and shop lifting music in his youth. Then he practically becomes a music star by playing music. He has loads of sex, drugs, and clubbing. He goes through girlfriends who are there just to provide free CDs to him.
When the good scene at the Jersey Shore dries up, he becomes a media music guy on cheesy shows raving about Sisquo's Thong Song. The book stops being as interesting in the late 90s until he becomes a record company guy.
All in all a good book about the changing music world from a guy who was in the thick of it and did what he could to stay part of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2019
Matt Pinfield has met a lot of famous people, and they’ve all had very nice things to say about him.
July 2, 2019
Sadly, this was boring. I was so hyped for it. I loved watching Matt Pinfield on MTV when I was a teenager and I thought this was gonna be so interesting. But it was like... All the parts of his life that I wanted to hear about, they were just background noise and he wanted to tell us what album he was listening to. Like great, I want to know that also BUT if you almost died as a teenager, that should be like, a full chapter, not just a paragraph smooshed in between some discussion about which albums were giving you a boner at age 15. Related: I have never read a book that said 'blow job' so many times. Ugh how boring. I am disappointed.
September 26, 2016
A terrific look back on the genuinely colorful life and career of my all-time favorite MTV VJ. Pinfield is candid about his successes and screw-ups, but the most enticing part of this memoir are his tales of celebrity encounters (there are some really great ones) and his tales of being a DJ in the days when that still meant something.
August 10, 2018
So when one hits the other side of forty, (cough), nostalgia becomes a helluva drug, and this quick, interesting read so scratches that itch if you're any kind of music nerd at all. His voice is strong, and comfortingly familiar if, like me, you grew up with it.
If you aren't a music nerd, I'll be honest, you may not like this book, or at least you may not five star it like I five starred it, but then again, you wouldn't pick this book up anyway if you weren't a music nerd.
I am obviously a gigantic music nerd, and snob, obsessive vinyl collector since I can remember...sniffing my dad's jazz records and swooning to Harry James's horns...begging to listen to Elvis when we were done.
I have never been able to put adequately into words what music has given me, in this lifetime as a carbon based being. It's never NOT on, and if it's not on it's still in my head. It's like breathing.
Just the last few months I found myself obsessing again after discovering new-to-me band Cigarettes After Sex... Ordering records, scouring lyrics for meaning, swooning, looking for tour dates like I was seventeen all over again. I time traveled because of a new band. He would get this.
Ultimately, I'd love to sit down and just start talking to Matt... But we would never, ever shut up. He's the older brother I never had and desperately wanted, the cool older friend at the all ages club working the door who introduced me to the Cramps. I discovered punk rock and Riot Grrl saved my life.
My local record store downtown did more for my growth than any other influence. The second most important influence, which GOT me in the damn door in the first place was MTV and 120 Minutes.
I still remember taking the bus downtown to the Record Exchange for the first time, terrified. My friends had prepped me, which clerks at the counter were the "cool" ones and wouldn't check IDs to buy "stickered" records in the era of the PMRC (I was actually never stopped once, I'd like to think they were proud to see a young fledgling record nerd, personally).
Boise, Idaho in the 80s and early 90s was not the coolest place to grow up to say the least, but those two things helped me find my other fellow weirdos in high school and the soundtracks that built my life.
I'm rambling.
Thanks, Matt, for schooling me from afar, introducing me to other worlds until I could get the hell out of Idaho...and for writing an awesome book. I'm so thrilled Bowie is as cool as I'd dreamed he would be.
If you aren't a music nerd, I'll be honest, you may not like this book, or at least you may not five star it like I five starred it, but then again, you wouldn't pick this book up anyway if you weren't a music nerd.
I am obviously a gigantic music nerd, and snob, obsessive vinyl collector since I can remember...sniffing my dad's jazz records and swooning to Harry James's horns...begging to listen to Elvis when we were done.
I have never been able to put adequately into words what music has given me, in this lifetime as a carbon based being. It's never NOT on, and if it's not on it's still in my head. It's like breathing.
Just the last few months I found myself obsessing again after discovering new-to-me band Cigarettes After Sex... Ordering records, scouring lyrics for meaning, swooning, looking for tour dates like I was seventeen all over again. I time traveled because of a new band. He would get this.
Ultimately, I'd love to sit down and just start talking to Matt... But we would never, ever shut up. He's the older brother I never had and desperately wanted, the cool older friend at the all ages club working the door who introduced me to the Cramps. I discovered punk rock and Riot Grrl saved my life.
My local record store downtown did more for my growth than any other influence. The second most important influence, which GOT me in the damn door in the first place was MTV and 120 Minutes.
I still remember taking the bus downtown to the Record Exchange for the first time, terrified. My friends had prepped me, which clerks at the counter were the "cool" ones and wouldn't check IDs to buy "stickered" records in the era of the PMRC (I was actually never stopped once, I'd like to think they were proud to see a young fledgling record nerd, personally).
Boise, Idaho in the 80s and early 90s was not the coolest place to grow up to say the least, but those two things helped me find my other fellow weirdos in high school and the soundtracks that built my life.
I'm rambling.
Thanks, Matt, for schooling me from afar, introducing me to other worlds until I could get the hell out of Idaho...and for writing an awesome book. I'm so thrilled Bowie is as cool as I'd dreamed he would be.
October 2, 2018
About 60 pages in he starts whining about how he couldn't get backstage at rock shows in his youth because he wasn't a hot woman or a drug dealer, followed by whining about how "some simpleminded Cro-Mag fucking Neanderthal with no brains and no taste would be behind the counter" of the outlets where he'd buy concert tickets in the '60s and '70s. I understand why it would be relevant to talk about coming to terms that he didn't have the same means to access his idols as other people, but it's possible do that without characterizing other fans as not actually being fans (he writes "I knew some girls wanted to get those passes so they could get into the dressing room to suck rock-star dick; that was part of the rock mythology, that it was a world of blow jobs"). I feel like there's no shortage of whiny entitled men who act as if other fans owe it to them to justify their fandom -- as if people owe anything beyond the price of a ticket to be at a rock show or the price of a band t-shirt to wear a band t-shirt. Yeah, Pinfield has a unique experience, but so does everyone fucking else. I read 50 more pages after the whining about how back in the old days you had to buy concert tickets from people who hadn't heard of the band you were going to see, but he never seemed to move beyond the fragile entitlement or "I know what I'm talking about because the Ramones liked me." Again, regardless of whatever unique stories you might have to tell, if you can't tell them without having to put down other people who listen to music, why do you expect your potential audience to give a fuck? I put this one down a third of the way through.
August 6, 2022
I always loved Matt Pinfield on MTV, and I've been wanting to read this book since it came out some 7 years ago. The book definitely has some nice music tales, but I find I do agree a bit with some of the complaints of other reviewers. Sharon Osbourne is the only woman who gets a paragraph written about her. I can say that hey--this is MATT'S taste in music. If it is dominated by male artist, that's just his taste no biggie. I'm kind of the same way, but even I have some female artist that I think "How could you not discuss..." He mentions Patti Smith. That's nice. But how can you cover the 1990's and not discuss Alanis Morrisette or No Doubt or Garbage? He kind of brushes over the 1980's, and is focused on more of the college radio, so I guess I get not mentioning Madonna.
But again, this is HIS book about HIS experiences. So--I give him a break on it. He's talking about his experiences with music. The other issue some people have is with his attitude. And I admit, it does start to feel like a resume cover letter of how awesome someone is. "All of these people are friends with me and love me and this song was written about me and KISS never would have reunited without me and I possibly sing better than Paul and then I brought peace to the Middle East!" So yeah, the back patting gets a little tiresome. There are some great stories, but women are not represented very well, but--it's HIS story. And sometimes the humility could be increased, but--it's HIS story. I can't really fault him for name-dropping everyone in the world. After all, when we read a memoir by someone famous, that's what we want. We want to hear stories about famous people.
But again, this is HIS book about HIS experiences. So--I give him a break on it. He's talking about his experiences with music. The other issue some people have is with his attitude. And I admit, it does start to feel like a resume cover letter of how awesome someone is. "All of these people are friends with me and love me and this song was written about me and KISS never would have reunited without me and I possibly sing better than Paul and then I brought peace to the Middle East!" So yeah, the back patting gets a little tiresome. There are some great stories, but women are not represented very well, but--it's HIS story. And sometimes the humility could be increased, but--it's HIS story. I can't really fault him for name-dropping everyone in the world. After all, when we read a memoir by someone famous, that's what we want. We want to hear stories about famous people.
July 18, 2017
If I weren't a huge fan of Matt and the era of music (90's) that he represents to me, I would have given this two stars. Literally speaking, this book is choppy, bounces back and forth, repeats itself, and glosses over important life events (his failed marriage, his daughter) but harps on all the crazy groupie sex he has had. I think the biggest flaw, though, is how self-serving the book is. I haven't read an autobiography that routinely mentions how great/important the author's accomplishments are before. And Pinfield does that a lot.
However, and there is a big however, the gift of this book is in the information, anecdotes, and general nostalgic feelings for music lovers such as myself. I hadn't heard of many of the acts that he cites as inspirations, and am happy to check them all out. My heart smiled during the chapter on Oasis, and talking about how STP showed up to his station o get their single played. Those nuggets made the book worthwhile. I think the strongest chapter in the book is the one on the emergence of Nirvana into the national scene. You'll find several times throughout the book that Pinfield has a knack for describing very aptly the sound or influence of a band.
However, and there is a big however, the gift of this book is in the information, anecdotes, and general nostalgic feelings for music lovers such as myself. I hadn't heard of many of the acts that he cites as inspirations, and am happy to check them all out. My heart smiled during the chapter on Oasis, and talking about how STP showed up to his station o get their single played. Those nuggets made the book worthwhile. I think the strongest chapter in the book is the one on the emergence of Nirvana into the national scene. You'll find several times throughout the book that Pinfield has a knack for describing very aptly the sound or influence of a band.
November 30, 2025
More of a fun read than a great book. Pretty typical autobiography/ memoir from a non-writer public figure.
However, I just happen to like this public figure. Matt Pinfield is a hero to every overweight, face fit for radio music nerd/ lover. He turned the passion that many of us have for music into an incredible career. Many younger people cannot fathom how powerful MTV was in the 80s and 90s. They could make or break a band, and Pinfield was at the center for much of this period. Not only was the host of 120 minutes, but he was in the meetings during which videos were deemed good (go into rotation, but not during peak hours), bad (video never saw the light of day and the band mostly likely went back to flipping burgers), or great (video was heavily pushed and the band likely became superstars... read, Nirvana). The people at the table knew this and took it very seriously, but it is a blow to most music fans to learn that many bands have talent, a few have luck. Those are the ones we know.
After MTV, he worked at Columbia Records where it is even more of a crapshoot about whether a band makes it or not. A group can get signed, create an amazing debut album and still fail because their wasn't a slot open in the company's release schedule.
However, I just happen to like this public figure. Matt Pinfield is a hero to every overweight, face fit for radio music nerd/ lover. He turned the passion that many of us have for music into an incredible career. Many younger people cannot fathom how powerful MTV was in the 80s and 90s. They could make or break a band, and Pinfield was at the center for much of this period. Not only was the host of 120 minutes, but he was in the meetings during which videos were deemed good (go into rotation, but not during peak hours), bad (video never saw the light of day and the band mostly likely went back to flipping burgers), or great (video was heavily pushed and the band likely became superstars... read, Nirvana). The people at the table knew this and took it very seriously, but it is a blow to most music fans to learn that many bands have talent, a few have luck. Those are the ones we know.
After MTV, he worked at Columbia Records where it is even more of a crapshoot about whether a band makes it or not. A group can get signed, create an amazing debut album and still fail because their wasn't a slot open in the company's release schedule.
June 17, 2017
0'sI picked this book at the library on a whim hoping to be mildly entertained..." a simple prop to occupy my time." What I found was one of the better reads I indulged in for quite some time. Matt takes the reader back to their youth. Remember playing DJ and recording it on your cassette tape recorder? Do you remember falling asleep to the radio? Do you remember reading every album liner to get some insight on the band you were listening to? I do. Matt evokes that emotion of being young, hopeful and cool. He makes you want to listen to every band he listened to. He reminds us of how we become enamored of bands. I don't think it is pertinent to mention the bands he recommends(although do take his suggestions and listen to them), this book reminds you to trust your own instincts and taste in music. Thank You, Matt! You have encapsulated a time in history and have renewed my passion in the artist of my time. I
would love to stay up all night like teenagers and have you spin some records and listen to your commentary about the music.
would love to stay up all night like teenagers and have you spin some records and listen to your commentary about the music.
May 17, 2019
Deserves 3 1/2 stars
So I know Matt Pinfield from 120 Minutes and his glorious day hosting Pointfest 9 (where deftones were relegated to the side stage and Gravity Kills headlined over Foo Fighters, Green Day and Creed). This was a quick read to kill time, nothing earth shattering or anything. I felt like he glossed over the real impact that drugs and alcohol had on his life and personal relationships, it was almost more like, "well this is part of the life" rather than a full introspection on how it shaped him as a husband, father, friend. etc etc. Not enough spent on who and what the soul of Matt Pinfield is whereas it focused on 'all these cool people I interviewed and these cool stories I have.'
So I know Matt Pinfield from 120 Minutes and his glorious day hosting Pointfest 9 (where deftones were relegated to the side stage and Gravity Kills headlined over Foo Fighters, Green Day and Creed). This was a quick read to kill time, nothing earth shattering or anything. I felt like he glossed over the real impact that drugs and alcohol had on his life and personal relationships, it was almost more like, "well this is part of the life" rather than a full introspection on how it shaped him as a husband, father, friend. etc etc. Not enough spent on who and what the soul of Matt Pinfield is whereas it focused on 'all these cool people I interviewed and these cool stories I have.'
May 9, 2020
Another re-read, this is the entertaining memoir of former "120 Minutes" host and all-around music lover Matt Pinfield, and it's pretty good because the dude knows his music. He lived something of a music fan's dream (those of us who can't play a lick to save our lives, anyway), hanging with some of the biggest names in rock and pop music around the turn of the last century. He has some great stories about hanging out with Oasis, Bowie, and Nirvana, and I really enjoyed this book the second time around (not that I hated it the first time, it's just that it's been a while since I first read it). Pinfield is a fan first and foremost, and that always shows through in his TV work. It's just as true here.
November 7, 2016
Not entirely sure who this book is aimed at. It has some interesting stories about the music industry and certainly his take on many artists, but mostly it's a book about a music-obsessed guy who by dint of being in the right place at the right time and being persistent, he became the person he is today. Not bad, just came off as a little more self-serving than I would have anticipated.
May 31, 2017
I wish I could go back now and watch some of those old 120 minutes shows again on MTV. Matt isn't just an encyclopedia of rock & roll, he's a trustworthy steward for young bands and budding artists. Some of the stories here are so improbable they almost sound made up. This is a very entertaining quick read. Hard to put the book down.
August 13, 2020
Slow, burning read. I had bought this book a while ago and forgot about it. Stumbled across a recently released podcast with Matt Pinfield and decided now was as good a time as any to finally settle in and read it.
Where are the female musicians or co-workers in this story? Would have liked to have learned more about his time in A&R (had no idea he was involved with Crossfade.)
Where are the female musicians or co-workers in this story? Would have liked to have learned more about his time in A&R (had no idea he was involved with Crossfade.)
August 4, 2025
Matt Pinfield was a big presence in my youth because of Mtv and 120 Minutes, and his biography details his love and obsession with music as well as issues with substance abuse. The way he talks about women is less than desirable, but if you’re a fan, this is a must read #mattpinfield #rockbiography #rocknroll #book #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
June 8, 2017
Very entertaining, a bit crass but well written. I really gained a new respect for Matt Pinfield; the guy knows his stuff and has really paid his dues. I'd call this a "must read" if you love Rock n Roll.
March 1, 2018
I grew up in the MTV generation and I always thought Matt Pinfield was so cool. He knew everything about everything musical. I had no idea he was such a partier though. He seemed like such a smart, dorky guy - which is what I liked about him. Always much respect.
July 5, 2022
After endless name dropping the book has no substance. Who cares who does drugs or hung out at what place then travelled to another place. I'm just not sure this information is worth memorializing in print.
June 3, 2024
I enjoyed this one quite a bit, I remember Matt very well from 120 minutes --- and much like that show, this book gave me a lot of artists, bands and musicians I plan to check out. I appreciated his honesty and self-deprecation, as well as the wild, outlandish stories from his past.
February 28, 2025
How can someone with so many interesting stories and experiences be so unlikeable?
The misogyny is also jarring and it's hard to imagine how it's coming from someone with a daughter and made it through editors and a co-author.
The misogyny is also jarring and it's hard to imagine how it's coming from someone with a daughter and made it through editors and a co-author.
September 12, 2018
I see why he had a co-author, as he did meander a lot, and some parts don't logically lead to others, but I really enjoyed it.
January 30, 2019
Matt’s life completely revolves around music. So does mine. Devoured this fantastic read in three sittings. Loved the interlude chapters with “best of” album lists for the past few decades.
December 30, 2020
All things music from one music lovers voice to another's ear. I loved this book. His top albums are spot on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews