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World In My Eyes
Richard Blade’s autobiography is much more than a spotlight on any one decade. Instead, he gives you a jaw-dropping, uncensored insider’s look into the world of music, movies, and television and its biggest stars, starting in the sixties and continuing through to the new century. Richard takes you on a journey that few have experienced: from his early days as a student at Oxford to the wild, lascivious nights of being a disco DJ touring the clubs of Europe, to coming to America and working with Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and Sarah Jessica Parker and finally breaking through into the L.A. radio scene and becoming the number one morning drive personality in California. From his TV and radio shows to his feature films and live gigs, Richard shares stories that have until now remained secret. His unique perspective will take you on the road with Depeche Mode, to Australia with Spandau Ballet, into the recording studio with Morrissey, and onto the main stage at Live Aid with Duran Duran. He opens up about his friendships with Michael Hutchence and George Michael, as well as his passionate love affair with Terri Nunn of Berlin. This is a no-holds-barred look at life, sex, and death, set to a pulsing backbeat of music. For the first time, Richard Blade shares his extraordinary story, allowing us to see the world through his eyes.
513 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2017
174 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
November 24, 2017
Wow! What a read! This is quite possibly the best autobiography I have ever read! If you were a 1980s teen who loved New Wave music, radio, and DJs, you will like this book. I really enjoyed Richard's account of his early days dj'ing at clubs in Europe. Also, I had no idea how much influence Richard had in introducing and promoting new music in the 1980s- thank you, Richard!
January 30, 2018
If you love music, in general, then you will love this book.
If you love 80's music, then you will love this book.
If you loved KROQ in the 80's, then you will LOVE THIS BOOK!
If you love 80's music, then you will love this book.
If you loved KROQ in the 80's, then you will LOVE THIS BOOK!
October 26, 2020
Memoirs do not tend to be my favorite type of book, and this one confirms that existing preference. I did not grow up with KROQ and I did not know who Richard Blade is before reading this book, so I've got no nostalgia. However, a lot of the music he promoted is in my list of favorites (The Cure, Depeche Mode, Oingo Boingo, et al.). For one thing, this book felt very long to me - 600 pages was way more than I needed, and I did not care at all for the sections on diving for example. The sections on his womanizing became a bit tedious as well, but then I guess that was part of the life he was seeking. He did have an eventful and at times wild and erratic life. I have to give him credit for owning up to his flaws, and being honest in examining his own life and changing things that he thought needed fixing. It does seem like he is a genuinely nice person, and he actually joined in with the book club meeting, which I unfortunately missed because it conflicted with D&D.
To me, the most striking thing I learned from this book was just how much ambition and drive is required to become a DJ on that scale, and especially a willingness to move on to the next thing without regard for a current gig, which is why I was never a real DJ. I've never possessed that kind of ambition. On the flip side, with that kind of career, everything seems to be on the verge of collapsing at any moment, so there is a tremendous lack of stability. For me this book would have been much better at about 400 pages, but I see that his serious fans enjoyed the whole thing, so really it's probably the right size for the target audience.
To me, the most striking thing I learned from this book was just how much ambition and drive is required to become a DJ on that scale, and especially a willingness to move on to the next thing without regard for a current gig, which is why I was never a real DJ. I've never possessed that kind of ambition. On the flip side, with that kind of career, everything seems to be on the verge of collapsing at any moment, so there is a tremendous lack of stability. For me this book would have been much better at about 400 pages, but I see that his serious fans enjoyed the whole thing, so really it's probably the right size for the target audience.
December 11, 2017
I've been acquainted with Richard Blade in the years that count as the "To be continued", as a listener of SiriusXM's 1st Wave satellite radio station. If I grew up in L.A., I surely would have been listening non-stop to KROQ throughout my childhood and teenage years. The stories he shared are quite fascinating, and I am particularly touched by the relationship he described with his parents. If I were the editor, I would have likely toned down the multitude of playboy stories (he was a stud, we get it, understood!). For someone who is a fan of new wave '80s music such as Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, INXS, Morrissey and the Smiths, this will be a very interesting read.
November 29, 2017
Wow...this book. So as a *huge* mega fan of the new wave movement, I appreciated this book for so many of the stories that Richard Blade told about his own experiences and friendships with bands that I grew up loving (and let's face it, still do). However, I did grow weary of reading about how many women Richard Blade slept with over the years, how many girlfriends he cheated on, and frankly, it just painted him in a slutty limelight (and that if a woman were to write a book as frank and open about her conquests as he did, she'd be instantly shamed!). That said, I appreciated the fact that despite being knee deep in the rock and roll sphere, he never drank or did any drugs, which is nothing short of amazing.
Being from a tiny New England town, I only first became aware of Richard Blade MANY years ago when I saw Girls Just Want to Have Fun, and he was the live host at nearly the end of the movie in a scene where he yelled "Live from Chicago, It's DTV time...". Years later, I heard a voice on a Sirius XM radio station that played all the greatest new wave music, and thought, gosh, that sounds just like the guy from that movie. A little google magic, and sure enough, I realized it was the one and the same, Richard Blade.
I was interested to read this book because of the title, being a huge Depeche Mode fan, and to read all the stories within from his experiences and rise to DJ fame. That aspect did not disappoint! I would have loved to have heard about his transition to Sirius XM and more about his present day, but the book was already long, so perhaps a sequel is in the works?
Being from a tiny New England town, I only first became aware of Richard Blade MANY years ago when I saw Girls Just Want to Have Fun, and he was the live host at nearly the end of the movie in a scene where he yelled "Live from Chicago, It's DTV time...". Years later, I heard a voice on a Sirius XM radio station that played all the greatest new wave music, and thought, gosh, that sounds just like the guy from that movie. A little google magic, and sure enough, I realized it was the one and the same, Richard Blade.
I was interested to read this book because of the title, being a huge Depeche Mode fan, and to read all the stories within from his experiences and rise to DJ fame. That aspect did not disappoint! I would have loved to have heard about his transition to Sirius XM and more about his present day, but the book was already long, so perhaps a sequel is in the works?
May 3, 2018
Great autobiography so far. For those reading it, today I found out from my sister in law that Richard (I mean Dick Sheppard) has published a playlist on Spotify where we can listen to all the songs referenced In the book! It seems that the songs are listed in the order in which he mentions them in the book. Thanks Richard!
Great music history and history of life in SoCal in the 80s and 90s. Hoping for some bonus chapters soon (audio version). Last chapters had me in tears. Thanks!
Great music history and history of life in SoCal in the 80s and 90s. Hoping for some bonus chapters soon (audio version). Last chapters had me in tears. Thanks!
April 8, 2022
A rare 5 stars for me! Hot damn was this a good book. And it will be one I read over and over because it not only gives me hope for the future, but also helps restore my faith in humanity.
I've never read a 500 page book so fast in my life.
Well done Richard! Thank you for writing this and looking forward to your next writing adventure
I've never read a 500 page book so fast in my life.
Well done Richard! Thank you for writing this and looking forward to your next writing adventure
November 2, 2018
When Richard Blade announced this autobiography I was ecstatic as he was a staple in my childhood to young adult years (yes, I'm an L.A. native). With him having such an amazing voice I obviously was only going to listen and so I waited, and waited, and waited. FINALLY the audio version came out and I was all over it. I listened during my commutes and in a little over week was finished. Before starting, I was most excited to listen to his stories about all the New Wave bands he introduced me to in my younger years. What I was surprised to be enjoying was all the rest. From his checklist as a child, his relationship with his parents, his love of (addiction to?) women, to unfortunate events (and one downright horrific) and the end of his career at KROOOQ, I was completely in it.
Definitely recommend to anyone who remembers the KROQ of the 80's and still recommend to anyone else who wants to read about a boy who checked off his entire bucket list and got to experience so much more while at it.
Definitely recommend to anyone who remembers the KROQ of the 80's and still recommend to anyone else who wants to read about a boy who checked off his entire bucket list and got to experience so much more while at it.
April 18, 2020
It’s nearly impossible to measure the importance of having a space like KROQ in the early 90s where I could turn on the radio at any given moment and hear my music. There was nowhere else I could consume all the Morrissey, New Order, and Depeche Mode I wanted. Blade’s story chronicles the station’s history and influence for 80s New Wave and alternate fans to reminisce and celebrate the music of our youth.
September 14, 2025
What a great book!! Growing up in SoCal in the 80s was the absolute best! This book was such a fun walk down memory lane. I grew up on KROQ and everything Richard Blade. From the concerts (Depeche Mode was my first), camping out for tickets, waiting in line to buy the newest albums to rushing home to watch MV3 and taping songs off the radio- it was all such a good time and experiences that will never happen again. I feel lucky to have grown up in the 80s and have been a KROQ KID! (And yes, I am still listening to it all today, so I guess once a KROQ KID, always a KROQ kid! 🎵 😊)
May 3, 2021
Excellent book which far exceeded my expectations. Any fan of 80s music should give it a read.
September 16, 2018
I didn’t expect it to be so readable and exciting. But, I guess when you grew up having Richard talking to you every day; his voice rings true throughout the whole book. It is as if he is telling you the whole story: you hear his voice again. It has been many years since those days in the 80s and my youth in SoCal listening to KROQ. . I moved away long ago. Reading this book took me back to that time. It was a fun time: KROQ, Square Pegs, Valley Girl, Irvine Meadows, The Roxy, The Palace, the bands and their the music, MV3, Video One. I still have a collection of VHS tapes I made of the videos from those shows. Then, it is so much more than that. So much more than one expects. He tells his whole life and what an awesome one it has been. Anyway, it is well worth it. I loved it.
March 4, 2019
This would've been a 4 star read but it was a slog to get through the first part of the book which detailed a lot of little stories that frankly, made me like him a lot less. As others have mentioned, this book could have been edited down quite a bit for a tighter story. Anyone interested in his time at KROQ will have to wait until 1/3 of the book is over to get to those days. At that point though, the story gets a lot more interesting and readable. In the end, I did enjoy reading about his career at KROQ but this was close to becoming DNF for awhile.
February 22, 2018
A must read for music fans.
I enjoyed Richard Blade’s writing style. At the same time he was working at KROQ in Los Angeles, I was working at KQDS in Duluth. During that era, the two radio stations had virtually identical formats, so I could relate to his book on multiple levels—while feeling a wee bit jealous. Oh, the stories he tells!
If you’re a music fan, you will love this book.
Marty Essen, author of Time Is Irreverent
I enjoyed Richard Blade’s writing style. At the same time he was working at KROQ in Los Angeles, I was working at KQDS in Duluth. During that era, the two radio stations had virtually identical formats, so I could relate to his book on multiple levels—while feeling a wee bit jealous. Oh, the stories he tells!
If you’re a music fan, you will love this book.
Marty Essen, author of Time Is Irreverent
December 15, 2017
Just couldn't get enough
Great lifetime of stories from a music icon. No drugs, no booze just a regular dude and his lust for life and passion for music.
Great lifetime of stories from a music icon. No drugs, no booze just a regular dude and his lust for life and passion for music.
September 2, 2019
Richard Blade has lived a life that would make for a fascinating 300 page autobiography. (Unfortunately this one is 500+ pages long.)
February 12, 2018
I was a teenager in the Los Angeles area in the early 1990s. My dad was kind enough to let me put KROQ stickers on his car, and I proudly displayed the KROQ calendar on my bedroom door. And Richard Blade's voice is one of the most recognizable in my life. Like other reviewers, I would love to have read more about his transition to Sirius XM radio and about his current life with his wife and dogs. But this book is still amazing in the sheer number of life experiences and adventures and in the details describing them. His Oxford education, travels around the world, and diving skills were wonderful surprises to me. The thought that came back to me many times throughout the book is that this man has an ASTOUNDING knowledge of popular music. That is obvious, as is his love for that music and for showing people a wonderful time.
July 7, 2022
New Wave was a huge part of my musical listening diet through my high school and college years, and I learned of most of those songs through four sources... WZPL-FM in Indianapolis, MTV, my friend Aaron Williams, and WMHD-FM in Terre Haute, so this book was a real eye opener.
This memoir pulls back the curtain on the story of how many of those hits got their first airing on KROQ-FM, but more than that, it tells the formative story of the DJ who spun those records and introduced their music videos to local TV audiences.
On the surface, this is a story of a boy who persevered to make his dreams come true. At a deeper level, it is a story of reinvention. Blade paid his early dues on the European disco club scene, but he outlasted the downfall of disco and was at the vanguard of New Wave in the U.S.
Whether your love for these songs comes from your your youth or from listening to things like First Wave on SiriusXM, where Blade still hosts, it's likely you'll come away with a sense of awe at how crazy the music biz was in those days.
This memoir pulls back the curtain on the story of how many of those hits got their first airing on KROQ-FM, but more than that, it tells the formative story of the DJ who spun those records and introduced their music videos to local TV audiences.
On the surface, this is a story of a boy who persevered to make his dreams come true. At a deeper level, it is a story of reinvention. Blade paid his early dues on the European disco club scene, but he outlasted the downfall of disco and was at the vanguard of New Wave in the U.S.
Whether your love for these songs comes from your your youth or from listening to things like First Wave on SiriusXM, where Blade still hosts, it's likely you'll come away with a sense of awe at how crazy the music biz was in those days.
August 7, 2018
I only wish I could give this book 10 stars! It was an incredible read from start to finish, taking me back to so many of my childhood and high school memories. Little did Richard know he was a part of so many of those good times! I credit my taste in music to Richard Blade and will be forever grateful. If you are a child of the 80's, especially one who grew up in Southern CA and participated in ANY way with the KROQ scene, this book cannot be missed.
Richard, should you read this, know that I admire you and your work ethic. You are a truly good dude who came from wonderful parents and I will be forever grateful that you found your way to the US and followed your dreams! My childhood would not have been nearly as awesome if you weren't around to contribute so much too it. xo
Richard, should you read this, know that I admire you and your work ethic. You are a truly good dude who came from wonderful parents and I will be forever grateful that you found your way to the US and followed your dreams! My childhood would not have been nearly as awesome if you weren't around to contribute so much too it. xo
September 30, 2018
What a great read. Growing up in Southern California Richard Blade provided the soundtrack to my youth. It was very interesting to read about the man behind the KROQ music. His life has been so much more interesting than I ever would’ve guessed.
December 1, 2017
If you like 80s New Wave music, you probably know who Richard Blade is. This book gives all the details behind the man that became the face of KROQ.
It is an amazing story, and it's tough not to be envious of the random people he meets as a DJ and how his career progresses. It's very cool and very impressive. There are definitely some bumps along the way which were stories you probably wouldn't believe if you haven't heard the songs.
I loved the book. I did take it down a star because the book ends in the early 2000's, before Richard moves over to SiriusXM. I'd love to hear how that happened. I also had to read it as a real book and not on my Kindle. Blech :).
Anyway, one last note: if you have Spotify, be sure and check out Richard Blade's sound track to the book -- the playlist is in the order the songs are mentioned in the book.
Edited: Dec 1, 2017: the book is now available on Kindle and if you bought the “real” book through Amazon you’ll get a very nice discount on the Kindle version.
It is an amazing story, and it's tough not to be envious of the random people he meets as a DJ and how his career progresses. It's very cool and very impressive. There are definitely some bumps along the way which were stories you probably wouldn't believe if you haven't heard the songs.
I loved the book. I did take it down a star because the book ends in the early 2000's, before Richard moves over to SiriusXM. I'd love to hear how that happened. I also had to read it as a real book and not on my Kindle. Blech :).
Anyway, one last note: if you have Spotify, be sure and check out Richard Blade's sound track to the book -- the playlist is in the order the songs are mentioned in the book.
Edited: Dec 1, 2017: the book is now available on Kindle and if you bought the “real” book through Amazon you’ll get a very nice discount on the Kindle version.
February 6, 2021
So many great, snackable stories, very glad to have read it... felt several were rabbit trails that didn't do much but fill. Enjoyed all the music stories, really great...I love the 80s!!
February 16, 2021
For any fan of Richard Blade, KROQ in the 80's or 90's, or just 80's bands, this is a must read or even better - a must listen. I did the Audible audiobook and it's narrated by the Blade himself.
The book starts from Richard being born and his childhood - which far from being boring - literally paved the way and understanding to what drove him towards becoming a club DJ, a radio DJ and eventually to the "World Famous KROQ" - and beyond.
Don't want to spoil anything so I'll leave it at that....
The book starts from Richard being born and his childhood - which far from being boring - literally paved the way and understanding to what drove him towards becoming a club DJ, a radio DJ and eventually to the "World Famous KROQ" - and beyond.
Don't want to spoil anything so I'll leave it at that....
November 5, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Have a whole new respect for Richard Blade and his work ethic. Would have liked to hear more about U2, but his insider info on the eighties new wave scene was fun and immensely interesting.
July 11, 2019
I loved it. The whole book :) Richard's writing style was perfect, quick whit matter-o-fact and frank. I loved reading the stories of the first days of some of my favorite music making its way on air!
I'm happy I bought a copy (as I am an avid library user) and I can give it another read down the road if I so feel the desire :) !!
I'm happy I bought a copy (as I am an avid library user) and I can give it another read down the road if I so feel the desire :) !!
March 30, 2021
This was a surprisingly entertaining book. Richard Blade has accomplished a heck of a lot more than most and I don't expect he's done. I grew up on the east coast and was a WLIR guy, but the stories he tells of his time at KROQ feature all the great bands I grew up on.
February 22, 2025
If you love 80s music, especially new wave, this is a must read. Blade is a fascinating guy and he lays his life story out there warts and all.
November 11, 2017
Great collection of stories from the epic life of Richard Blade. A must read for 80s kids, Duranies, dM devotees, new wavers, really for those of us Of A Certain Age.
Lost a star for the stories I wanted to read and didn't get: Richard's thoughts on Alan Wilder leaving Depeche Mode, transitioning to Sirius XM and Richard's thoughts on terrestrial vs satellite radio, did he practice safe sex at all in his Wild Boy days or did he get any STDs (he told everything else about his loves and conquests in detail, why not that?) and finally, now that he checked off every item on his To Do list from his 10 y/o self...what's on his new To Do list?
Lost a star for the stories I wanted to read and didn't get: Richard's thoughts on Alan Wilder leaving Depeche Mode, transitioning to Sirius XM and Richard's thoughts on terrestrial vs satellite radio, did he practice safe sex at all in his Wild Boy days or did he get any STDs (he told everything else about his loves and conquests in detail, why not that?) and finally, now that he checked off every item on his To Do list from his 10 y/o self...what's on his new To Do list?
December 13, 2018
What a fabulous life!
Having been in the radio business right after he retired, I could so relate to his early career! And also being a musician, I could appreciate his reverence for his idols. What a heartfelt sad ending to the whole thing. I laughed, I cried...
Having been in the radio business right after he retired, I could so relate to his early career! And also being a musician, I could appreciate his reverence for his idols. What a heartfelt sad ending to the whole thing. I laughed, I cried...
April 10, 2018
Wow, this is an amazing book! It brought back memories – not just nostalgia, but really made me remember what it felt like to be 18 again! And 12. Richard Blade took me on a trip down memory lane, and while learning about his life, which was extremely different from mine, he somehow also managed to get me to vividly recall my own experiences from 1977 through the eighties.
I started listening to KROQ my senior year in high school, just a few months after Richard Blade joined KROQ, so I remember everything he detailed about his time there. But this book is not just about how he influenced the new wave of music, it is a full memoir, so it begins with his childhood, and his early years as a DJ in Europe when the disco craze was in full swing. I remember those years, too. I was an adolescent with an aunt who is only about 10 years older than me and was very much into disco. I remember being impatient to be a few years older so I could go to the disco, too.
He tells his story through music – each chapter is named after a song – because music was one of the two main forces that drove him when he was young. You’ll have to read the book to find what the other thing is. Music has also been important in my life, too. I can’t imagine life without music. The music I listen to is a huge part of how I identify myself, and Richard Blade had a profound influence on the music I listen to. In other words, his influence helped shape the person I am today. So learning what makes the man tick was sort of a big deal to me. And I have to say, I’m impressed with what kind of person he is. Given the close personal relationships he forged with many of the artists he met over the years, he could have dished a lot of dirt. He didn’t. Not even events that made the news at the time and were subject of much speculation and gossip. To me, these omissions say much more about his character than the stories he chose to include.
I started listening to KROQ my senior year in high school, just a few months after Richard Blade joined KROQ, so I remember everything he detailed about his time there. But this book is not just about how he influenced the new wave of music, it is a full memoir, so it begins with his childhood, and his early years as a DJ in Europe when the disco craze was in full swing. I remember those years, too. I was an adolescent with an aunt who is only about 10 years older than me and was very much into disco. I remember being impatient to be a few years older so I could go to the disco, too.
He tells his story through music – each chapter is named after a song – because music was one of the two main forces that drove him when he was young. You’ll have to read the book to find what the other thing is. Music has also been important in my life, too. I can’t imagine life without music. The music I listen to is a huge part of how I identify myself, and Richard Blade had a profound influence on the music I listen to. In other words, his influence helped shape the person I am today. So learning what makes the man tick was sort of a big deal to me. And I have to say, I’m impressed with what kind of person he is. Given the close personal relationships he forged with many of the artists he met over the years, he could have dished a lot of dirt. He didn’t. Not even events that made the news at the time and were subject of much speculation and gossip. To me, these omissions say much more about his character than the stories he chose to include.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews