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Sideman
While most successful sidemen are lucky to spend a decade in the music business, multi-instrumentalist Mark Rivera is working on his fifth.
Best known as Billy Joel’s saxophonist as well as Musical Director for Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, Rivera has shared the stage with some of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest performers, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Tony Bennett, Sheila E., Joe Walsh, Hall & Oates, and Peter Gabriel.
How does he do it while avoiding the typical pitfalls—falling out of favor with the band, burnout, depression?
A devoted father and husband for nearly forty years, Rivera’s recollections in Sideman demonstrate that while he struggled to balance the two worlds—a rock ‘n’ roller circling the globe and a regular guy worried about putting food on the table—his body’s compulsion to always be playing music kept him in constant pursuit of “the next gig.”
The sideman is put to the test as he recounts his past from the confines of a global pandemic, and the man accustomed to “keeping up with the music” is forced to put down his instruments and reflect.
Full of optimism, humor, and candor, Rivera turns the spotlight on the sideman’s life, revealing not only what it takes to climb the industry ladder (and stay there), but something more surprising: a bit of ourselves rocking out amongst all those superstars.
Best known as Billy Joel’s saxophonist as well as Musical Director for Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, Rivera has shared the stage with some of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest performers, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Tony Bennett, Sheila E., Joe Walsh, Hall & Oates, and Peter Gabriel.
How does he do it while avoiding the typical pitfalls—falling out of favor with the band, burnout, depression?
A devoted father and husband for nearly forty years, Rivera’s recollections in Sideman demonstrate that while he struggled to balance the two worlds—a rock ‘n’ roller circling the globe and a regular guy worried about putting food on the table—his body’s compulsion to always be playing music kept him in constant pursuit of “the next gig.”
The sideman is put to the test as he recounts his past from the confines of a global pandemic, and the man accustomed to “keeping up with the music” is forced to put down his instruments and reflect.
Full of optimism, humor, and candor, Rivera turns the spotlight on the sideman’s life, revealing not only what it takes to climb the industry ladder (and stay there), but something more surprising: a bit of ourselves rocking out amongst all those superstars.
- GenresMusic
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 2, 2023
13 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 11, 2023
3.5 Stars
I was intrigued to read this one because I've seen Mark Rivera a few times in concert with musical acts I admire. I saw him perform with Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Billy Joel, and at The Fest for Beatles Fans. I was particularly struck seeing him perform at Beatlefest when I heard just how great he can sing...and thought, "He's much more than a saxophone player!" He just doesn't stand there and play notes; he feels and becomes the music on stage. He's played with Hall and Oates, Simon & Garfunkel, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Foreigner- and many more.
The book clocks in at just over 250 pages and the writing is very easy and free-flowing as if he's talking to you. He seems like a very down to earth guy, and a family man. Like a lot of other artists who were navigating the constraints of the pandemic, he took this opportunity to write his story. Although he's known primarily as a sax player, he's so much more. He plays many other instruments and has a canny knack of directing all the other musicians to sound their best, but without coming off as a jerk. He found himself coaxing more exact performances out of both Ringo and Paul McCartney...correcting them on their own songs...and coming out of it with the utmost appreciation and respect. That's how Mark Rivera not only has been a musician in Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, but quickly became its Musical Director. And now when Mark is busy with his obligation to touring with Billy Joel (as he has for decades), he still maintains his job as Musical Director for Ringo. They are friends and Ringo even wrote the forward to this book!
This was a good and quick read, and an interesting one for music fans like me.
Thank you to the publisher BenBella Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I was intrigued to read this one because I've seen Mark Rivera a few times in concert with musical acts I admire. I saw him perform with Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Billy Joel, and at The Fest for Beatles Fans. I was particularly struck seeing him perform at Beatlefest when I heard just how great he can sing...and thought, "He's much more than a saxophone player!" He just doesn't stand there and play notes; he feels and becomes the music on stage. He's played with Hall and Oates, Simon & Garfunkel, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Foreigner- and many more.
The book clocks in at just over 250 pages and the writing is very easy and free-flowing as if he's talking to you. He seems like a very down to earth guy, and a family man. Like a lot of other artists who were navigating the constraints of the pandemic, he took this opportunity to write his story. Although he's known primarily as a sax player, he's so much more. He plays many other instruments and has a canny knack of directing all the other musicians to sound their best, but without coming off as a jerk. He found himself coaxing more exact performances out of both Ringo and Paul McCartney...correcting them on their own songs...and coming out of it with the utmost appreciation and respect. That's how Mark Rivera not only has been a musician in Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, but quickly became its Musical Director. And now when Mark is busy with his obligation to touring with Billy Joel (as he has for decades), he still maintains his job as Musical Director for Ringo. They are friends and Ringo even wrote the forward to this book!
This was a good and quick read, and an interesting one for music fans like me.
Thank you to the publisher BenBella Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
January 20, 2024
4.0/5
As a sax player, and someone who loves music and finds the music world interesting, I really enjoyed this memoir. It tells the story of Mark Rivera who is best known as being Billy Joel’s saxophonist, while also talking about the struggles of the pandemic and what goes on behind the scenes of being a sideman.
If you have any interest at all into the music business or are a fan of classic rock I would recommend this book. It’s fast paced without leaving out too much information.
As a sax player, and someone who loves music and finds the music world interesting, I really enjoyed this memoir. It tells the story of Mark Rivera who is best known as being Billy Joel’s saxophonist, while also talking about the struggles of the pandemic and what goes on behind the scenes of being a sideman.
If you have any interest at all into the music business or are a fan of classic rock I would recommend this book. It’s fast paced without leaving out too much information.
March 6, 2023
Kind of disappointed with this one. I'm a big Billy Joel fan so I was hoping for some stories and insight on recording the albums and the tours. He doesn't even mention the Russia trip he took when Billy played over there. He's also been featured on many other artists' albums but only mentions a few tours, not actually recording the albums and stories. He mainly touches on how music shaped him in his youth and how it affected his adult life.
January 28, 2025
This was fantastic. I've always thought of Mark Rivera as famous only to me and when I saw he wrote a book I thought, who else would want to read that? As sidemen go, he always stood out. I was pleased to learn the backstory and how much the personality I see from him on stage is his personality in real life and the culmination of his experiences and hard work. He shared some really great stories about some of the greats he's worked with over the years.
May 17, 2024
This book was an interesting look at the world of music from someone that has to hustle for each and every gig. Sure they hitch on to a tour or an artist and that relationship can last for a short time or a lifetime, depending on how it goes.
Years with Billy Joel was how I knew Mark Rivera and his music. I didn’t realize all the other bands, artists and albums he played on. As I read the chronology of how you go from a teenage kid who likes music to a respected and sought after artist, I realized you have to find what your talent is and then go out and prove it. Every single day.
The journey of Mark’s life is a fascinating read and if you’re a fan of music, I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Years with Billy Joel was how I knew Mark Rivera and his music. I didn’t realize all the other bands, artists and albums he played on. As I read the chronology of how you go from a teenage kid who likes music to a respected and sought after artist, I realized you have to find what your talent is and then go out and prove it. Every single day.
The journey of Mark’s life is a fascinating read and if you’re a fan of music, I’m sure you will enjoy it.
July 14, 2025
Totally recommend! Also, read for the podcast and had the author on.
December 21, 2023
The local library had an event with Mark Rivera a month or so ago. I enjoyed him in Billy Joel's band. I didn't know much else about him, but hearing all the memories he has with all these famous bands he's performed with over the years. He would play all these different songs. He ended the event, he played New York State of Mind!
September 10, 2024
This is an autobiography by the studio musician/sideman sax player, Mark Rivera. Rivera was intrigued with music and being a rock star since he was a young man. His dreamed was cinched when his beloved aunt bought him the first Beatles album followed by their performance on the Ed Sullivan show. His family encouraged his musical interests and Rivera learned to play many instruments by ear. (He could not read notes).
The story talks about his successes as well as his challenges. He recorded and toured with many greats. (Sam and Dave, Journey, Ringo Starr, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Hall and Oates, and Billy Joel.) Some of these artists allowed him the spotlight at times, but others treated him as the sideman that he was.
What struck me the most was the fact that "sidemen" were always looking and hoping for their next gig. When the tours were over, there could be a lot of down time hoping that someone else refers you to another tour or someone hears you play and gets you auditions. It is a difficult life with lots of ups and downs. Mick Jagger asked him to tour with the the Rolling Stones, but Keith had his friend Bobby Keys in mind... so Mick had to call him back and rescind the offer.
Rivera gives a lot of credit for his wife of many years for standing by him through thick and thin. His family was very important to him.
The story is very interesting and helped me see another side to the rock and roll world. In the future, I will pay more attention to the sidemen and women that contribute to the music and most often make the stars look and sound better!
The story talks about his successes as well as his challenges. He recorded and toured with many greats. (Sam and Dave, Journey, Ringo Starr, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Hall and Oates, and Billy Joel.) Some of these artists allowed him the spotlight at times, but others treated him as the sideman that he was.
What struck me the most was the fact that "sidemen" were always looking and hoping for their next gig. When the tours were over, there could be a lot of down time hoping that someone else refers you to another tour or someone hears you play and gets you auditions. It is a difficult life with lots of ups and downs. Mick Jagger asked him to tour with the the Rolling Stones, but Keith had his friend Bobby Keys in mind... so Mick had to call him back and rescind the offer.
Rivera gives a lot of credit for his wife of many years for standing by him through thick and thin. His family was very important to him.
The story is very interesting and helped me see another side to the rock and roll world. In the future, I will pay more attention to the sidemen and women that contribute to the music and most often make the stars look and sound better!
February 3, 2023
Sideman by Mark Rivera is a wonderful memoir and a nostalgic trip not only through music history but that period of time in general.
Anyone who has been to a Billy Joel concert has likely been almost as entranced by Rivera as by Joel himself. This book sheds light on how this incredibly talented artist has been involved with so many major acts while still maintaining something that resembles a normal life.
What really stands out for me in this memoir, aside from all of the stories, is just how humble Rivera seems to be. He acknowledges his abilities, so it isn't some kind of false modesty, but an understanding that while his hard work certainly plays a big part, so does all of the other people who have touched his life. From his early ability to pick up tunes to those who helped along the way, both inside and outside of music, this is simply a fun book to read.
Highly recommended for anyone who remembers him, even just as a sax player they saw at some concerts, as well as liner notes geeks, such as myself, who have always had a fascination with all of the other names on the albums. Readers who enjoy memoirs and biographies will also enjoy this nice conversational memoir, and for those of a certain age (again, myself included) this will bring back a lot of memories.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Anyone who has been to a Billy Joel concert has likely been almost as entranced by Rivera as by Joel himself. This book sheds light on how this incredibly talented artist has been involved with so many major acts while still maintaining something that resembles a normal life.
What really stands out for me in this memoir, aside from all of the stories, is just how humble Rivera seems to be. He acknowledges his abilities, so it isn't some kind of false modesty, but an understanding that while his hard work certainly plays a big part, so does all of the other people who have touched his life. From his early ability to pick up tunes to those who helped along the way, both inside and outside of music, this is simply a fun book to read.
Highly recommended for anyone who remembers him, even just as a sax player they saw at some concerts, as well as liner notes geeks, such as myself, who have always had a fascination with all of the other names on the albums. Readers who enjoy memoirs and biographies will also enjoy this nice conversational memoir, and for those of a certain age (again, myself included) this will bring back a lot of memories.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
August 12, 2023
This book was sent to me by a friend of Mark’s and I immediately finished the book I was reading so I could start this one. It did not disappoint. I love reading of his life as a sideman, it’s a story most people never hear. I also like that he didn’t spend too much time talking about each tour, the book is about him, not the frontman, although there are plenty of anecdotes and “OMG” moments.
That Mark managed to find the one person to keep him grounded for all these years is a testament to the type of man he is; committed to his family, committed to his bands and committed to those who helped get him where he is. While there are no words to describe how talented he is, he’s also a lucky man to be surrounded by so many “bases” for all these years. I’ll see you again at MSG, Mark, before the final curtain comes down.
That Mark managed to find the one person to keep him grounded for all these years is a testament to the type of man he is; committed to his family, committed to his bands and committed to those who helped get him where he is. While there are no words to describe how talented he is, he’s also a lucky man to be surrounded by so many “bases” for all these years. I’ll see you again at MSG, Mark, before the final curtain comes down.
March 14, 2023
I saw this book in the Kindle library a few weeks ago, and Mark Rivera was mentioned by name in a prior book I read recently. So, I was a bit intrigued by this Mark fellow. Not me, somebody else named Mark!
I didn’t think I would enjoy this book about a saxophone player, but I did. I liked how he told two stories: one during the Covid-19 pandemic and the other one about his life as a musician for Sam and Dave, Billy Joel, Foreigner, Simon and Garfunkel, and Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band – just to name a few.
I liked his stories from the road, how he got started as a musician, and about his family.
I didn’t think I would enjoy this book about a saxophone player, but I did. I liked how he told two stories: one during the Covid-19 pandemic and the other one about his life as a musician for Sam and Dave, Billy Joel, Foreigner, Simon and Garfunkel, and Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band – just to name a few.
I liked his stories from the road, how he got started as a musician, and about his family.
September 27, 2025
As a sax player and a huge fan of Billy Joel it was a no brainer for me to check this one out. I'm happy I did. Mark is a very humble and grateful musician. Hes put in the work and has earned where he is today but he comes across as someone you could approach and have a conversation with, no ego which is refreshing to see. Hes worked with the whos who of musicians, Billy Joel, Foreigner, Peter Gabriel, Sam and Dave, Ringo Starr, just to name a few. I listened to it and he was the narrator. He sometimes would sing some of the parts which was great.
December 18, 2023
This is a great read for anyone who loves documentaries like The Wrecking Crew and Hired Guns. Mark Rivera has written a book that exemplifies success in doing what you love. I'll take pieces of wisdom from this book into my daily life and hope I too can live by Mama Rivera's words of wisdom, "No good can come from bad words." As a huge fan of all Billy Joel's music this was a true pleasure to read and made me feel a friendly connection with the band.
May 11, 2024
Unbelievably fantastic book. I never realized all that Mark Rivera has sone until reading this book, told by him in a very conversationally and real way. LOVED reading this and so glad I bought it. It is very outside of what I normally read but because it was like a conversation, I so GOT IT!!!
I highly recommend this book if you are a music lover at any point beginning in 1970 and until now.
I highly recommend this book if you are a music lover at any point beginning in 1970 and until now.
November 7, 2024
This was everything I want in a musician's memoir. Rivera tells stories of his personal life, but rarely gets too far from the music. When he does stray, he keeps it interesting and often funny. I hadn't realized how many famous groups he has toured with.
The format of starting most chapters with an update from himself while in Covid lock-down was effective and relatable to anyone reading the book.
The format of starting most chapters with an update from himself while in Covid lock-down was effective and relatable to anyone reading the book.
March 21, 2023
A great rock n roll odyssey
The best rock memoirs are not by the headliners but by people like Mark Rivera who make the music work, who play with the best in the world and bring out the best in them, and who give you insights into a musician’s life you can’t get anywhere else. Highly recommended.
The best rock memoirs are not by the headliners but by people like Mark Rivera who make the music work, who play with the best in the world and bring out the best in them, and who give you insights into a musician’s life you can’t get anywhere else. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2024
The Sideman Shines in the Spotlight
Mark Rivera takes us inside his life from the streets of Brooklyn to Foreigner, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Daryl Hall (don’t wake him up!) & John Oates, and Ringo Starr. The stories are great, heartfelt, and memorable. I really liked this book. ENCORE!
Mark Rivera takes us inside his life from the streets of Brooklyn to Foreigner, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Daryl Hall (don’t wake him up!) & John Oates, and Ringo Starr. The stories are great, heartfelt, and memorable. I really liked this book. ENCORE!
January 9, 2024
After seeing Billy Joel live, I was obsessed with the performance Mark Rivera put on. This book was so interesting to hear the behind the scenes life of a professional musician who “made it big” but wasn’t too famous and was still able to live a normal life.
February 9, 2024
I’m a fan, so I had hope. However, his biography was neither candid or compelling. Although, he does give a snapshot as to what a hired gun musician endures. He hints at some dirt, but doesn’t fully dish. If you are a fan, worth a read - but, not essential for most.
February 22, 2025
An honest look into the music industry and its ups and downs. I have long been a fan so it was a lot of fun.
I listened to the audiobook so I’m sure I missed out on the pictures but it was fun to hear the story in Mark Rivera’s own voice.
I listened to the audiobook so I’m sure I missed out on the pictures but it was fun to hear the story in Mark Rivera’s own voice.
January 17, 2024
Loved this book. I'm well versed in Mark Rivera's work, and it was great to get a look at the life and career behind the man. Big difference between the rockstar and the sideman!
February 8, 2025
well written memoir. A fascinating life and a different perspective of the music business from the position of a session player.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews