Under a Rock

by Chris Stein
Under a Rock cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Biography and Memoir
Technical:
  • ID: 276
  • Added: 2025-09-07
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781472157652
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2024-06-06
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99 Hardback • £25.00

Musician, photographer, and longtime partner to Debbie Harry, Chris Stein defined the sound of an era by catapulting Blondie to international stardom with over 20 million copies sold of Parallel Lines. In Under A Rock, Stein steps out from behind his guitar and camera to tell his own story in words, sharing his Brooklyn roots and his immersion in the gritty, creative East Village of the late 1970s—a time when punk and new wave reshaped culture and music. This no-holds-barred autobiography plunges readers into a vanished era alongside icons like David Bowie, the Ramones, and Andy Warhol, capturing the explosive creativity and cultural shifts that turned Blondie’s fresh sound and look into a global sensation. Stein’s memoir is a distinctive, propulsive journey through the moments that defined a generation and the artistic legacy he helped build.

Reviews
100 Percent Rock · 2025-09-07
reflective 4.00

The memoir offers a reflective and detailed look at Stein’s life, especially his struggles with addiction and loss, balancing detachment with poignant moments of regret and insight.

This review points out how Chris Stein’s memoir avoids glamorizing drug addiction, instead presenting it with sober detail and regret, including heartbreaking reflections on the loss of his daughter. Although Stein sometimes glosses over certain parts of his life, the book overall presents a fascinating and emotionally complex portrait of his journey, mixing academic reflection with vivid memories of New York’s art and music scenes.

Quick quotes

    There’s no glorification of junkie life here.

    Now married with children and seemingly far happier and calmer, Stein is reflective in a more academic way than an emotional way.

    By the end of Under A Rock we realise that no matter how cooly detached and nonchalant Chris Stein may be in presenting his story, nothing can disguise the fact that his has been a fascinating life.

ArtsHub · 2025-09-07
intriguing 3.75

The memoir is an entertaining and thoughtful account that captures the vibrant chaos of the rock lifestyle with wit and insight, though it frustrates by omitting deeper complexity in some areas.

This review appreciates Chris Stein's memoir as a captivating and perceptive portrayal of the excesses and vibrancy of a musician’s life, filled with witty and scattershot storytelling that paints a rich picture of the East Village and New York punk scene. However, it also notes a sense of frustration due to the memoir's reluctance to fully explore the complexities of Stein’s long-term relationship and band dynamics, leaving some emotional and narrative gaps that parallel the cool detachment found in Blondie’s music catalog.

Quick quotes

    Stein is at the very least an entertaining as well as thoughtful raconteur and manages to capture the excess, mess and vibrancy of the musician’s peripatetic existence and the rock scene with wit and wisdom.

    Stein’s book is as interesting and somewhat frustrating, for what it doesn’t say, as for what it does.

    Stein has a unique insight, one which he offers with flair, if in an often hilariously scattershot fashion that nevertheless adds up to a rich tableau.

Goodreads · None Ofyourbusiness546 · 2024-09-27
authentic 4.25

The memoir stands out for its raw authenticity, mixing humor and reflection to offer a personal and evocative portrait of Stein’s life and the punk era in New York.

This review highlights the memoir’s honest and distinctive narrative style that provides an intimate look at Chris Stein’s life, from his Brooklyn upbringing to the heart of the 1970s punk scene. The vivid depictions of the city, alongside the honest discussion of mental health and addiction struggles, illustrate a resilient and touching life story, though it notes the personal relationship with Debbie Harry could have been more deeply explored, sometimes overshadowed by other details.

Quick quotes

    The book is distinguished by its unvarnished honesty and Stein’s distinctive narrative style, which seamlessly blends humor with clear eyed reflection.

    Stein’s vivid recollections of growing up in Brooklyn during the 1950s and his experiences in the vibrant punk scene of 1970s Manhattan create a rich tapestry for his narrative.

    Despite these challenges, his resilience and enduring bond with Harry shine through, making the memoir both touching and inspiring.

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