Review: “Rock Stars Stole My Life”

The unassuming man behind some of my favorite music publications — including the beloved Word magazine — has just released his memoir, and it’s a fun ride. 

Mark Ellen’s ”Rock Stars Stole My Life!: A Big Bad Love Affair with Music” documents an adventurous 40-year career in British music journalism, starting as a freelancer with New Musical Express; later in editing roles at publications like Smash Hits, Q, Mojo and, perhaps most memorably, The Word; and side trips into broadcasting as a controversial stand-in for legendary British DJ John Peel and as host of “Old Grey Whistle Test.” 

“Rock Stars” is a fast read, with short chapters and tons of vignettes spanning the mid-1970s through late 2012 (when he hilariously documents the sausage making behind Rihanna’s boondoggle of a tour). There are so many unexpected adventures that I started to get the sense Ellen is a musical version of Forrest Gump, a quirky but likable fellow who seems to find himself in the most unexpected of scenarios. 

Given my background in journalism, I was ready for heavy doses of very specific details on Ellen’s work as a writer and editor. But Ellen purposely chose the opposite direction, figuring the stories of the stars themselves would have more appeal. He’s right, but I’d still love to see a Volume 2 that focuses on his roles front and center in the country with the most dynamic brands in music journalism. I was especially bummed by the short shrift Ellen gave to his time at The Word. Perhaps the wounds of that magazine’s closure are still too fresh. 

Ellen's writing doesn't have the flash of peers like Nick Kent or Simon Reynolds but he's a terrific storyteller and has a delightful sense of humour (a nod to the fact "Rock Stars" is a British-only release so far).

"Rock Stars" is well worth your time, as is the podcast below in which Ellen chats with someone with his publishing company. Lots of interesting anecdotes, and a brilliant observation about modern-day youth: “No children these days are bored, they’re simply distracted.”