By Anita Stewart, Managing Editor
Release date: December 15, 2020 via Post Hill Press
Brian Wheat was the bass player for the award winning rock band, Tesla. He co-founded the band in 1982 and it became one of the biggest bands of the 1980’s to 1990’s. His sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle came at a very heavy personal cost to him and was the reason why he eventually wrote this book, “The Son of a Milkman.” Telling his story was like his catharsis; it became a personal memoir and an emotional confession all at the same time.
In this book, Wheat tells us of his current challenges; bulimia, weight, issues, anxiety and depression. He also looks back and gives the reader some straight talk about the good and the bad regarding the touring life, collaborations with other rockers, like his friends in Def Leppard, David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper and Paul McCartney for example and many other anecdotes.
What inspired him to write the book?
“When I was going through my initial therapy, my therapist told me the best way to let things go was to write things down – and perhaps do a book. That was more than 25 years ago and today more than ever it really made sense because we are not getting any younger.”
And what he says is the biggest take-away from the whole “writing a book” experience?
“Two things: I hope Tesla fans get the history as I remember it. Each band member has his own perspective but this is mine”
“Second: I hope that people who suffer from depression, anxiety etc., will now understand that even guys in rock bands deal with this stuff and that you can live through it.
Brian owns a recording studio by the name of J Street Recorders in Sacramento, California and is still very active in the music business.
His co-author, Chris Epting is an award-winning journalist and the author of many books, including Adrenalized (co-written with Def Leppard’s Phil Collen) and Change of Seasons (co-written with John Oates). This book was entertaining, revealing and surprising on a real human and empathetic level. Published by Post Hill Press, the book is for sale today at major booksellers everywhere.
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