Petal Pusher: Rock and Roll CinderellStory

by Laurie Lindeen

Book Overview

Set in the years between the meteoric launches of Madonna and Courtney Love, Petal Pusher takes readers on a stirring journey across rock and roll, from the big-haired 1980s to the grunge-filled 1990s, when Laurie Lindeen brought her all-girl band, Zuzu's Petals, to compete in the indie rock arena.

Minneapolis in the eighties was a musical hotbed, the land of 10,000 lakes and 10,000 bands that gave birth to Prince, the Replacements,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743292340
• ISBN13: 9780743292344
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Amazing...Hilarious...Moving...If you love Rock `n' Roll, you'll love this book!

As a former female rocker wannabe, I found Laurie Lindeen's journey through rock music sobering and enlightening, and completely compelling to read. I played a bit of electric guitar as a teenager, but after going along for a ride through Laurie's exploits, I'm glad I chose a different career path. Life for a struggling female punk rock band is anything but glamorous. Hilarious at moments, yes, but the dark, gritty side of playing night after night in sleazy clubs is anything but alluring. Laurie's band, Zuzu's Petals, had moments that seemed to indicate they were on the verge of hitting it big, but despite an intense level of commitment and hard work for many years, their dream was never realized. I'm glad to vicariously live the rock lifestyle through Ms. Lindeen's words. You can tell she's a musician, for her writing has a wonderful rhythm. The author's candor and willingness to reveal less-than-perfect parts of her personality made her story extremely universal. I could totally relate to Laurie's lack of self-confidence, and self-deprecating humor. If you want to read a well-written, intelligent, poignant, and funny-as-hell rock story, look no further. This is definitely not a chick-only book either. My husband heard me laughing so hard, he wants to read it too. Highly recommended.

This took me back to the band/bar days in the TC

This book took me back to the local band bar days and all the people I once hung out with. I could picture myself through some of the same situations, especially at the bar. What a fantastic read! After reading it, I immediately gave the book to a girlfriend that could relate.

Cool Read

just finished a page turner. It's called "Petal Pusher" and "it's a A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story". I always wanted to be in a band, but only watched curiously from the sidelines. )Unless, of course, you count my 15 minutes to fame as one of many backup singers to a famous girl band, a couple of times...) This book is tough to put down and easy to read. It's gritty and real and puts you right there. No bull. I give the author kudos for following her dreams and going after it. That takes guts! While reading it, I could almost feel the sludge of being on the road. I could smell the lingering beer and smoke in the clubs, and the hangovers of one's youth. I was a fly on the wall, and I enjoyed the challenging ride.

barbara

Laurie Lindeen is truly a gifted writer. The story mixes personal life stories with her dream of becoming a girl rocker. I hope she continues to share her talent.

Fascinating memoir of a women overcoming hardship through perseverance

This is a fascinating, memoir of an unusual journey. Laurie goes from overcoming a debilitating diagnoses of a chronic illness to achieving rock success with a national tour. This is a truthful assessment of the real world of rock and roll in all it's raw, gritty glory. In a country obsessed with fame, it is refreshing to remember people who play music and compose music because they love it. It is a love story, to rock, to her husband and her family. Laurie shows a mastery of nonfiction. I love this book! Check out this cd A Pregnant Pause