Dick Wagner has played with a long list of rock greats including Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Aerosmith, KISS, Peter Gabriel, Meat Loaf, Etta James, Rod Stewart and many more.
According to his website, he has played on over 200 notable albums that have received 35 platinum and gold record awards.
That’s a lot of life over the last forty years and Wagner has put much of the story on paper for his new memoir Not Only Women Bleed, Vignettes From the Heart of a Rock Musician. In his captivating, witty, literate, and often touching memoir, Wagner delivers colorful tales of reckless behavior and intimate debauchery with an emotional reverberation that resonates with a wide audience. It’s not just “Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll.” From industry successes and failures to personal struggles with family and relationships, Not Only Women Bleed is a hard-driving, heart-driven life scripture, vividly and joyfully conveyed.
Early encounters with Little Richard, Roy Orbison, BB King and Les Paul highlight moments of personal musical achievement. Poignantly recounted stories of days on the road and years of hit recordings contrast with emotional tales of drug abuse that led to near fatal health issues. After two heart attacks, a stroke and brain surgery leave him disabled and “drying up in the desert,” Wagner finds enlightenment in the intensive care unit and takes the reader on a miraculous journey of courage and commitment. His return to live performance is an inspirational celebration of packed venues, overjoyed fans and critical media acclaim.
The book is available for both the Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook and is now also out in a hardback edition that includes two CDs of music.