Aretsky reveals the often invisible people who prop up the people who prop up the famous—the technicians who skillfully bring the creative vision of artists to life. Aretsky has served as stagehand, lighting director, monitor engineer, and more for hundreds of concerts and live performances, and this lively memoir shares encounters with the likes of Prince (he let Aretsky keep a purple tambourine), Lita Ford (“nice person, tough and totally focused on her music”), Rickie Lee Jones (who declares “If I don’t get a new monitor guy, we’re canceling the show!”), and many others. Aretsky also digs into his personal journey, across past and present and states and countries, documenting many adventures—as a dedicated partner, as a single man trying modern dating in his 50s, and as an enthusiast of life. Following a brief glimpse into his professional past as a lighting technician at a porn-industry award show in 1988, the story opens in 2019, as Aretsky processes the end of a 28-year relationship through journal entries that reveal his raw emotions and disorientation.
From there, the narrative follows an erratic structure that mimics a life in which Aretsky allowed himself to be carried wherever opportunity led across 40 years in show business—living for years with friends at the “Treehouse,” a massive three-story structure resembling a cruise ship perched on a hill; shooting drone footage across Alaska; developing an intense dislike for Art Garfunkel after a particularly difficult production. Interwoven with these vivid tales are fond memories of adventures with his ex-girlfriend and accounts of more recent adventures—a Bumble match with a single mother trying IVF again, rekindling past friendships and attractions.
The anecdotal approach means there’s not much narrative momentum, but Aretsky’s crisp, self-aware writing style and unwavering dedication to his craft—both as stagehand and storyteller—compel, as does his philosophical approach to life’s uncertainties. Aretsky reminds us that often the most interesting stories belong to those standing just outside the spotlight.
Takeaway: Lively memoir of a life setting the stage for great entertainers.
Comparable Titles: Phil Kaufman’s Road Mangler Deluxe, Pat Egan’s Backstage Pass.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
https://booklife.com/projectid/9c86ee50-eda5-11ef-a5ff-547275647911
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