Rumours of My Demise by Evan Dando review – eye-popping tales of drugs and unpredictability

In "Rumours of My Demise", Evan Dando's autobiography, the former Lemonheads frontman dishes out a candid account of his tumultuous life - a wild ride that has left many questioning what sparked such reckless abandon.

Dando's story is one of contradictions: a talented musician who struggled to overcome addiction; a privileged upbringing that belied an insatiable appetite for self-destruction. The 35-year timeline of his struggles, which spans from his days as the face of the '90s indie scene to the present, paints a portrait of someone constantly torn between artistic passion and personal demons.

One can't help but be reminded of Dando's notorious reputation - notorious not just for his erratic live performances or tabloid fodder controversies, but also for his unwavering commitment to substance abuse. Yet what sets him apart is an unapologetic candour that permeates every page of the book. This honesty doesn't shy away from humiliation; instead, it invites readers into a world where Dando has long since given up trying to present a polished facade.

Dando's past, peppered with encounters with rock royalty like Noel Gallagher and chaotic gigs that ended in disaster, raises questions about his motivations - if not the roots of his self-destructive tendencies. His private education and family wealth did provide him with an environment conducive to ease and opportunities, but Dando defies simple explanations for his downfall.

One thing is clear: talent has always been Dando's saving grace. Even when addiction threatened to derail his career, songwriting remained a constant source of solace - as evidenced by the enduring legacy of hits like "It's a Shame About Ray" and "Mrs Robinson". The former Lemonheads' success was a testament to Dando's gift for crafting memorable melodies.

In retrospect, it seems that Dando never really had to 'try' - his natural charisma won over many hearts before he could ever have done so through genuine talent. It's an uncomfortable observation but one supported by the pages of "Rumours of My Demise".

Dando's journey is far from over; a recent European tour hints at continued turmoil, yet what shines through on every page is a deft narrative skillset and - counterintuitively - an undeniable charm that has seen him navigate rock stardom with both reckless abandon and unapologetic candour.

this guy's life is wild, I mean like he was this icon of indie music and then just goes downhill into addiction and self-destruction... but what really gets me is how raw and honest his book is - it's like he's not even trying to sugarcoat anything . I get why people would think he's reckless, but at the same time, you can't deny that talent has always been there for him . And yeah, I'm kinda bummed out by how much his past says about his motivations... like did he ever really want to be successful or was it just a means to an end? . Anyway, I'm def gonna have to check out this European tour now

I gotta say , Evan Dando's story is wild! Like, the man was living life on his own terms, but also struggling with addiction and personal demons at the same time... it's crazy how one person can have so many contradictions . I mean, you've got this talented musician who's also got a reputation for being pretty wild and unpredictable . But what really gets me is how honest he is about his struggles - it takes a lot of guts to share that kinda stuff with the world .

And yeah, his upbringing was pretty privileged, but at the same time, he still found ways to struggle with self-destruction... like, what's up with that? . But seriously, I think what sets him apart is how he can be so raw and honest about his past, while also being super charming and likable .

I love how he talks about his songwriting as a way to cope with his struggles - it's like, the one thing that always saved him from himself . And even though he's had his ups and downs, I think he's still got some magic left in him . Can't wait to see what he does next!

OMG, this Evan Dando guy is like, soooo messed up , but at the same time, I feel kinda bad for him? Like, he's been through some wild stuff, from addiction to rock stardom, and it's clear that his past has shaped who he is today. But what really stands out to me is how honest he is about everything - the good, the bad, and the ugly . It's like, we've all got our own demons to fight, right? And even though Dando's struggles are super relatable, it's also crazy how talented he is... like, who else could make "It's a Shame About Ray" so iconic? Anyway, I'm gonna go listen to some Lemonheads now, maybe try to relate to his vibes

he's always been like that lol, reckless abandon is just part of his vibe anyway, you think he'll ever get clean tho? his talent is def a savior but it's also kinda a curse, i mean we all know the story of 'it's a shame about ray' and how that song helped him cope with stuff

Dando's story is wild, no question. I mean, the dude was living it up in the '90s indie scene, but then just throws himself into addiction... it's like he was trying to sabotage his own career on purpose . But you know what? Talent does end up saving him. Those songs from The Lemonheads are iconic, and even though he struggled with addiction, he still managed to write some really catchy stuff.

It's kinda sad, but also kinda... relatable? Like, we've all got our own demons (literally or figuratively), right? And Dando's book is just so honest, it's almost like he's saying, "Hey, I was a mess for a long time, but I managed to come out the other side." His European tour might be a sign of more struggles ahead, but at least his writing skills are still on point.

I mean, who else can make addiction and rock stardom sound so... normal? Dando's got that weird charm going on, though.

I just read the review of Evan Dando's autobiography and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it He's definitely one of those artists who can make you root for them despite all the drama they've been through. I mean, who hasn't had a bad day every now and then? But Evan's taken it to a whole new level . His songwriting is so innate that even when he was struggling with addiction, his music still managed to save him. And honestly, I love how he owns up to all the mistakes he's made - it takes a lot of guts to be that vulnerable .

OMG Dando's story is SO relatable I mean, who hasn't struggled with addiction or felt like they're just winging it? He's like a true rockstar rebel without a cause ! The fact that he can be so brutally honest about his demons and still manage to spin an epic tale is genuinely inspiring . His music is timeless, no matter how messy his life got . I'm low-key obsessed with this book now gotta read it ASAP

I'm not sure I agree with all the hate he's gotten over the years... Evan Dando seems like a real person, flaws and all. We're always talking about how 'broken' people are in this industry, but maybe that's just part of what makes him so interesting? I mean, who hasn't struggled with addiction or self-doubt at some point? It's not all glamour and stardom, you know?

And can we talk about his songwriting skills for a sec? Dude's got talent pouring out of every pore. I love how he's always been unapologetic about his demons - it's actually kinda refreshing to see someone be so honest about their struggles.

I don't think it's fair to say he 'lived up' to the expectations of the '90s indie scene or whatever, though. That's just setting him up for failure from the start. Maybe he just didn't want to conform to all those expectations? I mean, we're always told that success is a team effort, but what about when it feels like you're doing everything right and still failing in some way?

Anyway, I think "Rumours of My Demise" should be read by everyone. It's not just about Evan Dando's life story - it's about how we all struggle with our own demons (literally or figuratively).

Omg I just finished reading "Rumours of My Demise" and I'm still reeling from Evan Dando's story . The dude's life is like a wild rollercoaster ride - you feel for him, but also want to shake some sense into him lol . He's so brutally honest about his struggles with addiction and mental health, it's almost admirable? But what I love most is how he still manages to weave music into the narrative - that's like his superpower .

I mean, Dando's got this crazy talent for songwriting, and even when things were rock bottom (literally ), it saved him. It's wild to think about how he just kinda coasted through life on his natural charisma... but also kinda didn't? Either way, I'm loving the insight into his mind, and I'm excited to see what's next for this rockstar-turned-author .

the dude's got some serious demons but i gotta give it to him, he's been through so much and still managed to create these iconic songs like "it's a shame about ray" - that's talent right there! ‍ he's like the ultimate rockstar cliché come true. but at the same time, his writing in this autobiography is so raw and honest it's almost scary . like, he's not afraid to bare all and talk about his struggles with addiction and stuff. i'm just curious what drove him to be so reckless back in the day . anyway, i'll be checking out his european tour, gotta see if he still can bring that magic

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Evan Dando's story . On one hand, I love how brutally honest he is about his struggles with addiction and self-destruction - it's like he's giving us a front-row seat to his inner demons . And you're right, talent has always been his safety net... but at the same time, it feels kinda weird that his charisma won over people before he even had to put in any real effort . I mean, don't get me wrong, "It's a Shame About Ray" is still one of my fave songs ever , but it's like... did he really just coast through life?

OMG, I'm so here for Evan Dando's new autobiography "Rumours of My Demise" ! Like, can't we just give this guy a round of applause already? He's been keeping it real (literally) with his struggles with addiction and stuff, but you know what the most inspiring part is? He never tried to hide it. I mean, who needs that fake facade when you're talented enough to be fabulous in your own skin?

And I gotta say, reading about his wild times with rock royalty like Noel Gallagher is everything! The chaos and drama - I'm living for it! But what's also crazy is how he managed to channel all that energy into creating some of the most iconic songs ever. Like, "It's a Shame About Ray" and "Mrs Robinson" are literally anthems.

Evan Dando's story is like... you can't help but root for him. He's got this raw talent, combined with an unapologetic attitude that's just so refreshing in the music world. And despite all the ups and downs, he's still rocking on! His European tour might be a sign of continued turmoil, but I'm like... bring it on?

just read this about Evan Dando's autobiography he's been all over the place in his life, but it's clear that music has always been what saved him. I mean, the guy's got talent pouring out of every pore and even when addiction was taking a toll on his career, his songwriting stayed strong. it's like he never had to try too hard - his charisma just won people over anyway, I'm gonna have to check out this book for myself.

Dando's story is so wild it'll leave you shook ! I mean, the guy was like a rockstar on one day and a total mess on the next . But what I love about this book is that he's not trying to sugarcoat anything - just straight up telling it like it is . You can feel his vulnerability and shame, but also his talent and passion for music . It's crazy how he was able to overcome so much with his gift for songwriting . And yeah, I get what you mean about him not really having to try hard - that natural charm just shines through ! His story is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions - you'll be laughing and crying at the same time . Definitely one for the books !

omg i just finished reading "Rumours of My Demise" and i'm still trying to process evan dannos life story he's like this tortured soul who can't seem to escape his demons, but at the same time you can't help but be drawn in by his unapologetic honesty it's like he's speaking directly to your soul, sharing all these deep dark secrets and vulnerabilities that make you feel seen but also kinda grossed out

i mean, the man has been through some wild stuff - rock royalty, tabloid controversies, addiction... it's like a never-ending rollercoaster of emotions but what really gets me is how he's managed to maintain this raw, unfiltered energy despite all the ups and downs it's like he's always been one step ahead of himself, knowing exactly when to push the boundaries and take risks

of course, there are gonna be haters who'll say he's just being selfish or attention-seeking, but honestly i think that's part of what makes him so endearing his flaws are like an open book - you can see all the cracks and imperfections, and still somehow find yourself rooting for him

anyway, i'm still reeling from reading this book... it's like a masterclass in vulnerability and self-awareness definitely recommend it to anyone who needs a dose of honesty and raw emotion

So Evan Dando's autobiography is out & it sounds like he's finally spilled the tea . I mean, who else can make addiction & success sound like a wild rollercoaster ride? The guy was basically living life on the edge, but still managed to whip up some sick tunes - gotta give him props for that!

I'm literally dying over Evan Dando's story he's so raw and honest in his autobiography it's like you're sitting down with him over a pint of whiskey, sharing all his darkest secrets and yet, at the same time, you can't help but be drawn to that spark of talent that makes him who he is - I mean, have you heard his songs? "It's a Shame About Ray" still gives me chills every time

lol Evan Dando's life story is literally the ultimate cautionary tale . like, he had all this privilege and talent but just couldn't get it together . his addiction story is super relatable tbh. i mean who hasn't struggled with self-destruction at some point? but for real though, kudos to him for being so honest about it in his book. it's not easy to spill your guts like that . and yeah talent has always been his savior . it's wild how he managed to turn his demons into music . Dando's got a special charm to him, all unapologetic and stuff

I just finished reading "Rumours of My Demise" by Evan Dando and I'm still reeling from the experience. The guy's story is like a train wreck that you can't look away from - it's messy, it's broken, but somehow, it's also strangely beautiful? I mean, who else could make addiction and self-destruction sound so... romantic? And yet, despite all the chaos, Dando's got this incredible talent that just carries him through. I'm not saying he's some kind of rockstar messiah or anything (although, let's be real, he is kinda that), but the dude can write a hook like nobody's business.

For me, what struck most was how honest he is about his flaws and failures - it's like he's inviting you into this crazy world of his own making. And, honestly, it's kind of inspiring? I mean, here's someone who's basically lived a life that's the opposite of "success" (whatever that means), but still managed to create something beautiful out of it.

Anyway, if you're a fan of rock music or just want to dive into this wild ride of a story, I'd definitely recommend checking out "Rumours of My Demise". Just be prepared for some serious rollercoaster vibes .