Devils & Blue Dresses: My Wild Ride As a Rock and Roll Legend

Wow- truth, honesty, warts and all. Truth and Honesty are a rare commodity in 2025. It isn't quite 1984 where 'Freedom is Slavery' and 'Ignorance is Strength' but we ain't far away. You just don't get truth and honesty nowadays- from anyone- but here it is. Extremely insightful and self aware- LOVED this book. It has all the hallmarks of a Midwest Kid who looks you right in the eye and tells you the truth. Like I said- you don't get much of that nowadays.

I've always loved Mitch's music and reading his story really got to me. I kinda know what he's talking about with no money, bad people in your life. Thank God my life is much better because I have control. It was clear that Mitch didn't have control on a lot of his life. Hey, we all make mistakes and somehow, he seems to have lifted himself out of it and I hope doing better. The way he tells his story, it's so easy to understand. Completely down to earth. There were moments of laughter and a lot sadness. I had a lot of his music from way back and lost a lot of things myself. Now I am collecting what I've lost and I love every single minute of his music. The story brings me a new light on his life. I never judge any one nor do I belittle someone who went through harsh times. He really had a cross to bear. Mitch, if you get to read any of these comments and reviews, I'll say this, God Bless Ya and thank you for all the music and thank you for sharing your life. Be well and stay safe.

Having completed Devil and Blue Dresses I would like to share my views. I remember Mitch Ryder from the 1960's. I enjoyed his high energy rock and r&b. I never saw him perform, and he became a footnote in the history of rock. Two months ago I heard a brief interview with Mitch on the radio. What struck me was he sounded like an intelligent person. He said he had completed his autobiography. I purchased the book. The book does not share a ghost writer. It is Mitch telling his own story. Mitch is not a gifted writer. To me the book is difficult to read because it seems disjointed. He will talk about his touring then drop in something about his children. Nonetheless, I got through it. Mitch has had a hell of a life. To be honest, I'm surprised he is still alive. He is a survivor! Mitch talks about his "devils" drugs, sex and alcohol honestly. He talks about his relationships with four wives openly. Mitch makes no excuses. He explains clearly what the demons have done to him personally and with his wives and children. He also explains how the music industry screwed him as a young man and how he quickly learned to distrust the corporate power structure. Mitch's experience is no different than countless other rock stars who were taken advantage of by managers, record companies, lawyers and promoters. Rock stars had little experience with business contracts and lawyers. They were in the limelight, being adored by fans and enjoying success while record companies, etc. were reaping millions of dollars. When they were no longer useful they were discarded like yesterday's garbage. The reader who does not know much about Mitch's career will be surprised to learn all of this. Also, what amazed me was Mitch had a prolific career in Europe. He has recorded over 25 albums with several different bands. All I remember is his original band, the Detroit Wheels. I will search out some of his later music. He states that some of the things that were recorded later in his career were his best work. If you are a fan of Mitch Ryder or interested in the music of the 1960's you will enjoy the book Devils and Blue Dresses.

Growing up in Michigan, I was attracted to the music of Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels from when I first heard their songs on the AM radio. Within driving distance, I saw Ryder with the Wheels and then his later bands several times over the years. Much of the music of that time period was blues- or R&B-oriented, and Ryder's sound was within the realm of high-powered R&B, which was in line with my interests. Ryder was always able to put together great bands. Jim McCarty, lead guitarist with the Detroit Wheels, was a major attraction for me, and it's too bad that he could not continue with Ryder's other bands, but that is another story. Who wrote the tunes didn't really matter to me, but later Ryder developed into a decent songwriter, thereby personalizing his music further. For the hard-core Mitch Ryder fan like myself, this book is worth reading, but others may wonder why there is a second biography out on Ryder within a short time period. There is a lot of personal stuff included in the book, and it appears that Ryder wanted to get a lot off his chest, from his point-of-view. For me, the love-life, business dealings, and eventual bitterness, is almost too much information. I would have liked to read more about the musical side of Mitch Ryder that would have included insights from his various bands, recording sessions, concerts, and so on.

This is a very revealing and fascinating autobiographical look into the life of one of rock's greatest figures. He openly shares with us his marriages, his struggles, his fall from fame, those who betrayed him and those whom he betrayed. He's also candid about his sex life and bisexuality. Mitch proves he's not only a talented singer / songwriter, but he's also a gifted writer of the printed word. I'd love to see him try his hand at fiction. "Devil & Blue Dresses," however, is the real deal, life as it happened to him from boyhood's rags to youthful riches, to career-crisis rags and back again. He's a survivor, that's for certain, and he's still going strong at age 70, as his continued European successes prove. He certainly deserves the same recognition in America. Whether your name is Jenny or not, Mitch Ryder's autobiography will take you on a thoroughly enjoyable ride.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about William Levise Jr., better known as Mitch Ryder? I guess I could tell you about the time my family meet him in Laughlin, Nevada. My two little girls were so excited to meet Daddy's musical hero. I warned them that he may be drunk or on drugs but that it would still be an honor to speak with him for a minute. The truth is, Mitch was an absolute gentleman! He graciously shook our hands and even got down on one knee to meet my babies. Merrilee Rush was also in the dressing room and she was phenomenal. However, the highlight was meeting the man who still posesses the best voice in all of Rock-N-Roll history. This book is so personal and well written that you will be fascinated and won't want to put it down. I can't say enough about it. Long Live Mitch Ryder!!!!

I was 14 years old and growing up in Illinois when Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels hit the airwaves with "Jenny Take a Ride". Me and all of my friends were instantly addicted! We were glad to see a Midwest boy crack the Top 5 and knock the Beatles down a notch. Bought all his 45's and albums as soon as they came out. His music and energy was absolutely contagious. I was fortunate to meet and speak with him a few years ago at a small club in Columbus, Ohio. He was warm, friendly and open to talk about anything.I think Mitch approached this book like he did his music....No holds barred! He leaves "nothing" hidden. Even things that are "very" difficult to read about during his childhood upbringing and a few other incidents throughout his "rise to fame" that quite frankly could have been left out and would not have had a real big effect on the overall storyline. But that is not Mitch! What you see is what you get. Very ballsy. I read the book in one sitting. Could not put it down. I'd heard rumors over the years about Mitch and his struggles but had no idea the pain(s)he actually experienced. Greater men than him would have given up and quit "LONG" before. He sacrificed EVERYTHING and some things he's very, very sorry for to this day! But this is "HIS" story and I like and respect him more than I did before. Because now there are no rumors. Mitch has put it all out there for you to read.

Great book! I was a fan of Mitch Ryder in the 1960's, and continue to be one. Mitch makes interesting and insightful observations about Rock and Roll show business. The shady side of Rock is something fans are usually not aware of. I found Mitch's description of his upbringing and poverty to be honest and poignant. In my opinion Mitch's observations about poverty and class in America are on target.

Fascinating story of Mitch Ryder, sometimes you wonder how rock and roll stars survived, abuse, drugs, sex and alcohol. Album cover with Brooker T and the MG's mentioned how he was "screwed over" by the music industry. The book details how he was robbed of his funds from record sales, not getting any money after huge record sales. Bands didn't last very long, broken over feuds. Married a couple of times, several children, not the best father figure. Better success in Germany and self produced record albums. Big hit with Marianne Faithful. Fascinating insights with Bob Crewe, who made many hits with Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons.An excellent read, still performing and still making records.

Always have been a huge fan of Mitch Ryder....grossly under-rated......shoulda been a big star. Devil in the Blue Dress is a classic. Its pounding beat just motors. This book certainly opened my eyes to the dark side of the music industry. And Mitch Ryder tells it how dark. Great Book......a real humdinger and I like it like that.

Nachdem ich über Amazon auch die Rockpalast-Box von Mitch Ryder erwerben konnte (jetzt fehlt nur noch Nils Lofgren) - hat ja lange genug gedauert, bis man eine CD-Ausgabe veröffentlicht hat - war's sehr interessant, eine sogar von Mitch Ryder selbst geschriebene Autobiographie zu lesen. Auch wenn da kein Journalist aus der Rock 'n Roll-Welt mitgewirkt und den Text lesbar gemacht hat, kann man sicher sagen, Mitch Ryder kann nicht nur Songtexte schreiben, er bringt auch die eigene Lebensgeschichte in eine ansprechende, gut lesbare Form. Ich habe mir gleich die englische Version zugelegt, weil ich englische Bücher am liebsten in der Originalsprache lese. Wer da "mitkommt" ist sehr gut "bedient" und ich kann jedem das Buch sehr empfehlen. Er hat ja doch einiges erlebt in seiner Karriere. Und daß er jetzt in Deutschland und Europa ein Standbein hat - insbesondere mit der hervorragenden Band "Engerling", - macht alles noch besser.

Wenn ein Superstar, und sei es nur ein ehemaliger, plötzlich ein Buch herausbringt, läuten bei mir schon die Alarmglocken. Doch hier liegt der Fall anders. Der Mann hat das Buch nämlich selber geschrieben, ganz ohne Hilfschreiberling, wie es dieser Tage üblich ist. Er hat einfach seine Geschichte erzählt, und das nicht einmal schlecht. Ich würde sogar sagen (soweit ich einen englischen Text beurteilen kann), er ist ein durchaus talentierter Autor. Ich habe schon einige Bestseller gelesen, die dem Buch nicht das Wasser reichen können. Langweilig ist es keinesfalls, und es steht drin, was man eigentlich immer schon wissen wollte. Wenn der Leser glaubt, dass er sich durch eine Aneinanderreihung von Ereignissen quälen muss, wird enttäuscht er sein. Schon auf den ersten Seiten wird klar, dass sich da einer Gedanken gemacht hat, und nicht erst beim Schreiben.