Dave Grohl's mum signs book deal with Coronet

Coronet has acquired a book by Dave Grohl's mum, From Cradle to Stage, in which Virginia Hanlon Grohl speaks to the mothers of other "era-defining" musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Dr Dre and Adam Levine.

Publisher Charlotte Hardman acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excuding Canada) to From Cradle to Stage: My son the rock star and other remarkable stories from the mothers who rocked and raised music’s greatest from WME, to publish with Coronet in hardback on 25th April 2017. 

In the book, Grohl, mother of the Foo Fighters’ front man, speaks with the women who watched their children from the side of the stage, supported them through tragedy and played the first records that set them on the rocky path to fame.

It features an introduction by her son, Dave Grohl, and "candid" interviews with mothers of other "industry greats", including Janis Winehouse, the mother of Amy Winehouse; Verna Griffin, mother of Dr Dre; and Patsy Noah, mother of Adam Levine, to provide "uniquely intimate" insights into the highs and lows of stardom. Among these stories are personal anecdotes from Grohl's own family story as she talks in detail about her and her son's relationship.

Hardman said: "Virginia has proudly looked on as her son has become one of the biggest music stars of this generation. She’s seen first-hand the hysteria that surrounded Nirvana’s rise to fame, the arenas packed with tens of thousands of Foo Fighter fans, she has witnessed Dave’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and seen him perform with Sir Paul McCartney at The White House. As Virginia watched her son's star rise, she often wondered about the other mothers who raised sons and daughters who became rock stars too and so she set about finding out their stories. The resultant book is wonderful: emotional, insightful, personal and also really very cool."

Dave Grohl, who will be supporting the international publicity campaign for From Cradle to Stage, writes in his introduction: "We are all indebted to the women who have given us life. For without them, there would be no music."

Virginia Hanlon Grohl said: "Finding this unique sorority (some now in their 90's and still rockin'!) has been one of the great joys of my life. We laughed and cried together as we shared stories of the joys and hardships our journeys have wrought. I hope readers will enjoy meeting these mothers of music as much as I have."