Book Review: 13 Things Rock & Roll Can Do for You

November 2012 issue

Words: Kristin Chambers

Rock and roll and life lessons are like a two-way street: you can’t really get one without the other. Whether it’s dealing with love, children, careers or other life hurdles, Dr. Fred Gratto helps those in touch with music get in touch with life in his new book, 13 Things Rock & Roll Can Do For You.

A compilation of short, close-to-home stories, each chapter focuses on various life subject matter through examples of over 300 song references and artists.

“I grew up listening to this stuff as a young man, and older as I am now, it’s pretty pervasive,” Gratto said. “This music has just always been around. And I was thinking one day, gosh there’s a lot of good advice in rock and roll lyrics.”

As a manager of University of Florida’s campus environment and a professor of leadership skills, Gratto takes what he has learned from his years of growing up with rock and roll and applies it to what he believes are the important things in life.

“Plus I thought writing a book would be such a fun trip down memory lane,” he added. “The power of music or sound brings back great memories. With the song “Ohio” by Crosby Stills Nash and Young, I remember 1970, the Vietnam War was going crazy on TV every night. Students were rebelling, Nixon sent in the National Guard. Five students were killed at Kent State. Well, gee, I remember what it was like to be a college student. All of a sudden I’m 19 again.”

It is apparent that Gratto is passionate about the music he refers to in this down-to-earth, relatable read. Writing about his family, friends, friends’ friends, and his own experiences, he speaks as one would to an assemblage of those in the midst of their life journey. Following each chapter, broad questions are then raised to create self-reflection upon the subject matter.

When asked what he believes is the most influential chapter, Gratto decided Have You Made Any Good Investments Lately was pretty on point for numero uno. “I’m not talking about money, I’m talking about people,” he said. “Think about the impact you can have on the next person that walks into your office or the person that’s waiting on you when you have lunch today…If you go around and are really interested in people you are going to have an impact. That’s the type of investment I’m talking about. Just like the lyric, ‘Don’t surround yourself with yourself.’”

When asked who his most influential artist was, he decided that the ultimate advice through lyrics could be found through James Taylor. “I mean how can you disagree with anything James Taylor says? Unless you’re Carly Simon,” he said with a chuckle.

“I was pretty selective in picking the lyrics that I thought would have a broad appeal and cast rock and roll in a positive light.”

Out of the hundreds of quotes he refers to, he said his favorite is Billy Joel’s simple, sweet line, “I could not love you any better. I love you just the way you are.”

“This music is going to be around until we are all dead. It’s everywhere, and it is compelling.”