Rowdy: The Roddy Piper Story
In early 2015, Roderick Toombs, aka Rowdy Roddy Piper, began researching his own autobiography with a trip through Western Canada. He was re-discovering his youth, a part of his life he never discussed during his 61 years, many spent as one of the greatest talents in the history of pro wrestling. Following his death due to a heart attack that July, two of his children took on the job of telling Roddy's story, separating fact from fiction in the extraordinary life of their father.
Already an accomplished wrestler before Wrestlemania in 1985, Roddy Piper could infuriate a crowd like no "heel" before him. The principal antagonist to all-American champion Hulk Hogan, Piper used his quick wit, explosive ring style and fearless baiting of audiences to push pro wrestling to unprecedented success. Wrestling was suddenly pop culture's main event. An actor with over 50 screen credits, including the lead in John Carpenter's #1 cult classic, They Live, Piper knew how to keep fans hungry, just as he'd kept them wishing for a complete portrait of his most unusual life. He wanted to write this book for his family; now they have written it for him.
Reviews (93)
A must read book about one of the greatest wrestlers ever
I had the pleasure of meeting Roddy Piper exactly two weeks before he passed away at what would be his final autograph signing. I have met many wrestlers, many celebrities but Roddy was by far the nicest. He started asking me questioned. How was things going, how was the family doing. It was like we were long lost friends reuniting. Had him sign his DVD and he went into details about certain matches. Got ready to use my then new cell phone for a selfie and it wasn't working. He told me take your time, I have all day. I want you to get the best picture. I was told that even after his signing he went across the street to a local fire hall and posed for some photos. Two weeks later he was gone. I am still in shock and I feel so bad for his family because I know he was so close to them and found out that even more after reading this book that his kids completed. Roddy was a wrestling icon, a talented actor, a loving father and husband and I can tell you he treated his fans like they were his friends.
Poignant and respectful
This is the second book written by Roddy Piper or his family. The first was far less satisfying than this book. Written not long after Piper passed away, his son and daughter wrote a far more real picture of Piper the man than the first book did. We get to look at his difficult upbringing and the tough life that he endured before becoming a wrestler. At this point, life remained hard with long trips on the road, little money and lots of beatings in the ring while he mastered his craft and gained the respect of the older more established wrestling talent. Once Piper was a star, he never looked back in wrestling, he was the number one bad guy in the WWF in the 1980's and perhaps ever. Outside of the ring, things were different. Personal demons were affecting him and he tried to beat them by taking loads of drugs and drinking heavily. Eventually the years of ring wars affected his body to the point that he took a break from the ring in 1987 to pursue an acting career. This was successful to the point of one great film (They LIve) but through various reasons, he never reached the fullest potential. This is a very honest and enjoyable book looking at the life of a true wrestling icon, someone who lived his life to the fullest and left a legacy that will endure. All too often biographies are filled with countless tales of sporting contests and anecdotes from outside of the ring but lack that personal touch of looking at the subject at home. This book gives us a picture of the real Roderick Toombs.
A great read about the greatest villian in wrestling history
Arrived on time and in great condition. A special thanks to the family of Rowdy Roddy Piper for finishing the journey that he started and for telling his story in such detail. I have been a fan of Hot Rods all of his career even when I was supposed to be booing and hating him. He was the one wrestler that I always wanted to meet and now will sadly never have the chance to. His first book "In the Pit With Piper" was a great read and a recounting of Roddy's life and career from his point of view. This book however pulls even fewer punches about his life and career and is rich with commentary about him from those who knew him the best and loved him the most. Give it a read, you will not be disappointed.
P Piper's pit like you've never read it before
The hot rod rowdy Roddy Piper one of the greatest wrestlers and a history of wrestling no matter which organization in what you got is what you got baby face or heel he was still the hot rod one of the most awesome wrestling characters in history very great book about a very great man whom I loved as a wrestler and who now I love is a human being after reading his story thank you for all the memories hot rod and thank you for the book
Well done
Good read. Had just enough back story with actual facts and remembered history by family and friends without producing one sided story telling and bs that never happened as in other wrestlers books. Funny and heartfelt. Roddy would be proud of his kids for picking up the slack writing a very entertaining read. If the kids do decide to write another book I would read it. Also had a good mixture of wrestlers telling stories about the Hot Rod from 3 different decades.
Must read!
Great book for any real Wrestling fan. Best part about it is that it isn't only about the man himself, but also a bit of his children's point of view. Must buy for any true fan of wrestling!
A must for any Piper fan
If you're a fan of Roddy Piper chances are you've heard at least a few of the stories in this book. But there's still plenty there for even the most die hard fans. You get the real stories behind a lot of the myth he created for himself and told so many times we just thought they were the real deal. Sadly the book had to be largely completed by his children but I think that actually ended up giving a little more insight into the real person he was behind the wrestling persona, and he may have played down some of those aspects out of modesty had he finished the book like he'd intended.
A "Rowdy" Story!
A great book about the legendary wrestler, actor, personality Roderick Toombs better known by his ring name: Rowdy Roddy Piper. A very interesting read as we go into the life story of one of the most entertaining people in both wrestling and the entertainment industry. Contains life stories that will tell you what made Roddy such an interesting individual! :)
Great Look At The Life Of The Wrestling Legend
This is a great look at the life and times of one of my favorite wrestlers. If you have ever heard the stories about how kind "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was, this book is a great confirmation. If you haven't heard that before, you need to read this book.
Very good book written by two of his kids
Very good book written by two of his kids. Really interesting stories of some of the old territories. Very heart felt. Highly recommended.
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