Frank Bello, bassist with the legendary New York thrash metal band
Anthrax since 1984, has sold over ten million albums, travelled the
globe more times than he cares to count, and enthralled audiences from
the world's biggest stages. His long-awaited memoir would be a gripping
read even if its pages only contained stories about his life as a
recording and touring musician. While those stories are indeed
included--and will blow your mind--Bello also focuses on deeper subjects
in Fathers, Brothers, and Sons. Once you've heard his life story,
you'll understand why.
Born into a family of five, Frank grew up in difficult circumstances.
His father abandoned his wife and children, and Frank's mother moved
heaven and earth to keep them fed and educated. Left with no male role
model, Frank found inspiration in heavy metal bass players, following
their example and forging a career with Anthrax from his early
teens--first as a roadie, and then as the group's bass player.
International stardom came Frank's way by the mid-to-late 1980s, when he
was still in his early twenties, but tragedy struck in 1996 when his
brother Anthony was murdered in New York. Although the case went to
trial, the suspected killer was released without charge after a witness,
intimidated by violent elements, withdrew his testimony.
Two decades later, Frank is a father himself to a young son. Like many
men who grew up without the guidance of a dad, he asks himself important
questions about the meaning of fatherhood and how to do the job well.
This is the wisdom which Fathers, Brothers, and Sons offers readers.
Despite the emotive nature of these topics, Fathers, Brothers, and
Sons is a funny, entertaining read. A man with a keen sense of humor
and the perspective to know how surreal his story has been, Frank
doesn't preach or seek sympathy in his book. Instead, he simply passes
on the wisdom gained from a lifetime of turbulence, paying tribute to
his loved ones in a way that will resonate with us all.
