The Undiscovered Showman

A lifelong pursuit for rock and roll stardom filled with advice, success, disappointment, betrayal, and encounters with top industry executives and celebrities, including a revealing 17-year close friendship with one of the world’s biggest rock superstars.

Release Date January 28, 2025

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$19.99

A lifelong pursuit for rock and roll stardom filled with advice, success, disappointment, betrayal, and encounters with top industry executives and celebrities, including a revealing 17-year close friendship with one of the world’s biggest rock superstars.

What People Say

I remember Wayne Olivieri and his band the Rock Kids. I was managing Club Xanadu in Asbury Park at the time in 1982 when  I was introduced to Wayne . He had a lot of energy, a great sound, and was a great performer. Outside of being a good guy and lots of fun, Wayne was an integral part of the Asbury Park Music scene. It was an amazing time and we had a lot of fun together.—DDP, Diamond Dallas Page, DDPY Fitness Guru, Dallas Page is an American yoga instructor, retired professional wrestler and actor

I’ve known Wayne his entire career as a songwriter, book writer, and frontman on a rock n roll stage, and he is still rockin’ and rollin’ with the best of them! The book will tell it all. —Craig Goetsch | VP Production, Livenation -Music-NY, Northeast Regional 

 “Whether it’s with the New Bardots or anything he’s done solo and otherwise, Oliveri has always been innovative, aggressive, and an underlying force in the Jersey music scene. His art and contributions go above and beyond the normal realm of creativity; he truly has never had boundaries or a ceiling in his career.” —Danny Coleman, “Danny Coleman’s Rock On Radio”

I first met Wayne at the Fast Lane in Asbury Park through a friend. He has a fantastic stage presence and a great rock and roll voice. Over the years, getting to know Wayne and working with him on several projects. I saw a talented songwriter and performer with an unstoppable drive and energy to succeed. I consider Wayne to be a great friend and colleague. — Bill Quinn, Director/Producer, Bill Quinn Productions

I first met Wayne in 1973 when he knocked on my door and asked me to start a band with him. I’ve been in and out of bands and trouble with him all these years. Wayne doesn’t take no for an answer. He’s talked me into many crazy ideas somehow, even when I said it was impossible, like setting up a band on a flatbed truck and driving from New Jersey through the Lincoln Tunnel to play on the streets of NYC. We have written over a hundred songs together and have come inches to the big time on a number of occasions. Our mantra has always been, “This is the year.” After all these years, we still have a good time playing that ole Rock & Roll. We know more about each other than any two people should, but we are still Rock & Roll brothers and best friends. Looking forward to and a little scared about what you said in the book, but I can tell you it all really happened.—Gar Francis aka Gary Vennitelli

 “I’ve been a fan of Wayne Olivieri’s  music/talent since The Rock Kids and Oliver Twist era. Wayne’s voice, showmanship, and music have always been a cut above the rest of the bands out there. And his new band; The New Bardots are no exception. He’s continuing to bring his passion and talent (& amazing videos as well) to new and old fans alike!”—Robin Thompson, President, OMNI MEDIA Group, LLC 

 

Author

Wayne Olivieri

Cover

Paperback

ISBN

9781958914496

Pages

176

Size

6 x 9

Year Published

2025

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About the Author

From the moment he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, Wayne B. Olivieri knew he wanted to devote his life to rock and roll. Starting in the Saint Mary’s Boys Choir in Plain Field, New Jersey, Wayne learned the art of singing and began performing in bands as early as 7th grade. By 17, he played full-time with Rockids in New York City clubs like CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City, sharing stages with the Ramones, the Talking Heads, and Blondie.

Wayne continued performing along the East Coast with Rockids, releasing two singles on their own label before the band disbanded. He then moved to Asbury Park, NJ, and formed Oliver’s Twist, playing venues like the Stone Pony, where he met Jon Bon Jovi. Wayne’s band became a regular at the Stone Pony, sharing stages with acts like David Johansson, Huey Lewis, and Billy Idol and performing with Bruce Springsteen.

After taking a break from music to focus on family, Wayne returned in 2017 with his solo LP “Eclectic Mind,” featuring the hit “Music Man,” which reached the top 20 on the national radio airplay charts. In 2019, he co-founded “The NEW Bardots,” releasing multiple LPs, EPs, and singles. Their music video “Corporation Businessman” won 17 awards globally, including a bronze medal at the Cannes Continental Film Festival.  They continue to produce new music to date and their singles  consistently appear on the Indie Charts world wide.