Truly by Lionel RichieSynopsis: “The long-awaited memoir of the legendary Lionel Richie. As a storyteller second to none, Lionel Richie is ready to tell it all. In this intimate, deeply candid memoir, Lionel revisits hilarious and harrowing events to inspire all who doubt themselves or feel their dreams don’t matter. Lionel chronicles lessons learned during his unlikely story of remarkable success–his dramatic transformation from painfully shy, “tragically” late bloomer to world-class entertainer and composer of love songs that have played as the soundtrack of our lives. Funny, warm, and riveting, Lionel recalls his childhood in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he grew up on its university campus during the heyday of the Civil Rights movement, raucous adventures as a member of The Commodores, coming-of-age in late 1960s Harlem, culture shock playing gigs on the French Riviera, the big break of being signed to Motown, his meteoric solo career that included an Olympics performance witnessed by two billion around the globe, all the way through to writing and recording “We Are the World” and his current multi-generational fame as a judge on American Idol. Even with its turbulence, loss, and near-calamity, Lionel’s journey takes us on a thrill ride and delivers a memoir for the ages–reminding us of the power of love to elevate our own lives and our world.”

My Review

As you’ve probably realised I do love a good memoir, and this was another really good one, that I managed to get for 99p recently.

I didn’t know much about Lionel at all, apart from the fact that he’d been a part of The Commodores, and had huge hits in the 1980s, including my favourite All Night Long!

This was a very easy to read memoir, he came across very well, and was in awe of a lot of other musicians and actors.  

I loved discovering so much about this amazing singer songwriter. I didn’t realise he wrote songs for so many other people, and that he was close friends with people like Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr, Michael Jackson, Gregory Peck, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner and so many more.

I loved his stories about the songs Easy, and Three Times A Lady, and a hilarious anecdote about Stevie Wonder reversing his car! Also when he was in The Commodores they supported the Jackson 5, and how Michael and his brothers were real practical jokers. I also enjoyed his stores about supporting The Rolling Stones and how he met Frank Sinatra, who called him The Kid! 

 Highly recommended if you enjoy memoirs.