Exit Stage Left

Nick Duerden

For fans of music books from David Hepworth Pete Paphides Bob Stanley and Craig Brown as well as thought-provoking human interest stories like Moondust by Andrew Smith and books by Jon Ronson Louis Theroux and Stuart Maconie.

Nick Duerden has spent many years interviewing the most famous musicians on the planet. Without exception they are at their most interesting when they've peaked and when they are on their way down. In many ways this is when these former idols are at their most heroic too because they reveal themselves not only to be humane and sensitive but also still driven to create to fulfil their lingering dreams to refuse to live quietly.

Some sustain themselves on the nostalgia circuit. Others continue to beaver away in the studio no longer Abbey Road so much as the garden shed. The desire for adulation is a light that never goes out. We live in a culture obsessed by the notion of fame - the heedless pursuit of it the almost obligatory subsequent fallout. But what's it like to actually achieve it and what's it like when fame abruptly passes and shifts as it does onto someone else?

These are tales of heroin addiction bankruptcy depression divorce - but also of optimism a genuine love of the craft humility and hope. All of which makes EXIT STAGE LEFT a fascinating laugh-out-loud funny and often shocking look at what happens when the brightest of stars fall down to earth.

Featuring brand new interviews with the likes of: Bob Geldof Shaun Ryder Robbie Williams Roisin Murphy Stewart Copeland Billy Bragg Wendy James Alex Kapranos Joan Armatrading Leo Sayer Gary Lightbody Lisa Maffia Tim Booth Bill Drummond Rufus Wainwright David Gray and Justin Hawkins.

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