"Having been a songwriter most of my life, condensing my ideas and emotions into short rhyming couplets and setting them to music, I had never really considered writing a book, but upon arriving at the reflective age of fifty,I found myself drawn, for the first time, to write long passages that were as stimulating and intriguing to me as any songwriting I had ever done. And so 'Broken Music' began to take shape. It is a book about the early part of my life, from childhood through adolescence, right up to the eve of my success with the Police. It is a story very few people know. I had no interest in writing a traditional autobiographical recitation of everything that's ever happened to me. Instead I was drawn to exploring specific moments, certain people and relationships, and particular events which still resonate powerfully for me as I try to understand the child I was, and the man I became." STING
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"I had no interest in writing a traditional autobiography", claims musician, actor and environmental campaigner Sting in Broken Music. It is, as he says, a book that explores "specific moments" of his life, mainly his upbringing in Tyneside (unavoidably part Hovis ad and part Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads) and the years he spent paying his musical dues in numerous bingo-hall jazz combos and Last Exit--a group he fronted prior to the Police and which Sounds magazine "Picked to Click in 76". So, nothing on tantric sex, those embezzled millions or, for that matter, a great deal on the Police. This is a slight pity as you're left yearning for a smidgen less about the chicken-in-a-basket gig circuit and a bit more about the quibbles over royalties that he hints led to the multi-platinum trio's "ultimate demise", or the battle with Virgin publishing to regain copyrights, or an aside on "Message in a Bottle" storming the charts. Something for the second volume, perhaps.
Still, this being Sting, the book does open with the singer and his second wife Trudie Styler hunkered down in the Brazilian jungle imbibing mind-bending Ayahuasca in an Indian ritual. The drug awakened memories of his childhood and forced him to think about his recently deceased parents, thus kicking off the whole autobiographical endeavour. (Proust had to make do with a soggy Madeleine.) His relationship with his milkman dad Ernie and mum Audrey and their unhappy marriage provide the real backbone to the tale of how Gordon Sumner evolved into Sting, and he writes thoughtfully and honestly about the strengths and failings of his parents and himself. One for the fans, perhaps, but it does offer a chance to discover sides of the songwriter usually obscured by the glare of celebrity. --Travis Elborough
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sting has been my favourite artiste for many years now, but nothing could have prepared me for his biography. It is beautifully written, on par with his lyrics. More importantly, it is brutally honest, both in his own frailties and his turbulent relationship with his parents. It does not deal with the giddy heights of his Police and solo careers, but with his memories of growing up and his struggle to make it as a musician. After reading the book, his songs took on even greater meaning to me. An excellent book for all, particularly those who 'dislike' him. He is human just like the rest of us.
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By F. Bottrall
Format:Hardcover
Long awaited and full of expectation, this book is Sting taking you through his early memories, explaining and revealing much of himself along the way. It is everything you hope it to be in many ways: touching, often very insightful, beautifully written, and (as with the cameo for Miles Davis' album) full of entertaining and funny tales!
It's been Sting's misfortune that his honesty has often counted against him, but Broken Music shows just how much we should treasure that quality. I recommend this book for any and all who wish to understand the man behind the name, and why he is who he is.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By P T CHEATLE
Format:Hardcover
I asked my brother to buy me this book for Christmas after seeing Sting on Parkinson last year, even then when pressed by Parky you could see the emotion of the memories in his eyes. Reading the book brings those alive, I could read them and see them at the same time. Broken Music is so vividly and beautifully written; no less than you would expect from someone with the phenonmenal song-writing talent like Sting. A thoroughly enjoyable read, I couldn't put it down, and in fact I read it again straightaway, to take it all in. Parts of it are sad, some funny, all moving. I'm glad he chose to share it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish I had the determination and stamina.
If nothing else, this autobiography, like many I have read, make me realise, that I will never be sucsessful like those who have a driven want and stamina to make it to the... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Private faces in public places
This is a superbly written and truly memorable book that takes you inside the mind of a very public person and introduces you to a real breathing, thinking, feeling human being. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2009 by Police informer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Answers a lot of questions
If you were a Police\Sting fan from '78 onwards, this book is the antithesis for "Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me)". Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2004 by N. Lauro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sting - Broken Music
This is an excellent read, for anyone who is a Sting fan. It centres on his life before he became famous with the Police and his struggles to become taken seriously as a musician,... Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2004 by griffo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Metaphorically marvellous
This is certainly a good book - If you are interested in the early part of Sting's adulthood, before he really became famous. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2004 by Ms. A. Bradshaw
4.0 out of 5 stars
Broken Music
I very much enjoyed this book, though he says its not a traditional autobiography it does chronologically describe his childhood and rise to fame. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2004 by Anne
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stand up, speak up and shut up...
Ironic that I should receive this as a Christmas present given the struggle Sting has with the Savior's Grace and yet I found the irony just as alluring as the book itself. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2004 by The Cross
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written
As Sting himself admits, not a typical autobiography in the classical sense - he writes about the most important fragments of his life sometimes movingly and always honestly. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2004 by Sally Loren
4.0 out of 5 stars
Like a...errr...book about Sting
I never cared much for The Police, but Sting has always interested me. This is a good book and certainly fell into the “couldn’t put it down” category for me. Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2003 by Tim Young
5.0 out of 5 stars
Escape Artist
Every genius has his muse or guiding spirit...a preternatural force be it angelic or demonic that acts upon the human psyche. Read more
Published on 24 July 2003 by Theresa Kolasa
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