Exit Stage Left

The curious afterlife of pop stars

Nick Duerden

$24.99

Paperback

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QTY:

English

Headline Book Publishing
14 February 2023

Rock & Pop music

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*INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE MONTH
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*GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE DAY
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*FINANCIAL TIMES 'BEST SUMMER BOOKS 2022' PICK
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'Incredibly moving.' - Guardian

'Entertaining.' - Telegraph

'Most books about pop stars focus on the way we turn average human beings

into demi-gods. In writing a book about how they have to turn back into

humans Nick Duerden has done both us and them a service.' - David Hepworth

'Funny, poignant and often

inspirational.' - Mat Osman

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 happens when fame abruptly passes, and shifts, as it does, onto someone else?

This is the point at which pop stars are at their most heroic, because they don't give up. They keep on striving, keep making music, and refuse simply to ebb away. Some sustain themselves on the nostalgia circuit, others continue to beaver away in the studio, no longer Abbey Road, perhaps, so much as the garden shed. But all of them, in their own individual ways, still dare to dream.

Exit Stage Left features tales of drug addiction, bankruptcy, depression and divorce, but also of optimism, a genuine love of the craft, humility and hope. This is a candid, laugh-out-loud and occasionally shocking look at what happens when the brightest stars fall back down to earth.

'Exit Stage Left is the book I've long wanted to read about the PTSD-like after-effects of pop stardom - and Nick Duerden is the perfect writer for the job. The pop star's bittersweet lot is represented with flair and empathy.' - Pete Paphides, author of Broken Greek

'Exit Stage Left is a funny

and poignant book, drawing on Duerden's considerable experience as a

journalist and interviewer . . . he

understands what motivates this strange bunch of people.' - Andy Miller, Spectator

'Fame

is the brightest candle, but in this brilliant collection of

interviews, Nick Duerden answers the

question: what does a candle do

after it's burned out?' - David Quantick

'Duerden finds fascinating layers of humanity, pathos, humour and

wisdom in equal measure. A brilliant book, for artists and fans alike.' - Frank Turner

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.

By: Nick Duerden
Imprint: Headline Book Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 128mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 270g
ISBN: 9781472277787
ISBN 10: 1472277783
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 14 February 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Nick Duerden is a writer and freelance broadsheet journalist. He has written widely on the arts, family and health, and is the author of two novels, a memoir on fatherhood, and other non-fiction works.

Reviews for Exit Stage Left: The curious afterlife of pop stars

Told with warmth and compassion . . . engrossing. * The Independent * Fascinating layers of humanity, pathos and wisdom. * Frank Turner * Entertaining. * The Telegraph * Brilliant. * David Quantick * The pop-star's bittersweet lot is represented with flair and empathy. * Pete Paphides * This is a candid and at times, laugh-out-loud look at the curious afterlife of pop stars. * Surrey Life * A poignant exploration of the aftermath of adulation. * Mojo * Today's stars might do well to read Exit Stage Left and plan for the second acts of their careers. * The Economist *