One Hit Wonderland

In 1988 comedian and musician Tony Hawks had a Top Five hit (in the guise of Morris Minor and the Majors) with the novelty song Stutter Rap. Since then he has found fame (of sorts) as a panellist on TV and radio (Have I Got News For You, Just A Minute, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue and so on). But the heady days of pop success, the appearances - well, okay then, appearance - on Top Of The Pops are now but a distant memory. When someone has the temerity to suggest that Tony is (shock horror) a mere One Hit Wonder, he takes the remark to heart and sets off in search of that all important Second Hit that has so far eluded him. Here Tony chronicles his quest, as he battles to have a hit somewhere - anywhere - in the world. He changes acts and styles with a shameless lack of integrity. He travels to Nashville to 'go country'; to Amsterdam, pop capital of Europe (dressed as a pixie); to Romania, where he teams up with a beauty queen; to Africa, hoping some of the natives' good melodic sense will rub off on him. But it is a chance encounter with Norman 'Big in Albania' Wisdom that offers the brightest glimmer of hope. Will they take the Albanian charts by storm, or is Tony Hawks condemned to a life of musical obscurity, forever a pop has-been? You can find out by reading these self-consciously surreal-but-true adventures, which are even funnier than Playing the Moldovans At Tennis, his previous literary effort - though that may not be saying much. (Kirkus UK)