What do you think?
Rate this book
Stand & Deliver: The Autobiography
One of the most successful pop stars of the 1980s, Adam Ant's face adorned posters on teenagers' walls from Acton to Akron. His wholly original look, based on a mixture of warrior, dandy, eighteenth-century cavalry officer and punk marked him out as a true pop icon.
Now in this revealing autobiography he tells for the first time the full story of his amazing life, from a childhood scarred by his father's violence to his time as a King's Road Punk and his creation of a unique musical style that brought him a string of hits (both singles and albums). Adam's success was so great that one night even Michael Jackson called him for advice on clothes and music. His sex appeal was legendary and his many girlfriends included Amanda Donahoe, Jamie Lee Curtis and Heather Graham.
Adam also writes honestly about the more painful episodes in his life: the imprisonment of his father, gruelling encounters with stalkers, and his battle with bi-polar disorder that has brought him suicidal depressions, public humiliation and the difficult and painful realization that he has an illness that needs constant monitoring and medicating.
At times funny, at other times tragic, Stand and Deliver is a gripping account of the turbulent life and times of one of music's most fascinating figures.
Now in this revealing autobiography he tells for the first time the full story of his amazing life, from a childhood scarred by his father's violence to his time as a King's Road Punk and his creation of a unique musical style that brought him a string of hits (both singles and albums). Adam's success was so great that one night even Michael Jackson called him for advice on clothes and music. His sex appeal was legendary and his many girlfriends included Amanda Donahoe, Jamie Lee Curtis and Heather Graham.
Adam also writes honestly about the more painful episodes in his life: the imprisonment of his father, gruelling encounters with stalkers, and his battle with bi-polar disorder that has brought him suicidal depressions, public humiliation and the difficult and painful realization that he has an illness that needs constant monitoring and medicating.
At times funny, at other times tragic, Stand and Deliver is a gripping account of the turbulent life and times of one of music's most fascinating figures.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2006
74 people are currently reading
1002 people want to read
About the author
Adam Ant
8 books21 followersStuart Leslie Goddard, better known as Adam Ant (born 3 November 1954), is an English singer, musician, and actor. He gained popularity as the lead singer of new wave group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring 10 UK top ten hits from 1980 to 1983, including three UK No. 1 singles. He has also worked as an actor, appearing in many films and television episodes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
September 19, 2017
Published in 2006 when the author was 52 or thereabouts and his persona, Adam Ant, 30.
I've wanted to read this for a long time. In my salad days I used to follow wee Adam around those (generally small) seedy London music venues. That was in his first guise - the leather clad minimalist punk, usually with dominatrix-like Jordan in attendance, whip in hand (or was that my imagination?) Similar casting in Derek Jarman's film Jubilee, looking vulnerable, a pretty victim with “Fuck” carved into his back with Jordan's razor blade.
Like many at those early gigs his subsequent developments and change of style and costume – Indian King of the Wild Frontier, Dandy Highwayman, Prince Charming was puzzling, to say the least. It culminated in 2 Royal Variety performances – before HRH Princess Margaret who secured his autographs for her kids and then HM. Q. The latter obviously shared my puzzlement when she asked him whether he minded playing to old fuddy duddies like her?
In the book he deals with those questions honestly – any publicity, particularly when it was beamed into millions of homes via TV, whether Royal Variety performances or appearances on kids' TV shows, was good, it sold records.
His story is a very interesting one, poor working class kid who made it, physically tough and driven. Mentally it was a different story. Bi Polar helped make and almost break him. His punishing schedules, balancing month long music tours of USA /UK and elsewhere with acting dates – theatre and movie - had me feeling knackeringly jet lagged on his behalf. He was of course punished hard -mentally.
His hit song, “Goody Two Shoes”, is more than a little autobiographical – no alcohol, smokes or other drugs but loads of sex, but that of course would have spoilt the song.
Worth reading. But keep taking plenty of deep breaths. It's quite an exhausting read.
I've wanted to read this for a long time. In my salad days I used to follow wee Adam around those (generally small) seedy London music venues. That was in his first guise - the leather clad minimalist punk, usually with dominatrix-like Jordan in attendance, whip in hand (or was that my imagination?) Similar casting in Derek Jarman's film Jubilee, looking vulnerable, a pretty victim with “Fuck” carved into his back with Jordan's razor blade.
Like many at those early gigs his subsequent developments and change of style and costume – Indian King of the Wild Frontier, Dandy Highwayman, Prince Charming was puzzling, to say the least. It culminated in 2 Royal Variety performances – before HRH Princess Margaret who secured his autographs for her kids and then HM. Q. The latter obviously shared my puzzlement when she asked him whether he minded playing to old fuddy duddies like her?
In the book he deals with those questions honestly – any publicity, particularly when it was beamed into millions of homes via TV, whether Royal Variety performances or appearances on kids' TV shows, was good, it sold records.
His story is a very interesting one, poor working class kid who made it, physically tough and driven. Mentally it was a different story. Bi Polar helped make and almost break him. His punishing schedules, balancing month long music tours of USA /UK and elsewhere with acting dates – theatre and movie - had me feeling knackeringly jet lagged on his behalf. He was of course punished hard -mentally.
His hit song, “Goody Two Shoes”, is more than a little autobiographical – no alcohol, smokes or other drugs but loads of sex, but that of course would have spoilt the song.
Worth reading. But keep taking plenty of deep breaths. It's quite an exhausting read.
February 7, 2012
I was a big fan of Adam Ant in the late 70s, before he went on to become mega with the whole cowboys, Indians and pirates thing. I first saw the band in an early incarnation at Wardour Street's Vortex Club supporting my other fave ('before they became famous') band Siouxsie and the Banshees. I liked the vaguely dangerous atmosphere at the gigs, loved the edgy show, the frankly weird songs about S&M, Dirk Bogarde, and Hampstead ('not a place for revolutions - you're deprived of being deprived'). So the parts of this book that interested me most were those that dealt with this early period, and it went all too quickly. Adam's rise to fame was accompanied by sex addiction, an inability to stay in one place for too long - he bought several houses, in several places, in which he barely lived before selling them - and an inability to stay in the steady relationships he craved. It's all here, set out frankly, and rather heartbreakingly at times, and I was reading, thinking, 'How did you screw that up AGAIN...' The repetitive nature of Adam's various and numerous affairs with women, conflicts with managers and record companies comes through in the book, and, far from making it a bad read, underlines the nature of what is gradually revealed: his incipient mental illness, culminating in his well-publicised instances of being sectioned and prosecuted. I can't really complain about the lack of detail in the early years - the early versions of the Ants just formed a phase he went through - but I'd like to have seen more detail of the creative aspects; how did he come to write this song or that, what was in his mind at the time. The number of collaborators he worked with grew, but he writes off their endeavours with yet another statement on the lines of 'so we got together and wrote more songs'. His observations on the early punk scene and some of its characters are quite well done - including two punch-ups with Sid Vicious - and his time spent with characters as larger-than-life as Derek Jarman, Jordan (Pamela Rooke, so much more than a 'shop assistant for Vivienne Westwood') and Malcolm McLaren. Adam's quest to 'get into the movies' draws a lot of time in the book, and his sense of despair at being offered yet another role as a 'sort of rock star figure' comes over very well; unfortunately, he starts to tell it as desperately as he must have appeared to be, finally making the wrong choices of roles in films destined to be B-movies before they were even finished. The end seems positive - the Kindle version has a long footnote about having his book out and knowing that there are still people out there who are fans, a new relationship that at last seems stable and a positive turn to his life. He did a series of gigs throughout 2011 - look them up on YouTube - in which he seems to have regained his old songs and his old power and presence, and I hope (being an old admirer, despite his having dropped off my radar for 20 years) that continues for him. For a much longer version of this, and a reminisence about the day I nearly became an Ant, see my blog at http://www.nicksweeneywriting.com/las...
March 31, 2016
I rogered this bird. I got this injury kicking my pirate legs in bondage gear. I punched this right cunt out. End of book. Sorry about the spoilers.
April 6, 2009
I found this a very interesting and quite nostalgic read. Although I was never lucky enough to see Adam Ant perform live, I did see some of the other bands he mentions such as Siouxsie and the Banshees. This made this a nostalgic trip back to the heady days of early punk - the excitment of discovering new bands, new music and the thrill of shocking my parents by playing some pretty risque singles extra loud in my bedroom.
He writes very very well, his artistic influences are there in his use of language. There is a wonderful description of his Grandfather's nose - which I felt the need to read out loud to anyone that would listen.
Having worked in a mental hospital for many years, I recognised his description of the highs and lows of manic (bipolar) depression - and found it incredible that he was undiagnosed with this from early childhood.
I hope that by writing this book he has been able to overcome some of his demons.
June 6, 2019
I found this a fascinating read. Written honestly, Adam takes you on a journey from his early childhood to the present day, and documents the ups and downs in his life. He writes candidly about his battle with bipolar disorder and, particularly in the later chapters, you really feel for him. However, there are times when Adam seems to skim over months and years, and I felt that he could have talked more about his career in the late 80s and early 90s, when his fame was slipping and his records weren't selling so well. One minute, he talks of a no. 2 single being a disaster, but then suddenly seems content with having a record that peaks at no. 13, but provides no explicit explanation for this. His love life is also incredibly complex and I found myself having to flick back in the book to work out who he was talking about. At times I felt he came across as being quite self-centred, yet there are glimpses in the book that suggest the contrary (e.g. towards the end of the book he says the thing that spurred him on in his career was the desire to look after his family, particularly his mum, and he also tried to help his dad when he was arrested). It's worth noting that the paperback version of the book contains an extra epilogue that follows his story since publishing the hardback version of this book. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in Adam, the 80s or pop music history.
September 17, 2012
I found this memoir by Adam Ant fascinating, but not totally for the words on the page. The first part of the book is really fantastic, where he describes his family and upbringing, which is border-lined terrible. The last part of the book is horrifying due to his severe manic -depressive state. The middle part (surprising) is not that interesting for some odd reason.
I would like to know more about the recordings, because as a life-long pop music fan I think Adam Ant made some amazing and UNIQUE pop recordings. His greater recordings are sort of Brian Eno meets Morricone. And his guitar player and co-songwriter Marco is an amazing guitar player. Beautifully textured recordings.
The showbiz aspect of Adam, which is a big part of his make-up (no pun intended) is huge, yet it sort of takes away the uniquness of his recordings. That said, the showbiz part of the book is kind of weird compared to the rest of the book. He talks about meeting famous people all the same way . Whatever he meets them backstage at one of his concerts or he himself waiting in line to get a book signed by a famous individual. It seems to be the same to him. There is sort of a numbing affect where he is watching from a distance.
There is also the 'gay' aspect of Adam that is totally missing in the memoir. This is not saying that he's gay or not (a serious sex addict regarding his women), yet for sure it is sort of a 'gay' aesthetic that plays in his visuals as well as his obsessive (in a good way) take on clothes, etc.
Overall I think he's a remarkable pop music artist - and it's interesting to see how he used his 'manic' side with respect to his music career. Also I think this is a good document of the London punk years. Adam is a good writer when the emotions are upfront and there in front of him.
I would like to know more about the recordings, because as a life-long pop music fan I think Adam Ant made some amazing and UNIQUE pop recordings. His greater recordings are sort of Brian Eno meets Morricone. And his guitar player and co-songwriter Marco is an amazing guitar player. Beautifully textured recordings.
The showbiz aspect of Adam, which is a big part of his make-up (no pun intended) is huge, yet it sort of takes away the uniquness of his recordings. That said, the showbiz part of the book is kind of weird compared to the rest of the book. He talks about meeting famous people all the same way . Whatever he meets them backstage at one of his concerts or he himself waiting in line to get a book signed by a famous individual. It seems to be the same to him. There is sort of a numbing affect where he is watching from a distance.
There is also the 'gay' aspect of Adam that is totally missing in the memoir. This is not saying that he's gay or not (a serious sex addict regarding his women), yet for sure it is sort of a 'gay' aesthetic that plays in his visuals as well as his obsessive (in a good way) take on clothes, etc.
Overall I think he's a remarkable pop music artist - and it's interesting to see how he used his 'manic' side with respect to his music career. Also I think this is a good document of the London punk years. Adam is a good writer when the emotions are upfront and there in front of him.
May 16, 2008
A very interesting and sometimes sad history of one of the most enigmatic pop stars of the early 80s and 90s.
As well as his childhood and his rise to fame and the comedown afterwards, he talks about punk at it's peak in London in the 70s. What is also facinating is that he talks frankly of his depression and manic episodes and the truth behind some of his relationships and sexual exploits.
This is a very well written book, honest and truthful. I rather think that this book helped Adam defeat some of his demons and the added epilogue which is an addition to the paperback version not in the hardback is a lovely touch, where he talks about the book signings and his ongoing road to recovery.
Before I read this book, I thought he was a good musician and I liked his music and only knew what had been written about him. After reading this book I find that now not only do I now love his music, I admire and respect this man.
Well worth a read if you have any interest in music.
As well as his childhood and his rise to fame and the comedown afterwards, he talks about punk at it's peak in London in the 70s. What is also facinating is that he talks frankly of his depression and manic episodes and the truth behind some of his relationships and sexual exploits.
This is a very well written book, honest and truthful. I rather think that this book helped Adam defeat some of his demons and the added epilogue which is an addition to the paperback version not in the hardback is a lovely touch, where he talks about the book signings and his ongoing road to recovery.
Before I read this book, I thought he was a good musician and I liked his music and only knew what had been written about him. After reading this book I find that now not only do I now love his music, I admire and respect this man.
Well worth a read if you have any interest in music.
June 19, 2024
Interesting, though it sometimes read like an endless litany of women he slept with. All part of the package I suppose.
November 26, 2011
I listened to this audiobook, on a whim. I had been aware of this book for years but something drew me towards finally reading it. I loved that the book was read by the man, himself. I was still in primary school when I heard 'Ant Music'. I was too young to enjoy his music and appreciate the well constructed image/persona that was Adam Ant. It was good, fun pop music to me. As I grew up, I was aware that he had gone into acting and I saw him popping up here and there. I saw him on Live Aid, too. Apart from that though, I knew little of what became of him and knew nothing about his past.
So, this book was quite an eye opener. I was drawn into the book right from the start, with its rather clever opening. As I read on, I learnt of his troubled childhood, abusive father, poverty, punk connections and his mental illness. I found myself truly caring for his well being and happiness - something that surprised me. After all, I had approached the book as a bit of 'where is he now?' 80's nostalgia. I got a lot more than what I bargained for with this autobiography, and I am glad I did. It has real substance.
The book does end on a hopeful note and I have learnt that he has actually been touring the UK this year! I do hope he makes it down to Australia. If not, I wish him a happy and healthy life, regardless. Thanks, Adam - for the music, the fun, and the flair.
So, this book was quite an eye opener. I was drawn into the book right from the start, with its rather clever opening. As I read on, I learnt of his troubled childhood, abusive father, poverty, punk connections and his mental illness. I found myself truly caring for his well being and happiness - something that surprised me. After all, I had approached the book as a bit of 'where is he now?' 80's nostalgia. I got a lot more than what I bargained for with this autobiography, and I am glad I did. It has real substance.
The book does end on a hopeful note and I have learnt that he has actually been touring the UK this year! I do hope he makes it down to Australia. If not, I wish him a happy and healthy life, regardless. Thanks, Adam - for the music, the fun, and the flair.
May 15, 2011
A very readable book about a very interesting man. I have long been a fan of Adam Ant's music so reading about his life was very fascinating to me. He is very blunt in his descriptions (from his point of view) about his life and his writing style is engaging. He addresses his lifelong struggled with bipolar illness and how he is coping with it now. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of his music or autobiographies.
June 27, 2015
Stand & Deliver is a powerful autobiography. You feel as if you are in Adam Ant's head throughout the book. Parts about his bipolar disorder were difficult and and at times upsetting to read, but he is truly a survivor. I would recommend it to anyone who loves his music.
February 22, 2013
I was a HUGE Ant fan from the day I saw my first video (Kings of the Wild Frontier) in the early 80's. The style, music and drums grabbed me and shook up my little pre-teen world. Like many at the time, I spent hours in front of MTV waiting for a video, combed through magazines and jumped on any interview or performance I could find. The highlight of my junior high years was seeing him live in concert for the Friend or Foe tour.
Since we didn't have the internet, Youtube, Twitter etc artists were still very much at arms length. In this book, Adam Ant let's us in and doesn't hold back. I knew some of his story, but he really goes into details about each stage of his life. Knowing the back story for a lot of things has been really interesting. I've been going through videos and interviews on Youtube looking for things he mentions in the book. It's been a fun walk down memory lane but also a brand new look into the music and Adam at the time. If you were ever an Ant fan or still are, this is a must read just for that part alone!
Adam is very honest about his mental illness and I applaud him for being so candid. This is also a great book for getting a true insight on what it is to deal with these issues. Mental illness still has so many taboos. People don't understand it's an illness like kidney disease or cancer. We need someone to lead the charge on changing attitudes and beliefs. Adam shook things up in so many ways back in the day, so maybe he's the right person to take this on too.
Adam Ant got me through a lot of tough times as a kid - peer pressure, ridicule, bullying, etc. I could lose myself in his music and some of his lyrics gave me something to hold on to. He was an inspiration to me then and I have a new found respect for him now. Adam - I'm glad you're back!
Since we didn't have the internet, Youtube, Twitter etc artists were still very much at arms length. In this book, Adam Ant let's us in and doesn't hold back. I knew some of his story, but he really goes into details about each stage of his life. Knowing the back story for a lot of things has been really interesting. I've been going through videos and interviews on Youtube looking for things he mentions in the book. It's been a fun walk down memory lane but also a brand new look into the music and Adam at the time. If you were ever an Ant fan or still are, this is a must read just for that part alone!
Adam is very honest about his mental illness and I applaud him for being so candid. This is also a great book for getting a true insight on what it is to deal with these issues. Mental illness still has so many taboos. People don't understand it's an illness like kidney disease or cancer. We need someone to lead the charge on changing attitudes and beliefs. Adam shook things up in so many ways back in the day, so maybe he's the right person to take this on too.
Adam Ant got me through a lot of tough times as a kid - peer pressure, ridicule, bullying, etc. I could lose myself in his music and some of his lyrics gave me something to hold on to. He was an inspiration to me then and I have a new found respect for him now. Adam - I'm glad you're back!
February 5, 2013
I love Antmusic. Back in the day, I enjoyed the hits on MTV- since then, I've become much more of a fan. I was excited to read about how it all came to be. The early chapters seemed a little long and I was itching to get on with reaching the music and his later mental breakdown, but he really seemed to cover a lot of ground. He gave great focus to the formation and rise of his rock career and sound. There was a lot of detail on the work - and his sex life. The latter, at times, was too detailed, leaving me feeling uncomfortable. Yet, he dated a lot of famous women, and he does spill the tea. I have to admit, much of the reading left me liking him a lot less than when I began the book. At times, he comes off as a bit narcissistic and lacking a little insight. Yet, when he finally really delved into his madness (bipolar disorder) in the final chapter, my respect again flourished. He seemed humbled and I appreciated his candor. He has called mental illness the last taboo, and having worked in the field, I have to agree. Overall, I really enjoyed the book - an easy 4+ stars. I recommend it to Ant fans, anybody nostalgic for the 80s, and those interested in mental health.
June 27, 2013
Adam Ant dropped off my radar some time in the late 80s, early 90s, and only pinged back on following his court case for affect. Clearly something had happened in the intervening years, and this book lays that bare and the root causes if it.
There are few affectations in this book, maybe surprisingly for someone who appeared so image obsessed.
It's not a heart warming tale, but it's candid and pulls no punches.
It would garner 5 stars, but the detail of the "glory" years is rather glossed over, although given the seriousness of the mental problems he was dealing with, I can sort of understand where his focus is.
Whether you're a fan or not, this narration of a battle with mental illness would leave only the most cold hearted unmoved.
There are few affectations in this book, maybe surprisingly for someone who appeared so image obsessed.
It's not a heart warming tale, but it's candid and pulls no punches.
It would garner 5 stars, but the detail of the "glory" years is rather glossed over, although given the seriousness of the mental problems he was dealing with, I can sort of understand where his focus is.
Whether you're a fan or not, this narration of a battle with mental illness would leave only the most cold hearted unmoved.
April 1, 2008
On the surface this book seems to be a standard auto-biography about the new-wave/punk rock star Adam Ant, and about his trials that seem to match many other children of the 50's growing up in rural England. Besides the facinating insight of how he became one of the biggest rock stars of the UK this book takes a left turn and becomes tour de force of how depression and bi-polar disorder can cripple a man. Adam Ant is one of my favorite rock stars of all time and being bi-polar myself, this book touched me in ways I never imagined.
June 11, 2008
I feared reading this book because it had the potential to be so self indulgent, but Adam Ant writes pretty honestly and not very melodramatically about his life. It's not the most eloquent memoir in the world (or the least), but it took me through Adam's troubled childhood, the punk and post-punk London music scenes and explained more recent, unhappy appearances in the news.
I came out respecting him...
I came out respecting him...
September 2, 2011
I love Adam Ant and when I found out that he wrote an autobiography I was more than thrilled!! Dealing with fame and super star status, not to mention Bi-Polar disorder, he cronicles his life from the begining all the way to his healthly life now. A wonderful read for thoes who love the music or if you just love the british pop idol.
August 14, 2011
A talented singer from the 80's, this is his story. There's no pretty words, just straight up truth, hard as some of it is to read. You get the whole story on his childhood, his loves, his music, his fall from grace, his mental illness, all the truth behind the tabloidism. He's a witty, amazing man, and so is the book.
August 12, 2011
Wasn't a huge adam ant fan, saw the doc on tv and became curious. read the book and just didnt want to put it down. fab honest account of his life and his actions and emotions. it would be an inspirational book for anyone suffering the same illness and i'm so glad he gets his happy ending
June 28, 2011
Unputdownable, honest and emotive, I found myself crying for the child he had been and amazed at how he managed to achieve so much, and I wasn't a fan in the 80s, I just read this out of curiosity.
May 25, 2024
In its early stages, dealing with childhood and the ‘birth’ and rise to fame of Adam Ant, it’s lacking in self-reflection and seems imbued with a self-aggrandising ‘needless to say, I had the last laugh’ attitude at times. While his career is undeniably compelling, this tome rarely covers craft and inspiration, rather choosing to focus on chart positions, geographical movements and relationship changes in a very matter-of-fact way. Facts are important, but they don’t make for a hugely compelling read even if they gradually reveal the foibles of those recounting them. And there’s something quite mercenary about the way people are shuffled from his life as this progresses — I just wish there had been more reflection about these things as it went along, rather than wrapping them up in wider-reaching summaries. Where this really comes into its own are in what could reasonably be described as the post-fame years when hits were harder to come by and he seemed in search of his calling. And that’s made all the more compelling by a dawning awareness of a worsening mental state, which seems to prompt the level of reflection missing from earlier passages. As the story of someone — who happens to be famous — addressing mental health, it’s very powerful. As insight into the artistic process it felt wanting, seeming to present fame with a level of import that should have been reserved for art. It wouldn’t have felt so lacking in that department if the assessment of fame’s impact was weaved more integrally into the fabric of his journey from the start. From a literary standpoint, there are a number of little errors that slip through and a tendency to repeat or reiterate things several times within the space of a few paragraphs, which becomes distracting. A fascinating life, but not necessarily fascinatingly written.
February 24, 2024
I had a very enjoyable month slowly working my way through Adam's autobiog, and it was well worth it.
It's very well-written and incredibly detailed - I'm amazed for instance how much of his childhood he can recall, and all the various people who were in his life at the time, which turned out to be quite turbulent.
It's fascinating too to read about his gradual journey towards becoming a pop star, and one of the biggest musical icons of the early 1980s - and how it felt from his point of view when he had to deal with fame.
And then of course we get the post-fame years, where he struggles to carve out some kind of acting career - and also struggles with mental health and personal relationships.
But it finishes in a upbeat way, and I really admire Adam for baring his soul and being so brutally honest about his life and loves.
This all made for a very absorbing and enlightening autobiog, and real insight into the highs and lows of fame.
It's very well-written and incredibly detailed - I'm amazed for instance how much of his childhood he can recall, and all the various people who were in his life at the time, which turned out to be quite turbulent.
It's fascinating too to read about his gradual journey towards becoming a pop star, and one of the biggest musical icons of the early 1980s - and how it felt from his point of view when he had to deal with fame.
And then of course we get the post-fame years, where he struggles to carve out some kind of acting career - and also struggles with mental health and personal relationships.
But it finishes in a upbeat way, and I really admire Adam for baring his soul and being so brutally honest about his life and loves.
This all made for a very absorbing and enlightening autobiog, and real insight into the highs and lows of fame.
April 16, 2018
Adam Ant is a survivor. Although this memoir was published in 2006, it was actually nice to read in 2018 because after telling his harrowing experience of living with Bipolar disorder and how it wrecked havoc on his life and career, at the end of this book, he states he wants to be happy and live a good life and to be able to perform and make new music again and I can happily say all of that has come true for Adam. He's actually doing a USA tour this year and has had a few other sold out tours over the years, since this memoir was published, not to mention, he's also made new music as well.
I always thought of him and his music as unique and interesting. I was quite young (like elementary school young) when he was in his 80s heyday but, I had a keen interest in new wave and punk. To this day, I really love this kind of music but I have to say, there's no way you can put Adam Ant in a box. He is an original and was Waaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of his time. I really enjoyed reading about his creative process and how he even came up with his fashion sense and style (that Johnny Depp no doubt ripped off a bit for his inspiration of Jack Sparrow). Adam's story is not cliche at all. I mean, you definitely get a healthy dose of tales of his womanizing and sex obsession. I mean, he was (is) a sexy man. No doubt, in high demand especially in the 80s, of course he had his share of women and relationship, many short-lived, but I think this was more due to his dealings with mental illness. He does not have the cliched other vices of pop stars like drug addiction and alcoholism. As a matter of fact, the man was a teetotaler during the majority of his career and life. The song, "Goody Two Shoes" is actually ABOUT HIM. lol I really got a kick out of that.
Anyway, I walked away from this book with a greater appreciation for Adam as an artist and also as a man. He really dealt with a lot and it's cool to see that 12 years since he published this, he's come out on the other side and is winning his battle with mental illness. Great read.
I always thought of him and his music as unique and interesting. I was quite young (like elementary school young) when he was in his 80s heyday but, I had a keen interest in new wave and punk. To this day, I really love this kind of music but I have to say, there's no way you can put Adam Ant in a box. He is an original and was Waaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of his time. I really enjoyed reading about his creative process and how he even came up with his fashion sense and style (that Johnny Depp no doubt ripped off a bit for his inspiration of Jack Sparrow). Adam's story is not cliche at all. I mean, you definitely get a healthy dose of tales of his womanizing and sex obsession. I mean, he was (is) a sexy man. No doubt, in high demand especially in the 80s, of course he had his share of women and relationship, many short-lived, but I think this was more due to his dealings with mental illness. He does not have the cliched other vices of pop stars like drug addiction and alcoholism. As a matter of fact, the man was a teetotaler during the majority of his career and life. The song, "Goody Two Shoes" is actually ABOUT HIM. lol I really got a kick out of that.
Anyway, I walked away from this book with a greater appreciation for Adam as an artist and also as a man. He really dealt with a lot and it's cool to see that 12 years since he published this, he's come out on the other side and is winning his battle with mental illness. Great read.
February 8, 2012
I've been a fan of Adam Ant since the early 80's and have always found him to be a very interesting person.
This book was quite enjoyable and gives some good insights into the punk music scene from that time and area as well as into Adam's life.
It was interesting to hear about how he coped with a disorder that he didn't even know he had until quite late in life.
I think it helps to be a fan of his music to enjoy the book, but it isn't required. There are a few places where he assumes some knowledge of the music and culture that not all readers may be familiar with. In my case, the term "Teds", there really isn't an explanation of who they are and what the confict between them and "Punks" is about.
However, those instances are fairly rare and don't really detract from the enjoyment of the book.
And, in case you are curious, this website has some information on it:
http://www.punk77.co.uk/punkhistory/t...
Overall, I would recommend the book to anyone who is a fan of Adam Ant, or has an interest in the history of punk rock.
If you are interested in a first hand account of someone dealing with initially undiagnosed bipolar disorder you might also find this an interesting read.
This book was quite enjoyable and gives some good insights into the punk music scene from that time and area as well as into Adam's life.
It was interesting to hear about how he coped with a disorder that he didn't even know he had until quite late in life.
I think it helps to be a fan of his music to enjoy the book, but it isn't required. There are a few places where he assumes some knowledge of the music and culture that not all readers may be familiar with. In my case, the term "Teds", there really isn't an explanation of who they are and what the confict between them and "Punks" is about.
However, those instances are fairly rare and don't really detract from the enjoyment of the book.
And, in case you are curious, this website has some information on it:
http://www.punk77.co.uk/punkhistory/t...
Overall, I would recommend the book to anyone who is a fan of Adam Ant, or has an interest in the history of punk rock.
If you are interested in a first hand account of someone dealing with initially undiagnosed bipolar disorder you might also find this an interesting read.
January 30, 2013
I enjoyed this book but in a way I'm sorry I read it. It's a very honest book, he doesn't pull any punches, its a real warts and all tale. However, thats the problem. Theres a saying that you shouldn't meet your idols for fear of disappointment, and it's true. I know he had mental problems with bipolar, and you can see where it began. But I think he also had a big ego, was a control freak and at times quite arrogant. He recognises this in himself, but its almost as though he is making himself look bad, because it would be a better read. Overall its a good book, but I think it will be put away somewhere safe (it's a signed copy given to me for my birthday), I wont read it again and I'll remember Adam Ant as my favourite persona of "king of the wild frontier", and not as the person I read about.
June 1, 2019
A decent read about a very unconventional 80s punk/rock/popstar, covering his rise to fame and fall from grace with unflinching honesty. The second half of the book, when things really start to unravel for him, is tough going. But I enjoyed the early chapters on his childhood (dysfunctional, but told with dry humour), and the inspiration behind his songs and elaborately thought-out music videos. I'm still fascinated that he managed to stay teetotal at a time when the rest of the music industry would've been at the peak of excess. At the same time, he writes frankly about his experience of mental health issues, his struggle to maintain relationships (which get increasingly difficult to keep track of) and the fickle nature of fame/the media. Despite all of this the book ends on a hopeful note befitting Prince Charming - "and I choose to live happily ever after."
September 12, 2009
Overall I liked it. Slow and dry in some places (simply listing cities/dates of a tour, or people in his childhood), with humor spread throughout. And of course, lots of depressing, sad bits. Its particularly interesting to see him writing about how optimistic he was with a new recording, when you know that it didn't go anywhere.
If you've been a fan of his work, or a child of the 80s, you have some fun and surprises waiting for you in Stand & Deliver!
If you've been a fan of his work, or a child of the 80s, you have some fun and surprises waiting for you in Stand & Deliver!
October 2, 2020
Purchase Stand and Deliver here for just $10!
Adam writes a fascinating and non stop account of his personal and professional life. There's no bragging in these pages - only raw honesty and good story telling. This story is a must for any Ant Fan.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
Adam writes a fascinating and non stop account of his personal and professional life. There's no bragging in these pages - only raw honesty and good story telling. This story is a must for any Ant Fan.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
January 19, 2012
Even if you don't particularly like Adam Ant, it's such a brilliant read. Really interesting reading about his childhood and especially his relationship or lack of with his dad. Interesting finding about what happened behind the scenes at Top of the Pops and just the general pop world. Definitely recommend.
April 28, 2014
For having been an Adam Ant fan for nearly 30 years, I'm surprised by how little I knew about him. He was extremely brave to openly chronicle what he's faced with mental illness. Depression and bi-polar disorder (as with any mental illness) are still amazingly taboo in western society - though so many of us of suffer from such disorders.
What a fascinating read.
What a fascinating read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews