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Soul Survivor: The Autobiography
P.P. Arnold's story is that of a rich and varied life. From her early musical origins in powerhouse church gospel, the talented singer's career began when she joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue at the age of just seventeen. But little did the young Ikette know how much her world was about to be turned upside-down... Now, for the first time, she is telling her remarkable story.
Upon arriving in London in 1966 to support the Rolling Stones, the shy but vivacious nineteen-year-old caught the eye of frontman Mick Jagger. He would persuade her to stay in the city and record as a solo artist, ultimately leading to a five-decade career working with everyone from Rod Stewart, the Small Faces, Eric Clapton, Nick Drake, and Barry Gibb to Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller, and Primal Scream.
However, it has been far from a gilded life for the musical star, who, after being forced into marriage at the age of fifteen upon becoming pregnant, went on to endure a string of personal traumas. Yet the legendary musician survived it all and has continued to reinvent herself throughout the years, be that as a West End actress, a much-sought-after backing singer or a renowned pop and soul star in her own right.
This very timely memoir tells the still-pertinent story of bigotry and abuse experienced by a young Black woman growing up in the music industry on both sides of the Atlantic. It also covers the temptations and trappings of fame and success—themes that continue to resonate with readers.
Upon arriving in London in 1966 to support the Rolling Stones, the shy but vivacious nineteen-year-old caught the eye of frontman Mick Jagger. He would persuade her to stay in the city and record as a solo artist, ultimately leading to a five-decade career working with everyone from Rod Stewart, the Small Faces, Eric Clapton, Nick Drake, and Barry Gibb to Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller, and Primal Scream.
However, it has been far from a gilded life for the musical star, who, after being forced into marriage at the age of fifteen upon becoming pregnant, went on to endure a string of personal traumas. Yet the legendary musician survived it all and has continued to reinvent herself throughout the years, be that as a West End actress, a much-sought-after backing singer or a renowned pop and soul star in her own right.
This very timely memoir tells the still-pertinent story of bigotry and abuse experienced by a young Black woman growing up in the music industry on both sides of the Atlantic. It also covers the temptations and trappings of fame and success—themes that continue to resonate with readers.
384 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 16, 2023
Personally, I find a lot of music autobiographies lacking, including those by musicians whose work I like. Soul Survivor by P.P Arnold is one that I did enjoy. Partly, this is because of the time she recorded in. Originally an Ikette she left them and embarked on a solo career, having hits such as Angel in The morning. She also sung backing vocals on many Small Faces hits (such as Itchycoo Park).
This was the time of Swinging London, where she rubbed shoulders (sometimes more than just shoulders) with the likes of Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Marriott, Marianne Faithfull, Dusty Springfield and David Bowie.
She writes vividly of the racism and sexism she faced as a black woman and her struggle to earn a living. She would return in various musicals and record with bands in the 90s before releasing a solo album in 2019.
Recommended.
This was the time of Swinging London, where she rubbed shoulders (sometimes more than just shoulders) with the likes of Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Marriott, Marianne Faithfull, Dusty Springfield and David Bowie.
She writes vividly of the racism and sexism she faced as a black woman and her struggle to earn a living. She would return in various musicals and record with bands in the 90s before releasing a solo album in 2019.
Recommended.
March 20, 2025
Even if Arnold herself was just a footnote in 1960s pop, "Soul Survivor: The Autobiography" bursts with fascinating anecdotes and insights of music business of swinging London - simply by being an Ikette, she was instantly fascinating to most of UK audiences who idolised black American artists. She was there with Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithfull, Brian Jones, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, George Harrison, The Bee Gees, Lulu and the list goes on forever. There are many interesting stories and observations, but sadly, the book eventually changes tone and becomes quite somber and cautionary, even as Arnold keeps a brave face and philosophically accepts her lot. What strikes me the most fascinating here is the understanding that the talent itself is not enough - it is assumed - but for a success, one needs much more, like right contacts, management, connections and the whole decision how to present yourself not just to audiences but to a musicians as well. It makes one appreciate even more, the later renaissance of Tina Turner who could easily have been just another forgotten casualty, but managed to break away and bulldoze her way to the top again.
February 16, 2025
Interesting insight into the machinations of the 60's-70's music business and its impact on a participant . The book suffers from strange editing and moves time frames when you least expect it ,flitting between childhood and her early years a a singer . Some heart-breaking moments and a wildly uneven personal life .
It also stops in the mid 1980's and then concludes with a hurried epilogue.
It also stops in the mid 1980's and then concludes with a hurried epilogue.
May 29, 2023
This is such an interesting story - P.P.Arnold’s life, loves, reversals and music are all compelling.
And, she sang with the KLF and that hasn’t even made it into this book!
And, she sang with the KLF and that hasn’t even made it into this book!
June 2, 2024
A fascinating and at times tough to read account of the turbulent life and career of one of the most underrated soul singers of all time. PP Arnold is a true survivor and still making incredible music and performing astounding live shows long since her peers passed on. A collaborator with a huge voice and incredible capacity to keep on keeping on, this is an inspiring account of the challenges faced by black women to carve out a career in the racist, sexist, violent 60s/70s and 80s and the sacrifices they made to hold down a career and support their families. A riveting read and beautifully written.
September 13, 2025
Apart from the real big names, I'd never heard of any of the musicians. No glamor whatsoever- just a lot of selfish, sordid, sad, semi-successful hustling. Dreadful abuse from her parents and her 1st husband leading to so many poor decisions as an adult.
A well-told story though, that kept me reading to the end.
A well-told story though, that kept me reading to the end.
August 31, 2022
Loved this - a great survival story from a hell of a singer. Maybe the Industry failed her somewhat, institutional racism and sexism certainly played parts. But she’s still here, still singing and the late career rebirth is strong
July 25, 2025
Ännu en som levt ett spännande liv. En av musikhistoriens mest förbisedda sångerskor delar med sig av tiden som körsångarna åt Ike & Tina Turner (inte så trevligt), Swinging London på 60-talet (lite väl trevligt), karriären och privatlivets fram- och motgångar. Ärlig och fin självbiografi.
January 16, 2024
Nicely written take of PP’s career but surprisingly sad throughout. Recommended though for fans of her music or just the 60’s British scene in general
February 3, 2023
having read two julian cope autobiographies in quick succession (head-on and repossessed) horsemouth has read another singer-songwriter's autobiography that of p.p arnold (former ikette, lover of mick jagger, jimi hendrix , (er.) rod stewart, early mod, and even roller-skating train in starlight express). she was in the right place at the right time twice maybe three times in her life (she escaped from being in a loveless marriage with two kids aged 17 to be in the ike and tina turner review and then escaped again from the violence and exploitation of that into the london rock scene (and arguably a different kind of exploitation)).
there's a lot in this life but it's also a familiar musicians life, the records that don't sell, the demos that don't come off, the recordings unreleased, the collaborations that don't happen. she lives a life between britain and the LA searching for the way back in.
and hers is a life that, like the music, is at once the wider social process and a victory over it. in some ways the victory comes book shaped.
gered mankowitz takes some photos of her in the 70ies as sci-fi princess (one of them graces the cover) like she should have been with sun ra or the art ensemble of chicago. they out they look amazing.
there's a lot in this life but it's also a familiar musicians life, the records that don't sell, the demos that don't come off, the recordings unreleased, the collaborations that don't happen. she lives a life between britain and the LA searching for the way back in.
and hers is a life that, like the music, is at once the wider social process and a victory over it. in some ways the victory comes book shaped.
gered mankowitz takes some photos of her in the 70ies as sci-fi princess (one of them graces the cover) like she should have been with sun ra or the art ensemble of chicago. they out they look amazing.
August 26, 2022
I found this to be a hugely enjoyable autobiography particularly as someone of the same generation who loved the music of the time .
Her account was both honest, wise and understanding. I was particularly impressed by the way she dealt with the situations she found herself in at such a young age showing a pragmatic maturity beyond her years.As she says she is a real soul survivor !
Thankyou Patricia for sharing your experiences
Her account was both honest, wise and understanding. I was particularly impressed by the way she dealt with the situations she found herself in at such a young age showing a pragmatic maturity beyond her years.As she says she is a real soul survivor !
Thankyou Patricia for sharing your experiences
October 30, 2022
Surprising Soul Revelations
PP Arnold, or Patricia as she is really called lived through an amazing time and survived to tell the tale. She worked with and was close to many of the key musicians of the Sixties and Seventies and made some great records herself which were criminally underrated, though reissued recently have finally received due praise and respect.
Her memoir is by turns gripping, tragic, uplifting and tells us much about those times.
PP Arnold, or Patricia as she is really called lived through an amazing time and survived to tell the tale. She worked with and was close to many of the key musicians of the Sixties and Seventies and made some great records herself which were criminally underrated, though reissued recently have finally received due praise and respect.
Her memoir is by turns gripping, tragic, uplifting and tells us much about those times.
July 18, 2022
Awesome Book
I really enjoyed reading about an awesome artist!
A real rollercoaster ride.
You won't be able to put this book down.
So much history...So many legendary artists crossing paths and "interacting".
I really enjoyed reading about an awesome artist!
A real rollercoaster ride.
You won't be able to put this book down.
So much history...So many legendary artists crossing paths and "interacting".
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews