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Midge Ure: If I Was.
Midge Ure is one of the most successful and innovative musicians of the last 25 years. With his band Ultravox, Midge consistently combined massive popular chart success with crediblitly, influence and respect. On 25 November 1984, Midge spearheaded one of pop music's most historic events when 36 artists, collectively known as Band Aid, recorded 'Do They Know It's Christmas?', a song Midge had written with Bob Geldof in response to the famine in Ethiopia. Produced by Midge, the single sold over 3 million copies in the UK and led to Live Aid, the 1985 concert which featured the world's greatest music acts and raised millions for charity. In 2004, 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' was back at the top of the charts and in 2005 a global audience watched the world's biggest artists at the Live 8 concerts. In this fully updated edition, Midge Ure candidly gives his side of the story of Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 and talks honestly about his rise to fame and his collaborations with some of the greatest figures in music. If I Was...is a true testament to the talent and energy of a man who remains as vibrant today as when he first set out to become a musician twenty years ago.
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 27, 2007
Yet another musician auto-biography, boy gets guitar, boy joins band, boy gets drunk, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy still gets drunk, boy loses career, boy still gets drunk, boy sobers up, boy gets new girl, boy finds career, boy writes book....
The story is really scattered, but I really admire Midge and consider him one of my greatist heros and influences. Good reading if you're a fan.
The story is really scattered, but I really admire Midge and consider him one of my greatist heros and influences. Good reading if you're a fan.
December 31, 2021
An interesting look at the musician behind Band Aid and Live Aid. The Scottish singer had a successful career as frontman singer of Ultravox and as a solo singer. If you love the 1980s, you will like this book.
November 11, 2017
Interesting, informative and well-written autobiography from one of my favourite musicians. Very enjoyable - 8.5/10.
June 22, 2019
An interesting read. Learnt a lot about Midge that I didn't know.
May 25, 2018
I have been a fan of Ultravox since I first heard "Reap the Wild Wind" back in 1982. I lost no time in picking up all albums from the Midge Ure era (there were three albums with John Foxx on vocals before Ure came aboard in 1979). There is not a dud in the five albums (there worst effort, the last album, U-Vox, is not as bad as he thinks it is). It was a sad day when this influential New Wave group disbanded in 1986.
Anyway, when it came to my attention (in 2004) that Midge was coming out with an autobiography (I'm on the mailing list, of course), I ordered my autographed copy immediately and devoured it as soon as it arrived. I recently picked the book up again as nightstand fodder, usually knocking off a few pages before sleep came down.
He does a very nice job of reviewing his life. It is relatively no frills, but he does not hold back either. He is very honest about his own demons and mistakes, and also about his experiences in music. In addition, he provides a stunning amount of detail about his various efforts in a number of bands leading up to his solo career (he thanks lots of folks for helping him get the info correct). Towards the end of the book he gives his rather grim outlook on the music industry, particularly as it has affected his own career. His personal future, and that of his kids, he gives a much brighter assessment.
I wish he would have talked more about his time in Ultravox, for which he is most known, but otherwise it is a fascinating read.
He will not win a Pulitzer Prize for his writing, but it is clear, interesting, and authentically his voice. A must read for his fans or fans of Ultravox (and even of Band Aid and Live Aid, to which he provides many pages and much interesting insight).
I see that there is an updated version of the book, but I have not yet secured a copy. Since this book came out, Ultravox reunited, toured, came out with an album, toured again (I saw them in London!), and disbanded again. He also has been busy with projects. Let's hope this very talented singer, songwriter, musician, and producer continues to have the fire to bring us great music.
Anyway, when it came to my attention (in 2004) that Midge was coming out with an autobiography (I'm on the mailing list, of course), I ordered my autographed copy immediately and devoured it as soon as it arrived. I recently picked the book up again as nightstand fodder, usually knocking off a few pages before sleep came down.
He does a very nice job of reviewing his life. It is relatively no frills, but he does not hold back either. He is very honest about his own demons and mistakes, and also about his experiences in music. In addition, he provides a stunning amount of detail about his various efforts in a number of bands leading up to his solo career (he thanks lots of folks for helping him get the info correct). Towards the end of the book he gives his rather grim outlook on the music industry, particularly as it has affected his own career. His personal future, and that of his kids, he gives a much brighter assessment.
I wish he would have talked more about his time in Ultravox, for which he is most known, but otherwise it is a fascinating read.
He will not win a Pulitzer Prize for his writing, but it is clear, interesting, and authentically his voice. A must read for his fans or fans of Ultravox (and even of Band Aid and Live Aid, to which he provides many pages and much interesting insight).
I see that there is an updated version of the book, but I have not yet secured a copy. Since this book came out, Ultravox reunited, toured, came out with an album, toured again (I saw them in London!), and disbanded again. He also has been busy with projects. Let's hope this very talented singer, songwriter, musician, and producer continues to have the fire to bring us great music.
November 3, 2008
Not too long ago, I was listening to my 80s music channel on Pandora, and they played a song by Ultravox that I hadn't heard in years. Back in the day, I was a big Ultravox and Midge Ure fan, so it was a pleasure to learn that Midge Ure had written an autobiography.
Although he's never been extremely well-known in the US, Ure has had a remarkable music career. He first found success in a 1970s boy band called Slik and from there ended up playing guitar in the hard rockl band Thin Lizzy. He then changed direction by joining the new wave Ultravox, and finally, a well-respected solo artist.
His biography describes his childhood in the working-class tenements of Glasgow, his love of music, and all his various adventures in between. Especially interesting were his memories of working on the Band Aid project to aid famine in Ethiopia. Many people know of Bob Geldof's involvement, but fewer know how big Ure's part was in co-writing and producing the hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
An entertaining biography by a talented musician!
Although he's never been extremely well-known in the US, Ure has had a remarkable music career. He first found success in a 1970s boy band called Slik and from there ended up playing guitar in the hard rockl band Thin Lizzy. He then changed direction by joining the new wave Ultravox, and finally, a well-respected solo artist.
His biography describes his childhood in the working-class tenements of Glasgow, his love of music, and all his various adventures in between. Especially interesting were his memories of working on the Band Aid project to aid famine in Ethiopia. Many people know of Bob Geldof's involvement, but fewer know how big Ure's part was in co-writing and producing the hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
An entertaining biography by a talented musician!
March 25, 2023
It was so fascinating to read Midge's autobiog at long last, as he's someone who has inspired me with his amazing music and creativity since I was a teenager.
This book goes right back to his humble beginnings in a poor area of Glasgow, and then as he gets the music bug finally finding short-lived fame with Slik.
It was fascinating too to see how his time in the Rich Kids brought him down to London to live - setting the wheels in motion for the creation of Visage and his invitation to replace John Foxx in Ultravox.
I loved seeing his side of the story of Band Aid and Live Aid too, and how this spark of an idea with Bob Geldof would result in millions of pounds being raised to avert the famine in Africa.
Midge tells his story with great honesty and humour, and is happy to share all the highs and lows that fame brought him.
My copy of the book ends in 2005 - I'm wondering if there's maybe an even more updated version out there now that covers the years since Live8.
A hugely enjoyable read from a man who's a true musical legend.
This book goes right back to his humble beginnings in a poor area of Glasgow, and then as he gets the music bug finally finding short-lived fame with Slik.
It was fascinating too to see how his time in the Rich Kids brought him down to London to live - setting the wheels in motion for the creation of Visage and his invitation to replace John Foxx in Ultravox.
I loved seeing his side of the story of Band Aid and Live Aid too, and how this spark of an idea with Bob Geldof would result in millions of pounds being raised to avert the famine in Africa.
Midge tells his story with great honesty and humour, and is happy to share all the highs and lows that fame brought him.
My copy of the book ends in 2005 - I'm wondering if there's maybe an even more updated version out there now that covers the years since Live8.
A hugely enjoyable read from a man who's a true musical legend.
September 30, 2023
Midge Ure tells his rags to riches (to slightly fewer riches) story in a warm, friendly autobiography. Ure's voice is engaging, but a lot of this book feels like his attempt to get some of the credit that he feels he never received, either with Ultravox or (more often) singularly: he feels responsible for things ranging from colored vinyl, 80s music video style, house music, and making young people interested in charity; he remembers a lot of the praise he received, whether it's Hollywood types telling him he should be a director, Mick Ronson telling him he's a better producer, or a gospel singer telling him that his music is what American radio needs; and there's a fair amount of equivocation (breaking up Ultravox was for the best for everyone; groupies he had sex with used him more than he used them; and, after admitting that it's a cliché for musicians to blame poor selling albums on their record label, he spends an awful lot of time doing just that). Ure's writing is so affable that these things are never a deal-breaker, but they do start to add up.
June 13, 2012
With a musical career that has spanned over four decades, Midge Ure is one of rock and roll's more original and innovative musical artists.
Ure is humble when it comes to describing his musical accomplishments. He speaks candidly about his early days as a musician with bands like Slik and Rich Kids, as well as touring with Thin Lizzy before becoming a member of Ultravox.
There's no question as the frontman of the resurrected Ultravox in the late seventies that the band would have a profound impact on the music scene in the early eighties (and now back again!). It is a real treat to read about his days with Ultravox and how the band would define the electro-pop movement with its cutting edge musical stylings.
Ure is humble when it comes to describing his musical accomplishments. He speaks candidly about his early days as a musician with bands like Slik and Rich Kids, as well as touring with Thin Lizzy before becoming a member of Ultravox.
There's no question as the frontman of the resurrected Ultravox in the late seventies that the band would have a profound impact on the music scene in the early eighties (and now back again!). It is a real treat to read about his days with Ultravox and how the band would define the electro-pop movement with its cutting edge musical stylings.
July 14, 2008
Þessi lesning kom skemmtilega á óvart. Upphaf nýrómatíkurinnar með orðum snillingsins Midge Ure. Mæli með bráðfyndinni lýsingu á því þegar Midge setti upp maskarann á fyrstu tónleikunum með Thin Lizzy! Ætti skilið fleiri stjörnur, en Midge er nú enginn Laxness, þannig að þrjár plús verða að duga.
October 7, 2013
A interesting view of the rags to riches to rags life of a working musician. Newly extended, this latest edition includes links to several relevant YouTube videos.
At times Midge comes across as a bit of a wanker, which as he's honest enough to be seen as such makes him an alright guy.
At times Midge comes across as a bit of a wanker, which as he's honest enough to be seen as such makes him an alright guy.
April 2, 2016
A fascinating insight into Midge's life. A brave and honest account. I really enjoyed it. It certainly puts a new perspective on a concert I saw him at in the early 2000s, on stage solo, as a support, where he said he was a serious musician. I'm loving listening to his music all over again.
January 9, 2016
Great autobiography! Love Midge and this book reminds me of why I love the 80's and remembering "Live Aid" really takes me back to a time when I young and innocent.
June 25, 2020
Loved it. I'm a huge Midge Ure, Ultravox and Visage fan. This was great to read about Midge's beginnings and the back stories to his music. If you're a fan of his, you need to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews