More Than You Know: A Gripping Non-Fiction Memoir About the Chaotic World of Bros

by Matt Goss

Now in paperback and fully updated, Matt Goss recounts his unbelievable life story in emotional detail. From financially deprived but emotionally rich beginnings, Matt sees his fortunes literally turned upside-down, with all the fame, glamour and money he could hope for violently snatched away from him. Matt Goss has been a staple part of British tabloid life for years – yet, the general public has had no idea of the astounding life that he has led – and still lives – behind the headlines and sound-bites. Here, for the first time, he takes them into his confidence and reveals the true extent of his own astounding tale. Matt was brought up in a proudly close but financially frustrated south London family with twin brother Luke and his mother. Fortunes changed rapidly for Matt when, alongside his brother Luke and school friend Craig, he created Bros – a band that sold sixteen million records in an intensely chaotic and record-breaking reign over the world's pop charts. By the end of his teens, Matt could boast eleven Top 40 hits, number ones in nineteen countries, a Brit Award and the record for being the youngest band to headline Wembley Stadium. Bros became a by-word for mercurial celebrity extravagance, hysterical fan stories, financial scandal, personal tragedy, tortuous upset and glorious triumph. Yet after those bizarre and insane times, Matt's life became even more tempestuous, crammed with inner fear, personal revelation and unforeseen challenges. He is now back with a vengeance after a spell on TV's Hell's Kitchen, finding a new audience through his acclaimed solo music career, which has already included chart-topping soundtracks and further Top 40 hits. Here he will finally tell the true story of his life, promising to reveal a litany of private torment, personal revelations and celebrity anecdotes. With the most up-to-date information available on going to press, this is the account of a man who can truly say that he has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, to have held the world in his hand and seen it snatched away from him in the blink of an eye, yet has the strength of character and personal insight to continue to claim to be 'truly blessed'.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2005

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where on earth do I begin??

I approached this book unaware to some extent of what occurred during the Bros days, and afterwards. Reading this now I have absolutely no idea how Matt and Luke survived the hysteria! Then the aftermath, that was something I knew nothing about. At the time of it all happening, tabloids were the last thing I would have read! I'm also not a fan of tabloids anyway, I've always found them guilty of making things up and reading what Matt has written I was not far away in that assumption was I?

The book is well written and honest in a way I've never encountered before, I have laughed, I've been shocked and I was to tears. Matt is a few months my elder so much of what he said I found interested and he shares the same musical influences as myself. His love for Duran Duran, that has won me over, but other name checked bands, that resonated with me. Also his dislike of physics, mirrors mine, although I am not sure what grade he received, maybe even worse than mine!!

There are so many events I'd like to comment about but there are too many. The death of his sister by a drunken driver. The press treatment they received was a disgrace, I do not think I would have coped with what the family went through.

The fans, well I admit I'm a hard-core fan of Duran Duran and that band has its nut cases as have some other bands I've been around in my life but the fan who gave him the frozen turkey?? That just defies belief. How on earth the family coped with all those fans on his front all the time and all the fans following him 24/7, to give Matt his credit here he does not complain one bit about this but you have to wonder how he coped.

The accounts of the press reports are what got me, some of the unforgivable things they did, I would have gone mental, not very nice for family to read about when they know it's all made up. The thing is I truly believe that if Matt and Luke had not left the UK when they both did they would have been victims of the phone hacking scandals that have rocked the British Press recently.

I was in tears reading about his initial start in America and what happened to him. A less stronger person would have not dealt with it and I believe Matt probably had severe depression at one stage with what he described and to pull yourself out of that black hole is admirable. I'm pleased that he never gave up, never stopped giving up because nothing would have given the press in this country more pleasure than to see him give up. It takes a very strong person to do that. That is the one negative point of the press in this country, they build you up and then they take the greatest pride in knocking you down, which is awful, despicable in a way.

I have so much respect for this man, as I said I never liked Bros, but nobody needs treating like this. He is strong and the guy is so talented, believe me, if you don't have some talent you don't have a best-selling show in Caesars Palace do you?

[Shelly String · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I'm actually lost for words. I did not expect to be bowled over by such frank honesty. I expected some bitterness but there was none. Fantastic read.

[Jane Langstrup Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Especially for those of us who were fans back when Bros excisted. Unfortunately he skips taking about the last two albums from the group and also jumps back and fourth in time which makes things a bit confusing at times.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child, I wasn't familiar with Bros, nor had I ever heard of them.
My American-Latina childhood "pop palate" consisted in the likes of the Spice Girls,
Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, and Ricky Martin.
I first learned about the Goss brothers via Hell Boy. I'm a huge fan of Guillermo Del Toro, and
I fell in love with Luke Goss' empathetically evil, Prince Nuada. Later, I found out he was a twin
and learned that Matt Goss was in one of Gordan Ramsey's Hells Kitchen seasons (I watched it just for Matt because I'm a stalkerish freak, yes).
The layers kept peeling away with these two when I found out that they were such massive hits in the UK.
I first ordered Matt's book on Audiobook and listened to it twice on the first day I owned it.
He's been through the absolute wringer, and I was fascinated to learn about his life story.
He's literally had it all and lost it...several times. I'm a huge fan of his singing voice, but I really relished his book. I bought a paperback version and keep in amongst my favorites.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a long time. Started and finished in one sitting.

[Dorus Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read on how Matt went through the highs and lows of pop stardom

[Jevron McCrory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and heartfelt.

My sister was a HUGE Bros fan back in the day so I was mildly interested in what had really transpired behind the scenes. I had no idea how much Matt Goss, the lead singer and frontman, had suffered after the band broke up. Shocking stuff.

Ultimately, this is a tale of redemption from an artist who refuses to let the music world ignore him, and it seems to be paying off! I'll be checking out Goss' recent work after reading this wonderfully honest book.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was never a Brosette but I did like Bros' music for a brief time and still have a soft spot for some of their biggest hits. This was an insight into their life and career and was a really enjoyable read.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

True gentleman great book