A Multitude of Sins: Golden Brown, The Stranglers and Strange Little Girls

by Hugh Cornwell

Autobiography by the singer and creative force of 70s rock group The Stranglers.

This edition does not include illustrations.

This is the first autobiography by any leading figure from the punk era and the first to be written by the author, drawing from his own unique and unforgettable experiences. Hugh was lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter with The Stranglers, and now brings his unique style, humour and insight to describe the story of his life.

The book begins with a chapter about Hugh's decision to leave The Stranglers in 1990, and explains, in full and frank detail, why this key moment in UK music history has never been fully explained. The book will also covers the heady days of early punk in London, described by someone who was at its epicentre, along with the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Damned.

The life and times of the Stranglers, one of the most notorious and gifted rock groups of the 70s and 80s, are described in detail, including the drug busts, fights, prison terms and – in one case – the tying up of journalists. Throughout this time Hugh encountered a host of other extraordinary people, who are now household Malcolm McClaren, Joe Strummer, Kate Bush, Debbie Harry and Hazel O'Connor, to name a few, and he will recount the outrageous times he lived through with them.

His 'inside take' on the other members of The Stranglers will be of special interest to the huge fan base of the era, which enabled The Stranglers’ – Greatest Hits album to sell one million copies in the UK on its release in 1990, and which continues to be discovered by the younger music generation of today.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Rock N Roll

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Hugh Alan Cornwell is an English musician, singer-songwriter and writer, best known for being the lead vocalist and lead guitarist for the punk rock and new wave band the Stranglers from 1974 to 1990.

Reviews

[Burk]

The autobiography of Hugh Cornwell, guitarist and songwriter for a very unique band called The Stranglers. They were lumped into the "punk rock" category in the late 70s, but never really fit in. The music these guys created was complex, musical, melodic and lyrical in a way that suggested good educations. They were notorious for some of their more intimidating lyrics and off-stage behavior, and therefore accepted by punks and non-punks alike, but they never boxed themselves in with any of those rules about how how to dress or how to set your guitar and amp to get the "punk" sound. They played their own style and stood apart from the rest. This book goes into the origins of the band, their misadventures on the road, their drug abuses, and Cornwell's eventual exit from the band. He's now a solo artist, and when you listen to the Stranglers without him and compare them to his post-Stranglers solo work, you realize that Hugh Cornwell was the band. If you remember the Stranglers in their prime late 70s glory and want a little taste of the UK music scene in those crazed, legendary days, this is a fun read.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

...a real disappointment. Given so much potential material to write about Cornwell somehow manages to deliver a really dreary and rambling autobiography. Drifts into corporate rock name dropping and mind-bogglingly mundane observations on life. Nothing gives the impression that he is half-way interesting or remotely likeable.

[patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting life he has lived, but overall the book was a bit of a meh. I read it because I’m a fan of early Stranglers and wish he would have written more about that time.

RIP Dave Greenfield. Your playing turned my ears on to the Stranglers sound.

2.5 Stars rounded up cuz I’m feeling generous.

[Lisa of LaCreeperie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a meandering mess, but I blame that on the editor. This should have been much more organized, instead it just felt like sometimes random thoughts jotted down in a diary.

I just expected a bit more from someone who has not only written other books, but novels.

Meh.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strangely disappointing read, especially so considering The Stranglers were one of the most important bands of my youth. It's not because Hugh admits to being a Cliff Richard fan or his endless waffles about foreign holidays, it's simply that unlike his old band this book lacks punch.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and a good insight into Hugh, and having been a fan of the Stranglers, as well as of Hugh, this book was a no brainer really!

[М.Е. Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read and a big fan.

[Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad little read. I’d say it hovers between 3.5 to 4 stars. Hugh seems a cool, laid back fellow, and this very much reflects itself in the flow of the text. Mind you this book is 22 years old, as of finishing it this year, 2026. I’d never really listened much to The Stranglers, apart from Golden Brown, but this text provided a way into their early work, predating the their 1982 hit. Whilst it’s more of Hugh’s life (this is not a complaint), the tid bits we get of the band add a nice complement. Ultimately, I found his younger life and prison experience to be fascinating.

All in all a good read!

[Lord Bathcanoe of Snark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best musicians autobiography I have read, by a long way. The writing is excellent and the narrative enthralling. Hugh Cornwell is not just about the Stranglers. This is an highly intelligent guy who has led a fascinating, creative, and sometimes chaotic life, including playing in a band in which the lead singer turned out to be robbing banks in his spare time.
Music bio's often turn out to be somewhat disappointing. This is not one of those.
It's been sometime since I read this book. I really need to get back to it.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm very sorry to say this book was a crushing disappointment, and I'd looked forward to reading it for SO long. It's just one anecdote after another, most of which are disjointed, abbreviated and flow into the following one, without concluding. Overpriced and underwritten. The man's such a fascinating character, and I love him to bits, but this book ain't all it's cracked up to be. Shame.

[Allan Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable recounting of Hugh's career. Generous towards his erstwhile colleagues and a good storyteller. He has a somewhat forbidding persona, but comes across as someone who it would be great to have a chat over a coffee or a beer.

The book's light on details of the songs but, to be fair, that's covered elsewhere.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a great songwriter Cornwell has written such a dull autobiography. With so much sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, and prison time one might expect things to be a little more juicy. A lot of quotidian detail and some name-dropping. Yet I am glad his personal life has not destroyed him, though, and he is remarkably generous to his former bandmates. Cheers for living on, Hugh Cornwell.

[Bullpost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read but I felt something was missing in terms of the reader getting to know the true person. A lack of introspection left me feeling I was reading about at least two versions of Hugh. The wild man of punk who hung out with bank robbers and consumed Class A drugs, and the English gentleman who was mannerly and liked cricket and a cup of tea.

[MR K WOOD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its ok. Good insight into Hugh the person.

I think his previous book, Song by Song told us more about his time in the band and his relationships with his colleagues. This is more a historical plot and a collection of anecdotes.

["jennifer lockett" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read of the journey of Hugh's life through his music career

Anyone who loves music of The Stranglers ....Hugh's brilliant insight to the life of a poet/musician...well worth a good read..

[Steven Vinnicombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh Cornwell his life , his music and more

An interesting excellent insight into Hugh Cornwall and his music, his views , his life , his friends.
Really good read highly recommend.

[Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really entertaining book written by a very intelligent bloke. Probably the best autobiography by a musician I've ever read.

[Steve Parcell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Hugh Cornwell and The Stranglers have done some epic songs BUT this book was disorganised and dull

[Michael Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read but where’s the pictures?

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

For fans only. Too much name dropping. Expected better.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight into the world of punk rock and beyond.

[Tim Pieraccini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously an intelligent man, and a definite sense that he's trying to tell it as it is, but as others have said, a little bit disjointed. Still, some little gems of stories in there.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the early days of the punk movement. I was disappointed that my favorite story was left out (thus it may not be true). The Stranglers chose to begin a tour (for the Black and White album) in Reykjavik, which caused great excitement, including a reception with the Prime Minister. When the plane carrying the band arrived, there was a big welcome planned, including a band to play a welcoming serenade (I don't recall what they were to play, but clearly they had major misconceptions about the band they were welcoming). Unfortunately the band conductor had no idea what the members of the band looked like and thus the local band began playing as each occupant of the plane appeared at the top of the stairs. The band, realizing what was happening, waited until last to deplane, when the exhausted welcoming band finally were able to complete their offering. Perhaps Hugh doesn't remember this (there are many reasons why that should be and I'll let yoou read the book to find them out), it's one of those silly stories that stuck with me for many years. This book has a picture of Jet Black wearing an Icelandic sweater so they clearly were warmly welcomed.

[Jenny Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. An easy, conversational style, but articulate, thoughtful, at times hilarious, and seems quite honest and unflinching in tone. Some wild adventures in here, particularly regarding a bank-robber friend! A sort of prison diary is included, as well, about Cornwell's time done for drug possession, and I found it quite insightful. And of course there is a lot about music, the music industry, the creative process, the rock lifestyle, and former bandmates. Having now seen his writing style, and read sample pages of his novels, I plan to buy them, as well.

[Duncan Finlayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall an entertaining read, but by grouping his life experiences in headings rather than a chronological timeline made it different but sometimes frustratingly difficult to follow! I found that it was best to read a complete chapter at a time, or I risked getting completely lost!
I always thought that The Stranglers stood apart from all the other punk bands going at the time, and not just because they sounded more talented than their rivals, (were they even a punk band?), there was nothing "flash in the pan" in their music, sadly the book here doesn't really offer much insight to the music of The Stranglers, but then again it is the story of Hugh Cornwall rather than The Stranglers, keep that in mind before buying!

[Jim Dunedin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old campaigner looks back and there is much to cover in a rock n roll life. He writes well in a stream of conscious narrative, weaving tales and milestones together under memoir headings rather than strict chronology. It's a good read with no sugar coating. Life in the Stranglers wasn't for the faint of heart nor what would now be considered PC. He seems a better man since leaving the band and shares his intelligent reflections well. Plus: Like his lyrics a good writer of memoir and recounts the many trials and tales well. From my Medium review at: https://medium.com/music-voices/the-r...

[Charles Tempest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick read; but for all their 'traviales', it is not exciting. I really wanted to find out more about the 'men in black'. Zero, a big none entity. Also having known about and met the actress, Hazel O'Connor, who clearly is intelligent and led quite a life, what was brought to the reader? Zilch. Intentional?
So, considering his intelligent background, very disappointing.

[Euan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscing about my favorite band from my younger days