One Love, One Life: Stories from the Stars

by Billy Sloan

WHEN legendary music journalist Billy Sloan was fifteen years old he saw The Who play an incendiary live show at Green's Playhouse in Glasgow. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with music. Just a few years later he was backstage interviewing the likes of Keith Richards and David Bowie, at the height of Ziggy-mania, and it has been a life and career full of extraordinary moments.

In ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE, Billy now tells his stories from the stars, from skipping Christmas dinner to see The Sex Pistols at the peak of their notoriety to friendships and adventures with some of music's biggest names and scoops that have hit the headlines. As well as legendary music and gigs, there's Grace Jones in the bath, candid conversations with Rod Stewart, football in Brazil with Simple Minds, a tour of the White House with Paolo Nutini, close encounters with U2 and so much more. Plus, the interviews that definitely didn't go as planned.

Brilliantly entertaining and searingly honest, ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE is an incredible insight into the music industry, the stars we love and an unmissable backstage pass for music fans everywhere.

359 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2023

Reviews

[S C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not everyone can spend an evening with Billy Sloan in one of Glasgow’s traditional pubs. But if you want to know what it would be like, read this book. Yes, it has clichés, yes there are touches of Alan Partridge here and there, but - despite what he modestly says - he’s a reporter first and a music fan second and he has the talent, above all, to make you feel that you were there during his very personal encounters with some remarkable stars.

[Alec Downie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To do what Billy does you have to have 3 qualities, know your stuff, be a huge fan and have no shame, 3 qualities Billy excels in, (in a good way).

The book is as close as you will get to having a conversation with an old friend in a pub, who has spent years doing cool things in music.

Well worth a read.

[Stephen Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If any of us were in Billy’s position, the chance to name-drop THE biggest names in music, we would do. Billy does so with aplomb and refreshingly-personal experiences. Rarely does he stray into talking about gigs and the music, but focuses on the encounters he had with these personalities, what they mean to Scotland and what Scotland means to the artists.

This is a joyful read. Most interestingly, for me, was the softening of opinion towards artists I wasn’t especially fond of - Rod Stewart, Bono, etc. The human side of these stars is really drawn out; and a genuine benevolence between the Sloan family with the names he “drops” is not just spun to make himself sound more important. A very enjoyable book of stories from music in and around Glasgow - a life very well lived.

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent read by Billy Sloan about his 40+ year career in the music industry. I was mostly interested in the Scottish music music scene ( then and now), listening to bands like Runrig, Big Country, Simple Minds, Midge Ure , Del Amitri, Deacon Blue and going to gigs in Glasgow whenever I could.
Of course it's the big names like Paul McCartney, U2, The Stones, Rod Stewart etc that you want to hear about and some will surprise you. It's every music fan's dream and Billy never lost being a "fan" and it shows in this book

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy Sloan is a music fan with a typewriter, to coin a phrase borrowed from a description from a of Scottish football journalists. In this fascinating autobiography we read how he befriended stars such as Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, U2, The Rolling Stones and many many more. He not only knew them, but he helped so many to launch their careers. A must read for any music fan, but also for anyone trying to make their way in the industry.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memoir from Glasgow journalist and presenter Billy Sloan about his long career covering pop / rock music. It covers how he got his start and made his way in the business and is full of anecdotes about the many stars he has met along the way. Billy is an absolute fan of the music and his enthusiasm is totally infectious. This is a well written delightful read for all music fans and especially those who live / have lived in Glasgow / Scotland. A book to read through and to dip in to.

[Steven Vinnicombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent extremely informative well written book by the well renowned Journalist DJ , TV interviewer
Billy Sloan .
His stories of his many adventures through out the years are most entertaining and enjoyable.
Discusses the music scene from a knowledgeable journalist point of view but also shows that he is a huge music fan .
Reminded of numerous gigs and venues that I had visited over the years.
A great read .

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be on your reading list.
I absolutely loved this book, it made me so happy.
Full of interesting stories and lots of laughter throughout the book I did not want to finish the book.
When you are reading this book you feel that the author is becoming one of your best pals .
As for the artists the author had met , to meet it felt like your favourite box of chocolates , go on buy this book and indulge yourself.

[Allan Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most enjoyable collection of memories of Billy's encounters over the years with any number of famous musicians.

Have always been inclined to dislike the guy, but that's really just intense jealousy. That he's clearly well regarded by those he's worked with speaks clearly of how good he has been at his job.

Bastard!! 😜

[Peter Coomber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible to be entertained and get excited about the memoirs of someone you have never heard of? The answer is: Yes - definitely.
I've never heard of Billy Sloan (I've lived in the desert these past forty years) but I'm glad I selected his book to read.
People who know who Billy Sloan is will be delighted, excited and entertained by this book; people who don't know him will too.

[John Joseph Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much, some great insights to life on the other side of the camera and some of the stories about the generosity of some of today's music icons.
I'd recommend it, I think you'll enjoy it too.

[Lewis Birrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy is a friend of a friend and I’d been looking forward to reading this book for a while. It certainly didn’t disappoint – a real page turner!

[Gemma Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bags of funny and revealing stories. Well worth a read for music lovers.