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Scatman John: The Remarkable Story of the World's Unlikeliest Popstar
John Larkin – a fast-living, hard-playing, stuttering jazz pianist – overcame abuse, addiction, ageism, and obscurity to stage one of the most improbable debuts in pop music history by turning his greatest pain into his purpose.
At 52, Larkin was a recovering alcoholic and veteran pianist, haunted by shame because of his lifelong stutter. His stutter meant he could scat-sing better than anyone else on the planet, grabbing and firing syllables like bullets – yet he couldn't even say his own name. But when a small, indie record label took a gamble on an oddball fusion of John's scat-singing and dance music, his life changed Scatman John was born. In 1995, his singles “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” and “Scatman's World” shot to #1 across Europe and Asia, turning a man who'd spent his life hiding into a global star. Audiences were captivated by the absurdity and charm of a middle-aged man in a fedora, machine-gunning syllables over a dance beat. But behind the novelty was a deeper John's scat-singing was creative camouflage for his stutter – his music, a last-ditch attempt to survive. When fame finally found him, he chose to reach others who felt broken or silenced, especially stutterers like him, by harnessing the one thing he was most afraid his voice.
Based on rare archives and interviews with those who knew him best, this authorized biography is a redemptive, deeply human story of struggle, heartbreak, and triumph. For anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, this book inspires with a powerful your deepest fear can become your greatest strength, and your pain can become your purpose.
At 52, Larkin was a recovering alcoholic and veteran pianist, haunted by shame because of his lifelong stutter. His stutter meant he could scat-sing better than anyone else on the planet, grabbing and firing syllables like bullets – yet he couldn't even say his own name. But when a small, indie record label took a gamble on an oddball fusion of John's scat-singing and dance music, his life changed Scatman John was born. In 1995, his singles “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” and “Scatman's World” shot to #1 across Europe and Asia, turning a man who'd spent his life hiding into a global star. Audiences were captivated by the absurdity and charm of a middle-aged man in a fedora, machine-gunning syllables over a dance beat. But behind the novelty was a deeper John's scat-singing was creative camouflage for his stutter – his music, a last-ditch attempt to survive. When fame finally found him, he chose to reach others who felt broken or silenced, especially stutterers like him, by harnessing the one thing he was most afraid his voice.
Based on rare archives and interviews with those who knew him best, this authorized biography is a redemptive, deeply human story of struggle, heartbreak, and triumph. For anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, this book inspires with a powerful your deepest fear can become your greatest strength, and your pain can become your purpose.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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November 5, 2025What a surprising biography! Equal parts harrowing and inspiring, this was such a personal look at someone who could easily be deemed a relic of a 90s time capsule. The level of detail, effort and love invested in the subject elevates the material and yeah, I shed a few tears.
February 7, 2026
To most people Scatman John was a two hit wonder. Some novelty songs that made a blip in the summer of 95, then disappeared as the UK embraced britpop. However, with a unique message of positivity and authenticity he was embraced by Europe and Japan (where he remains one of the most popular English singing artists amongst Queen and The Beatles) over 3 albums. Few people know the extent of the hardship and trauma that John Larkin experienced from childhood onwards, until his moment in the spotlight.
The author has done a deep dive on the history of a man who performed upbeat and positive songs. From the worst things a child can endure, to growing up with a heavy stutter during a time that was less understanding of such conditions. Larkin found acceptance in piano and Jazz. Unfortunately, the ghosts of his past lived at his shoulder and led him to find solace in drink and drugs.
This is an incredible story of struggle and redemption. John went through awful things, causing him to make terrible, self destructive, choices growing up. However, after hitting rock bottom he emerged with a positivity and love of life he wanted to share with the world. It's to Gina's credit that she presents the harrowing and unpleasant incidents John experienced and undertook, yet we still root and sympathise for him.
If you're looking for a funny story about one of the most quirky, catchy and oddball songs of the 90s, you won't find that here. What you do find is an underdog story of a man who beat the very worst that life can throw at you, and still put some genuine positivity and love into the world.
I was gripped by the book. It was very hard to put down and I finished it within 2 days. There's a lot of emotion concerning John intervening in the life of a fan who reached out to him for help, and his tragic end. Ultimately though it's about a man who fought through the worst, but still found joy and beauty in life and wanted to help others through his fame.
Pick up this book and you'll be wonderfully surprised of the road that led to one of the 90s most enduring hits.
The author has done a deep dive on the history of a man who performed upbeat and positive songs. From the worst things a child can endure, to growing up with a heavy stutter during a time that was less understanding of such conditions. Larkin found acceptance in piano and Jazz. Unfortunately, the ghosts of his past lived at his shoulder and led him to find solace in drink and drugs.
This is an incredible story of struggle and redemption. John went through awful things, causing him to make terrible, self destructive, choices growing up. However, after hitting rock bottom he emerged with a positivity and love of life he wanted to share with the world. It's to Gina's credit that she presents the harrowing and unpleasant incidents John experienced and undertook, yet we still root and sympathise for him.
If you're looking for a funny story about one of the most quirky, catchy and oddball songs of the 90s, you won't find that here. What you do find is an underdog story of a man who beat the very worst that life can throw at you, and still put some genuine positivity and love into the world.
I was gripped by the book. It was very hard to put down and I finished it within 2 days. There's a lot of emotion concerning John intervening in the life of a fan who reached out to him for help, and his tragic end. Ultimately though it's about a man who fought through the worst, but still found joy and beauty in life and wanted to help others through his fame.
Pick up this book and you'll be wonderfully surprised of the road that led to one of the 90s most enduring hits.
February 7, 2026
A profound, life affirming and utterly necessary account of Larkin’s unbelievable life and journey. Not only for those with an established interest in the Scatman, or stutterers who find familiarity in his struggle for personal acceptance, but all who seek a level of
individuation, self-realization and wholly coming to terms with yourself - exactly as you are.
individuation, self-realization and wholly coming to terms with yourself - exactly as you are.
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