Finding My Voice: My Story

by Russell Watson

Russell "The Voice" Watson is a star with a real story to tell. While most stars of today find success early, Russell was still working in a Salford factory at the age of 30. He spent the evenings singing in working men's clubs clubs for extra cash to keep the bailiffs from his family's door. The chairman of Manchester United gave him his big break in May 1999—the opportunity to sing at Old Trafford. His extraordinary performance was quickly followed by a record deal and his phenomenal debut album. Despite his outward success, Russell has had struggles with his health and family life. His rapid rise to fame led to a bitter divorce from his childhood sweetheart and his private life being splashed across the tabloids. Then last year he was struck down down by a life-threatening brain tumor. This plunged Russell into a deep depression and it was only the thought of leaving his two children fatherless that kept him going. Just when it was thought he was fully recovered he collapsed again while recording and had to have emergency surgery on a second brain tumor that threatened his voice, his sight, and his life. Now, in his own words, Russell tells us the amazing story of his life.

Genres: Autobiography, Music, Biography

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2008

Reviews

[Darla Ebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has a compelling style as he writes with humor in the midst of the ups and downs of his life, in particular his physical challenges. Russell Watson is someone whose voice I would like to hear, musically after having been exposed to his literary voice

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very interesting read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Love him

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, when I picked it up in the library I didn't think I'd really get into it, it was a bit "oh, it looks ok" and I didn't see anything I really fancied.
Wrong!! Started it and didn't want to put it down - work got in the way! Read it in two days .... you can just imagine him saying and doing all this stuff, and he makes The Colonel so real you feel if you bumped into him you'd know him. All the info about the tumour ... what can I say ....

So, an unexpectedly brilliant read.

[Wagrobanite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed this book! I have been a fan of the author for a long time and so when I got this book for Christmas I was super excited. Russell, tells his story, in her own way and it's refreshing. It was just a bit hard to get into but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The only reason I didn't give five stars was that it's written in British English (which I do understand, he's British) and so it was hard to understand at times. So it's more like 4.8 stars

[A Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I have never really followed Russell Watson and his music career I wanted to read his book for his story of how he battled through having brain tumours. Having suffered a brain haemorrhage myself and knowing how it feels that you might not have made it, it was very real to me and I felt his description of what he went through was very accurate to my own experience and well written.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has taken me a bit to get into this book. But I love this story. Now I just have to get one of Russell's recordings.