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Home Again: My life and times in a band called Shihad
Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.
This is more than a rock story.
Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it.
From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this is the story of a relentless quest for musical greatness.
Beginning with his childhood and the formation of a band that would go on to become a cultural force, Jon Toogood takes us inside the chaos and camaraderie of life on the road - the rock 'n' roll antics, touring with icons, chasing global success, and the pressure to perform across the ages.
Digging into his past and sharing never-before-told stories, Jon Toogood opens the doors to the recording studio and the artistic process of songwriting, while reflecting on his long-term struggle with anxiety, the breakdown of relationships, and the moments that forced him to confront who he was beyond the stage.
There's also a deeply personal story of redemption found through love. In the coming together of two different worlds, Toogood discovered a renewed sense of purpose, and the beginning of a new adventure shaped by family, connection, and an unexpected, hard-won peace.
At its heart, this is a book about why we create, how music becomes survival, and what is possible when the noise finally stops.
Intimate, searching and uncompromising, this memoir is the story of a rock icon and Kiwi legend.
This is more than a rock story.
Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it.
From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this is the story of a relentless quest for musical greatness.
Beginning with his childhood and the formation of a band that would go on to become a cultural force, Jon Toogood takes us inside the chaos and camaraderie of life on the road - the rock 'n' roll antics, touring with icons, chasing global success, and the pressure to perform across the ages.
Digging into his past and sharing never-before-told stories, Jon Toogood opens the doors to the recording studio and the artistic process of songwriting, while reflecting on his long-term struggle with anxiety, the breakdown of relationships, and the moments that forced him to confront who he was beyond the stage.
There's also a deeply personal story of redemption found through love. In the coming together of two different worlds, Toogood discovered a renewed sense of purpose, and the beginning of a new adventure shaped by family, connection, and an unexpected, hard-won peace.
At its heart, this is a book about why we create, how music becomes survival, and what is possible when the noise finally stops.
Intimate, searching and uncompromising, this memoir is the story of a rock icon and Kiwi legend.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2026
Fast paced, cohesive and easy to read. A lot of stories I'm familiar with from over the years but plenty of new details I didn't know previously. Lots of people, places and events mentioned that I have first hand experience of from my own life too. Enough to make it nostalgic and bittersweet for me. However, this is Jon Toogood's story and it's worth reading cover to cover. I highly recommend this book.
September 18, 2026
This book is amazing it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me say I remember that place or wow is that what that song means. I love shihad and have seen them many times and also Jon on his own and know what a great guy he is and now I am even more of a fan girl. His description of what anxiety feels like is so real and when he was talking about his dad I found myself in tears.
Love love love this book
Love love love this book
September 3, 2026
Jon Toogood, a real kiwi bloke who just happened to become the rock legend of Aotearoa.
Fabulously written journey through Shihad’s (and others) back catalogue while diving into the the good, bad, and ugly of a true rock n roll adventure and the making of a man.
Great read.
Fabulously written journey through Shihad’s (and others) back catalogue while diving into the the good, bad, and ugly of a true rock n roll adventure and the making of a man.
Great read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews