Blue: All Rise: Our Story

by Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan

For the first time, more than 15 years after four boys from London were first thrown together to form what would go on to become one of the most successful and infamous groups of the boyband era, Lee, Antony, Duncan and Simon tell their full, no-holds-barred story in their own inimitable words. Blue first rose to fame and mega-stardom in 2001. With 3 UK Number 1 Platinum-selling albums, 2 Brit Awards and 16 million records to their name, they quickly became the crushes of choice for the noughties generation. But their tendency to say exactly what they think, wear their hearts on their sleeves and court controversy (usually unintentionally) has meant that they’ve rarely left the limelight, or public hearts and minds, since. All Our Story is the boys’ intimate tell-all account charting the highs and the lows of their incredible career, the stories behind the headlines, and our favourite face-palm-worthy Blue moments. With explosive new reveals, never-before-seen photos, and all the latest updates – including Simon’s engagement and his struggle with depression, Lee’s brush with cancer, Duncan’s devastation at the passing away of his best friend, original It Girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, and how Antony’s adapting to fatherhood all over again, this is the story every 2000s teen has been waiting for, from four lads who’ve come out the other side older, wiser and closer than ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2017

Reviews

[Chanel Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved Blue (particularly Duncan) for as long as I can remember so when they announced they were bringing this book out, I was really looking forward to reading it. I wasn't disappointed. A very honest insight on the lives of Duncan, Antony, Lee and Simon. I learned so many things that I didn't know. It tells the story of how Blue got together, why and how they split up, Simon's depression, dealing with the press, Duncan's sexuality, Lee's dealings on live TV/Celebrity Big Brother, the 9/11, Antony's insecurities, family life, romances and so much more.
I think all 4 are extremely brave for speaking out about such personal and sensitive matters but I think the book really does sum up Blue as a group: 4 guys who are just human, they make mistakes but have each others backs no matter what.
A must read for Blue fans!!!!

[Snonono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come when I'm less hangry!

Edit: I am now less hangry. Alright.

I bought this on Audible because I felt like I owed it to my teenage self but wasn't expecting much - just your standard collaborative boyband book probably assisted by many ghost writers.
I was right to an extent - the first half where Blue is enjoying their fame and fortune is how I imagined it would be, a bunch of name dropping and lots of talk about grueling schedules and origins of songs.
The other half, however, is MUCH more interesting. Here we see what happened when Blue fell apart (come on guys, it's not a "short break" if it's four years long) and what everyone's been up to since.
Duncan's got a case of the Gay Panic (tm), Lee's a couchsurfing alcoholic, Simon casually trying to kill himself on his bike, Antony being more bitter than my morning coffee about being ignored by producers and called the useless one.

Then comes the reunion, and loans, and yet another bankruptcy (which, why? Roulette is their best album), but it's all okay because now we're on the ~Eurovision~.
This followed by another tanked album and being dropped by their record label because nostalgia can only carry a band so far; also, no one listened to the sage advice of investing in property.

Basically, this entire book is a description of what happens when you become starstruck young, surrounded by people who butter you up so you spend all of your money on liquor and clubbing, only to come out the other side in debt after being in (at the time) one of the most popular groups in the UK. So now you're in your fourties, got a case of the has-beens, your mental health is mental and you're lost in the woods. Relateable? Not really. Believable? Very.

I sound like I'm bashing the book a bit but it honestly made me love Blue even more. I love how Lee's batshit crazy but now he's Self-Aware (also tm) so it's actually very endearing. Actually, everyone's a bit off their rocker and I love it.


Four stars for saving the elephants.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for boy bands and Blue are my third favourite after Take That (old school line-up with Robbie) and New Kids On The Block. I've never grown out of glorious pop music. This book made me revisit all my Blue albums (both past and present) and realise how good the songs actually are, and Lee's voice of course. Those high notes! I've even discovered that I own two copies of Lee Ryan's solo album (I don't know why either). Living in the past is great!

Top five Blue songs*:
1. I Can
2. Fly By II
3. Breathe Easy
4. One Love
5. Hurt Lovers


*In case you're interested...

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was gloriously entertaining. Open, honest, and full of gormless idiocy; I heart them even more after reading it. Only disappointment is that not ONCE did Antony use the phrase ‘Charlie Big Bollocks’ #letdown

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Blue for a long time so of COURSE I was going to read this. It was obviously never going to be a brilliantly written book, but I liked the way the format (having sections headed off with their names, often as if they were answering interview qs) included all their voices. It's worth reading this for the stories about Lee and his frankly BONKERS behaviour alone, and there are some really nice inclusions about serious matters from their lives that I think it's admirable for them to be open about (Duncan's struggles with his sexuality, Simon's depression).

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your standard boy band collaboration. In a way I hate it when a band write a book together; see Jls, Girls Aloud, probably many more examples. They can’t be honest woth their writing as it’s important not to hurt the others feelings and as such it feels insincere. This was no different ; I enjoyed the passage about 9/11 and I loved Lee Ryan defending his time in Celebrity Big Brother (justice for Casey!) but a lot of it was filler and them congratulating each other. Still love my Lee though , can he write a solo one pls? X

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must for any boyband fan. I've always been a Blue superfan so that sways my opinion of the book, of course, however I really enjoyed hearing the reality behind the tours, the TV appearances etc that I lived through on the other side of it all. Fascinating, quite sad in places. Here's hoping that the Blue boys' story continues for years to come!

[Kate Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a huge blue fan when I was younger and so was really excited to read this and go back over those memories and see things from the boys perspective.
Found the book really dry and lacking in any personality. Feels like a money making exercise instead of a passion project.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Its incredible to hear all about how they started. How came to where they are now from where they started. Its incredible. There are parts which made me feel sorry for some of the guys but some of the events they experienced made me laugh.

[Vicky Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love these back in the day and still do, good to read about the life of blue and what happened around the time they went on a break

[Sara Mallet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I already knew some of the things. Was interesting to read how they got to Eurovision and what Simon, Duncan and Anthony thought about Lee going into the cbb house.

[Sophie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing loved it

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blown my mind what they’ve actually achieved. I’ve loved the boys since I was 9 years old and it made me laugh, made me shed a tear, and made me a bit angry with Lee Ryan too if I’m honest, but all in all I loved it and I love the boys still, after all this time.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

followed blue from the beginning and was very excited about reading this book. I didn't know a lot of things that was written in it. I heard rumours over the years but put it all down to the papers trying to make money and bring the boys down. regardless of all the bad stuff, at the end of the day they're young and they were living life to the max. only difference from all the other youngsters is that they weren't in the spot light. so all I have to say is thank you guys for never giving up. stay strong and stay blue. your fans love you all xxxxx