Stand & Deliver: The Autobiography [Hardcover]

Adam Ant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2007

Who could forget their first view of Adam Ant on Top of the Pops, white stripes across his face, swaggering to the beat of 'Antmusic' or in frilly shirt and mask for 'Stand and Deliver'? One of the most successful pop stars of the 80s, his face adorning posters on teenager's walls from Acton to Akron, Adam Ant was a phenomenon. Now in this frank and revealing autobiography, he tells the full story of his amazing life from his dysfunctional childhood to his key role in the punk movement and creation of a unique musical style that brought him a string of hits (both singles and albums). At one point he was so famous other stars sought his company and advice - even Michael Jackson called in the dead of night to ask about music and clothes. His many girlfriends included Jamie Lee Curtis and Heather Graham and for a time he lived in LA, acting in fifteen films. Adam also writes honestly about his life-long battle with manic depression. His first episodes were triggered by the stress of living with a violent, alcoholic father, and he tried to commit suicide when he was at art school. A gruelling episode with a stalker in LA precipitated a mental breakdown, and a stalker in London led to his well-publicised arrest and hospitalization in 2001. At times funny and at other times tragic, this is gripping account of the turbulent life and times of one of music's most fascinating figures.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adam was born in north London and became in integral part of the capital's punk scene before creating his own brand of music. He had 13 hits in the top twenty (3 of them number ones), as well as bestselling albums. His music continues to be influential today.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0283070277
• ISBN-13: 978-0283070273
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stand and Deliver: The Autobiography, January 11, 2007

By 

M. M. Kasper "M M Kasper" (Santa Maria, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stand & Deliver: The Autobiography (Hardcover)

In 1981 I saw Adam and the Ants for the first time. Adam Ant rocked my small town world then and 25 years later his music still has the power to do the same. This is a fascinating story of a brilliantly creative talent whose struggle with mental illness did not stop him from producing some of the best music of his time. The story is riveting from its portrayal of the very early days of the brief punk era that passed almost unnoticed here in the states through the rise that made him a darling of the MTV generation of the 80's. This is a man who has faced and conquered many demons. His music was my solice through many dark times of my own, I wish him a future full of only bright things. This story is a must for any Ant Fan.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a brilliant book by a haunted man of genius, September 13, 2006

By 

A reader (Swansea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stand & Deliver: The Autobiography (Hardcover)

Adam writes his prose narrative with as much verve and pathos as he wrote his witty, world-illuminating lyrics. I simply loved his poignant descriptions of his sad slide into, and soldierly struggle out of, the sunless depths of mental anguish. I can't wait to see Adam's next phase of creativity. I wish him well!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adam Ant Is Back And Very Strong !, September 27, 2006

By 

Jesse B. Tibbits (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stand & Deliver: The Autobiography (Hardcover)

This book is a very rare and interesting look into the mind of a true pop icon, Adam Ant. Even in his heyday of the 1980's, Adam was a quiet man that did many interviews but never spoke in great detail of his true feelings or personal views on his life. It was never his true nature to expose himself on a personal level to the public at that time. Adam wanted his image and music to do all the talking for him. For Adam, to write this book now and also record the audio book himself is extremely rare. For the fans, This is the first real chance to understand a very complex man. Brave and bold was his image back then but now Adam is willing to put words to his life and experiences for the first time. In the 1980's, Adam hid behind the native American war-paint and fancy dress costumes. Since then, He has been marked with horrible rumors of mental illness in the press and a lot of bad moments. In the book, he answers all those questions and sets the record straight. I believe that's why he wrote the book, to tell HIS story and not the press to it for him anymore. In 1993, Adam finished his first album in many years with, Wonderful. The title track song and video did get a lot of airplay in the states and England. For awhile, it seemed Adam was back on track and doing well. The record, as good as it was, just didn't make a big splash. Adam never got over this and sank deep into a deep depression. As a life long fan, It was hard for me and all the true fans to read all the terrible news stories to come. Adam Ant goes into a local London pub and pulls out a fake gun on those making fun of him, locked up in mental hospital for treatment. Adam Ant hits neighbours house with rocks, again gets sent to hospital. I spent the day with Adam back in 1984 on the "Strip" tour of the USA. I can't say I knew him well but the Adam I talked to was very smart and very together. Adam was not crazy or out of touch with reality at all. He did not have the wild and crazy backstage life going on at all. Adam was dating Jamie Lee Curtis at that time, but I got the impression he never lived or liked the out of control Rock n Roll life-style anyway. Even though he was 30 or 31 at the time, most of the fans at the show were not even old enough to drive. In the book Adam does talk about his relationships with Jamie and many others. I'm sure he will record again, and I hope he does. God bless you Adam and I hope you are doing well. Stay strong and all will be well for you. For the fans, buy this book, you will not regret it. But most of all...always stay fans forever because your "Antpeople" After all right?!!