EBOOK
About
Longlisted for the Penderyn Music Book Prize
An Uncut Magazine Book of the Year
A Rough Trade Book of the Year
A Resident Book of the Year
The story of soul legend P.P. Arnold is one of musical highs, personal lows and extraordinary endurance.
From her origins in powerhouse church gospel, the talented singer's performing career began at the age of just seventeen when she joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. But little did the young Ikette know that her world was about to be turned upside-down...
Upon arriving in London in 1966 to support the Rolling Stones, the shy but vivacious teenager caught the eye of frontman Mick Jagger. He would persuade her to stay in the city and record as a solo artist, ultimately leading to a five-decade career working with everyone from Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, the Small Faces, Nick Drake and Barry Gibb to Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller and Primal Scream.
However, it has been far from a gilded life for the soul superstar. After being forced into marriage upon becoming pregnant at the age of fifteen, Arnold went on to endure a string of devastating personal traumas. Yet the versatile musician survived it all and has continued to reinvent herself throughout the years -be that as a West End actress, a much-sought-after session singer or a renowned pop vocalist in her own right.
Now, for the first time, P.P. Arnold shares her remarkable adventures. This is the long-awaited memoir of a true soul survivor.
'Jaw-dropping.' - Mojo
'Powerful.' - Woman's Hour
'Explosive.' - Daily Mail P.P. Arnold (born Patricia Ann Cole) is an American soul singer who has enjoyed continued success in the music industry since coming to fame in the mid-'60s. A compelling memoir by soul legend P.P. Arnold, charting the musical highs and personal lows of her extraordinary life. Published in 2022, which will be the fifty-fifth anniversary of P.P. Arnold's debut single and first top-twenty hit, 'The First Cut Is the Deepest'. It is a very timely memoir that tells the still-pertinent story of bigotry and abuse experienced by a young black woman growing up in the music industry on both sides of the Atlantic. The narrative also covers the temptations and trappings of fame and success - themes that continue to resonate with readers. P.P. Arnold will be increasingly visible around publication as she will be performing a number of rescheduled dates in the spring and summer. We will look to support publication with a number of key quotes (or a foreword) from significant musical luminaries linked to P.P. Arnold, e.g. Paul Weller, Barry Gibb, Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, Boy George, Bobby Gillespie, Eric Clapton. 'Brutally honest ... this memoir is a sizzler.' 'Searingly honest account of an extraordinary life ... powerful stuff.' 'A jaw-dropping memoir. Arnold's resilience sparkles throughout. This isn't just surviving, it's flourishing.' 'An adroit blend of pathos and self-deprecating honesty. Its occasionally shocking and even heart-wrenchingly tragic in places, but ultimately the book's tone is a triumphant one. 4/5' 'An extraordinary book by an extraordinary artist.' 'Very powerful.' 'Explosive.' 'Searingly honest.' 'Nobody could accuse Arnold of pulling her punches ... but it doesn't read like score-settling either. Absorbing.' 'Not long after arriving in England, I met P.P. Arnold. On reflection, she was just like me. Determined, naïve, in a world we did not understand. We spent a lot of hours at IBC Studios in Portland Place recording new songs that still, today, bring back such amazing memories. I will never forget those times. Pat was on the ascent until the terrible moment of her daughter's passing. This brought Pat to her knees. It was the saddest time. What I think I understand now is what real loss means and Pat understood that long before I did. I relish those times we spent together. Those are some of the great memories.'
An Uncut Magazine Book of the Year
A Rough Trade Book of the Year
A Resident Book of the Year
The story of soul legend P.P. Arnold is one of musical highs, personal lows and extraordinary endurance.
From her origins in powerhouse church gospel, the talented singer's performing career began at the age of just seventeen when she joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. But little did the young Ikette know that her world was about to be turned upside-down...
Upon arriving in London in 1966 to support the Rolling Stones, the shy but vivacious teenager caught the eye of frontman Mick Jagger. He would persuade her to stay in the city and record as a solo artist, ultimately leading to a five-decade career working with everyone from Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, the Small Faces, Nick Drake and Barry Gibb to Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller and Primal Scream.
However, it has been far from a gilded life for the soul superstar. After being forced into marriage upon becoming pregnant at the age of fifteen, Arnold went on to endure a string of devastating personal traumas. Yet the versatile musician survived it all and has continued to reinvent herself throughout the years -be that as a West End actress, a much-sought-after session singer or a renowned pop vocalist in her own right.
Now, for the first time, P.P. Arnold shares her remarkable adventures. This is the long-awaited memoir of a true soul survivor.
'Jaw-dropping.' - Mojo
'Powerful.' - Woman's Hour
'Explosive.' - Daily Mail P.P. Arnold (born Patricia Ann Cole) is an American soul singer who has enjoyed continued success in the music industry since coming to fame in the mid-'60s. A compelling memoir by soul legend P.P. Arnold, charting the musical highs and personal lows of her extraordinary life. Published in 2022, which will be the fifty-fifth anniversary of P.P. Arnold's debut single and first top-twenty hit, 'The First Cut Is the Deepest'. It is a very timely memoir that tells the still-pertinent story of bigotry and abuse experienced by a young black woman growing up in the music industry on both sides of the Atlantic. The narrative also covers the temptations and trappings of fame and success - themes that continue to resonate with readers. P.P. Arnold will be increasingly visible around publication as she will be performing a number of rescheduled dates in the spring and summer. We will look to support publication with a number of key quotes (or a foreword) from significant musical luminaries linked to P.P. Arnold, e.g. Paul Weller, Barry Gibb, Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, Boy George, Bobby Gillespie, Eric Clapton. 'Brutally honest ... this memoir is a sizzler.' 'Searingly honest account of an extraordinary life ... powerful stuff.' 'A jaw-dropping memoir. Arnold's resilience sparkles throughout. This isn't just surviving, it's flourishing.' 'An adroit blend of pathos and self-deprecating honesty. Its occasionally shocking and even heart-wrenchingly tragic in places, but ultimately the book's tone is a triumphant one. 4/5' 'An extraordinary book by an extraordinary artist.' 'Very powerful.' 'Explosive.' 'Searingly honest.' 'Nobody could accuse Arnold of pulling her punches ... but it doesn't read like score-settling either. Absorbing.' 'Not long after arriving in England, I met P.P. Arnold. On reflection, she was just like me. Determined, naïve, in a world we did not understand. We spent a lot of hours at IBC Studios in Portland Place recording new songs that still, today, bring back such amazing memories. I will never forget those times. Pat was on the ascent until the terrible moment of her daughter's passing. This brought Pat to her knees. It was the saddest time. What I think I understand now is what real loss means and Pat understood that long before I did. I relish those times we spent together. Those are some of the great memories.'