Strap in, music lovers ā Steve Blacknellās memoir Tales From The Bedroom Wall is a raucous, unapologetically wild ride through the kaleidoscopic life of one of British pop cultureās most charming rogues. Part rock ānā roll tell-all, part heartfelt confessional, this book is a front-row seat to the dizzying highs, crushing lows and outrageous encounters of a man who truly did it all ā and then some.
From hospital radio decks to jetting to Live Aid on Concorde with Phil Collins (as you do), Blacknellās story is as madcap as it is magnetic. He dated Kate Bush, introduced New Order to TV audiences, played ping pong with Bill Wyman, and got whisky-schooled by Lemmy ā all before breakfast, probably. And just when you think it couldnāt get more absurd, he moves to LA, marries a rock muse, nearly dies in a speedboat explosion, and returns to the UK to become a media training CEO. You couldnāt make it up.
But what elevates Tales From The Bedroom Wall beyond the average name-dropping nostalgia fest is Blacknellās brutal honesty. Beneath the glamour and chaos is a man battling bulimia, addiction, and the fallout of his own reckless choices. Itās this mix of celebrity sparkle and emotional candour that makes his story so compelling ā and surprisingly relatable.
Whether heās falling in love (again) with Maggie, his long-time muse, or clashing with Janet Street-Porter, Blacknell narrates his life with irreverent humour, zero filter, and a glint in his eye that dares you not to be charmed.
If youāre after a memoir that feels like a lost night at Stringfellows followed by a philosophical sunrise on Primrose Hill ā this is your book. Itās outrageous, touching, and utterly addictive.
Verdict: 5/5
Rock ānā roll chaos meets raw human truth ā Tales From The Bedroom Wall is the most fun youāll have reading someone elseās life this year.
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Steve Blacknellās memoir, Tales From The Bedroom Wall ā The Life & Times of a Serial Thrill Seekerā is available now, Ā please go to https://www.steveblacknell.com/ for more information.
