“Richie is refreshingly open in the book which functions as both a fun memoir and a love
letter to music and his beloved Tuskegee… There’s an abundance of love and gratitude in this
wildly entertaining utterly charming memoir.” – Kirkus STARRED review "Satisfying...
vulnerable and powerful." - New York Times The long-awaited memoir of the legendary Lionel
Richie. As a storyteller second to none Lionel Richie is ready to tell it all. In this
intimate deeply candid memoir Lionel revisits hilarious and harrowing events to inspire all
who doubt themselves or feel their dreams don’t matter. Lionel chronicles lessons learned
during his unlikely story of remarkable success—his dramatic transformation from painfully shy
“tragically” late bloomer to world-class entertainer and composer of love songs that have
played as the soundtrack of our lives. Funny warm and riveting Lionel recalls his childhood
in Tuskegee Alabama where he grew up on its university campus during the heyday of the Civil
Rights movement raucous adventures as a member of The Commodores coming-of-age in late 1960s
Harlem culture shock playing gigs on the French Riviera the big break of being signed to
Motown his meteoric solo career that included an Olympics performance witnessed by two billion
around the globe all the way through to writing and recording “We Are the World” and his
current multi-generational fame as a judge on American Idol. Even with its turbulence loss
and near-calamity Lionel’s journey takes us on a thrill ride and delivers a memoir for the
ages—reminding us of the power of love to elevate our own lives and our world. Lionel Richie’s
memoir includes three eight-page photo inserts.