Soul Survivor: The Autobiography: The extraordinary memoir of a music icon

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Description

P.P. Arnold's story is that of a rich and varied life. From her early musical origins in powerhouse church gospel, the talented singer's career began when she joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue at the age of just seventeen. But little did the young Ikette know how much her world was about to be turned upside-down...

Upon arriving in London in 1966 to support the Rolling Stones, the shy but vivacious nineteen-year-old 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 Jagger, Rod Stewart, the Small Faces, Eric Clapton and Nick Drake to Barry Gibb, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller and Primal Scream.

However, it has been far from a gilded life for the musical star, who, after being forced into marriage at the age of fifteen upon becoming pregnant, went on to endure a string of personal traumas, including physical abuse from her husband, sexual abuse at the hands of her one-time musical mentor and, later, the tragic loss of her young daughter in a road accident.

Yet the legendary musician survived it all and has continued to reinvent herself throughout the years, be that as a West End actress, a much-sought-after backing singer or a renowned pop and soul star in her own right.

Now, for the first time, she is telling her remarkable story. This is the long-awaited memoir of a true soul survivor.

Reviews

'Brutally honest ... this memoir is a sizzler.' -- Daily Telegraph
'Searingly honest account of an extraordinary life ... powerful stuff.' -- Radio Times
'A jaw-dropping memoir. Arnold's resilience sparkles throughout. This isn't just surviving, it's flourishing.' -- Mojo
'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' -- Record Collector
'An extraordinary book by an extraordinary artist.' -- Lauren Laverne
'Very powerful.' -- Emma Barnett, Woman's Hour
'Explosive.' -- Daily Mail
'Searingly honest.' -- Daily Express
'Nobody could accuse Arnold of pulling her punches ... but it doesn't read like score-settling either. Absorbing.' -- Irish Independent
'Not long after arriving in England, I met P.P. Arnold. On reflection, she was just like me. Determined, nave, 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.' -- Barry Gibb

Author Bio

PP 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.