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Listening to an audiobook has increased the number of books I’ve read this year, and it’s so nice to have something to listen to (aside from podcasts) while I’m on the bus or the train.
I prefer listening to non-fiction (I’m not sure why) and, if possible, I try to find books that are read by the author. They can read the book as they intended, which I love.
The latest audiobook I listened to is “Truly” by Lionel Richie.
This one kept crossing my path (in the form of GoodReads recommendations) because of all the music memoirs I’ve read in the last few years.
Going in, I didn’t know much at all about Lionel Richie, but I love starting a book with no prior conceptions!
Blair Underwood is the narrator for the audiobook, and although he’s no Lionel, he has a great voice, and I enjoyed his interpretation.
In the book, Richie shares a lot about his childhood in Tuskegee, Alabama, especially how it differed from the perception people had of him (and his life) once he became famous.
As Richie grew older, he had a front row seat to the civil rights movement on the Tuskegee University campus. Prior to even venturing into a singing career, Richie had dreams of working in the movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I was very grateful that Richie chose to share what life was like during segregation. I remember a specific story he shared about seeing the different churches, for whites and for Blacks, and the white church was surrounded by guards. He asked his parents if there were two gods, one for each church.
The book covers his adventures as a member of The Commodores, coming-of-age in late 1960s Harlem, playing gigs on the French Riviera, the big break of being signed to Motown, his solo career that included an Olympics performance witnessed by two billion people 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.
One thing that’s important to me in these memoirs is how much someone decides to share, and Richie really shares it all. He’s had such a dynamic, fascinating career, and I found it all so interesting to listen to.
A few other bits I enjoyed listening to were about his personal relationships (his first marriage was during the rise of his fame, which I’m always curious about) and his point of view on his daughter, Nicole, joining Paris Hilton for “The Simple Life,” – I loved that show!!
Once I was done listening to the book, I had a fun time looking up and listening to The Commodores and all of Richie’s hits (he has so many!).
Now I’m on the hunt for some of his vinyl!
If you’re a music fan at all, I’d definitely recommend this one.
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