I was feeling chatty so I made a little podcast note for this week, which you can listen to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts or Pocketcasts.
Now that we are in a new year, I have seen many people writing their reading goals, which for some, include reading more nonfiction. As a self-proclaimed memoir mami (don’t know why I said this) I have a few that I loved, including, one that I am currently reading which is Lionel Richie’s memoir, Truly.
When I first heard that Lionel Richie was releasing his memoir, I was excited.
I can’t tell you where my excitement came from.
Perhaps it was from my mother’s story of meeting him in front of Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, where she said he felt familiar, like an old friend—she still calls him her friend to this day.
Or maybe my interest came from knowing that someone with a long-standing career like Lionel’s, spanning the Commodores, a legendary solo run, to an entire second act as a mentor, would have stories worth settling into.
I wasn’t sure what I was hoping for, but whatever it was, it delivered. I’m glad I picked up this book, so let me tell you about it.
First, this is a long memoir. Typically, memoirs are around 250-400 pages. This book is 463 pages and 14 hours and 1 minute by audiobook. It’s worth noting that the audiobook is read by Blair Underwood.
Second, as imagined, Lionel had so much to discuss in this book. The book moves through his childhood, the Vietnam War draft and the Civil Rights Movement, the Commodores years, his impressive solo career (including his iconic 1985 Pepsi deal), his children, personal heartbreaks, and his evolution into the elder statesman of music we know today—complete with his present role on American Idol. But what surprised me most (and also made me chuckle) were the small details and stories included throughout the book.
Lionel’s affection for Michael Jackson runs throughout, from the Commodores opening for the Jackson 5 to them building a longstanding friendship that lasted years. He takes us behind the scenes of him writing music for icons like Diana Ross and Kenny Rogers, as well as helping to write a few songs on The Color Purple and co-writing “We Are the World” with Michael. One thing I found interesting: despite his extensive catalog, Lionel doesn't know how to read music.
There were parts of the book that made me laugh, including when he had to give Michael Jackson (who Quincy Jones affectionately called “Smelly”) a new pair of jeans. Also, this random anecdote about Stevie Wonder telling Ray Charles how to get to the bathroom, and eventually walking him to the restroom, which Billy Joel responded to, saying, “Did anyone see that? The blind really are leading the blind.”
But what I enjoyed most about this book was its flow. Lionel had such an admiration and respect for many artists, which comes through, and as a music lover, I learned a lot. I enjoyed the mentions of artists he shared, and in a sea of salacious celebrity memoirs, I appreciated how this book just felt like a legend finally making time to tell his extraordinary story.
I do suggest listening to this book vs. reading in print, however. I tried it as an audiobook, in print, and on Kindle, and I think I would’ve missed some of the humor if I didn’t hear Blair laughing as he read it.
If you want to sit with this:
Listen to the song “Truly” which inspired the title of the memoir
Surround yourself with the artists mentioned throughout the book: Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson at his peak. I linked either my favorite song, or album from the artist.
Lionel Richie on his most iconic songs for GQ
Before you go: a few more memoirs
Reading this book also made me revisit some of my favorite memoirs and biographies. You can check out my full list for Black Music Month, but I wanted to share a few more here that pair beautifully with Lionel’s story—books about the artists who shaped the same era, navigated similar pressures, and built legacies in their own ways.
After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye by Jan Gaye and David Ritz
Marvin is, hands down, my favorite musician to read about—what a beautiful and troubled soul he was. This memoir by his ex-wife, Jan Gaye, chronicles their intense, unconventional relationship that began when she was just 17 and he was a 34-year-old Motown superstar. It’s a raw, honest look at loving a creative genius as they navigate fame, family dysfunction, and addiction.
Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz
Honestly, any book written by David Ritz should make its way onto your to-read list. David has a way of crafting narratives and weaving together his subjects’ stories beautifully. Marvin originally commissioned David to write his memoir, but he passed away before it was finished. Drawing on interviews and conversations with Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder, David created an intimate portrait of Marvin’s life, career, and the tragic, complex relationship with his father that ultimately led to his death.
Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James by Rick James with David Ritz
Let’s start by saying Rick James is a wild boy. In Glow, Rick teamed up with David Ritz for a raw, no-holds-barred memoir about his life during disco’s heyday. He opens up about his musical upbringing, his mother’s influence, and his complicated relationships with legends like Marvin Gaye, Prince, Teena Marie, and Berry Gordy. Despite his bad-boy reputation, Rick was undeniably talented and unforgettable—someone whose creative spark left a permanent mark on American music.
The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey
This is a great book, whether you’re a lamb or not. As Mariah writes, this memoir took her a lifetime to have the courage and clarity to write. She tells the story of the moments—the ups and downs, the triumphs and traumas, the debacles and the dreams that shaped who she is today. After countless magazine articles and ten-minute television interviews, this was finally her chance to tell her own story in her own words.
My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire by Maurice White and Herb Powell
I powered through this book in one sitting while getting my hair braided. What a life, and what a career Maurice White had. As the creator of one of the greatest groups to ever exist, Maurice reflects on music’s great blessings and his struggles: his mother leaving him behind in Memphis when he was four, learning drums with Booker T. Jones, forming EWF only to have the original group fall apart, his diagnosis of Parkinson’s, and his final public performance at the 2006 Grammy Awards. Through it all, White credits his faith for his success and for helping him overcome his challenges.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
When I was a kid, I loved Britney Spears. She was one of the first singers I learned to imitate, and I remember learning the choreography to “(You Drive Me) Crazy” thinking I was too cool. With this memoir, Britney shares her journey from being one of the greatest performers in pop music history to her tumultuous relationships and conservatorship. I read this in print, but it felt like Britney was reading the book to me.
Will by Will Smith and Mark Manson
This was one of the best memoirs I’ve read. Will gives readers an inside look at his rise to fame, the lessons he’s learned, and so much more. I appreciated his vulnerability—how he talked about the pressure of living up to expectations, how he landed The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, his rap career, all of it.
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin): A Memoir by Sly Stone
As a Bay Area native, I grew up hearing about Sly Stone constantly. My family even has an interesting connection to him, so I was excited to finally learn his full story. This book digs into the man behind Sly and the Family Stone, the songwriter who gave us some of the most iconic anthems of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and the performer who absolutely electrified Woodstock. The book doesn’t shy away from the harder parts of his story either—his rapid rise to superstardom and the decades he spent battling addiction.
Well, that’s it folks. Let me know if you have any suggestions and/or decide to read any of these books.
Happy reading and listening <3
