A Better Me: This is Gary Barlow as honest, heartfelt and more open than ever before
Oct 2018 · Bonnier Publishing Ltd.
4.8star
39 reviewsreport
Ebook
336
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About this ebook
The Sunday Times Number One Bestseller
Gary Barlow is one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time, but fifteen years ago, as he himself admits, he hit rock bottom - he was out of shape, out of work and depressed.
Faced with an underperforming solo career, tireless media taunts and the other cruel twists of fate, Gary turned to food. For nine years, he struggled with his weight and went on every diet imaginable before eventually asking a doctor what the 'cure' for obesity was. That was when he realised that he would have to change his life dramatically.
So how did he go from an obese, out-of-work pop star to becoming a hugely successful superstar of music and TV, as well an accomplished musical songwriter and producer who is full of vitality, fitter, happier and more successful than ever before?
In this extraordinarily honest memoir, Gary tells of his journey back to professional success, as well as mental and physical health. A Better Me is a remarkably frank account of Gary's life as he battled with his demons, endured personal tragedy, and staged one of the most thrilling professional comebacks in decades. In his warm, witty and authentic voice, Gary recounts his story with compelling insight, captivating sincerity and a human side that people rarely see.
From returning with a critically and commercially successful Take That and reigniting his own legendary songwriting career, going beyond recorded music to forge success on TV with The X Factor and Let It Shine, to overcoming his weight problems and crippling obsession with food, this is the story of how Gary found balance in both his personal and professional life.
Here is one of the UK's most beloved pop stars, more open, honest and raw than ever before.
Gary Barlow is one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time, but fifteen years ago, as he himself admits, he hit rock bottom - he was out of shape, out of work and depressed.
Faced with an underperforming solo career, tireless media taunts and the other cruel twists of fate, Gary turned to food. For nine years, he struggled with his weight and went on every diet imaginable before eventually asking a doctor what the 'cure' for obesity was. That was when he realised that he would have to change his life dramatically.
So how did he go from an obese, out-of-work pop star to becoming a hugely successful superstar of music and TV, as well an accomplished musical songwriter and producer who is full of vitality, fitter, happier and more successful than ever before?
In this extraordinarily honest memoir, Gary tells of his journey back to professional success, as well as mental and physical health. A Better Me is a remarkably frank account of Gary's life as he battled with his demons, endured personal tragedy, and staged one of the most thrilling professional comebacks in decades. In his warm, witty and authentic voice, Gary recounts his story with compelling insight, captivating sincerity and a human side that people rarely see.
From returning with a critically and commercially successful Take That and reigniting his own legendary songwriting career, going beyond recorded music to forge success on TV with The X Factor and Let It Shine, to overcoming his weight problems and crippling obsession with food, this is the story of how Gary found balance in both his personal and professional life.
Here is one of the UK's most beloved pop stars, more open, honest and raw than ever before.
Ratings and reviews
4.8
39 reviews
Lesley Taylor
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October 14, 2019
I'm usually a crime, drama reader but I love Take That... never been able to afford to go see them but always loved their music, but also loved the genuine people they all seemed to be.. just normal lads who had struck gold, worked hard and got to the "Big Time".. well done Gary, you're every bit as lovely, human and flawed as the rest of us... good luck to you and I'm gonna try the clean eating thing..
2 people found this review helpful
A Google user
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February 11, 2019
I loved every second of this book. It Made me reminisce of my young care free days in the 90s, and how much I love take that. I appreciate Gary's honestly with problems he has faced in life, it's refreshing to read!
4 people found this review helpful
Hannah Webb
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November 28, 2020
Really engaging. Brutally honest, warming and open. Read in less than two days.
About the author
Gary Barlow is a British singer-songwriter and record producer who found worldwide fame as a member of British pop group Take That. Since forming in 1989 Take That have won eight BRIT awards, sold over 45 million records and over eight million concert tickets.
Gary is one of Britain's most successful songwriters, having written 15 Number One singles and being a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award. Aside from his achievements with Take That, he has also co-written and produced music for other renowned artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams.
Gary has released three solo albums over the course of his career, the last of which 'Since I Saw You Last' (his first solo album in over 14 years) became the ninth biggest selling album of the year in the UK with sales of more than 600,000.
In 2011 Gary also firmly established himself in the world of UK TV when he agreed to be the Head Judge on The X Factor. A position he held for three years. He then went on to make two documentaries: 'Journey To Afghanistan' and 'On Her Majesty's Service'. In 2016/17 he conceived, produced and starred in his own talent show for the BBC, 'Let It Shine' which sort to find a boy band to be the stars of a new musical.
In more recent years, Gary has also turned his attention to the world of theatre, composing the score for the hugely successful 'Finding Neverland' and working alongside screenwriter Tim Firth to write the music and lyrics for musical 'The Girls'? and also more recently working alongside his Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Robbie Williams to produce 'The Band' a record breaking musical featuring the music of Take That.
Gary has also worked closely with a number of charities and key events in recent years including twice organising and performing at BBC Children In Need Rocks. He also organised the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which were held in front of the palace in 2012.
Gary is one of Britain's most successful songwriters, having written 15 Number One singles and being a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award. Aside from his achievements with Take That, he has also co-written and produced music for other renowned artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams.
Gary has released three solo albums over the course of his career, the last of which 'Since I Saw You Last' (his first solo album in over 14 years) became the ninth biggest selling album of the year in the UK with sales of more than 600,000.
In 2011 Gary also firmly established himself in the world of UK TV when he agreed to be the Head Judge on The X Factor. A position he held for three years. He then went on to make two documentaries: 'Journey To Afghanistan' and 'On Her Majesty's Service'. In 2016/17 he conceived, produced and starred in his own talent show for the BBC, 'Let It Shine' which sort to find a boy band to be the stars of a new musical.
In more recent years, Gary has also turned his attention to the world of theatre, composing the score for the hugely successful 'Finding Neverland' and working alongside screenwriter Tim Firth to write the music and lyrics for musical 'The Girls'? and also more recently working alongside his Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Robbie Williams to produce 'The Band' a record breaking musical featuring the music of Take That.
Gary has also worked closely with a number of charities and key events in recent years including twice organising and performing at BBC Children In Need Rocks. He also organised the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which were held in front of the palace in 2012.
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