One Train Later: A Memoir

By Andy Summers

Book Overview

"The train jerks to a halt, and as I get out at Oxford Circus, Stewart gets out with me. We look at each other, laugh, and make the standard remark about it being a small world. But this is the brilliant collision, one train later and it might all have turned out differently." ? In this extraordinary memoir, world-renowned guitarist Andy Summers provides a revealing and passionate account of a life dedicated to music. From his first guitar at age thirteen and his early days on the English music scene to the ascendancy of his band, the Police, Summers recounts his relationships and encounters with the Big Roll Band, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, the Animals, John Belushi, and others, all the while proving himself a master of telling detail and dramatic anecdote.But, of course, the early work is only part of the story, and Andy's account of his role as guitarist for the Police - a gig that was only confirmed by a chance encounter with drummer Stewart Copeland on a London train - has been long-awaited by music fans worldwide. The heights of fame that the Police achieved have rarely been duplicated, and the band's triumphs were rivaled only by the personal chaos that such success brought about, an insight never lost on Summers in the telling. Complete with never-before-published photos from Summers's personal collection, One Train Later is a constantly surprising and poignant memoir, and the work of a world-class musician and a first-class writer.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312359144
• ISBN13: 9780312359140
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Zelig-like, hysterically funny journey through modern popular culture!

I could NOT have enjoyed this book more! Andy Summers proves to be a terrific writer. The book follows his life from childhood to the break-up of the Police. I found myself laughing out loud often while reading this memoir. He's genuinely funny; describing a boxing match in which he was forced to participate in grade school, he comments that his loutish opponent burst from his corner towards him like "a dog with his tail...

Another Brilliant Work

The one thread that connects all of Andy Summer's varied projects is that each one of them is consistantly brilliant. Guitarist for The Police, jazz guitarist, photographer, and now author - you know that you will be getting a product that is of the highest quality. The book gives you the expected rundown of his Police years, but many people do not realize his rich experience in the music business long before that band came...

And, it's showtime...

So, I'm on the road myself, on my own book tour stuff. Oddly, I haven't got anything of my own along for the trip; the bookstores in question can hand me a copy to read to the people who come along. What I have got with me to read - the only thing - is Andy Summers' memoir. After the first couple of chapters, I've made myself a deal: I can pick it up anytime I like, except at bedtime, because if I try reading it then, I won't...

behind andy's camel

Out of all The Police guys, Andy had the most wicked sense of humor. He saw, and still sees, things a tad differently than the rest of us. Having chatted with him a few times in person, I can say he is a most interesting man. I had no idea he wrote so well. I was a bit surprised when I heard this book was coming out. Andy, despite his mischief in The Police, always seemed the most private of the three. I also learned a few...

A funny blitz-force adventure of the highest order!

This is an amazing "life story" told with heaping amounts of humor and insight -- easily accessible to both the hardcore Police fan, and the reader simply interested in gaining perspective on the churnings of the music business amidst a more spiritual pursuit. Andy uses his fantastic sense of humor to great effect here. I was constantly giggling at the absolute mayhem surrounding him at every turn. I had no idea he was...