Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Autobiography, Biography, Music, Film, Celebrity

Book Review:
Martin Kemp's ''True: The Autobiography of Martin Kemp'' is a candid, engaging, and surprisingly warm memoir from a man who has lived multiple lives: as a pop star in one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, as a film actor, and as a television icon. It's a story of fame, fortune, adversity, and ultimately, survival.

Kemp takes us back to his working-class roots in Islington, where a chance encounter with the Anna Scher Children's Theatre set him on a path to performance. He vividly recalls the explosion of the New Romantic movement and the rise of Spandau Ballet, a band formed by his older brother Gary. He describes the thrill of success, the madness of fame, and the creative energy of the era with infectious enthusiasm.

But the book is far more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Kemp is refreshingly honest about the darker side of his journey. He writes about the pressures of fame, the excesses of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and the eventual decline of the band. He gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes account of playing gangster Reggie Kray in the film ''The Krays,'' a role that cemented his acting career.

Most powerfully, Kemp opens up about his health struggles. In 1995, he was diagnosed with two brain tumors and underwent life-threatening surgery. His account of this experience is harrowing but also deeply moving, revealing a man who faced his own mortality with courage and found a new perspective on life. He also discusses his later success as Steve Owen in the long-running soap opera ''EastEnders,'' a role that made him a household name all over again.

''True'' is a compelling and honest read, a story of a man who has experienced incredible highs and terrifying lows, and emerged with his charm and humanity intact. It's a must-read for fans of Spandau Ballet, for anyone interested in the cultural history of the 1980s, and for anyone who appreciates a good story, well told.