Autobiography of Pete Mitchell, Guitarist Singer/Songwriter. Born in Liverpool and raised in Battersea, London.
The autobiography of a struggling musician, working over 30 years gigging on the road. Life has its price, and one way or another; we will all have to pay for it. On invitation, I went to see a famous clairvoyant called, 'Madame Faye'. Her prediction of the assassination of president J.F. Kennedy brought her worldwide recognition. I was a total sceptic and we had never met before. In retrospect, everything she told me about my past was true, and what is stunning beyond belief, is the fact that all the major events in this book, were predicted in detail by 'Madame Faye' to me, at her house in the summer of 1966. The last thing she said to me was, 'you will be successful with your music, but only after a long hazardous journey, and you'll have to sacrifice everything for it. For most musicians, it's usually a case of playing for fun. Some play professionally, and others make the 'Big time'. I take the view, that a real musician is rarer still. He doesn't play to survive - HE SURVIVES TO PLAY. My only credentials for having this point of view are some thirty years playing on the pub and club scene and still gigging strong.
Professional Reviews
Book Pleasures
This review is from: Outside Looking In (Paperback)
Outside Looking In ends with the words "Remember, Keep on rocking, it's the only way to survive, especially-if you're-OUTSIDE LOOKING IN." This just about sums up singer-songwriter, blues guitarist and author Peter Mitchell alias Statmaster last words of his memoirs.
Mitchell's first venture into the world of music was at the tender age of eleven when he picked up the guitar and four years later he gave his first performance.
His pub and club scene began in the 1970s in London, England when he played with Muddy Waters and his own band Special Brew. In the 1980s and 90s he traveled with his band `Drive' Rocking Boogie Power Trio.
Chronicling and sketching his thirty-year journey in the music business Mitchell reminds his readers that life as a musician is not a piece of cake, however, as he states he doesn't play to survive but rather survives to play. There were times when things really turned sour that sacrifices had to be made, even if it meant selling some of his music gear including his working guitar. As Mitchell confides, the only consolation was that he knew it was going to a musician who would appreciate it and in this case his Telecaster guitar was purchased by Mike Rutherford from Genesis. However, as he mentions, "it was like cutting one of my arms off."
There were other moments when looking back Mitchell wonders if he did the right thing. As an example, he was offered a solo deal without his band. However, after working with these fellows perfecting the songs, gigging live with the hope and belief that they were in it together, he just had to turn down the offer. As he states, "it was not a simple case of five guys playing together, we were like brothers."
However, the ultimate hurt and sacrifice is when your own family falls apart. Unfortunately, due to the enormous pressures musicians are constantly called upon to endure, their families suffer, leading very often to breakups. As pointed out in the memoirs, if anyone wishes to succeed in the music business, he or she must first be dedicated, with total belief in oneself, utterly selfish. Nonetheless, as Mitchell confesses, nothing compares with the pain and upset one goes through when your family falls apart.
Mitchell structures his autobiography in such a way that he allows the reader to walk along with him through his thirty years in the music industry, experiencing his successes and disappointments. Much of what Mitchell went through is quite recognizable among musicians, it nevertheless will come as a surprise to those unfamiliar with the music industry that all is not as glamorous as it appears and the road to success is often filled with many difficulties.
Mitchell has told his story well, although perhaps a good editor would have helped him tell it better. Incidentally, Mitchell is still gigging strong.
Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures
Amazon
It is all very well "famous people" writing their biographies at the ripe old age of 22. This book deal with the aspects of a man who has lived a proper life, and worked his butt off, for little or no finacial remuneration. It shows the "fag paper" thinness between fame and fortune and being an also ran. A missed phone call, someone letting you down, or being shafted by a Mr.10%. In the ivory towers of modern wannabe fame, people like Pete Mitchell are a forgotten entity... the club/pub player. The sacrifices that these guys have made for the furthering of Live Rock & Roll has been very succinctly documented in this book. Pete has given us a "no holds barred", from the heart synopsis of his life, and for that he must be thanked and applauded. THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK. It helps put the modern day "plastic fame" in perspective. Some may say his experiences have given him something that money can't buy, but I'm positive he would have preferred less experiences for an abundance of money....!!! ... Thanks a million Pete.
I have been overwhelmed with the response I have had towards my book...Thanx for your support and interest...Keep on rocking my friends...I WILL........
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