Before We Was We

The Making of Madness by Madness

By: Madness

Narrated by: Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson, Lee Thompson, Dan Woodgate, Cathal Smyth

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin. 

Shortlisted for the Best Ensemble Narration Award at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020. 

This is Madness' story in their own words - with each band member featuring as a narrator. This audiobook features snippets of 13 rehearsal recordings including some of the band’s best loved songs as well as featuring a new bonus track, ‘Before We Was We’. 

In their own words they each look back on their shared adventures. Playing music together, riding freight trains, spraying graffiti and stealing records. Walking in one another's footsteps by day and rising up through the city's exploding pub music scene by night. Before We Was We is irreverent, funny and full of character. Just like them.  

Audio updated as of 18 October 2019.

©2019 Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson, Cathal Smyth, Lee Thompson, Dan Woodgate (P)2019 Penguin Audio

The madness of the members of Madness youth

As a long time fan of the band Madness I really enjoyed this story of not just how the band came to be but of their lives prior to being in the band.

I have recommended this book to fellow madness fans and others.
Each member speaking in their own voice about their own experience made the book even more enjoyable.

Hoping there will be a follow on titled When We Were We, with each band member describing their experience of being Madness, hearing each members experience as you can with this book and seeing this unique experience from each their’s point of view.

what a brilliant piece of work,takes me back

one if the best on Audible ,a brilliant piece of work ,thoroughly enjoyed it

Before We Was We

Loved reading the different paragraphs about all 7 individuals, but especially those ones who have shared some of the not so great times of their youth, yet still followed and remained true to their passion,and between them all have gone on to give us some eloquently written tunes, as well as fantastic memories, across the last 40 years.
Mixing friendship with fun,and a common love of music seems to have definitely contributed to these boys longevity in the music business, and long may it continue.

Before we was we

What could be better than hearing how the best band ever got started than by the band themselves in their own words spoken on this audio version of their book , I loved it , would of taken me so long to get the time to read the proper written book but the audio playing let me do other chores whilst listening, I highly recommend this 💜

A must for Madness and music fans

I've loved this band since 1980 (won't claim to have been there since the start) and hearing them tell their story in their words of how as friends they decided to form a band, is really great listening. The joy they have brought me over the years is immense and in their 40th year this, along with all the gigs they've performed this year, is the perfect way to celebrate Madness XL

absolutely brilliant

you could not do this book justice reading it yourself, loved every minute. highly recommend.

Great - but no bonus tracks?

I’ve read the book, heard the book, but the audiobook description states rehearsal snippets and a brand new song by the band. These are nowhere to be found. Disappointed.

Sheer Madness

I'll be straight, I've loved Madness since I was at primary school, singing house of fun about buying condoms when you're in short trousers, I've seen the band several times live, including Madstock at Finsbury Park.
This book is a wonderful, honest telling of their formation story, you also get to hear what a bunch of scumbags they could be when they were younger.
I utterly loved it.

loved it

brilliant book narrated by all the nutty boys and such a fabulous insight into their rise to fame as madness....definitely a great book to wile away the hours laughing at their antics and progress into a serious band...nice touch with the music played occasionally and loved the last song to finish the book...corking stuff

A great listen with laugh out loud moments

One of my favorite listening books since I started listening decades ago!
I love that the band tell their stories themselves and their memories take me right back to my younger years.
Also loved the music between chapters. Will definitely listen to this one again.

Wow!

Love, love, loved it! Being a North London boy growing up in the late 70’s & early 80’s, listening to the lads reminiscing felt like I was right back there in the day! Thoroughly entertaining, we’ll done chaps.
Highly recommended......