(R)evolution

The Autobiography

By: Gary Numan

Narrated by: Gary Numan

Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

This audiobook opens and ends with music from Gary Numan's 2021 album Intruder.

A Daily Mail 'best TV and showbiz memoir' for 2020

From humble beginnings in Middlesex, where money was scarce but dreams were encouraged, to the award-winning godfather of electronica, Gary Numan has seen it all. His incredible story can be charted in two distinct parts....

The first: a stratospheric rise to success quickly followed by a painful decline into near obscurity. At school, Gary fell through the cracks of the system and was expelled. An unlikely but determined popstar, he earned his first record deal aged 19 and, two years later, had released four best-selling albums and had twice toured the world. But, aged just 25e, it felt like it was all over. Gary's early success began to hold him back and he battled to reconcile the transient nature of fame with his Asperger's syndrome.

The second: a 20-plus year renaissance catalysed by a date with a super-fan. Gary catalogues his 15-year struggle with crippling debts, his slow, obstacle-laden journey back to the top (and the insecurity that comes with that) and why Savage reaching number twi in 2017 meant more than the heady heights of 1979. Gary also candidly discusses the importance of his fans; why having Asperger's is a gift at times; the inspiration behind the lyrics; flying around the world in 1981; IVF struggles and the joy of fatherhood and his battle with depression and anxiety.

(R)evolution is the rollercoaster rise and fall (and rise) of one man, several dozen synthesisers, multiple issues and two desperately different lives. By turns hilarious and deeply moving, this is Gary Numan in his own words - a brutally honest reflection on the man behind the music.

©2020 Gary Numan (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK

Absolutely Winning Memoir

I saw Gary Numan for the first time a couple of years ago at a concert in Brooklyn. I went with friends as a bit of a lark--and was completely blown away! I've see him since at Irving Plaza. I now count myself a fan. So I was quite interested to listen to his memoir, which he so ably narrates. (R)evolution is phenomenal. Numan is so honest, so modest, and so completely winning without really trying to be. He's had a fascinating life so far--and not just because of the music, although the music remains his central focus here. But along the way we learn about his early years, his Asperger's, his love for his parents, his devotion to his Gemma and their three girls, his flying adventures, his creative and marketing challenges over the years, and his battle with depression. Thanks to listening to him in this audio, I now feel like I know Gary, and on a pretty deep level. And in some ways--thanks to his frank, entertaining style--maybe I do. Hats off, Gary. I thoroughly enjoyed (R)evolution. Can't wait to see you on tour again. Hope it's soon.

An incredible story!

Gary Numan was treated so poorly by the British press and had to fight so hard to get back to where his career was in 1978-1980. He’s is a pioneer and a game changer. He and his accomplishments should be celebrated since we wouldn’t have a lot of music, bands, or technology without Gary Numan.

I love the honesty

I have always loved Gary Numan since hearing him on MTV as a kid. But it seems everything else got in the way of following his career. I saw this book in Fortean Times and knew I had to give a listen. His speaking voice is so calming and the fact that he's honest about his autism and the way it's made him make mistakes over time was so self deprecating, one can't help but love him more. I can honestly say I'll probably listen to it again. I saw him live only recently, before I started the book and I was floored. All that love I had since a kid was not for nothing Gary Numan is the real deal.

I love Gary Numan!

How can you not love the story of one of the greatest artists ever, told in his own words? Absolutely fantastic ♥️

A must for Numan fans

Gary Numan is truly one of a kind and hearing him narrate his life’s story is the cherry on top of the sundae for any fan. I have listened to this audiobook numerous times since I purchased it, while it is a little outdated now (only because he never stops working), it’s one of the best biographies I have ever listened to on audiobook. I actually purchased the book because I enjoyed it so much.

i feel like i lived my own life through gary

i will never forget the scene and what i was doing when i first heard ‘are friends electric’. I was marching with my Friday afternoon air force cadets troop and the music was flowing off an apartment block above us. it hit me in the face, distorted my mind and changed my taste in music forever. since then i have followed Gary’s music and career closely and feel like i have made mistakes and learned and eventually grown with him. my sense of dissatisfaction with his late 80s efforts turned into intense joy replicated over and over again from ‘sacrifice’ onwards. my only regret is that i have never seen him live having lived most of my adult life in Asia. such was his influence on my family i remember my son ( a budding musician in NY) relating a story when he was 10 at school about 12 years ago when the class was asked by the teacher who was their favorite artist - others said ‘beyonce’ or some other pop idol. My son said ‘gary numan’ - prompting stunned silence. so proud of you, Gary. your attitude, your philosophy, your dedication, persistence, passion and the love you show to family and fiends. you inspire me and help me become a better person. thx so much Gary. from Peter Corne

A Must Have!

If you are a Fan? Get it! I highly recommend getting the book or listening to the audible. I've been a fan of his since 1983 and this book put a lot of my questions to rest. Thank you Gary. You are a beautiful human being and I love you even more.

Gary Numan-incredible Life Journey

What an amazing story of the career and personal life of Gary Numan. Was absolutely captivated by every chapter. Laughed, Cried, was so moved with emotions. So well told by the author himself and a roller coaster of a career. Such creativity, such perseverance through 40+’years of the music business and such a love of family. What a humble man snd a force of nature in talent. Love that it was told in his own words and his own voice. Highly recommended.

Exceptional!!!

Thank you so much, Gary, for this incredible backstory to your life and career! I loved every minute of it! Seeing Persia sing Ruin almost brought me to tears. So proud of her and all of your work. Thank you!!

so good!!

Loved it so much! felt like he was sitting right across from you reading this book!
felt way more connecting that it was read by Gary! I recommend it to anyone! not just fans of his. its a good listen for sure!

It's a story of two halves.

Ok, so Gary is a songwriter and musician, not an author. The book's prose is fairly simply constructed, but if (like me) you've been a Numanoid since 1978 (when I was 6), this is essential listening for you.
It's made all the better, in my opinion, by Gary reading it, and since he was there, it adds credibility.
It's written from the heart, he comes across as genuine and open in the dialogue and it's fascinating to hear the origins of all the pop culture that I have adored about both Tubeway Army and Gary himself since I first heard him on a Peel session (we had no TV in 1978, radio was my world).
If you're looking for a book that helps you to connect with Gary in a real way, this is the one.

Heart breakingly honest account of the Rise, Fall and rebirth of a Music Legend

Honest and down to earth recanting of the life and trials of one of my musical Idols. I was there at the beginning and found his music again about 10 years ago so this year by year account was just perfect in filling in the blanks. What an amazingly honest and open account of zero to hero, to near zero to almost cult status in 40 years. Being read by Gary himself made it all the more interesting and added to the emotion. What a life so far, what a survivor, what a legend!

Told with real passion

Well done Mr Numan amazing biography told with feeling. A must hear story. Well done

The Rise & Fall & Rise of A Music Pioneer

Gary Numan's The Pleasure Principal was the very first LP, or album as we call them today, I bought way back in 1980 when I was just 13. I'd heard nothing like that sort of music before, having only really known disco and the pop music of the time.

Just two years later, as far as I was concerned, and Numan was gone from the music scene, a has-been, a flash in the pan etc. What I didn't know back then was just how prolific Numan Was in terms of making music. The lack of radio play and publicity in general for any of his albums post Telekon really put paid to his career as far as the mainstream was concerned.

This lack of publicity as well as a bad decision as far as touring went back in 1981 are all covered in brutal detail in Numan's new book. In fact, there were times when perhaps his honesty was too much!

I was riveted to this book from start to end, reading large chunks of it in single sittings. The cherry on the cake is that Numan himself reads this and is able to put across his feelings doing so. In particular, the raw emotion in his voice when describing his mothers death was heartbreaking to hear. There are so many stories to be told in this book and most of which most people will never have heard. Even if you're not a Numan fan, you will find the life of a struggling musician fascinating with all the ups and downs as well as stories of some of the characters in the music industry.

Numan doesn't hold anything back in this fascinating, funny, sad and happy story of the past 40 years of his life and I can thoroughly recommend it.

Gary Human great book

Started reading the actual book but when I found out it was dead by Gary himself I knew this would and an extra element to it, it also includes 2 songs, the only downside is that you don't get to see the photos he included. I loved it from start to finish and hope he continues with another book,I'm sure he's not done yet.

More human than Android…

I didn’t know much about Gary Numan before listening to this but as I enjoy music autobiographies and grew up in the 70s/80s, it was of interest. Kept me entertained in the car for a few weeks! Gary comes across as a genuine guy and family man, who has often doubted his own abilities. I thought it was a good listen.

5 STARS Made me love Gary even more!

I am a big fan of Gary Numan and wanted to find out what my favourite android is all about. this book is read perfectly by Gary himself and feels more like he's talking to you than just reading to you. this is a very engaging book and I highly recommend getting it!

Boring boring boring

I thought this was boring and mediocre , maybe the diehard human fans will like this but unless you want something to put you to sleep don’t bother with this , probably could have told this story in a quarter of the words

If Alan Partridge had played synth

I’m not a big fan of his music, but it’s an enjoyable enough listen - he’s got an interesting story to tell. And he’s often very funny - not always intentionally mind…

absolutely brilliant

Very noble and modest telling of Gary's life.
I have such admiration for Gary and how he has rebuilt his career after years of negative publicity