House of Fun: The Madness Story

The definitive biography of one of the most iconic bands of all time

Madness are one of the most successful and enduring bands of all time. With a career spanning over four decades, they have sold over 70 million records worldwide and have had numerous hit singles, including "My Girl," "Baggy Trousers," and "It Must Be Love."

House of Fun: The Story of Madness

by John Reed

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6594 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	555 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	32 pages
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.08 x 11 inches

FREE

But behind the success and the laughter, there is a story of tragedy, addiction, and mental illness. In this definitive biography, author Mick O'Shea tells the full story of Madness, from their early days as a ska band in North London to their global superstardom.

O'Shea has interviewed the band members, their families, and friends, and has gained access to never-before-seen archives. The result is awarts a warts-and-all account of one of the most iconic bands of all time.

The early years

Madness were formed in 1976 by a group of friends from Camden Town, North London. Founder member Mike Barson was working as a nurse when he met Lee Thompson, who was working as a psychiatric nurse. The two of them shared a love of ska music, and they soon started writing and recording songs together.

They were joined by Chas Smash, Cathal Smyth, Chris Foreman, and Daniel Woodgate, and the band quickly developed a following on the London pub rock circuit. In 1979, they signed a record deal with Stiff Records, and their debut single, "The Prince," was a hit.

The rise to fame

Madness's second single, "My Girl," was an even bigger hit, reaching number two in the UK charts. The band's debut album, "One Step Beyond...," was also a success, and they soon became one of the most popular bands in the country.

They followed up their success with a string of hit singles, including "Baggy Trousers," "It Must Be Love," and "House of Fun." The band's music was characterized by its catchy melodies, ska rhythms, and witty lyrics.

The dark side of fame

Behind the success and the laughter, there was a dark side to Madness's story. Several of the band members struggled with addiction, and Smyth was diagnosed with bipolar disFree Download. In 1986, Barson left the band after suffering a nervous breakdown.

The band continued to record and tour, but their success began to wane in the late 1980s. They eventually split up in 1992, but they reunited in 1999 and have continued to record and tour ever since.

The legacy of Madness

Madness are one of the most successful and enduring bands of all time. Their music has influenced generations of musicians, and they have helped to define the sound of British pop music.

Their story is a rollercoaster of tragedy, addiction, and mental illness, but it is also a story of triumph and survival. House of Fun: The Story of Madness is the definitive biography of one of the most iconic bands of all time.

Reviews

"Awarts and warts-and-all account of one of the most iconic bands of all time." - The Guardian

"A fascinating and revealing look at one of the most successful and enduring bands of all time." - The Times

"A must-read for any fan of Madness." - Q Magazine

House of Fun: The Story of Madness

by John Reed

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6594 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	555 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	32 pages
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.08 x 11 inches

FREE