Pleasure and Pain

Pleasure and Pain by Chrissy Amphlett and Larry Writer is a compelling autobiography detailing the extraordinary life of Chrissy Amphlett, a legend in the world of Australian music. Born in Geelong, Victoria, Amphlett rose to fame as the lead singer of the iconic band The Divinyls.

In this revealing memoir, she shares her experiences from growing up in Australia to living in New York and mingling with rock royalty like Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Amphlett provides a captivating account of surviving in a male-dominated, tumultuous industry fuelled by money, testosterone, alcohol, and drugs.

The book delves into her early days of breaking into the music scene, including being arrested for busking as a teenager in Spain. Amphlett's angry and provocative stage persona, shaped by her childhood and background, is vividly described as both shocking and a means to maintain control.

The memoir also covers her peak years, marked by both success and excess, in Australia and the United States. It offers a unique perspective on what it was like to be at the top during those exhilarating times.

Pleasure and Pain is further enriched by four additional chapters that chart Chrissy's life following her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, providing an update on her ongoing journey.