Tenement Kid
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 1,130 ratings, 105 reviews)Read More
Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Tenement Kid. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The First Ever NZ Children's Book Week!
We are so excited to celebrate kids reading books with the first NZ Children's Book...
What Lizzy's Family Loved on a Long Weekend Away
We recently went on a family long weekend away to Ohakune, a new spot for...
Why We Still Love Pokémon
Pokémon has changed enormously since I was trading cards at school and playing it on...
Paw Patrol : The Dino Movie Toys Have Arrived!
The new Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie toys have arrived & are ready to ship!
New Releases to add to your TBR (11th August)
There's a new release for everyone this week - here's your TBR roundup! Lizzy shares...
See moreThe story, in his own words, of one of the most popular and influential British popstars of the past 30 years
Born into a working-class Glaswegian family in the summer of 1961, Tenement Kid begins in the district of Springburn, soon to be evacuated in Edward Heath's brutal slum clearances. Leaving school at 16 and going to work as a printers' apprentice, Bobby's rock n roll epiphany arrives like a bolt of lightning shining from Phil Lynott's mirrored pickguard at his first gig at the Apollo in Glasgow.
Filled with 'the holy spirit of rock n roll' his destiny is sealed with the arrival of the Sex Pistols and punk rock which to Bobby, represents an iconoclastic vision of class rebellion and would ultimately lead to him becoming an artist initially in the Jesus and Mary Chain then Primal Scream.
Building like a breakbeat crescendo to the Summer of Love, Boys Own parties, and the fateful meeting with Andrew Weatherall in an East Sussex field, as the '80s bleed into the '90s and a new kind of electronic soul music starts to pulse through the nation's consciousness, Tenement Kid closes with the release of Screamadelica, the album often credited with 'starting the '90s'.
A book filled with the joy and wonder of a rock n roll apostle who would radically reshape the future sounds of fin de siècle British pop, Bobby Gillespie's memoir cuts a righteous path through a decade lost to Thatcherism and saved by acid house.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Tenement Kid is praised for its compelling narrative as Bobby Gillespie shares his journey from humble beginnings to rock stardom. Reviews highlight the book's vivid and detailed prose, capturing the spirit of rock and roll, class struggles, and the Scottish underground music scene. It's noted for its emotional depth, blending self-reflection with enthusiasm and love for music, making it a must-read for fans of alternative music and memoir enthusiasts alike.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781474622080
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 07 July 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: White Rabbit
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 32.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 344g
Pages: 432
About the Author
Bobby Gillespie is a singer, songwriter and founder member of the rock and roll band Primal Scream. The band's origins are in the city of Glasgow. They have released 11 albums including major hits, 'Loaded', 'Rocks', 'Country Girl' and 'Kowalski'.
More from Biography & Memoir
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

You might like this book if you're intrigued by the raw, energetic history of the Scottish music scene in the 80s and 90s, as explored by a legendary frontman. It offers a candid glimpse into the life of a musician experiencing personal and professional growth amidst the backdrop of cultural shifts.