A Sharp Left Turn - Notes on a Life in Music, from Split Enz to Play it Strange

Allen & Unwin, 2019

This is a gripping read that works on several levels. It's the sliding-door story of someone who might have become a world-famous pop star had he not suffered from a severe phobic disorder. It's the story of an assortment of young musicians trying to find their feet as bands in the late 70s and early 80s, and the associated euphoria and craziness of that life. It's Mike's personal story of struggling with agoraphobia and eventually finding a way through. Told in Mike's own words, this is also a loving evocation of a 50s and 60s New Zealand childhood, and a beautifully written memoir that will resonate with anyone who loves a well-told story....