Total Madness

This book is a MUST for every fan of Madness no matter how involved with the band and the music you are. Whether you own just one copy of their Greatest Hits album, or you are a serious collector trying to obtain the entire back catalogue, or if you just fondly remember those video's the lads used to make which combined unrestrained hilarity with the darker side of Great Britain and the issues facing people in the late 70's through the 80's.`Total Madness' is packed with some superb stories of how the band formed, their first gigs in and around the pubs of North London and their chaotic rehearsal sessions. It moves on to their signing for 2-Tone and Stiff, TV appearances, tours, before finally covering their demise in 1986 and reformation in 1992 culminating in Madstock in August of that year. Thrown in amongst all this literary nuttiness are some superb pictures covering the entire chronology of events.As if all this wasn't enough, the one thing that makes this book stand out is that it has been written by a true fan. George Marshall has established himself as one of the leading authorities on many Ska related disciplines, with varying books. `Total Madness' opens with the words, "They say you should never meet your heroes as it is always a disappointment - but meeting Chris Foreman (guitarist) proved this to be the exception to the rule".If you are only a mild Madness fan when you pick up this book, you shall certainly be driven to go out and buy some of their work after reading this. George Marshall's infectious love of the band and the era they come from, quickly overtakes any lingering doubts you may have about trouble making skin-heads intent on right-wing politics and fighting.To sum up, this is the best book on Madness you will find, simply because it is 100% Madness, has great pictures and was written by a true Madness fan FOR Madness fans.Colin Galbraith