In nineties small-town Surrey, watching Top of the Pops was Malcolm's only escape from boredom and the bullies at school... until a phone call from a pop star changed his life forever. Before long, he was getting compliments from Beyonce, hanging out at award ceremonies with Posh Spice's mum and sneaking onto All Saints' tour bus. Freak Like Me is the true story of one teenage pop fan who, with a group of like-minded outcasts, witnesses the disposable music industry of the late nineties and early noughties first-hand. Tracking down A-lister itineraries, he gets to meet the real personalities behind the Smash Hits posters adorning his bedroom walls. This hilarious memoir is packed with scandalous gossip and poignant memories from the era of Nokia 3310s and dial-up Internet, when chart positions meant everything and, if you wanted to know what your idols were up to off-screen, you had to track them down yourself!

About the Author
For years, friends and people on social media have been interested in Malcolm's teenage antics stalking pop stars. He has seen, first-hand, lots of famous or forgotten moments in pop history that changed the cultural landscape and he wanted to share those experiences. He also felt that he wanted to tell the other side of my story, about how pop music was a form of escapism, from both the tedium and bullying of his youth. Malcolm lives in London with his partner. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram at @maltreateddd.


Book Information
ISBN 9781910453698
Author Malcolm McLean
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint RedDoor Press
Publisher RedDoor Press