I Am Charlie Wilson

Description

The long-awaited New York Times bestselling memoir of seven-time Grammy-nominated artist Charlie Wilson, the iconic R&B and Funk singer-songwriter-producer and former lead singer of The Gap Band-interwoven with his recollections of collaborating with fellow artists such as Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, and Snoop Dogg. Recognized the world over for his distinct voice and timeless hits spanning a career of nearly half a century, Charlie Wilson is one of the most celebrated musicians of his generation. So it took friends and family by surprise when he checked into rehab and revealed that he had been not only homeless, but also helpless. Here is the riveting story of how love and faith carried him through not only his addiction, but also prostate cancer. Here, too, is the story of his work in the music business, including a career resurgence that saw collaborations with some of the most sought-after artists of today, including Pharrell and Justin Timberlake. Now over twenty years sober, Wilson recounts a life filled with vertiginous highs and heartbreaking lows. His is a story of triumph over adversity, courage in the face of extreme hardship, and love when all else is lost. It is a tale of the last sixty years in social and pop culture history, and one that will stay with you for years to come.

Charlie Wilson is an American R&B/soul music legend who has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album for "Uncle Charlie" and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby." Sober for nineteen years, Wilson signed with Jive in 2004 after landing his first No. 1 Billboard Urban AC hit in 2000, "Without You." Recently he has released songs such as "All of My Love," which features Smokey Robinson, as well as "Forever Valentine." Wilson averages seventy-five to one hundred shows a year between concert tours, festivals, and private events, while also devoting his time to charity work as a spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife.

I can still remember first hearing the music of Uncle Charlie and The GAP Band as a kid in Long Beach, California. When I started taking my rapping seriously, he was someone that I always wanted to work with. I was lucky enough to make that happen when he got down with me on my album Tha Doggfather. It's been nearly two decades since that record dropped and Charlie and I have been family the whole time. We've made hit records together, rocked the Live 8 stage, and I even got to honor him at the BET Awards when he got the Lifetime Achievement Award. He's been an inspiration, mentor and a big role model to me as a father and a husband. He taught me how to love my wife and kids first and my career after. He's been there for me when I needed him the most and I hope I have been the same to him and his lovely wife and son Michael "Pesci" Paran. We are family. He's my uncle by love not by blood. First name Charlie last name Wilson. -- Snoop Dogg Wilson's engaging story frames the excess of a life in pop-culture music while illustrating the way that faith, love, determination can overcome even major obstacles. * Publisher's Weekly * A moving, powerful story of survival and redemption-like The Gap Band would say, outstanding! -- Alan Light * author of Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain *