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The Tremolo Diaries

Life on the Road and Other Diseases: SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

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The Tremolo Diaries

By: Justin Currie
Narrated by: Justin Currie
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A TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Shortlisted for the Penderyn Music Book Prize 2026

The Herald Music Book of the Year

A Guardian Top 5 Music Book of the Year

A Classic Pop Music Book of the Year

A Mojo Top 5 Book of the Year 2025

An Uncut Top 3 Book of the Year 2025

“A Latter-day Lear. A truly remarkable book” John Niven, The Spectator

“Might just be the finest music memoir of recent years” Independent

“A minor masterpiece” Classic Pop

“Full of life and joy and copious swearing” The Herald

Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie reflects on life as a touring musician in the shadow of his life changing Parkinson’s diagnosis.

It’s 2022 and we join Justin at the doctor’s office, looking down the barrel of a Parkinson’s diagnosis. After concerned fans noticed a tremor in his hand, Currie sought the medical advice which led him to the discovery that would throw his future into uncertainty.

The immediate fallout of his diagnosis is laid bare in Currie’s candid, stream of consciousness voice. A voice that is also by turns poetic, self-deprecating and darkly humorous across a series of diary entries that capture Justin’s innermost feelings — part travelogue, part confessional.

Following a coming to terms with the situation whilst on tour in the U.S, the second half of the story joins Currie in 2024, supporting Simple Minds on tour with Del Amitri. Anger, heartbreak and a looming sense of finality concoct a terse relationship between what once was and what may never be. Yet, page after page, what prevails is the achingly perfect timing of his acerbic wit.

The Tremolo Diaries is a beautiful and unique meditation on illness and aging. It is a twilight years reflection on band life in the 21st Century. It’s a travelogue around the world’s art galleries, parks, bars and sites of natural beauty. And most importantly, it is about love and friendship, adversity and courage, life and loss.

In a first-of-its-kind exploration of Parkinson’s by a multi-platinum selling musician, The Tremolo Diaries looks the dramatic irony of Currie’s affliction in the eye, puts down the guitar, and returns the needle to the start of the song. Entertainment & Celebrities Heartfelt Witty Emotionally Gripping Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking
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I enjoyed this book it was sad, funny and heartwarming.
I loved the fact that it was narrated by Justin himself loved his calm voice.
Saw Del Amitri performing in Bournemouth and they were fabulous. Never was a fan but loved their performance. Noticed Justin had Parkinson’s then and was intrigued and started to read up on Justin. Was so impressed with his dedication to continue his tour.
My dad suffered from Parkinson’s and can understand the frustration, fear and confusion as I have seen it in my dad.
Wishing Justin & his love strength and love ❤️

Heartwarming, emotional and funny

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Certainly strips away the glamour of touring in a band.
Justin's description of how his most important relationship with his partner is still full of love but he explains his sense of loss as they can no longer live together. The changes to his ability to perform, the physical and emotional effects of Parkinsons and just how hard he is trying to continue whilst accepting that there will come a time when he will not be able to continue.
The relationships within the band who support him. Justin's honesty was informative on how a musician / singer may struggle and lose confidence but their fans are still very happy with his performance. i know, i have seen Del Amitri three times in 2025.

An honest description of the changes he is facing in his life.

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This is possibly one of the greatest music biographies that I’ve read and
I’ve read a lot. Hugely inspiring and heartbreaking in equal measure. Justin’s writing is utterly superb, poetic and raw
in places. For me his writing conjours up
images in 3D and glorious Technicolour.
I will go back to this book again and again.

Inspiring & Heartbreaking !!

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Very moving if a little depressing but a very personal account of a difficult time for Justin 😔

Personally read

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A warts and all take of life on the road with Parkinson's written and narrated by Del Amitri's Justin Currie. He is struggling with loss - not just of his health and the possibility no longer being able to perform, but also the death of his mother and the confinement of his love to a care home following a catastrophic stroke. At times it's heartbreaking to listen to, but Justin's sense of humour and irony shines through, as well as his knowledge of art, literature and music as he visits galleries and museums to combat the tedium of touring.

Highly recommended.

On the road with Gavin

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