Product Description

Since she first burst onto the international music scene, Melissa Etheridge has released seven albums that have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, garnering not only public adoration for her uncompromising honesty but numerous critical awards, including two Grammys and the prestigious ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award. The Truth Is . . . is a highly charged autobiography—a bold and unflinching account of an extraordinary life that Melissa describes as only she can: from her Kansas roots, through her early love of music, to her brilliant rise to superstardom in a male-dominated rock world. Melissa openly discusses the massive impact of her publicly coming out, a revelation that only increased her popularity, making her a highly visible spokesperson for the gay and lesbian community. The Truth Is . . . shares Melissa Etheridge’s fascinating story with unprecedented candor and insight.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #147864 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-11
• Released on: 2002-06-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780375760266
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
She's not in Kansas anymore! Melissa Etheridge, the gutsy Midwest girl who grew up to be the heartland's gift to rock & roll (and a major gay spokeswoman) tells all in her memoir, The Truth Is.... With a little help from Laura Morton, the bestselling collaborator of Marilu Henner and Joan Lunden, Etheridge sets the record straight about her life on and off the stage, her coming-out drama, and the stories behind her songs.

From Library Journal
Personal news from a hot rock guitarist.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
?Startling . . . a pull-no-punches autobiography.? ?People

?Melissa Etheridge bares her soul.??New York Post

?Intimate.??The Washington Post

?Inspiring, thought-provoking, and sometimes shocking.??Buzz Magazine

?Melissa Etheridge is holding nothing back right now.??USA Today -- Review

Customer Reviews

Melissa touches us once again!
"The Truth Is..." a new autobiography by rock-and-roll singer, Melissa Etheridge, is a rare, poignant look into the life of someone who has actually lived the words they sing. Delving into extremely personal, and sometimes painful, topics that most would choose to pretend never happened, Melissa charges ahead and lays bare her soul. Sharing written entries from her personal diary as a child, one gets a glimpse of an extremely sad child, desperately in need of love and nurturance, neither of which she received. Later entries take the form of songwriting, and still the sadness lingers.

This written journey into her soul shows the path Melissa has taken over the past 40 years in her career, loves and relationships, births of her two children, and eventual happiness with the person she has become.

Melissa takes us back to her roots in Leavenworth, Kansas, circa 1961, and her birth into an extremely dysfunctional family that never shared their emotions. Born on her older sister's birthday, that event seemed to set-off a deep-set resentment in Jennifer, culminating in manipulation, physical, and sexual abuse that lasted for many years. As do many victims of sexual abuse, Melissa escaped into a fantasy world that gave her comfort -- the world of movies, food, and later, music. For two hours in the make-believe world of Hollywood, she could escape the reality of her life, and find safety in her dreams for the future.

In 1964, she heard the Beatles for the very first time, and from that moment on, music became her saving grace. With music in her life, Melissa found a sanctuary, and would daily recreate songs with the neighborhood kids, always in the lead guitarist role of their make-believe band. Eventually her father noticed, and one day came home with a real guitar, which set her on her musical journey. Although her mother was never fond of her musical talents, her father did take an interest, driving his talented daughter to practices and gigs all over Kansas and other areas. She played throughout her high school years with one goal in mind -- to be a rock-and-roll star and get the hell out of Leavenworth, which is exactly what she does.

The trip to stardom didn't happen overnight, taking detours to Boston and the East Coast, before heading west to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Along the way, Melissa continued her search for love, falling into the typical lesbian "second-date/U-Haul" relationship trap. She entertained various women and relationships throughout the years that would fill her soul for the moment, yet left her empty when they simply couldn't give her enough. These heart-wrenching relationships led to passion-filled, gut-wrenching hits such as "Bring Me Some Water," "Like the Way I Do," "Don't You Need," "Similar Features," and the classic, "You Can Sleep While I Drive."

A turning point in Melissa's life happened when she met Julie Cypher. At the time, Julie was married to actor, Lou Diamond Phillips. But Melissa was smitten, and evidently, so was Julie. Their flirtation on the set of Melissa's first music video continued throughout the months; Julie finally making the first physical overture with a kiss. The affair continued for months before Julie filed for divorce from Phillips, and fled to Melissa's arms. In the beginning, their relationship appears to have the glow most new relationships do. But eventually the shine wears off, and you read of many infidelities on Julie's part, her desire to control and manipulate Melissa to get what she wants, the birth of two children into a troubled relationship, and a growing sense of unhappiness in Melissa. The children appear to be the only bright spot in Melissa's life during this tumultuous relationship. Acknowledging their problems, the couple attempts counseling. The final revelation Julie shares with Melissa during a session is not only devastating to her as she hears it, but is devastating to the reader as well. You truly feel her pain upon hearing the declaration.

Continuing towards the end of this painful relationship with Melissa, you get a sense of a troubled soul about to turn the page in her life. Her words gain strength with each passing page, and although she slips a few times, Melissa begins to find a new balance in her life, discovering herself in the process. The newfound self-confidence she feels in the last few chapters simply leap from the page, impressing the reader of the importance in finding one's place in life, knowing what it is you need and desire, and not settling for less.

While many could say this is a "dirty laundry" book, Melissa is fair in her telling of the stories. She states, "What you are about to read is my perception of the events that have shaped my life, inspired my music, and brought me to a new understanding of myself and my life...people may disagree, and some may not like what I have to say, but I stand by my truth." She neither hides, nor apologizes, for sharing these intimate moments, and by doing so, conquers the demons of silence that have haunted her for so many years. The road to emotional health for Melissa was riddled with self-doubt, an unhealthy attraction to controlling, manipulative women, a desperate need to be loved, and other stumbling blocks, but in the end, she seems to find a peace and happiness within.

As the book draws to a close, we find Melissa standing on the precipice of a new life as a single woman, continuing the role as mother to her beautiful children, preparing to launch a new album, "Skin," and a new world tour. By writing "The Truth Is..." Melissa Etheridge has once again written a missive guaranteed to touch a soul, just as her songs have for so many years. Maybe not with music we hear with our ears, but definitely feel with our heart.

No holding back.
Melissa Etheridge has always been one to pour her love and sadness out in the raw, pulsing drive of her music, or the crystalline acoustics that so clearly define the despondency she felt as her life unraveled. In this book she explains the emotions behind the lyrics, as she climbs to the top, becoming one of the most respected female artists on the music scene today. The book also covers the life she spent with her partner Julie Cypher and their two children.

The many photos delighted me, both professional and candid home shots, interspersed among the chapters. She tells how together, with the help of long time friend David Crosby, she and Julie were able to create an alternative family. Unfortunately things have fallen apart, but Melissa and Julie have back-to-back homes so the children can have some semblance of unity in their lives, even though their mothers have parted. I was touched by her words on page 208, when she talks about the dismantling of their home and life, after their break-up. A hot water tank in the attic broke, and the water just poured down from the ceilings. She writes: "We were moving and our house was crying."

I have to admit it was an odd read, and not like any other book I have ever read but it was interesting and Melissa's honesty was enjoyable. I have to give her credit for following her heart and being strong enough to deal with the repercussions as the world looks on. The best in love and life to you Melissa, you are an incredible individual. Kelsana 9/14/01

Ebert's womyn rival....TWO THUMBS WAY UP!!
I picked up this book and couldn't put it down. This book touched me inside. Our childhood's paralleled each others. I found myself shaking my head in understanding as I read. I grew up also in a family devoid of feelings. It amazes me that she and I are the same age and yet followed two different paths. I loved her drive as she was not going to let anything stop her. She knew what she wanted and she was bound and determined to get it. At times I found myself envying Melissa's journey into self. Wishing I had had the same fortitude she had. She is a strong independent womyn. Recently I went to my first lesbian meeting. I sat in that parking lot, frozen...not able to move. Then I remembered something I had just read in Melissa's book. She wrote that when she went to Los Angeles. She knew no one, she would go to the lesbian bars alone. I used her strength to find my own. I went to that meeting and no longer felt alone. Her story affected me and that is what a good book does.