Lionel Richie Announces New Memoir ‘Truly’

Lionel Richie will tell his story in his own words in his new memoir, Truly. The music icon’s new book, titled after his 1982 solo debut single, will release Sept. 30 via HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

According to the synopsis, the “intimate” memoir chronicles Richie’s “lessons learned during his unlikely story of remarkable success—his dramatic transformation from painfully shy, ‘tragically’ late bloomer to world-class entertainer and composer of love songs that have played as the soundtrack of our lives.”

Richie will take readers back to his early days growing up in Tuskegee, Alabama, becoming a member of the legendary group The Commodores, embarking on his highly successful solo career and joining American Idol as a judge. Richie, who has sold over 125 million records worldwide, will also dive into his personal life, opening up about his experience with ADHD, past relationships, his father’s death and more.

“I travel the world, and all people really want to hear is, ‘I love you,’ ” Richie said in a statement. “‘I love you’ is forever. And the day we realize we come as different tribes, but we all represent the global family of mankind … the day that happens, we will clearly be united, together, as one.”

Judith Curr, president and publisher of HarperOne Group, added, “Lionel Richie is not only a music legend who has long been a multicultural and generational bridge, he has witnessed monumental shifts in history and entertainment while working with some of the most significant talents of our age.”

She continued, “We are thrilled to not only be providing his fans and friends with a nuanced, detailed, emotional telling of what his life has held, but his view of the world — what has changed and what has remained the same, the difficulties and the causes for celebration.”

Richie will support his new memoir on his book tour, Truly: An Evening of Lionel Richie with Friends. 

The live-in-conversation series of events kicks off Sept. 30 in New York, with stops in Austin, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale this Friday (May 16) at 10 a.m. local time at lionelrichie.com. Every ticket purchase will include a copy of the book. 

“My highly anticipated memoir is here this fall, and I can’t wait to celebrate it with you all! Catch me on book tour for a one-of-a-kind event, where I’ll be talking about my no-holds-barred memoir TRULY,” Richie wrote in a social post. “In conversation with surprise guests, I’ll share my intimate, deep, and candid moments.”

Preorder Lionel Richie’s memoir TRULY at lionelrichie.com/book.