Jumpin' In The Fire: A Life In Rock'n'Roll

There are plenty of books about 1970s excess - of chauffeur-driven limos, soulless stadiums and endless supplies of cocaine. For Tyla, though, it was mainly unreliable tour vans, smoky pubs and amphetamine sulphate, plus occasional glimpses of the Promised Land to keep him going. This is a fascinating autobiography of the highs and lows of a musician's life in the 1970s.

Starting with his entry into the music business in 1970 as a jobbing songwriter for Lionel Bart, the book covers ace pub rockers Ducks Deluxe, The Tyla Gang and a solo career which earned him a gold disc in Germany. Le Monde dubbed him 'Un nouveau Christ' - Tyla was huge in mainland Europe.

There are marvellous anecdotes about childhood friend and Stiff Records stable mate Nick Lowe, Michael Nesmith, AC/DC and even Clint Eastwood. It also covers Tyla's uncanny ability to pass on the main chance - he turned down an offer to join Motorhead and declined to produce the Sex Pistols. Doh!

Tyla has reformed Ducks Deluxe and the Tyla Gang, as well as starting a new band called The Trouble Boys with ex-Rockpile guitarist Billy Bremner and is touring and recording.