Growing Out of It: Machinations before Madness

Whether flying across a screen or lighting up the stage, Madness' wild, energetic sax player has always been hard to miss. For Lee 'Kix' Thompson, life is about having fun―even when times are tough. Growing Out Of It is the tale of one 'nutty boy' not really growing out of it at all. From getting up to no good as a teenager to his many musical (mis)adventures in the 1970s, Lee's memoir of his formative years captures his enduring love for his north London stomping ground, where he first met the other members of Madness. This is a story of growing up in a certain time and place when anything felt possible, even a bunch of north London lads forming a ska revival band―and becoming one of Britain's best-loved groups.

Ian 'Snowy' Snowball has written over thirty books on subjects such as Paul Weller, Rick Buckler, The Jam and The Style Council, The Who and Keith Moon, acid house, Oasis and northern soul. Helping Lee to draw out his story was a mad, joyous process―and Snowy's still grinning! Lee 'Kix' Thompson is a musician and songwriter, best known as the saxophonist in and co-founder of Madness. He still tours internationally with the critically and commercially acclaimed band, alongside leading The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra.