An intimate portait, in pictures and his own words, of the enormously successful Canadian singer Michael Bublé became an international phenomenon with the release of his first, self-titled album of 2003, which reached the top ten in Canada and in the UK. Since then he has sold more than 25 million albums, and filled concert halls and stadiums worldwide.

OnStage OffStage is an intimate portrait of this extraordinary singer, told in his own words and through the photographs of Dean Freeman. Bublé talks about his BC upbringing, his early nightclub days, the excitements and temptations of fame, and the sometimes gruelling demands of the road. Buble is a man who takes his music seriously, and himself less so, telling his story with refreshing candour and frequent flashes of self-deprecating humour. You might be tempted to use the expression "warts and all" -- except that the stunning photos in this book clearly show he doesn't have any. But they do capture Bublé in his every mood and in every setting, at home and at leisure, in rehearsal, in the heat of peformance. OnStage OffStage adds up to the second closest encounter any fan could wish for.


From the Hardcover edition.

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It all began when I was a little kid, when I learned my family’s address. My father taught me to sing it, because he knew that by singing it, I’d remember it. I’ll never forget the little tune I composed to sing those four numbers and the name of the quiet street where I grew up in Burnaby, British Columbia. That little song was my first foray into music, and it came to me as naturally as shooting a hockey puck.
 
My maternal grandfather, Mitch Santaga, was responsible for introducing me to the old American standards, usually sung by Italian immigrants like my own family – crooners like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. I think you could definitely make the link between Italians and this kind of music. With Italian families, there is genuine warmth and a lot of love, tactile, hands-on love. We love our family, our food and our music.
 
Grandpa Mitch loved those old singers, and he taught me to love them, too. I spent a lot of time hanging around my grandpa because we’re a family who love each other’s company. Let’s just say that, at Christmas time, nobody’s dreading the holidays. I love Christmas because it is precisely all about family. My family sustains me. I couldn’t have achieved any kind of success without their love and support. They shaped me into the man I am today, and if I should ever lose sight of that, they’d be the first people to kick my butt into shape. That’s important, because I’ve achieved enough success that people aren’t always upfront with me any more. They tend to agree with every idea that comes out of my mouth, and I don’t hear the word ‘no’ so much.
 
Being famous has the double-pronged reality that everybody will listen to your stories and laugh whether or not they find you funny. That kind of thing can be a hindrance to your growth as an artist. I don’t have to mention the names of talented performers who’ve lost their path in life as they became more famous. We know who they are, and I have a strong suspicion that part of the problem was that people either stopped levelling with them, or they stopped listening. My family, on the other hand, is my trusted judge and jury, and I will listen to them as I have all my life. My mom, Amber, for example, has no problem telling me if I’m being crude and lewd, which isn’t entirely unnatural for me. Anyone who’s caught my show will know about my propensity for the risqué and dark side of comedy. If I take it too far, though, my mom will phone me up. ‘Michael, did you really need to say that?’ she’ll ask, in the disappointed tone that kept me in line as a kid.

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Michael Bublé, born in 1975, is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including two Grammies and multiple Junos. He has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and his concerts have grossed $65 million.

Dean Freeman has achieved critical acclaim photographing major cultural figures, including sporting icons and musicians. He is now one of the most sought after photographers of celebrity and reportage in Europe. In recent years the huge sales of his books, including Just for the Record with Geri Halliwell, Forever Spice with The Spice Girls and My World with David Beckham, have cemented his reputation.


From the Hardcover edition.

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