April 2018 Book of the Month
The nostalgic memoir of a young man, eldest of fourteen, growing up in 40s Wednesbury. The heartbreaking true account of his son struggling to come to terms with his father's dementia. A tribute to the unbreakable bond between father and son.
'At once a touching tribute to a beloved music-loving dad with Alzheimer’s and a poignant portrait of the love between a father and son, this written-from-the-heart memoir will warm the soul, and undoubtedly further the author’s magnificent endeavour to raise awareness of this devastating disease.
Simon McDermott’s cherished dad, Ted, was born in the Black Country in 1936 and always loved singing. In his early twenties, following National Service, Ted seized an opportunity to air his voice publicly by becoming an announcer for Walsall Football Club, which provided him with plenty of opportunities to entertain the crowd, while coming up with ideas to draw more women to matches. Also enjoying stints as a Butlin’s redcoat and singing in clubs up and down the country, Ted never lost his love of music - not after settling down and working in a factory, and not after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013. In fact, as Simon discovered during drives to calm his dad’s angry outbursts, singing has the power to bring back the old Ted. And so Simon posted a clip of his dad, the clip went viral and now, one single and full-length album later, Simon and Ted have raised over £150,000 for The Alzheimer’s Society.
Peppered with moving and amusing family anecdotes from all stages of Ted’s life, and suffused in love and light through even the most harrowing moments, this heart-wrenchingly honest memoir is powerfully compelling, and should offer succour to others in similar situations.'
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
| Recommendations: |
The story of Ted McDermott told by his son Simon is an amazing read – a memoir of family, love, and hope that will stay with you for a long time.
I had briefly heard about The Songaminute Man in the news a year or so ago, but hadn’t picked up much detail so was very intrigued to find out more about the man and his son behind this all. This book is the memoir of Ted McDermott, written by his son Simon. It captures Ted’s childhood growing up in 1940s Wednesbury as the eldest of fourteen children right through to the present day and his rise to fame in the carpool karaoke videos.
This is an extremely powerful book and definitely one that I will remember for a long time. It is incredibly well written and detailed, considering that Simon had to source all the information from other people as Ted has dementia.... Read Full Review
A moving and inspirational tribute from a son to his father.
I first learnt of Ted McDermott when his son, Simon, posted a video on Facebook of the pair of them singing joyfully whilst in the car. As my mother had dementia and listening, and dancing, to Glenn Miller was one of the only ways that she seemed to come to life and engage with me, I was interested to learn more and followed their story.
When Ted was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Simon discovered that his father's talent, and love of, singing enabled him to connect with others and ease his sudden distressing and aggressive bouts.... Read Full Review
A poignant and unflinchingly honest account of a son’s tribute to his dad.
‘The songaminute man’ is an unflinchingly honest portrait of a man by his son. It was well written and easy to read.
There are certainly some sad moments such as when Ted forgets his wife and his son then behaves rather aggressively towards them. What I particularly liked though was the fact that the memoir started off by telling the story of the life of Ted.... Read Full Review
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