The Verve: Crazed Highs and Horrible Lows

In 1993 Richard Ashcroft, the lead singer of The Verve, a four-piece band from the North of England, declared, "HIstory has a place for us. It may take us three albums, but we will be there." Four years later The Verve recorded their ground-breaking third album, Urban Hymns, and his prediction came true. But during those four years, the band took a wild ride c

In 1993 Richard Ashcroft, the lead singer of The Verve, a four-piece band from the North of England, declared, "HIstory has a place for us. It may take us three albums, but we will be there." Four years later The Verve recorded their ground-breaking third album, Urban Hymns, and his prediction came true. But during those four years, the band took a wild ride characterized by its members' drug-taking, outrageous hedonistic tour behavior, depressions, and internal conflicts. Decadence, poor mental and physical health, and interpersonal rifts caused the band to split up for a time in 1995, shortly after the notorious Lollapalooza show in Kansas City. But now, after their reconciliation and two hit singles, they look bigger than ever.

Veteran music journalist Martin Clark, with his noted attention to detailed research, traces the intense and sometimes sordid story of brash, outspoken frontman Ashcroft, guitarist Nich McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, drummer Pete Salisbury, and keyboard player Simon Tong as they travel the rocky road to popular success.