‘I Was The King of Spain’ : With Insufficient Adjectives to do it Justice – New Memoir Enthrals with Tales of A Life Lived to the Max
Detailing a life story that you couldn’t make up; Griff Griffiths’ I Was The King of Spain is a memoir that fascinates and astounds whilst at the same time making anyone that picks up a copy slightly envious of his vitality and passion for eking the most from life.
Writing with a candour and honesty that makes his escapades totally compelling, the author takes his audience on a literary rollercoaster that prompts in them a raft of emotions – from astonishment to poignancy, and belly laugh guffaws to shedding a tear.
And when the last page is reached in record time (because it is almost impossible to put down) readers will not only feel that they’ve made a new friend, but will be hoping that a small part of Mr Griffiths’ devil may care approach to life will rub off on them.
Synopsis:
Middle son of gypsy witch and a West London car dealer, born into a very well known, close knit, large family from Notting Hill – I was a market trader, tyre fitter, professional musician, artist, entrepreneur, furniture dealer, gilder, property portfolio, professional comedian, model, sports therapist, songwriter, producer, freemason, father. Lifelong mental health sufferer, massive breakdown left me suicidal, in an institution believing I was the king of Spain.
Documented are tales from emergency operation to avoid arm amputation after being hit twice by the same car, to a bizarre 25k drug deal involving armed Arabs, Beatles photographer, Bob Freeman and Led Zep frontman, Robert Plant in a Marrakech street market, to sexual encounters with one of Kid Creole’s Coconuts after a Pet Shop Boys Hollywood party, to business dealings with the Kray Brothers, to reggae band, ASWAD breaking up a fight with 80s heart-throb, Rick Astley in the foyer of a Gibraltar hotel, to a plane load of statue funded Russian football hooligans helping me find true love in Spain, to saving the life of one of the rapper duo SALT & PEPPER at a London smash hit party, to starting and selling a successful business, fooling experts in the world of antiques, to having a gap decade, then another five years off, currently drumming in a Status Quo tribute band and a Jam tribute band. Along with movie man, Mark Williams, Griff is responsible for the punk/new wave documentary Are They Hostile.
Garnering a host of five-star reviews, Amazon readers’ feedback includes:
“Somewhere between Spike Milligan and Al Murray, easily digestible, fascinating honest look into the life of this creative and spontaneous individual … and what a lovely bloke as well. Wonder what the sequel will conjure up for the 2nd part of his life!” – Amazon Customer
“There is nothing conventional about Griff or the life he has lived. A colourful raconteur, a social butterfly, entrepreneur, artist, comedian and musician – it is not really surprising that he has lived such a diverse and entertaining life filled with many ups and downs.
The book is full of ‘sliding doors’ moments some of which are coincidental, others have been skilfully manufactured but all are genuine and that makes this such a compelling read. Griff is one of life’s explorers, a generous spirit, always on the lookout for his next adventure, unafraid of failure and happy to experiment, a combination that constantly provides us with laugh out loud anecdotes and interesting tales or to use Griff’s analogy ‘dives into a beautiful swimming pool in the sun’.Whether you know Griff personally or not, you will not put this book down once you start reading it!” – Andy Hodgkinson
“I was curious about this book and purchased on a whim, It’s good. Very good. Griff is obviously a funny guy and recounts his life stories with sharp observational wit. Succinctly told with a punchy delivery, he needs to explore a career as part of a comedy writing team.” – shhh
Published by Olympia Publishers, I Was The King of Spain is available in paperback (£8.99) and Kindle format (£2.99 or free via Kindle Unlimited) on Amazon at https://bit.ly/3IOHuHQ and https://bit.ly/3XegYw4
It is also available to purchase at WH Smith / Waterstones / Blackwell’s / The Book Depository and the publishers
About the author:
Born in Notting Hill and living life to the full as his autobiography attests, Griff Griffiths has also co-produced and directed with movie partner, Mark Williams, the documentary Are They Hostile? A gritty feature length documentary on the Croydon Punk, New Wave and indie scene between 1977 to 1980 featuring crucial bands such as The Bad Actors, The Straps, The Daleks and The Marines.
