Scatman John

The Remarkable Story of the World’s Unlikeliest Popstar

“Waggott interweaves her thorough account of Larkin’s career with a thoughtful meditation on how the public perception of, and advocacy for, stuttering has evolved across the 20th and 21st centuries. The result is a worthy tribute to an enigmatic and influential musician.” – Publishers Weekly

“Moving, surprising, and truly unputdownable, this well-written book is a true testament to the transformative power of music. I had never stopped to consider this novelty song in depth before, so the richness of the deeper meaning behind the song as well as the fascinating story of the artist behind it was a joy to discover.” – LUXXURY, producer, songwriter, and DJ; One Song podcast

“Bravo, Gina! I got to play and record with John when he was a jazz pianist, and years later, he transformed into ‘The Scatman.’ Wow, I’ve learned so much about his hard-lived journey from this book.”
– Sam “Sluggo” Phipps, Oingo Boingo

“What an amazing story. Like Scatman’s own life, this book is an ode to the astonishing power of music as a means of expression, redemption, self-acceptance, and, ultimately, triumph.”
Geoff Spink, former BBC Age & Disability Correspondent; disability rights campaigner

“With meticulous research and careful reporting, Gina Waggott has crafted a memorable portrait of a man all people―no matter how they speak―should take the time to know better.”
John Hendrickson, author of Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter

“What a gift John Larkin was to the world. And what a gift Gina Waggott has given us in capturing all the vivid details of his buoyant life. Here was a life full of pain and deep love, despair and joy, a talent shared with the world just in time. Scatman John will give anyone who has ever felt shame a great deal of hope.”
Katherine Preston, author of Out With It: How Stuttering Helped Me Find My Voice

“Scatman John is a brilliant and important testament to the creative power of stuttering.”
Jonty Claypole, former Director of Arts, BBC; author of Words Fail Us: In Defence of Disfluency

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