Dave Stewart could have hardly picked a better name for his new autobiography, Sweet Dreams are Made of This: A Life in Music, which hits retailers on 9 February, via New American Library (NAL), an imprint of Penguin Random House. Stewart’s life has indeed been one of music, as he explores in his book. He had his first record deal as a teenager, which eventually led to an incredibly accomplished career that includes over 100 million albums sold, and is still going strong.
Stewart is best known for his enormously influential tenure with Annie Lennox in Eurythmics, with their nine acclaimed albums and hits such as “Here Comes the Rain Again”, “Would I Lie To You?”, “Missionary Man”, “Love is a Stranger”, the British chart-topper “There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart)”, and of course their iconic #1 single in America, “Sweet Dreams (are made of this)”. Stewart has also enjoyed a fruitful post-Eurythmics career recording his own material in addition to collaborating with a wide range of artists from Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, No Doubt, Sinéad O’Connor, Stevie Nicks, Bryan Ferry, Ringo Starr, Joss Stone, Daryl Hall and many others.
Stewart recently joined me for an in-depth interview that touches on all aspects of his life in music, including the early days with the Tourists, an album-by-album exploration of his work with Eurythmics, some of his most notable collaborations, his ventures into composing for films and television, and of course his highly anticipated new memoir. As a musician, composer, producer and artist, Stewart has been one of rock music’s most versatile and important figures of the past 35 years. His new memoir should solidify his tremendous legacy, which doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. (Including from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selection committee, which has inexplicably failed to even nominate Eurythmics for Hall of Fame induction thus far—that needs to change).
Stewart was gracious and reflective during our lengthy conversation, and clearly excited about telling his story via his new memoir. The interview is a taste of what you can expect from the book, which includes many fascinating nuggets and anecdotes about his work and about many of the famous artists he’s crossed paths with over his career.
Continue reading the interview here
