Steve Hogarth's 'curious' diary book

Marillion singer Steve Hogarth has unveiled the first volume of his memoirs.

The Invisible Man: Diaries 1991-1997 is available for pre-order. It’s to be published on June 21, with the companion title due before Christmas.

Hogarth began keeping a note of his activities after a conversation with his father. He recalls: “Some years ago I went back up north to visit my parents in Doncaster. ‘What have you been up to, son?’ said my dad. ‘I’ve been in Iceland on a glacier with a helicopter,’ I began. ‘Will you promise me you’ll keep a diary? Stuff like that doesn’t normally happen to people,’ he said.

“And so I did. Not all the time, but a lot of the time – often when I’ve been out on the road being a ‘rock star’ and sometimes when I’m at home fixing the dish-washer and bathing the kids.”

Episodes include having lunch with astronaut Neil Armstrong and receiving a phone call from the International Space Station; being arrested at gunpoint in Poland and having a flight diverted so Cat Stevens could be apprehended by police; and much more.

Hogarth says: “I guess you’re pretty familiar by now with my on-stage existence. The Invisible Man should give you more than a little insight into my life – and it has been a curious one – off stage.”

A limited edition of 500 signed hardbacks has already sold out. The paperback can be pre-ordered via Miwk Publishing.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.