Home Again

Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.

This is more than a rock story.

Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it.

From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this is the story of a relentless quest for musical greatness.

Beginning with his childhood and the formation of a band that would go on to become a cultural force, Jon Toogood takes us inside the chaos and camaraderie of life on the road - the rock 'n' roll antics, touring with icons, chasing global success, and the pressure to perform across the ages.

Digging into his past and sharing never-before-told stories, Jon Toogood opens the doors to the recording studio and the artistic process of songwriting, while reflecting on his long-term struggle with anxiety, the breakdown of relationships, and the moments that forced him to confront who he was beyond the stage.

There's also a deeply personal story of redemption found through love. In the coming together of two different worlds, Toogood discovered a renewed sense of purpose, and the beginning of a new adventure shaped by family, connection, and an unexpected, hard-won peace.

At its heart, this is a book about why we create, how music becomes survival, and what is possible when the noise finally stops.

Intimate, searching and uncompromising, this memoir is the story of a rock icon and Kiwi legend.

About the Author

Jon Toogood has spent over 30 years at the forefront of Aotearoa's music scene, writing, singing, performing, mentoring, managing, directing, producing, DJ-ing, programming and promoting - all with enormous energy and humanity. Since 1988 Jon has performed at more than 1500 live shows and sold over 250,000 albums world-wide, with two albums certified double platinum and five albums certified gold in New Zealand and Australia.

Shihad was admitted to the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2010, and the following year won Best Rock Album at the 2011 Vodafone Music Awards for Ignite; and Best Rock Album in 2015 for Five Eyes. As part of Shihad and supergroup The Adults, Jon has achieved 6 NZ #1 Albums, 15 NZ Top 40 albums and 25 NZ Top 40 Singles.