Walking Disaster

My Life Through Heaven and Hell

By: Deryck Whibley

Narrated by: Deryck Whibley

This candid memoir of music, fame, and endurance from Deryck Whibley, lead singer of Sum 41, follows his rise from a punk kid to an international star.

From his earliest days growing up in Canada, Deryck Whibley was a punk who loved music and couldn’t wait to achieve something bigger and better than the humble path that lay before him. Whibley was raised by a single mom and their small family constantly moved from place to place, so he was used to being the new kid, starting fights (or finishing them), and connecting with people who shared his sensibility for chaotic fun and loud music. Sum 41 was born of a group of friends who loved to jam, shared a DIY ethos, and were determined to be rock stars one day.

Walking Disaster is Whibley’s story, but it is also the untold story of Sum 41. Whibley takes you backstage, into the recording booth, and through the highest highs and lowest lows of the band whose story is inextricably woven with his own.

With his insightful, earnest, and genuine voice, Whibley gets real about fame, fortune, and the music industry. Detailing everything from winning at the MTV Video Music Awards and being nominated for a Grammy to revisiting his high-profile relationships and friendships, contending with invasive paparazzi, and suffer­ing from health issues that brought him to the brink, Whibley offers a forthright and unforget­table memoir.

©2024 Deryck Whibley (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Wild and complicated late 90s life

This book was so interesting. Deryck has lived so many different lives and has pulled through. What an amazing story and I'm so happy he told it. So many wild and crazy things happened, such a rock & roll lifestyle and he seemed to come out better at this moment. If you like pop punk or grew up in the late 90s, early 2000s, this is a must read.

Todo lo que está detrás de Sum41

Nos deja ver todo lo que Deryck vivió antes y durante Sum 41, conociendo al completo la historia de su vida

Still the Mac

Rise, fall, rise again, come back even stronger, and keep at it giving it everything you’ve got. Inspirational stuff and why I’ve loved Sum 41 all these years.

Music sections

I loved the acoustic versions of songs and the meaning behind such beloved songs definitely have a bigger appreciation for Sum 41 and Deryck.

Couldn’t Stop Listening

Thank you so much for sharing your story Deryck. I’m so glad you had the chance to and that you’ve found happiness and health in your life. As a life-long Sum 41 fan, I was so sad to hear the announcement of the end of the band, but know that everything must come to an end eventually and that you guys were able to do it how you wanted to and were able to put past shit behind you. As an artist that is married to a musician, I know that the urge to create never stops, so I can’t wait to see what you make next,. Whatever it ends up being, I’m sure it will be great.

What a rollercoaster!

Having Deryck read this felt like I was listening to my best friend tell me stories. I wanted to laugh, cry and most importantly hug him. The book was so well written that I could actually feel the emotions through his words. As a teenage mom myself it made me think that I need to have important conversations with my own son because I don’t know what I would do if my son went through the things Deryck did. Anyways this is a great book and I highly recommend it.

life long fan

I've been a sum 41 fan since the beginning. It was exhilarating listening to Deryck tell his story. The audiobook feels like a long night of story telling with an old time friend because I couldn't stop listening and it brought back memories from my own life.

Gave me insight to the band I love

This story was very well told and covered so much. The honesty Deryck gave to us is very much felt. The fact that he read it made it more personal and connected as if he was just a friend telling you his story. Thanks Deryck!

A Must Read

A must read for anyone who has ever listened to any Sum 41 song. It’s a vulnerable, hilarious, tragic and intriguing memoir that gives a profound new meaning to all of Deryck’s song writing. I could not stop listening! Hearing the author read it himself gave that deeper connection to the story as well. Definitely a lot of traumatic themes and insight into the dark side of the music industry. Thank you for sharing your story Deryck!

Who knew Canadians were so well spoken!

Amazing story and well written! Always rooting for you and excited for part 2 down the road