The explosive, no-holds-barred account of the life of a globally renowned classical musician, Julian Lloyd Webber’s autobiography lifts the lid on a world previously shrouded in mystery.
From vivid descriptions of Julian’s childhood in one of the world’s most famous musical dynasties to unfiltered stories from his collaborations with such stars as Yehudi Menuhin, Neville Marriner, Stéphane Grappelli, Joaquin Rodrigo, Philip Glass, Elton John, and his brother, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bows and Arrows reveals a cut-throat world of agents, promoters, record companies, violin dealers and substance abuse, laying bare the classical music profession as never before.
With refreshing honesty and humour, Julian recounts the break-up of three of his four marriages, his lifelong passion for ensuring that every child should have a chance to play a musical instrument and his devastation at the 2014 injury that forced him to stop playing and sell his Stradivarius cello. This earth-shattering loss, however, led to a new calling, prompting Julian’s appointment as principal of a leading royal conservatoire and his re-emergence as a tireless champion of music education, working closely with politicians including Gordon Brown, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson.
Culminating in Julian’s return to the stage for the first time in twelve years, this is a powerful story of passion, loss and a life reborn.
The Autobiography
Julian Lloyd Webber
PUB DATE: 7 April 2026
ISBN: 9781837360581
PRICE: £22
EXTENT: 352pp
DIMENSIONS: Royal hardback
ILLUSTRATIONS: 8pp colour plates
CATEGORY: Music/Memoir
THEMA CODE: AV/DNC
REGIONS: World
- In April 2026, Julian will return to the stage for a celebratory gala at London’s Wigmore Hall to mark his 75th birthday.
- 2026 will also see the release of Julian’s first recording for twelve years, along with a 75th birthday collection (both on Decca Records).
- Julian is the creator and presenter of Classic FM’s ongoing series Rising Stars on Sky Arts TV. He gives masterclasses around the world and is a regular speaker at festivals.