September 30th 1988 will always stand as the pinnacle in the musical career of Michael Trempenau - the day he and White Lion played the famous Madison Square Garden in New York.

In this biography, journalist Lars Daneskov is telling a truthful and honest story about a guy from Vesterbro, Copenhagen - Mike Tramp. The story about a hard working rock 'n' roller, who never fitted into the Danish mentality. A guy, who had to leave his home country behind to gain the recognition and fame he so sought for...

The story begins even before Michael joins Mabel - his first serious band - spelling the beans about his single mom and her everyday struggle to support Michael and his two brothers - Dennis and Kim.

Mabel is Michael's first stop, the band is sort of the first boy-band from Denmark and he learns about fame the hard way, with chaotic concerts, girls almost living outside the house where the band is living making a normal life impossible. The result is that Mabel flees the country and ends up in Spain.

In Spain, Michael learns more about the rock scene and the US, and when things begins to get sour, the bands decide to move on - they do make a small name change to Studs before the move. Arriving in the US is like a revelation for Michael and he welcomes his new home country by kissing the ground when he arrives to the JFK Airport.

Shortly after his three compatriots decide to call it a day and they return to Denmark. Michael however has grown a lot as a person and has a lot of faith, he wants to prove himself and make it big, and in order to do so he stays in NY. He starts his own band Lion, and nothing really happens until he meets Vito Bratta and White Lion is born. Michael Trampenau has become Mike Tramp, and White Lion is slowly gaining a good reputation in the New York area touring and playing their asses off...

They experience the struggles most up and coming bands have to go through with managers, record companies and the scene in general. They release their first album - and things slowly begins to pick up, but it isn't until they record their second album "Pride" that things begins to happen... 1988 turn out to be the year of White Lion and we get the whole story about the tours, the ups and downs of the band until they finally breaks up in September 1991.

From that point Mike's life has been one long struggle, but he is a survivor and a fighter! And I have nothing but respect for him, his lifestyle and his beliefs. I know the song "Little Fighter" was written about the sinking of Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior ship in the harbour of Auckland, but it could easily have been written about the attitude and spirit of Mike Tramp:

Rise again little fighter
And let the World know a reason why
Shine again little fighter
And don't let'em end the things you do

Mike is honest and isn't trying to hide anything - just read the honest and straight to the bone statement Mike gives on the pages 215 and 216. Respect!

The book is well-written and is filled with cool pictures from Mike entire career, with quotes from almost everybody, who has had an impact on Mike and his life - with the exception of Vito Bratta, who declined to take part in the book. There is off course so much more to this story than I have told here... do read the book and find out for your self!

As far as I know it's only available in Danish for now - and I'd suggest all Danish metal heads to read this very insightful and exciting book about one the most important Danish rock persons ever! To others - hopefully it'll be translated into your native language some day....