Sheila E talks with Billboard’s Gail Mitchell about ‘The Beat of My Own Drum!’ at Book Soup

From the Grammy Award-nominated singer, drummer and percussionist who has shared the stage with countless musicians and is renowned for her contributions throughout the music industry comes this memoir about the healing power of music inspired by five decades of life and love on stage.

Sheila E., born Sheila Escovedo in 1957, picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, inspired by her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo. Two years later, she delivered her first solo performance to a live audience. By 19, she had fallen in love with Carlos Santana. By 21, she met Prince. “The Beat of My Own Drum” is both a walk through four decades of Latin and pop music–from her tours with Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Prince and Ringo Starr–to her own solo career. At the same time, it’s also a heartbreaking but redemptive look at how the sanctity of music can save a person’s life. Having endured sexual abuse as a child, Sheila credits her parents, music,and God with giving her the will to carry on and to build a lasting legacy. (Atria)