In George Michael: A Life,“Gavin’s engrossing biography of the singer takes the measure of a gifted, tragic, and infuriating man” (New York Times Book Review). George Michael was an extravagantly gifted, openhearted soul singer whose work was both pained and smolderingly erotic. He was a songwriter of true craft and substance, and his music swept the world, starting in the mid-1980s. His fabricated image—that of a hypermacho sex god—loomed large in the pop culture of his day. It also hid—for a time—the secret he fought against revealing: Michael was gay. Soon his obsession with fame would start to backfire. As one of the industry’s most privileged yet tortured men began to self-destruct, the press showed little sympathy. George Michael: A Life explores the compelling story of a superstar whose struggles, as well as his songs, continue to touch fans all over the world. Acclaimed music biographer James Gavin traces Michael’s metamorphosis from the shy and awkward Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou into the swaggering, dominant half of the leading British pop duo of the 1980s Wham! He then details Michael’s sensational solo career and its subsequent unraveling. With deep analysis of the creative process behind Michael’s albums, tours, and music videos, as well as interviews with hundreds of his friends and colleagues, George Michael: A Life is a probing, definitive portrait of a pop legend.
The unexpected death of George Michael on Christmas Day, 2016 brought to a close the life of one of the UK’s most loved pop icons. Careless Whispers is the gripping story of this musical legend – A record-shattering singer, songwriter and producer whose 30-year career saw him become one of the best-selling artists of all time. Revised and updated to encompass his final few years and the outpouring of love in his wake, this celebratory Omnibus Enhanced edition also includes a Digital Timeline of George Michael’s career, packed with live performances, music videos, interviews and more. This revealing biography digs deep into George Michael’s career, from the formation of Wham! to his success as a solo artist and, eventually, the final projects before his tragic passing. Within this larger-than-life tale, Robert Steele also explores his closely-guarded private life, including the death of his partner in 1993, the drug and sex scandals that sent him to prison in 2010 and the circumstances surrounding his death, as well as details of his astonishing philanthropy which were never revealed during his lifetime. Careless Whispers is an essential and inspiring read of a true musical icon like no other.
The George Michael Story "ROCK: THE LUCKIEST MAN IN POP" is a journey through the decadent eighties written by Andros Georgiou a leading figure in the music industry, From clubbing to partying with the biggest pop stars of the decade from Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, The Pet Shop Boys, Culture Club, ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, to the giants of Rock Guns & Roses, to the queen of soul Aretha Franklin, not to mention Sir Elton John, this is the story of a man's life during one of the most magnificent periods of rock 'n' roll history, this is a truly amazing story both special and unique, something that could never be repeated now given the whole climate of the music industry, "ROCK" is more than just a life recounted or a guilty pleasure for its reader or fan of George Michael, its "REAL." Rock Stars Parties and Backstage Passes, "ROCK" is Andros Georgiou and "YOG" was George Michael. The two were together for the over thirty eight years, and during that time, they were both part of a time in music history that the world will never see again. How did this story start? Andros Georgiou and Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, George Michael to you, are "The Children of The Greeks: 2nd generation cousins. Their fathers, two Greek men from Cyprus, immigrated to London and married two English women from London. Their fathers' intense bond translated into their two families being raised as one, their two sons being raised as brothers. The time was England from the early 1960's to the mid 1980's from the suburbs to the West End, then, it moved throughout the world, right up until they parted ways in 1998. And, for the most part, it was all about the music. As children, the games of their youth became about the music and, as they grew older, their childhood games turned into training sessions that, when circumstances miraculously put George Michael in a spotlight that shined in front of the world for the rest of his life, they were ready. If anything could make two young men in their early 20's ready for a life of glamour and style, celebrities and royalty, they had only up to that timed dreamed about. And for a long time, it seemed nothing could tear these two apart. When fame happened, George brought Andros along without so much as a hesitation, and Andros stuck by his brother, looking out for him at every turn. When tragedies did come that reached the point of devastating, their bond was stronger than ever, especially when close friends and family passed away suddenly and tragically. When the time came for George to discuss his sexuality with Andros, in the beginning, it initially was nothing more than a metaphoric speed bump in their relationship; something that Andros totally didn't expected, but, within short order, didn't make a bit of difference to him. Andros openly included George in the family that he was soon to have, asking George to be the "Godfather" to his two sons, James and Harry. Then 7 April 1998 happened; The actual incident that ended their life-long relationship occurred under a year later and was nothing more than a "silly argument" at a restaurant where they had lunch scores of times before. It was over between them? And Now it's too Late. A version of this book was released back in 2012, after a number of weeks Andros received a message from Yog asking him to take the book off the market and re submit it changing the spelling and grammar and asked to add certain stories that he had missed out. He never got the chance to do it simply because there never seemed to be a right time and he was busy dealing with his life but this year he felt he had to finish it for him. Rock: The Luckiest Man in Pop is a Rollercoaster Ride of very high ups and very low downs, a story that had to be told.
'The godfather of British performance poetry' - Daily Telegraph The Luckiest Guy Alive is the first new book of poetry from Dr John Cooper Clarke for several decades – and a brilliant, scabrous, hilarious collection from one of our most beloved and influential writers and performers. From the ‘Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman’ to a hymn to the seductive properties of the pie – by way of hand-grenade haikus, machine-gun ballads and a meditation on the loss of Bono’s leather pants – The Luckiest Guy Alive collects stunning set pieces and tried-and-tested audience favourites to show Cooper Clarke still effortlessly at the top of his game. Cooper Clarke’s status as the ‘Emperor of Punk Poetry’ is certainly confirmed here, but so is his reputation as a brilliant versifier, a poet of vicious wit and a razor-sharp social satirist. Effortlessly immediate and contemporary, full of hard-won wisdom and expert blindsidings, it’s easy to see why the good Doctor has continued to inspire several new generations of performers from Alex Turner to Plan B: The Luckiest Guy Alive shows one of the most compelling poets of the age on truly exceptional form. 'John Cooper Clarke is one of Britain’s outstanding poets. His anarchic punk poetry has thrilled people for decades . . . long may his slender frame and spiky top produce words and deeds that keep us on our toes and alive to the wonders of the world.' – Sir Paul McCartney
Recounts the life of the Hall of Fame ballplayer whose career was cut short by the disease now commonly called after him, in a portrait that shares details about his rivalry with Babe Ruth, the onset of his illness, and the final years of his life.
Marcus Berkmann was for many years the pop critic of the Spectator, waiting like most freelances to get fired. He's also the author of the bestselling Berkmann's Cricket Miscellany, concentrating on the ridiculous true stories and the weird characters of that most eccentric of sports. Here he combines the two, in a wildly entertaining ride through the galloping absurdities of pop, from Elvis Presley's real hair colour, through Janet Jackson's more intimate piercings, to Courtney Love's hatred of cheese. Why does Bono always wear sunglasses? Did Ozzy Osbourne really urinate on the Alamo? What actually happened at Keith Moon's 21st birthday party at the Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan? There's sex, there's drugs, there's violence, there's even a little rock 'n' roll from time to time. But mainly there are vital questions, now finally answered. Which notable guitarist has unfeasibly tiny hands? Which Britpop star was forced to wear lederhosen as a child? Who said, 'The majority of pop stars are compete idiots in every respect'? And was she wrong?
Geek Rock: An Exploration of Music and Subculture examines the relationship between geek culture and popular music, tracing a history from the late 1960s to the present day. The term “geek rock” refers to forms of popular music that celebrate all things campy, kitschy, and quirky. In this collection of essays, contributors explore the evolution of this music genre, from writing songs about poodles, girls, monster movies, and outer space to just what it means to be “white and nerdy.” Editors Alex DiBlasi and Victoria Willis have gathered eleven essays from across the world, covering every facet of geek culture from its earliest influences, including Frank Zappa Captain Beefheart Devo They Might Be Giants Weird Al Yankovic Present-day advocates of “Nerdcore” Geek Rock offers a working history of this subgenre, which has finally begun to come under academic study. The essays take a variety of scholarly approaches, encompassing musicology, race, gender studies, sociology, and Lacanian psychoanalysis. Geek Rock will be of interest to readers of all backgrounds: music scholars, college and university professors, sociologists, and die-hard fans.
In the years following the 1960s, Beatles fans around the world were twice-stunned: in 1970, when their beloved group disbanded, and ten years later when the murder of John Lennon ended a decade of hope that somehow the Fab Four would reunite. Between those milestones were astounding highs and unfathomable lows. George Harrison's 1971 benefit for the suffering of Bangladesh showed the world the possibilities of rock's altruism, while Lennon asked the world to 'imagine' universal peace before sitting out half the decade to raise his son. Ringo Starr, the most overlooked Beatle, carved himself a surprising niche in film before launching a string of hit singles. And Paul McCartney, widely seen as the instigator of the breakup, became one of rock's most beloved performers, racking up record-breaking smashes that climaxed with a triumphant world tour in 1976. This book covers everything from their recording careers in the decade after the band's dissolution to the musicians they played with, the bands they influenced, the manifestations of latter-day Beatlemania, and the constant clamour for reunion expressed by fans and - sometimes - by the four themselves.
