Christopher Sandford is a celebrated biographer, known for his insightful explorations of legendary figures in music and film. His writing style is characterized by a keen understanding of his subjects' personalities and creative journeys. Sandford's works are praised for their depth and meticulous research, offering readers a compelling look into the lives of the artists he profiles. His editorial work often delves into the less-examined facets of famous individuals' lives.
This book delves into the significant bond between a renowned U.S. president and Great Britain, highlighting the historical context and personal dynamics that shaped their relationship. It offers insights into diplomatic strategies, cultural exchanges, and the impact of this alliance on international relations during a pivotal era. Through detailed analysis, the narrative reveals how this connection influenced both nations and contributed to shaping modern geopolitics.
Sting (born Gordon Sumner) holds a place as the thinking man's rocker. His years of success with the Police preceded a hugely successful solo career and a continued involvement in acting and environmental issues. His support for social and environmental causes like the Rainforest Foundation, have polarized his critics down two lines, those who admire his stand, and others who accuse him of being motivated more by egomania than by genuine concern. This biography seeks to point out the contradictions and hypocrisies in a life that has generated some of the most talked-about music to emerge from rock and roll's first 40 years, and show that Sting is not one to make a virtue out of being a one-track pop star.
Keith Richards is the legendary rock'n'roll survivor of our time. He's the shy, half-educated boy from Dartford; the player and writer of timeless rock classics like (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Ruby Tuesday and Brown Sugar, among scores of others; the titanic abuser of every conceivable drug; a cultural icon to three generations of fans; and latterly a contented family man who continues, nonetheless, to be rock's most indomitable living practitioner. birthday in December 2003 and the Rolling Stones' touring machine is creaking into gear once more. But who is the real Keith behind the kohl-eyed image? In this penetrative and entertaining portrait, Sandford reveals a life of brilliant invention, of talent, self-destruction, drugs, sex and lurid excess, and above all the glorious rush of the music.
The definitive story of the most controversial and longest-surviving band in music history In order to accurately chronicle the human drama at the center of the Rolling Stones story, the author of this book has carried out interviews with band members; close family members, including Mick's parents; and the group's fans and contemporaries. He has even examined their previously unreleased FBI files. In 1962 Mick Jagger was a bright, well-scrubbed boy planning a career in the civil service, while Keith Richards was learning how to smoke and swivel a six-shooter. Add the mercurial Brian Jones—who'd been effectively run out of Cheltenham for theft, multiple impregnations, and playing blues guitar—and the wryly opinionated Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, and the potential was obvious.During the 1960s and '70s the Stones were polarizing figures, alternately admired and reviled for their flamboyance, creativity, and salacious lifestyles. Confidently expected never to reach 30, they now approach their seventies having been together for 50 years. Like no other book before, this history makes sense of the rich brew of clever invention and opportunism; talent, good fortune, insecurity, and self-destructiveness; and drugs, sex, and other excess that made the Stones who they are.
Sir Paul McCartney first picked up a guitar as a bereaved teenager in 1956. In the fifty years since he's become the most successful pop music composer in history, enjoying a virtual season ticket to the Guinness Book of Records. McCartney's ballad Yesterday, which he wrote in his sleep, has since been covered by 2,400 other artists - making it the most popular song of all time.Now Christopher Sandford reveals the man behind the myth... Among the eye-opening stories is the surprising love-hate relationship with John Lennon, not to mention with Lennon's widow, as well as an insider's account of McCartney's controversial marriage to Heather Mills. Likeswise, Sir Paul's restless creativity - both mainstream and avant-garde - his second group and his marriage to the late Linda McCartney are seen here in fresh and stunning detail.This behind the scenes story takes readers right up to today, as Sir Paul passes his 64th birthday. It's a hard, fast, sometimes shocking saga of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll - the true adventure of the last showbiz superstar.
This biography of David Bowie looks at his life from his deprived and manic childhood through to international stardom via androgyny, drug addiction and finally, critical acclaim. His various personae, including Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke are explored.
Touted by fans for his charisma and scorned by critics for his egomania, Sting is one of the most commercially successful and most controversial rock artists performing today. A schoolteacher from Newcastle, Sting soared to international fame and the top of the seventies rock charts with The Police, one of the most popular bands on the planet. After the band folded, he emerged as a solo start with hit singles, critically acclaimed albums, worldwide sell-out tours, and a host of Grammys. Yet Sting's career has been turbulent — an accomplished jazz bassist and vastly talented musician, he has been charged with playing punk and reggae for careerist convenience. He has been accused of single-handedly breaking up The Police at the peak of its rock band powers. In this updated edition of the first full-length biography of Sting, Christopher Sandford examines the substance behind the cliché: the creative disagreements — and physical violence — among The Police; the musical intelligence that produced such albums as Nothing Like the Sun and Ten Summoner's Tales; Sting's ecological campaigning and financial dealings; and his numerous sexual entanglements. Here is Sting, the legend, the man, the political activist, the performer who continues to fascinate the world.
In this compelling biography, Christopher Sandford explores the full, inside story of Kurt Cobain. From the disruptive childhood which had such a crucial impact on Cobain¿s personality to the ambitious career musician who, as a friend said, ¿lunged for success¿, and the worldwide breakthrough of Nirvana¿s Nevermind, Sandford also writes about Cobain¿s stormy marriage to Courtney Love, his heroin addiction, and how he became more and more of a recluse. Finally, he writes of the crisis when, in April 1994, Cobain turned a shotgun on himself and became a martyr for disaffected youth. The result is a saga of success and corruption which John Peel has called ¿the ultimate rock and roll morality story¿.
The first dual biography of Surrey and England 'spin twins' Jim Laker and Tony
Lock, who helped their county and Test teams to an unparalleled run of
dominance in the 1950s. Besides their peerless achievements on the field, the
two men had little in common, although both courted controversy. This is the
full story of the pair's uneasy partnership.
Drawing from exclusive sources - including interviews with former members of Eric Clapton's bands - this biography of one of rock's most enigmatic figures explores Clapton's troubled childhood, drug addiction and alcoholism, and many glamorous affairs.
Kromě výpovědí samotného Jaggera, líčení drogových afér a milostných skandálů, strhujícího popu "odvrácené tváře" života rockových muzikantů - vyčerpávající dřiny šňůr koncertů a klubových vystoupení - v ní zazní unikátní vzpomínky Jaggerových rodičů, spolužáků, manažera, Keitha Richardse a jiných... Zvědavci se tu dočtou o Jaggerových aférách s Brigitte Bardotovou a Tinou Turnerovou, mrazivé je svědectví o chátrání a smrti Briana Jonese.... celý text
