There has never been an artist quite like Chris Sievey or his 'fantastic' comedic alter ego, Frank Sidebottom. Whether pushing for chart action while fronting his former band The Freshies or allowing the bombastic Sidebottom to wreak anarchy and chaos on television, radio or with the Oh Blimey Big Band, Sievey's mischievous muse seemed to obey no boundaries. Yet it was only after Chris's untimely demise in 2010 that the extent of his influence became fully apparent. The emergence of Jon Ronson's film, Frank, Steve Sullivan's exhaustive documentary Being The Chris Sievey Story and the bizarre erection of the Frank Sidebottom statue in his native Timperley last October -- before 2,000 devotees -- all combined to make this the most extraordinary stories of recent decades. In this unorthodox biography, legendary journalist Mick Middles draws on his thirty year friendship with Sievey to gain further insight this most charismatic of artists. Family members, fellow musicians, fans and acquaintances help trace Chris's career from Timperley to Hollywood.
Mick Middles Books






George Michael
- 128 pages
- 5 hours of reading
George Michael is one of Britain's top pop stars. In this book, Mick Middles charts the singer's career from the days of Wham through Freedom and Listen Without Prejudice to his latest hit album, Older.
From Joy Division To New Order
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
FACTORY RECORDS' REPUTATION AND FORTUNE WERE FOUNDED ON TWO BANDS -JOY DIVISION AND NEW ORDER - AND ONE SINGLE-MINDED AND STUBBORN PERSONALITY: ITS MEDIA-FRIENDLY COMPANY DIRECTOR ANTHONY H.
This title examines the life of Ian Curtis, his work, his relationships and the cultural environment in which he lived and died.
Factory : the story of a record label
- 480 pages
- 17 hours of reading
Subtitle on cover: The story of the record label.
Reluctant Heroes the Story of Elbow
- 170 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Elbow's journey from their humble beginnings to international acclaim is chronicled in this comprehensive account. The narrative highlights their evolution over 17 years, culminating in the Mercury Prize win for "The Seldom Seen Kid." It showcases the band's unique sound and Guy Garvey's exceptional lyricism, which resonated across genres and generations. Through interviews with band members and associates, the book offers an in-depth exploration of their career, celebrating their status as Manchester's hidden gem in the music scene.
Arcade Fire
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
This book looks beyond the triumphs that gather in their story, to discover a band who are determine to retain the pure yet complex personal dynamic that always set them apart.