Gwen: I was stripped of all my own desires and wants when I was married to my ex-husband. I now carry a list with me--a list that will help me choose a man that will put me first in life -- Leo: My life is run with precision with little regard for others until a woman in crazy clothes challenges me to be a better father. She is one of the few people that puts me in my place and maybe for this very reason-I want her more than I can articulate"--Back cover.
Passing Through the Ghost" Is the deep and thought provoking second book of poetry by Leigh Binder. It is filled with more poems about living, loving, life, death, insanity, hope and of course.....Coffee and cigarettes.
This is a unique book covering 100 years of hit songwriting. The music historian, Spencer Leigh, selects the outstanding songs from each year of the 20th century and tells how they came to be written. This well-researched book is bursting with facts and opinions as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin rub shoulders with Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Madonna. There are essays on key songs including My Way, American Pie, Imagine, Candle in the Wind and of course, Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?. There is a full assessment as to whether John Lennon or Paul McCartney made the larger contribution to the most famous songwriting partnership of the 20th century. The book includes Spencer Leigh's interview with five leading songwriters -- Sammy Cahn, Elvis Costello, Gordon Lightfoot, Tim Rice and Jimmy Webb. In addition, there are features on tribute songs and answer songs, and there are plenty of lists. The book is a delight for trivia buffs as well as scholars. It can be read as a musical history of the 20th century or, with its full index, used as a reference work. The book is illustrated with archive material and also contains original artwork by the Liverpool artist, Tony Brown.
This book describes the inner turmoils of Bob Wooler and you follow his thoughts as the Mersey Beat scene develops in the 1960s. The book is packed with his 'Woolerisms', both old and new, and at last we find out what happened when John Lennon beat him up at Paul McCartney's twenty-first birthday party. As well as drawing on his many exhaustive (and exhausting!) interviews with Bob Wooler, Spencer Leigh has spoken with many of his friend and acquaintances.
What better time of year to unwrap forbidden love than Christmas? Step-brothers, teachers, priests, and guardians...the heart wants what it wants. These 12 love stories aren't just taboo, they're deliciously twisted. Your wildest fantasies delivered in this LIMITED EDITION collection. Grab yours before it's gone FOREVER!
Journalist, broadcaster and Beatles authority Spencer Leigh analyses and discusses the Beatles and their records with the help of his vast archive of recorded interviews about the Beatles – more than anyone in the world. Leigh has been interviewing musicians, roadies, fellow broadcasters and many others on his BBC Radio Merseyside programmes for over 30 years. This book draws upon that resource and the plethora of books about the Beatles that have preceded it. Each chapter is prefaced by the cultural or historic events of the times to put the music into context. This book will take you on an enjoyable musical journey and you will be thoroughly entertained by it and will be listening with fresh ears to the Beatles back catalogue.
A PEN/ESPN AWARD FOR LITERARY SPORTS WRITING FINALIST A tremendous new biography of Muhammad Ali that zeroes in on the moment Ali turned from an athlete to an activist-icon. Muhammad Ali: heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, and cultural icon. In Sting Like a Bee, bestselling author Lee Montville takes a close look at the famed boxer, whose bombastic persona was rivaled only by his athletic performance. But Ali was more than just a boxer. He renounced his "slave name," joined the Nation of Islam, and refused to join the military. His story is the story of America in the late sixties, his life intersecting sports and pop culture, politics and the people. Sting Like a Bee zeroes in on five important years of his life, putting the legend in context. It's a portrait of an athlete and a portrait of America during a time of social unrest and earth-shaking change, a must-read for anyone looking to get a clear view of the man and his country.
Bob Dylan: Outlaw Blues by Spencer Leigh is a fresh take on this famous yet elusive personality, a one-man hall of mirrors who continues to intrigue his followers worldwide. It is an in-depth account with new information and fascinating opinions, both from the author and his interviewees. Whether you are a Dylan fan or not, you will be gripped by this remarkable tale. Most performers create their work for public approval, but at the centre of this book is a mercurial man who doesn't trust his own audience. If he feels he is getting too much acclaim, he tends to veer off in another direction. Despite his age, Bob Dylan still tours extensively. Famously known for not looking happy, the author looks at what motivates him. 'Journalists are very fond of saying Bob Dylan is an enigma,' says Spencer Leigh, 'but that word is flawed. It's as good as saying you don't know... I have not called Bob Dylan an enigma at any point in the book as I have tried to find answers.' Spencer Leigh has spoken to over 300 musicians, friends and acquaintances of Bob Dylan in his research for this book.
If you love Elvis you will love this book. Everything you wanted to know about Elvis in astonishing detail: his life, his love of music, his movies and his career. 'If you had just landed on this planet and had no idea who Elvis Presley was, you might listen to a song and say, 'That's good', but if you walked into an arena and watched him perform, it would be a different beast altogether. He had incredible stage presence. If you want to know what the 'X Factor' really is, watch Elvis Presley' from the Foreword by Russell Watson. On Tuesday 16 August 1977 Elvis Presley collapsed and died in the bathroom of his home in Memphis. He was 42 years old. The media went into overdrive. On the news, there were pictures of fans weeping and late-night vigils. There were special supplements in the newspapers and experts analysed his career – the good and the bad, but never the ugly. Once again, Elvis Presley was the biggest-selling record artist on the planet. Spencer Leigh, renowned biographer, has written a masterful account about Elvis. He delves into how music became an integral part of the America's Deep South - Elvis' birthplace. He discusses what separated Elvis from his contemporaries, just how old was Priscilla when they first met, his bizarre relationship with his manager Colonel Parker, how did he reinvent himself for Las Vegas and most importantly, why did he have to die so young?
The official UK charts started in November 1952 with Al Martin's Here's In My Heart at the top. Since then, there have been over 50 years of changes and we have now reached the 1,000 number one.
Why was Pete Best sacked from the Beatles? In this unique book, based on extensive research and interviews with those close to the events, Spencer Leigh has gathered the clues together to try and solve the greatest Beatles mystery of all. On 16 August 1962, the Beatles drummer, Pete Best, went to see their manager, Brian Epstein, in his Liverpool office. He thought that Epstein wanted to discuss future bookings with him but instead, Epstein sacked him. Pete had not seen it coming. Why did Brian Epstein do it and not the Beatles themselves? Why did they want to be rid of him? Why did they do it so callously? Pete never spoke to any of them again. Best of the Beatles: The sacking of Pete Best tells you what really happened and is essential reading for Beatles fans.
A revealing look at David Bowie, including rarely seen photos, draws on interviews with his lovers, girlfriends, business associates, groupies, and band members to shine a light on the life and career of this hypnotic performer.
Buddy Holly died on the 3 February 1959 death. He was 22 years old. Don McLean called that fatal day 'The Day the Music Died'. But, his music hasn't died, as he has left us a wonderful legacy. With his animated voice, trademark black glasses, fender Stratocaster and inimitable songs, Buddy and his music live on and continue to influence subsequent generations of musicians. Spencer Leigh has interviewed those who knew him best – his young widow Maria Elena, his band members the Crickets, Des O'Connor who compered his UK 1958 tour as well as musicians, songwriters, friends, fans and many others who worked with Buddy. A definitive account of Buddy Holly and his career. 'Spencer Leigh Raves On – brilliantly.' Sir Tim Rice A journalist, acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster for over 40 years, Spencer Leigh is an acknowledged authority on popular music. He has written an extensive list of music biographies which includes The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. 'A highly-readable mix of impeccable research, first-hand testimonies and a personal critique on Holly's life, career and music. First-rate.' Michael Leonard, Vintage Rock 'I am delighted to have been asked by Spencer to write the Foreword to Buddy Holly: Learning the Game, as I have read several of his biographies and he certainly knows what he is talking about.' Frank Ifield 'Spencer Leigh is a fine writer and a good researcher and I certainly enjoyed what he had to say about Buddy Holly.' Hunter Davies, author, journalist and broadcaster
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