Download or read book Midge Ure Signed written by Midge Ure and published by Virgin Books Limited. This book was released on 2004-10 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The life story of Midge Ure is that of one of the most successful musicians of a generation, a brilliantly written record of twenty-five years at the cutting edge, and behind the scenes - as a video director - of the music business. Few musicians have had a career of such variety: in the past quarter of a century he has sold more than 20 million albums and been on a veritable rollercoaster ride through the rock'n'roll business. From No. 1 hits with the pop band Slik, via one of the most influential bands to come out of the age of electronica, Ultravox, to solo success touring the world and selling out leading venues, Midge has a unique perspective on the world of pop music. Among many great stories is his part in the phenomenon that was Live Aid and in particular the making of the classic charity record Do They Know It's Christmas which sold twelve million copies.
Download or read book Blitzed written by Steve Strange and published by Orion Publishing Company. This book was released on 2002 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Steve Strange was head boy of the New Romantic movement. He ran the best clubs in London: Billy's, Blitz and Camden Palace, which defined the glitzy banality of the era; places where Spandau Ballet and Boy George came to life. He was the glamourpuss of glamourpusses, the campest boy in town. He formed, with Midge Ure, Visage, which became one of the biggest bands of the time, selling millions of records and gaining tabloid notoriety. This work recounts the rise and fall of the Blitz Kid himself and recounts from the epicentre the excess of the early eighties: the clubs, the people, the music, the money, his time spent recovering in Ibiza and India, the subsequent steady decline into cocaine and heroin abuse and his rise back to sanity. Steve recounts how he lost all his possessions in a house fire and days later learned of the death of his close friend Michael Hutchence. Within a couple of years Paula Yates had also committed suicide and Strange had ended up back in South Wales, homeless, mentally unstable and facing a court order for shoplifting. Somehow he managed to pull himself back from the brink.
Download or read book Mad World written by Lori Majewski and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2014-04-15 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A “hugely entertaining” history of the 1980s New Wave music scene told through new interviews with its biggest artists (Rolling Stone). Mad World is a compelling oral history that celebrates the New Wave music phenomenon of the 1980s via new interviews with 35 of the most notable artists of the period. Each chapter begins with a discussion of their most popular song and leads to stories of their history and place in the scene, ultimately painting a vivid picture of this colorful, idiosyncratic time. Mixtape suggestions, fashion sidebars, and quotes from famous contemporary admirers help fill out the fun. Participants include members of Duran Duran, New Order, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, Adam Ant, Echo, and the Bunnymen, Devo, ABC, Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Thompson Twins, INXS, and more. “One addictive chapter after another.” —Rob Sheffield, author of Talking to Girls About Duran Duran “Tells the tale of some of the decade’s most unforgettable songs . . . in fascinating detail, letting the architects of these memorable records shine a light on how the sound of a generation came to be.” —The Hollywood Reporter “The new wave era is often dismissed for its one-hit wonders and silly haircuts, but [Mad World] examines the period with a great deal of love and reverence.” —Buzzfeed “A really informative and insightful read.” —People
Download or read book Tony Hadley written by Tony Hadley and published by . This book was released on 2022-04-21 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With his unique and powerful voice, Tony Hadley has been a successful music artist for more than forty years, from fronting one of the biggest bands of the 80s, Spandau Ballet, to now enjoying a thriving solo career around the world. Featuring stunning imagery and behind-the-scenes photos from his musical adventures, this beautifully illustrated book also captures other professional highlights, like starring on stage in Chicago and appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, as well as his charity work, celebrity friends, childhood in north London, and special family moments. With snaps from his personal photo albums, this amazing visual journey is accompanied by Tony's heartfelt and insightful anecdotes.
Download or read book Neon 80s written by Huw Collingbourne and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2012 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It was the era of the New Romantics, Blitz Kids and Gender Benders. From the UK club scene came the likes of Boy George and Steve Strange. Fashion went wild with pirate shirts, kilts, glitter and makeup. Huw Collingbourne was there - a writer for '80s music magazines such as Number One, Kicks and Flexipop!, he interviewed all the stars of the day. In neon 80s, many of those interviews are printed for the first time in decades. Whether you were there at the time or only know the period through its music, neon 80s gives you a unique flavour of that luminous decade... neon 80s Includes original interviews with: Steve Strange, Marilyn, Divine, Pete Burns, Boy George, Spandau Ballet, Depeche Mode, Limahl, Midge Ure, David Sylvian of Japan, Adam Ant, Toyah, Modern Romance, Matt Bianco, Heaven 17, Duran Duran, ABC, The Thompson Twins, Kim Wilde. Plus new articles about the styles, fashions, musical trends and memorable events of the 1980s...
Download or read book Tainted Life written by Marc Almond and published by Macmillan Pub Limited. This book was released on 2000 with total page 465 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Marc Almond's story features a larger than life cast of characters. It recounts his "de rigeur" plunge into drink, drugs, and debauchery as well as being an intimate portrait of the star-making personalities of the 1980s.
Download or read book Mars by 1980 written by David Stubbs and published by Faber & Faber. This book was released on 2018-07-31 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Electronic music is now ubiquitous, from mainstream pop hits to the furthest reaches of the avant garde. But how did we get here? In Mars by 1980, David Stubbs charts the evolution of synthesised tones, from the earliest mechanical experiments in the late nineteenth century, through the musique concrete of the Futurists and radical composers such as Pierre Schaeffer and Karl Stockhausen, to the gradual absorption of electronic instrumentation into the mainstream, be it through the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, grandiose prog rock or the DIY approach of electronica, house and techno.Stubbs tells a tale of mavericks and future dreamers, malfunctioning devices and sonic mayhem. But above all, he describes an essential story of authenticity: is this music? Mars by 1980 is the definitive account that answers this question.
Download or read book Themes for Great Cities written by Graeme Thomson and published by Constable. This book was released on 2023-06-22 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Nobody owes us anything, but the Simple Minds story has been too condensed. After Live Aid and 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' there hasn't been quite the credit for those first few records. I think they contain some really special music. I can hear the flaws but there's something about the spirit and imagination in them that feels good. They draw from such a wide range of influences . . . but the spirit of it was always Simple Minds.' Jim Kerr, to the author An illuminating new biography of one of Britain's biggest and most influential bands, written with the full input and cooperation of Simple Minds, shedding new light on their dazzling art-rock legacy. Themes for Great Cities features in-depth new interviews with original band members Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil and Derek Forbes, alongside key figures from within their creative community and high-profile fans such as Bobby Gillespie, James Dean Bradfield and Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite. The book reclaims and revivifies the magnificence of Simple Minds' pioneering early albums, from the glitchy Euro-ambience of Real to Real Cacophony and Empires and Dance to the pulsing, agitated romance of Sons and Fascination, New Gold Dream and beyond. Emerging in 1978 from Glasgow's post-punk scene, Simple Minds transitioned from restless art-rock to electro futurism, mutated into passionate pop contenders and, finally, a global rock behemoth. They have sold in the region of 60 million records and remain a worldwide phenomenon. The drama of their tale lies in these transformations and triumphs, conflicts and contradictions. Themes for Great Cities tells the inside story of a band becoming a band. Inspiring, insightful and enlightening, it celebrates the trailblazing music of one of Britain's greatest groups.
Download or read book Sweet Dreams written by Dylan Jones and published by Faber & Faber. This book was released on 2020-09-29 with total page 530 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: David Bowie. Culture Club. Wham!. Soft Cell. Duran Duran. Sade. Adam Ant. Spandau Ballet. The Eurythmics. ' Excellent' Guardian ' Hugely enjoyable' Irish Times ' Dazzling' LRB 'Fascinating' New Statesman 'An absolute must-read' GQ One of the most creative entrepreneurial periods since the Sixties, the era of the New Romantics grew out of the remnants of post-punk and developed quickly alongside club culture, ska, electronica, and goth. The scene had a huge influence on the growth of print and broadcast media, and was arguably one of the most bohemian environments of the late twentieth century. Not only did it visually define the decade, it was the catalyst for the Second British Invasion, when the US charts would be colonised by British pop music - making it one of the most powerful cultural exports since the Beatles. In Sweet Dreams, Dylan Jones charts the rise of the New Romantics through testimony from the people who lived it. For a while, Sweet Dreams were made of this.
Download or read book The Devil in Amber written by Mark Gatiss and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2007-01-09 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After an assignment in New York almost costs him his life, Box comes across a mysterious parchment that appears to be of interest to a megalomaniacal fascist leader, Olympus Mons, who heads an international band named F.A.U.S.T., an acronym for the Fascist Anglo-United States Trinity. Box's chance discovery that his sister, Pandora, has become part of Mons's inner circle provides him with an in, leading him back across the Atlantic, and in and out of a variety of sexual encounters.
Download or read book The Bee Gees in the 1960s written by Andrew Mon Hughes and published by Decades. This book was released on 2021-10-28 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In April 1967, the Bee Gees launched themselves onto the international music scene with the release of 'New Yok Mining Disaster 1941'. Whilst that haunting classic would be the first of many hits, the Bee Gees consisting of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb had been releasing records since 1963. As extraordinary as it sounds, with more than ten years of performing and four years of recording behind them, the Gibb twins, Robin and Maurice, were just seventeen while elder brother Barry was only twenty. In an incredible career the Bee Gees would go on to sell over 200 million records, making them among the best-selling music artists of all time, they would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Australian Recording Industry's Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and receive lifetime achievement awards from the British Phonographic Industry, the American Music Awards, World Music Awards and the Grammys. According to Billboard magazine the Bee Gees are one of top three most successful bands in their charts' history. Few musical groups have provided the soundtrack to our lives like the Bee Gees, and it all started in the fascinating decade that was the 1960s.
Download or read book George Michael written by Rob Jovanovic and published by Piatkus. This book was released on 2015-12-03 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: George Michael is an enigma. While he is one of the most open and vocal pop superstars on the planet, he also fiercely protective of his privacy. From the formation of Wham! In 1981 he immediately found fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams. His music formed the soundtrack to the 1980s and he achieved all of this despite growing up in a dysfunctional family where his father openly proclaimed that George had no talent. Wham! split in 1986 but Michael went on to greater things as a solo artist. Along the way he has been embroiled in several controversies, but in refreshing contrast to other superstars, he has been happy to address his issues head-on in the media. Rob Jovanovic's biography tackles all the issues that formed George Michael and his place as a cultural icon. It also, for the first time, analyses Michael's musical output and groundbreaking videos.
Download or read book Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back in Town written by Harry Doherty and published by Omnibus Press. This book was released on 2012-11-20 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the defining rock groups of the 20th Century, Thin Lizzy began life in Dublin in 1969 when childhood friends Phil Lynott and Brian Downey were approached by two former members of Van Morrison's band 'Them', Eric Wrixon (keyboards) and Eric Bell (guitar). Now for the first time, their story is told by guitarist Scott Gorham and rock journalist Harry Doherty.The band’s story is told by the people who were involved directly including former guitarists, road crew, management, family and friends. Their origins in Dublin as a three piece with the Whiskey in the Jar single and a string of unsuccessful but highly creative albums. The move to London to chase the dream of being a major rock band. The chaotic arrival and departures of various members including Eric Bell (who left the band mid concert), Irish guitarist Gary Moore, Brian Robertson and co-author Scott Gorham. How the albums Jailbreak and Boys Are Back in Town took the band to the top of the charts just as they were to become bankrupt. Includes stories of the band on the road, the drink and drugs and how the years of partying, drug-taking and non stop touring eventually took its toll on not only the band members but on their families. The death of front man Phil Lynott and their legacy following his death.
Download or read book More Dark Than Shark written by Brian Eno and published by Faber & Faber. This book was released on 1986-01-01 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Gathers paintings and collages that interpret songs by Brian Eno and describes the working methods of both artist and composer
Download or read book From Staircase to Stage written by Raekwon and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2021-11-30 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Legendary wordsmith Raekwon the Chef opens up about his journey from the staircases of Park Hill in Staten Island to sold-out stadiums around the world with the Wu-Tang Clan in this revealing memoir - perfect for fans of The Autobiography of Gucci Mane and Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. There are rappers that everyone loves and there are rappers that every rapper loves, and Corey Woods, a.k.a. Raekwon the Chef, is one of the few who is both. His versatile flow, natural storytelling and evocative imagery has inspired legions of fans and a new generation of rappers. As one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon’s voice and cadence is synonymous with the inimitable sound that has made the group iconic since 1991. Now, for the first time, Raekwon tells his full story, from struggling through poverty to make ends meet to turning a hobby into a legacy. The Wu-Tang story is dense, complex and full of drama, and here nothing is off limits: the group’s underground origins, secrets behind songs like 'C.R.E.A.M.' and 'Protect Ya Neck', and what it took to be one of the first hip-hop groups to break into the mainstream. Raekwon also dives deep into the making of his meticulous solo albums - particularly the classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - and talks about how spirituality and fatherhood continue to inspire his unstoppable creative process. A celebration of perseverance and the power of music, From Staircase to Stage is a master storyteller’s lifelong journey to stay true to himself and his roots.
Download or read book The Individualist written by Todd Rundgren and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of one-page personal reminiscences and commentaries about events throughout his life by rock musician Todd Rundgren, accompanied by images from both his personal and professional lives.
Download or read book Frank written by Jon Ronson and published by Picador. This book was released on 2014-05-01 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Frank works as satire, as memoir, as comedy bromance, but it works mostly because it is just so weird" Guardian In the late 1980s Jon Ronson was the keyboard player in the Frank Sidebottom Oh Blimey Big Band. Frank wore a big fake head. Nobody outside his inner circle knew his true identity. This became the subject of feverish speculation during his zenith years. Together, they rode relatively high. Then it all went wrong. Twenty-five years later and Jon has co-written a movie, Frank, inspired by his time in this great and bizarre band. Frank is set for release in 2014, starring Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Domhnall Gleeson and directed by Lenny Abrahamson. Frank: The True Story that Inspired the Movie is a memoir of funny, sad times and a tribute to outsider artists too wonderfully strange to ever make it in the mainstream. It tells the true story behind the fictionalized movie.
