Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star

Author: Rick Wakeman
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1409050831
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 303

Book Description
What do Postman Pat, Tommy Cooper, Norman Wisdom and George Best have in common with being abandoned in a Costa Rican jungle after a severe bout of flatulence? Indeed, how are they also connected to trying to buy an Australian brewery just to get a beer, owning twenty-two cars, an American soccer team and a Swiss mail-order pornography company? The common feature is of course a certain Richard Wakeman. The Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star takes you, the privileged reader, on a trip of absurd excess, a cultural car crash of side-splitting hilarity and an unforgettable glimpse (again) into the life of one of Britain's most legendary showmen, rock stars and all-time great raconteurs.

Grumpy Old Rock Star

Author: Rick Wakeman
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1409050327
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 213

Book Description
Around about August 1948, Mr and Mrs Cyril Wakeman had an early night and some time later, at Perivale in Middlesex, Mrs Wakeman produced a bonny baby son. They named him Richard, but he quickly became known as Rick. Rick was a likeable little fellow who had a talent for the piano and for making trouble. Music became Rick's life - he joined a popular music group called Yes and became a legend. Much later he became a Grumpy Old Man who appears on Countdown, hosts a hugely popular radio show on Planet Rock and performs a one-man show telling stories about his rather extraordinary life. Which is where this book you are holding comes in. Mr Wakeman is simply one of the great storytellers of our age - let's face it, he has some fabulous material. It seemed a shame that some of the funniest yarns should not be more widely known. So he accepted some cash and here we are. Curl up by the fire with a Grumpy Old Rock Star and your nearest and dearest. We defy you not to want to read it aloud and laugh.

Whiskey Bottles and Brand-New Cars

Author: Mark Ribowsky
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
ISBN: 1569761647
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 316

Book Description
"Mark Ribowsky has written one king hell of a book about one king hell of a band. Buy that man a drink!" —Mick Wall, author of When Giants Walked the Earth This book tells the intimate story of how a band of lost souls and self-destructive misfits clawed their way to the very top of the rock'n'roll peak, writing and performing as if beneficiaries of a deal with the devil—a deal fulfilled by a tragic fall from the sky. The rudderless genius behind their ascent was a man named Ronnie Van Zant, who guided their five-year run and evolved not just a new country/rock idiom but a new Confederacy. Whiskey Bottles and Brand-New Cars is based on interviews with surviving band members and others who watched them. It gives a new perspective to a history of stage fights, motel-room destructions, cunning business deals, and brilliant studio productions, offering a greater appreciation for a band that, in the aftermath of its last plane ride, has sadly descended into self-caricature as the sort of lowbrow guns-'n'-God cliché that Ronnie Van Zant wanted to chuck from around his neck. No other book on Southern rock has ever captured the "Free Bird"–like sweep and significance of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mark Ribowsky has written twelve books, including widely praised biographies of Tom Landry, Howard Cosell, Phil Spector, and Satchel Paige. He has also contributed extensively to magazines including Playboy, Penthouse, and High Times. He lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

Say Yes!

Author: Rick Wakeman
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing
ISBN: 9780340621516
Category : Rock musicians
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Book Description

Do You Believe in Rock and Roll?

Author: Raymond I. Schuck
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786471050
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 223

Book Description
Since its release in 1971, Don McLean's song "American Pie" has become an indelible part of U.S. culture. It has sparked countless debates about the references within the lyrics; been celebrated as a chronicle of American life from the late 1950s through the early 1970s; and has become iconic itself as it has been remade, parodied, and referenced within numerous texts and forums. This volume offers a set of new essays that focus on the cultural and historical significance of the song. Representing a variety of perspectives and fields of study, the essays address such topics as historical and literary interpretations of the song's lyrics, its musical qualities, the commentary the song offers on rock and roll history, the continuing significance of the song, and the ways in which the song has been used by various writers and artists. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

All My Yesterdays

Author: Steve Howe
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781785581793
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Renowned guitarist Steve Howe tells his own story in his own words, often unflinchingly as he recounts times of triumph and torment amidst the cream of the UK's prog rock bands. Best known for his work with Yes, a group prone to sudden upheavals, and AOR supergroup Asia, Steve Howe's passage through these and other bands is a roller-coaster ride of constant touring, tense recording sessions, and frequent trips to all corners of the globe. A workaholic, he soon realised that the temptations of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle weren't for him and instead dedicated his life to excellence in musicianship. Born in North London in 1947, Steve got his first guitar at the age of 12 and thereafter devoted himself passionately to mastering its intricacies. After spells in psychedelic bands of the late sixties, he was invited to join Yes in 1970, thus finding himself in a spotlight that shines to this day. In the meantime he raised a family, adopted vegetarianism as a lifestyle, and watched as many of his peers succumbed to the impulses he managed to avoid. As well as Yes and Asia, Steve has led bands of his own, released numerous solo recordings in many different musical styles and amassed a legendary collection of priceless stringed instruments.

The Search for John Lennon

Author: Lesley-Ann Jones
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1643136739
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 363

Book Description
Pulling back the many hidden layers of John Lennon’s life, Lesley-AnnJones closely tracks the events and personality traits that led to the rock star living in self-imposed exile in New York—where he was shot dead outside his apartment on that fateful autumn day forty years ago. Late on December 8th, 1980, the world abruptly stopped turning for millions, as news broke that the world's most beloved bard had been gunned down in cold blood in New York city. The most iconic Beatle left behind an unrivaled body of music and legions of faithful disciples—yet his profound legacy has brought with it as many questions and contradictions as his music has provided truths and certainties. In this compelling exploration, acclaimed music biographer Lesley-Ann Jones unravels the enigma that was John Lennon to present a complete portrait of the man, his life, his loves, his music, his untimely death and, ultimately, his legacy. Using fresh first-hand research, unseen material and exclusive interviews with the people who knew Lennon best, Jones' search for answers offers a spellbinding, 360-degree view of one of the world's most iconic music legends. The Search for John Lennon delves deep into psyche of the world's most storied musician—the good, the bad and the genius—forty years on from his tragic death.

The Frank Show

Author: David Mackintosh
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
ISBN: 9780007364008
Category : Children's stories
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
A boy unhappily prepares for a show-and-tell presentation about his grandfather, Frank, who seems to be boring and grumpy, but he is in for a few surprises when the big day arrives.

Times Like These

Author: Julia Wolf
Publisher: Blue Is the Color
ISBN: 9781795609593
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 310

Book Description
Nick Fletcher has the voice of a god and a tongue as sharp as a knife. His words can cut, and this time, his quick temper has earned him an intruder in his life and on his tour.Dalia Brenner looks like a grown-up Annie gone bad, but he wants nothing to do with her pin-up worthy curves and smart mouth. His method of dealing is to keep his head down, get through the tour, and then he'll never have to see her again.Dalia has no intention of having heart-to-hearts with Nick. They share a bus and sleep three feet apart every night, but that doesn't mean she can't ignore the scowly, grumpy lead singer.Except she can't seem to deny the annoying instinct to "fix" the pain and grief behind Nick's sea glass eyes, even though she definitely knows better.And Nick, well, he's getting tired of denying Dalia...period.Dalia has plans though, and none of them involve being a rock star's girlfriend. Too bad Nick couldn't disagree more.

Good Moaning France!

Author: Arthur Bostrom
Publisher: Waterside Press
ISBN: 1909976598
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 115

Book Description
A favourite character from BBC TV sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo!, undercover British agent and head of Nouvion Police, Officer Crabtree, has usually sought to remain undercover if not exactly invisible—which befits his secret agent roots masquerading as a poloceman. In this delightful book, his self-taught yet masterly grasp of Fronch speaks for itself as it falls under the spotlight as never before. From 'Ploose may I hov a kippy of the dooly nosepooper?' to 'frigs logs', 'scrimbled oggs' and 'fosh and chops' the book is a tribute to mangled words, thoughts and phrases. Arthur Bostrom, who played Crabtree on stage and screen, mixes vowels and mispronunciation as he strives to educate those less well-versed in the French longwodge. Illustrated by John Cooper and ideal for travellers and fans of ‘Allo ‘Allo! alike, Good Moaning France! is a wake-up call for anyone conceited enough to think they are competent in French (or English or any other language for that matter). With readers’ questions answered in Ask Crabtree, examples from Crabtree’s poloce newtberks and a most unhelpful Undex. With a Foreword by music legend Rick Wakeman and permission of the estates of ‘Allo ‘Allo! screenwriters David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd this is the perfect book for anyone crossing or travelling beneath the Channel to France. Reviews ‘Listen very carefully, you will read this more than once. I loaved it’-- Les Dennis. 'I’ve not laughed at anything like I’ve laughed at Crabtree ever in my life, this book is “very good nose”’-- Justin Moorhouse. ‘Buck your fairy trip to Fronce now and take Crabtree’s guide with you. A must-read. Hilarious’-- Su Pollard. ‘DO NOT BUY ZIS BOOK!!! IF YOU DO, YOU VILL BE SHOT!!!’-- Helga.