Patrick Humphries

Nick Drake was barely 26 years old when he died in 1974 following an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs. The British singer-songwriter made only three albums during his short life - Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter and Pink Moon. All are now recognized as classics. Since his death, Nick has been cited as a seminal influence by stars as diverse as REM, Elton John, and Paul Weller. While the lives of other musicians who died before their time, such as Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Gram Parsons, have been amply documented, there has never before been a biography of Nick Drake. Patrick Humphries' illuminating text includes exclusive interviews with friends, colleagues and musicians who knew and worked with Nick. It provides an unprecedented insight not only into the life and work of Nick Drake, but also into the music scene of the 1960s that formed his backdrop. If a week is a long time in politics, then the 23 years since Nick's death represents a lifetime in the transitory world of pop. But the music of Nick Drake has never lost its place in his fans affections, and still its haunting beauty reaches out of fresh generations. This book is for all of them.

The Biography

Nick Drake

Robert Shelton

Elizabeth Thomson

A re-release of an unauthorized 1986 classic is based on the author's access to the iconic musical artist's family, friends and classmates, in a 70th birthday tribute that restores significant parts of the author's original manuscript, updates a selective discography and incorporates new photographs.

The Life and Music of Bob Dylan

No Direction Home

There had been stars before. There had been films prior to Cleopatra. But in all the cynical, greedy, magical, histrionic history of the movies, there had never been a combination like that of Elizabeth Taylor and Cleopatra. Other films may have taken more money, won more awards or attracted better reviews, but none have come close to the legend that is Cleopatra. What began in 1958 as a remake of the 1917 Theda Bara film, which starred Joan Collins and was projected to cost $2 million, would open five years later, having cost nearly twenty times as much. The budget had skyrocketed enormously as the production went through extravagant sets in two different countries, two directors and six leading men – and this was on top of Elizabeth Taylor's $1 million fee. But it was the off-screen romance between the two on-screen leads that really cemented Cleopatra's place in cinema history. Within weeks of Richard Burton's arrival in Italy, he and Taylor embarked on a tumultuous and passionate love affair that kept the Cuban Missile Crisis off the front pages and was denounced by the Vatican. Cleopatra and the Undoing of Hollywood is a story of lust, excess and hubris – and how one film nearly brought Hollywood to its knees.

How One Film Almost Sunk the Studios

Cleopatra and the Undoing of Hollywood

A Little Bit Funny is a detailed emotional & musical biography of one of the world''s most loved pop star s. From his troubled childhood through a confused adolescenc e, and spectacular career, this story examines the life of E lton John. '

The Elton John Story

A Little Bit Funny

Since his death, Nick has been cited as a seminal influence by stars as diverse as REM, Elton John, Paul Weller, Jackson Browne, Everything But The Girl, Tom Verlaine and Matt Johnson of The The. While the lives of other musicians who died before their time, such as Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Gram Parsons, have been amply documented, there has never before been a biography of Nick Drake. Patrick Humphries' illuminating text includes exclusive interviews with friends, colleagues and musicians who knew and worked with Nick. It provides an unprecedented insight not only into the life and work of Nick Drake, but also into the music scene of the 1960s that formed his backdrop. The author's lifelong appreciation of and interest in Nick Drake were further fuelled when he discovered that his uncle Dr. James Lusk actually delivered Nick into the world and remained a friend of the Drake family. In these Pages he draws on a long letter from Nick's father to Dr. Lusk, in which he describes how his wife, Nick's mother, discovered Nick's body during the morning of 25 November 1974, following an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs. A week is a long time in politics, then the 23 years since Nick's death represent a lifetime in the transitory world of pop. But the music of Nick Drake has never lost its place in his fans' affections, and still its haunting beauty reaches out to fresh generations. This book is for all of them.

The rock historian and critic tells the stories behind the King's number one hits, including the mafia's connection with "Can't Help Falling In Love" and the location of "Heartbreak Hotel."

The Secret History of the Classics

Elvis The #1 Hits

John Bauldie

This in-depth, thought-provoking biography is filled with photographs--some never before published--and goes beyond the myth to examine who Bob Dylan really is, and why he continues to fascinate fans and win new admirers 30 years after he burst onto the music scene. Over 200 photographs.

Absolutely Dylan

John Robertson

Eine vollständige Anleitung zu The Beatles, mit Informationen über ihre Songs und Alben gepackt. In deutscher Sprache.

The Beatles: Story und Songs Kompakt

Auch nach 20 Alben und einer Legion begeisterter Fans hört der unbeirrbare Waits nicht auf, immer wieder neue, mal zärtlich poetische, mal raue wüste Songs voll magischer Faszination zu produzieren, die andere Pop-Artisten wie Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, The Eagles, Elvis Costello, Meat Loaf, The Ramones and Johnny Cash reizen, diese in eigenen Versionen zu interpretieren. Der spröde und aufrichtige Sänger, Komponist und Gelegenheitsschauspieler mit der rauen Reibeisenstimme hat eine der ungewöhnlichsten Karrieren der Popmusik hinter sich. Diese Biographie wird ihm in jeder Hinsicht gerecht. Dieses Buch ist ein gründlicher und kritischer Überblick über Leben und Werk mit vollständiger Discographie und Filmographie. Patrick Humphries schreibt seit 1976 über Pop Musik. Seither hat er zahllose Bücher, unter anderem über Nick Drake, Richard Thomson und Paul Simon geschrieben. Als Journalist arbeitete er für den New Musical Express, The Times, Mojo und den Guardian.

Tom Waits Biography

This full length biography is the first comprehensive account of a truly legendary artist. It covers every aspect of the life and career of a man who has never seemed to be in the slightest danger of losing his credibility to mainstream success. With twenty albums to his credit and a legion of passionate fans, the uncompromising Waits continues to conjure up tender, ragged and magical songs that have attracted cover versions by artists as esteemed as Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, The Eagles, Elvis Costello, Meat Loaf, The Ramones and Johnny Cash. Abrasive and single-minded, the gravel voiced singer/songwriter and occasional movie actor has followed one of the most unlikely career paths in popular music. Patrick Humphries' biography finally does this unique character justice with an in-depth critical overview of his life and work supplemented with authoritative discography and filmography.

The Many Lives of Tom Waits

First published in 1982, this book has been revised and updated. It charts the rise of Fairport Convention from its early days, to world-wide recognition and success.

Patrick Humphries

Books

Your next favorite book is out there