Posts Tagged Biography
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December 9, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Michael Diamond/Adam Horovitz: Beastie Boys Book
Beastie Boys Book Michael Diamond/Adam Horovitz Spiegel & Grau It finally arrived – after so much talk and plenty of hype, the memoir of The Beastie Boys written by its two surviving members. When Adam Yauch (MCA) died from cancer in 2012 that was the end of the group. Respectfully and realistically Michael Diamond (Mike […]Archive
April 9, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
I Wrote The Liner Notes For Darren Watson’s New Album – Too Many Millionaires
I’ve been asked a few times to write testimonials – mostly for funding applications, for an artist seeking a residency or some such. Once or twice I’ve been asked to writer liner notes. Most recently Darren Watson asked me if I’d contribute some words to his brand new, upcoming album, Too Many Millionaires. I was […]Archive
September 19, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Mick Wall: Prince – Purple Reign
Prince: Purple Reign Mick Wall Trapeze Three months after the shock death of Prince Mick Wall releases this biography, well it purports to be a biography – there’s nothing new here and nothing for any Prince fan to learn. The book begins with the 911 call which seems particularly cold. But this is Mick Wall […]Archive
July 29, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Scott McClanahan/Ricardo Cavolo: The Incantations of Daniel Johnston
The Incantations of Daniel Johnston Scott McClanahan (Text) Ricardo Cavolo (Artist) Two Dollar Radio Here Daniel Johnston’s life has been lovingly paid tribute to in a rather exquisitely made graphic novel/biography. The non-fiction graphic novel can at times get bogged down when trying to find room for text but still have something to say, image-wise, […]Archive
May 31, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Brandon Easton/Denis Medri: Andre The Giant – Closer To Heaven
Andre The Giant: Closer to Heaven Brandon Easton (Text) Denis Medri (Artist) IDW Publishing An impressive effort this, Eisner Award nominated writer Brandon Easton and illustrator Denis Medri manage to take us right into the world of Andre The Giant in this graphic biography, one part tribute, one part journalism – the impressionistic world of […]Archive
January 6, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Warren Zanes: Petty – The Biography
Petty: The Biography Warren Zanes Henry Holt & Co/First Edition edition Tom Petty – class act. Magnificent run of albums and singles, kick-ass live band, a bit of time out on his own, but a fantastic bandleader, also a member of music’s first serious attempt at a living Mount Rushmore of Rock band, The Traveling […]Archive
January 14, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Bernard Purdie: Let The Drums Speak! The Life Story of the World’s Most Recorded Drummer
Let The Drums Speak! The Life Story of the World’s Most Recorded Drummer Bernard Purdie/Jack Hoban Pretty Media LLC What a giant disappointment this was. Here I was looking forward to some great stories about one of the world’s very best drummers, instead I was bored silly with stories of him growing up a paperboy, […]Archive
November 18, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
Bob Zmuda/Lynne Margulies: Andy Kaufman – The Truth, Finally
Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally Bob Zmuda/Lynne Margulies BenBella Books Bob Zmuda was Andy Kaufman’s writing partner and they took turns playing Tony Clifton, giving life to a grotesque. Zmuda has worked hard to keep the spirit of Andy Kaufman alive and here, in a book co-written with Kaufman’s partner Lynne Margulies, Zmuda does his […]Archive
October 22, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
Moses Mackay/Amitai Pati/Pene Pati: Sol3 Mio – Our Story
Sol3 Mio: Our Story Moses Mackay/Amitai Pati/Pene Pati Penguin Sole Mio (or Sol3 Mio as it is stylised) had the biggest selling album in New Zealand in 2013 – they backed that up with concerts that showcased down-to-earth personalities and homegrown humour. They quickly became – seemingly out of nowhere – a phenomenon. So now, […]Archive
August 14, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
Tom Doyle: Man On The Run – Paul McCartney in the 1970s
Man on the Run: Paul McCartney in the 1970s Tom Doyle Polygon Here we have a look at Paul McCartney’s seventies decade, painted as a time of tumult for one of the world’s biggest pop stars. It’s interesting to study McCartney in the isolation of one decade. The 1970s was the decade that saw Paul […]Archive
April 9, 2014 by Simon Sweetman