Showing results by author "Alan Clayson" in All Categories

Considered by many as lucky to have been in The Beatles, Ringo Starr epitomizes the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. World-famous pop star, acclaimed film actor, the voice of an internationally successful children's TV series and husband to a glamorous movie star - at face value he seems to have led a charmed life. Yet behind the sunglasses and the ready quips loom the horrors of his health problems, alcoholism, and deprived family background.

John Lennon, erstwhile would-be artist and Liverpudlian reprobate, went on to carve out a significant solo career, with the enigmatic Yoko Ono at his side. Discover the truth behind the myth of this most controversial, antagonistic, yet publicly adored genius.

When the most successful pop group in the world, The Beatles, disbanded in 1970, its four members went off to spearhead radically different projects, and none was more successful than Paul McCartney. Since those early days of freedom, McCartney has established himself as one of the most creative artists of his generation and a British show-business treasure. Celebrating his four decades of unparalleled success, this is a multi-faceted account of one of the world's most fascinating musicians.

Often overlooked as a songwriter, despite penning The Beatles' standards "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun", and being the first of the four to release solo material, George Harrison embraced fame reluctantly, retiring from public life after the assassination of John Lennon, but launched a spectacular late 1980s comeback.

The social revolution of the Swinging Sixties led to a renaissance of unchecked hair growth, and long hair, especially on men, was worn as a political or countercultural symbol of protest and as an expression of masculinity. No-one who was affected by one of a turbulent decade's loudest controversies—or anyone who ever wondered what all the fuss was about—will fail to be interested in this personal account of when the 'us and them' divide between youth and elders was most profound.