Graeme Thomson

Philip Lynott exprimió al máximo sus treinta y seis años de vida. Carismático y dotado de un extraordinario talento para la música, a los catorce años ya era el líder de un conjunto local; a los dieciocho, el cantante del mejor grupo de rock de Irlanda. Antes de haber cumplido los veinte ya habia formado Thin Lizzy, la banda que le convirtio en leyenda gracias a himnos imperecederos como The Boys Are Back in Town y Dancing in the Moonlight. Hijo ilegitimo de una adolescente catolica irlandesa escapada de casa y de un emigrante guyanes que llego a Inglaterra como polizon, Lynott se sobrepuso a las penurias de su infancia en una barriada obrera de Dublin, al asombro que despertaba el color de su piel en un entorno en el que era verdaderamente unico y a una hiriente y permanente sensacion de abandono, para acabar convirtiendose en la primera estrella de rock surgida de Irlanda. Cowboy Song examina a fondo su trayectoria musical, asi como la singular mezcla de influencias culturales que dieron forma a sus canciones.Aunque se trata de la primera biografia oficial escrita con la cooperacion de la familia Lynott, que ha aportado numerosos documentos y valiosa informacion inedita a la obra, Cowboy Song no es ni mucho menos una hagiografia ni tampoco un relato idealizado o sesgado del malogrado lider de Thin Lizzy. Graeme Thomson traza con ferreo rigor un retrato poliedrico, complejo y completo de Lynott, con todas sus luces y sombras, sin pasar por alto ni dulcificar los detalles mas turbulentos y en ultima instancia dramaticos que condujeron a su prematuro fallecimiento a la edad de treinta y seis años. Gracias a docenas de nuevas entrevistas con familiares, amigos, colegas, colaboradores y compañeros de grupo, Cowboy Song refleja en toda su complejidad las multiples facetas de un verdadero icono del rock and roll y nos brinda lo mas parecido que tendremos nunca a una biografia definitiva de Philip Lynott.

En el vigésimo aniversario del fallecimiento de George Harrison, se publica por primera vez en castellano la biografía más profunda del legendario músico, Tras esa puerta cerrada, aclamada internacionalmente por los medios especialistas tanto en Reino Unido como en Estados Unidos. Como miembro de los Beatles, Harrison paso de adolescente a adulto sacudido por un nivel de fama y exito sin precedentes. Atormentado por la Beatlemania, se embarco despues en la busqueda de un significado mucho mas alla de los parametros de su antigua banda y de la propia musica. Esta elegante y minuciosa biografia sigue su historia al detalle a traves de sus muchos cambios: del guitarrista colegial de Liverpool a la superestrella mundial, del incipiente buscador de Dios al cineasta independiente, del entusiasta de la Formula 1 al recaudador de fondos para UNICEF. Tambien profundiza en la lucha perenne de un hombre que intento recorrer un camino espiritual plagado de tentaciones y contradicciones. A partir de decenas de nuevas entrevistas al entorno mas cercano al musico, una investigacion rigurosa y una vision critica, George Harrison. Tras esa puerta cerrada ofrece el retrato definitivo de un hombre a menudo tan enigmatico como incomprendido. Tambien es un estudio intimo que ilustra maravillosamente el eterno yin yang de su naturaleza, una llave para entrar en su mundo.

The critically acclaimed definitive biography of Kate Bush revised and updated for 2024 with a new foreword by Sinead Gleeson

In this intimate and engaging biography, Graeme Thomson interviews Nelson himself, his band and those who knew him best en route to discovering the real Willie Nelson. The Outlaw brilliantly describes a complex and compelling man whose life and music reflect something fundamental at the heart of twentieth-century America. Thomsons revealing portrait is a timely reminder of the stature and achievements of a true living legend. Covering everything from dirt poor beginnings in Texas, global fame in the 70s, four marriages, the death of a son and affairs with Amy Irving and Candice Bergen up to his current position as a 73-year-old pot smoking man of the road, Thomsons account emerges as the first detailed, clear-eyed account of Nelsons fascinating life.

Nobody owes us anything, but the Simple Minds story has been too condensed. After Live Aid and Dont You (Forget About Me) there hasnt been quite the credit for those first few records. I think they contain some really special music. I can hear the flaws but theres 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 Britains 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 Mogwais 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 Glasgows 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 Britains greatest groups.

The definitive biography of one of the most critically acclaimed and enigmatic groups of all time.When Mark Hollis died suddenly in 2019 aged 64, he left behind a slim but perfectly formed collection of Talk Talk albums, one solo album in twenty-three years and an ever-burgeoning mystique which only continues to grow with each passing year.The bands reputation is formed on the imperious run of three albums released between 1986 and 1991, yet Hollis and the band remain a carefully shrouded mystery.For the first time, Graeme Thomson seeks to unpick this knottiest of musical locks and understand the other world of Talk Talk.

The truest measure of the man we have thus far - MojoAffectionate, impeccably researched biography - Mail on SundayHead and shoulders above the usual rock hagiography - Sunday TelegraphThe first biography to be written with the cooperation of the Lynott Estate, Cowboy Song is the definitive authorised account of the extraordinary life and career of Thin Lizzy guiding spirit, Philip Lynott.Leading music writer Graeme Thomson explores the fascinating contradictions between Lynotts unbridled rock star excesses and the shy, sensitive orphan raised in working class Dublin. The mixed-race child of a Catholic teenager and a Guyanese stowaway, Lynott rose above daunting obstacles and wounding abandonments to become Irelands first rock star. Cowboy Song examines his key musical alliances as well as the unique blend of cultural influences which informed Lynotts writing, connecting Irelands rich reserves of music, myth and poetry to hard rock, progressive folk, punk, soul and New Wave.Published on the thirtieth anniversary of Lynotts death in January 1986, Thomson draws on scores of exclusive interviews with family, friends, band mates and collaborators. Cowboy Song is both the ultimate depiction of a multi-faceted rock icon, and an intimate portrait of a much-loved father, son and husband.