Mick Jagger by Alan Clayson

by Alan Clayson

"In the forty-two years since The Rolling Stones first appeared in the UK singles chart, Mick Jagger has carved for himself a career and an image that have set him apart as one of the truly great performers of the 20th century." Covering an eye-stretching six decades, from Jagger's enlivening of a conventional provincial upbringing with sexual adventure and attempts to forge a more glamorous future than that suggested by his graduation from a local state grammar to the London School of Economics, and concluding with his present life as a former national pariah-turned-knighted mainstay of rock's ruling class. Mick The Unauthorised Biography presents a definitive perspective of the deeds and character of Michael Philip Jagger.

Genres: Music, Biography

Mass Market Paperback

First published February 28, 2005

About the author

Alan Clayson (Dover, England, 1951) is of a late 1970s vintage of composer-entertainers that also embraces the likes of Wreckless Eric, Tom Robinson, Elvis Costello and John Otway. While he is still making regular concert appearances, he has become better known as an author of around thirty books - mostly musical biography. These include the best-sellers "Backbeat" (subject of a major film), The Yardbirds and The Beatles book box.

He has written for journals as diverse as The Guardian, Record Collector, Ink, Mojo, Mediaeval World, Folk Roots, Guitar, Hello!, Drummer, The Times, The Independent, Ugly Things and, as a 'teenager, the notorious Schoolkids 0z. He has also been engaged to perform and lecture on both sides of the Atlantic - as well as broadcast on national TV and radio.

From 1975 to 1985, he led the legendary Clayson and the Argonauts - who reformed in 2005, ostensibly to launch Sunset On A Legend, a long-awaited double-CD retrospective - and was thrust to 'a premier position on rock's Lunatic Fringe' (Melody Maker).

As shown by the existence of a US fan club - dating from an 1992 soiree in Chicago - Alan Clayson's following grows still as well as demand for his talents as a record producer, and the number of versions of his compositions by such diverse acts as Dave Berry (in whose backing group, he played keyboards in the mid-1980s), New Age Outfit, Stairway - and Joy Tobing, winner of the Indonesian version of Pop Idol. He has worked too with The Portsmouth Sinfonia, Wreckless Eric, Twinkle, The Yardbirds, The Pretty Things, Mark Astronaut and the late Screaming Lord Sutch among many others. While his stage act defies succinct description, he has been labelled a 'chansonnier' in recent years for performances and record releases that may stand collectively as Alan Clayson's artistic apotheosis were it not for a promise of surprises yet to come.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have ever read on Mick Jagger or The Rolling Stones and I think as a result, it added to my enjoyment of the book. I have previously read the author's book on Ringo Starr and I thought this was better than that. Having said all that, at times there is just too much detail and it is almost like the author is showing off his knowledge and your head starts spinning as he goes off track discussing who wrote the B side of a single and what bands they were previously in. Great detailed information, but not that well presented. I will be interested to see what Jagger fans thought of this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book where all the (still-sticking) rumors came from when it was originally published in 1993 -- the Jagger and Bowie affair, Marianne Faithfull and her love of, ahem, candy bars, etc. That said, it's still awesome, even though you feel like you're reading the National Enquirer when busting out with it on the subway.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mick Jagger shouldn't be alive.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing to surprising, except the fact that he's not dead yet.