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Gary
Top celebrity biographer Sean Smith tells the story of national treasure Gary Barlow, one of the UK's greatest songwriters and musicians.
Throughout a stellar career, nobody has been more misunderstood than Gary Barlow.
When he first found fame, he was perceived as too arrogant. Then, after a spectacular slump and amazing recovery, he adopted a modesty that underrates his lifetime achievements. In this book Sean Smith redresses the balance by revealing the real man, the romances that shaped his life and the passion for music that drives him.
A singer and virtuoso keyboard player who performed in working men's clubs from the age of thirteen, the young Gary Barlow had written more than a hundred songs while still at school. He would go on to achieve phenomenal success as the musical force behind Take That, the most popular boy band of all time.
But an eagerly anticipated solo career flopped and Gary became depressed and overweight, while the triumphs of Robbie Williams were a constant reminder of his failure.
In 2006 Take That returned bigger than ever and their huge success was followed by an emotional reunion between Gary and Robbie, that was cemented when they put aside past hurts to write and perform new songs together.
Now recognized as one of the greatest songwriters and musicians the UK has ever produced, Gary is among the best-known faces on television, returning as head judge on the X Factor in 2013. Featuring original interviews with many people who have never spoken before, Gary is a celebration of a complex and unique talent.
Throughout a stellar career, nobody has been more misunderstood than Gary Barlow.
When he first found fame, he was perceived as too arrogant. Then, after a spectacular slump and amazing recovery, he adopted a modesty that underrates his lifetime achievements. In this book Sean Smith redresses the balance by revealing the real man, the romances that shaped his life and the passion for music that drives him.
A singer and virtuoso keyboard player who performed in working men's clubs from the age of thirteen, the young Gary Barlow had written more than a hundred songs while still at school. He would go on to achieve phenomenal success as the musical force behind Take That, the most popular boy band of all time.
But an eagerly anticipated solo career flopped and Gary became depressed and overweight, while the triumphs of Robbie Williams were a constant reminder of his failure.
In 2006 Take That returned bigger than ever and their huge success was followed by an emotional reunion between Gary and Robbie, that was cemented when they put aside past hurts to write and perform new songs together.
Now recognized as one of the greatest songwriters and musicians the UK has ever produced, Gary is among the best-known faces on television, returning as head judge on the X Factor in 2013. Featuring original interviews with many people who have never spoken before, Gary is a celebration of a complex and unique talent.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Sean Smith
98 books58 followersSean Smith is the UK’s leading celebrity biographer and the author of the number one bestseller Cheryl, as well as bestselling books about Tom Jones, Robbie Williams and Kate Middleton.
His books about the most famous people of our times has been translated throughout the world. His subjects include Adele, Kim Kardashian, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston and J.K. Rowling. The film Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story was based on his biography of the Harry Potter author.
Described by the Independent as a ‘fearless chronicler’, he specialises in meticulous research, going ‘on the road’ to find the real person behind the star image.
His books about the most famous people of our times has been translated throughout the world. His subjects include Adele, Kim Kardashian, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston and J.K. Rowling. The film Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story was based on his biography of the Harry Potter author.
Described by the Independent as a ‘fearless chronicler’, he specialises in meticulous research, going ‘on the road’ to find the real person behind the star image.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 15, 2018
Efficient and well researched.
December 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this book.
February 7, 2017
I am a massive Take That fan and really enjoyed finding out more about Gary and his journey from the beginning in the music business. It also helped me to understand why Gary and Robbie didn't hit it off as youngsters.
December 27, 2016
This is like reading the longest Wikipedia entry of all time. It takes a very specific skill to turn an interesting career into a soulless laundry list of facts. I regret slogging it out no matter how much I like Barlow.
March 28, 2015
Great read for any Gary fan.lots of new material
July 18, 2017
it was a really good and enjoyable book
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews