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, Gary Barlow would go on to achieve phenomenal success as the musical
force behind Take That, the most popular boy band of all time.
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.
Sean 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.
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.
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.