Star Man: The Right Hand Man of Rock 'n' Roll

by Michael Francis

Life changed for Michael Francis at the age of 21 when Paul McCartney walked into his father's boxing gym to watch his friend preparing for a fight. Paul hired Michael as his security guard, beginning a thirty-year music business career in which he worked with such legendary names as Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, The Osmonds, Sheena Easton, Frank Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Cher, and Kiss. As tour manager, Michael was responsible for every aspect of their safety and their comfort, from making sure they were not mobbed on stage to making sure they got paid. To some of them he became close. He was best man at Jon Bon Jovi's wedding, and provided personal security for Cher at her Malibu home. He shared their wildest excesses, their highs and their lows; he saw their fears, and all too often, their loneliness and paranoia. Sometimes hilarious, frequently shocking, always perceptive, Star Man is the outrageous, uncompromising, and brutally honest story of one man's life with the biggest stars of rock.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Michael Francis John was born in England and raised on the city streets of east London. He left home at an early age and in his own words “lived many lifetimes in many strange places in this world” Eventually he settled in Los Angles County where he lives and continues to write.

Reviews

[Twyla Meeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, yet another good book that tells another story of Bon Jovi.
Michael's life is inspiring, previously not succeeding in this but gaining a lot of success when he was older.
Loved this book.

[Sleaze Roxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

From humble beginnings to life on the road with some of music's biggest names, Star Man gives the reader an honest and entertaining look at life behind the scenes.

It is fascinating, and not without a fair amount of luck, that a burgeoning career criminal befriended Paul McCartney, which lead to security work for Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant, and the beginnings of a whirlwind life on the road.

Star Man also reveals that in the end, the music business is precisely that... business. Despite putting his life on the line to protect superstars such as Jon Bon Jovi, the singer's loyalty to one of his best friends ended after the tour. Many fans may consider hitting the road with a band such as KISS to be a dream come true, Francis' recollections of babysitting Ace Frehley may quickly change your mind.

Star Man was an exceptional read; filled with laughs, heartbreak, drugs, celebrities and a unique perspective on the true price of fame and fortune.

[Laurence Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in 2007 and pretty much return to it every other year since.

In effect, Michael Francis was a sober witness to the final days of the sex and drugs and rock and roll era, with this book as his testamentary. When i see the celebrity non-news stories that circulate in the media these days (anyone remember the Bieber peeing in a bucket "controversey") and compare them to the events depicted in this book which seemingly passed without any comment or notice at all, it does beg the question how things changed. Have we, as a society, lost something somewhere or have we just grow up a bit. I honestly don't know the answer.

Anyway, find a copy of this book, buy it, read it, love it.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was highly disappointed in this book. It was more of a name the star and look what I did then telling us about his job. Yes is has some stories about the drunk married artist being caught by his wife or girlfriend and him having to get him out the the situation but big woop. I wanted to hear more about him and what his job was not who the stars were doing.

[John Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. Lots of stories about being a rock & roll star. Bon Jovi had a wild time on the road 🫣😊

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really different read for me but I really did like it! It was really cool to see what it was like to be working for so many iconic and famous artists and celebrities at the time.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read about this on a British tabloid. Absolutely had to get it. Find out what the rock and rollers are really like from a man who guarded them 24/7. Get the dirt on Cher, gene simmons, Shannon tweed, Jon bon Jovie, and Paul McCartney. Oh yes let’s not forget the most evil of all groups — Led Zeppelin. I read it, then resold on eBay. Some man bought it and I mailed it off to Canada. Few years later and with some regrets I purchased a second copy. Won’t let this one get away, I still use it as a reference manual to jog my baby boomer memory!

[Leon Kock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this one.

[KK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knjiga jaka 4. Prevod 3- a lektura 0.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

a page turner if there ever was one! I read about it on a British tabloid. after I read it, I stupidly sold it on Ebay to a man in Canada. Then I wished I had it back and bought another copy which I will never loan out! a must-read if you are a rock-n-roll fan. Part about Gene Simmons and KISS was super interesting.

[Godzilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, and gives a certain insight into the life of rock bands on the road. However for me it left too many questions unanswered and the anecdotes are glimpses into the world without ever really digging beneath the surface.