Dana Gillespie: Weren’t Born a Man

by Dana Gillespie, David Shasha

Dana Gillespie, the award-winning first lady of the Blues has enjoyed an incredible life and career. Now, she has chronicled her exploits, and as anyone who knows Dana would expect, it is intelligent, insightful, outrageous, and funny. Detailing high points, low points and everything in-between, the book covers, amongst many other things, liaisons with David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Keith Moon, and the cream of 1960's rock royalty; Recording with Jimmy Page and Elton John; Performing as Mary Magdalene in the original London production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and as the Acid Queen in Tommy; Acting in films directed by Nicholas Roeg, Ken Russell and Mai Zetterling; Performing Shakespeare with Sir John Gielgud and Arthur Lowe; Topping the pop charts across Europe; Performing to an audience of one million people in India; And... oh yes... Being British junior waterski champion for 4 years! This Kindle version of 'Weren't Born a Man' contains a curated selection of 35 of the 150+ images contained in the print edition of the book. "Spending time with Dana was very special. She was magical, and helped me overcome my shyness. She knew my story before I did! All the memories I have of her are fond ones. So much laughter and kindness which helped me enormously. Those brilliant times will never be forgotten" --Elton John "Dana is fearless. She treads all over PC preciousness with some of the most funny and scandalous anecdotes I've heard of; a life outrageously lived. And if that wasn't enough she sings the blues with a sauciness that's chilli hot and ripe with erotic innuendo that can only come from a lady of full experience. A treasure, a legend, the Queen of cleavage and the last Empress of Bohemia. " --Marc Almond "From David Bowie to Alf Garnett They say that variety is the spice of life, and Dana's life has seen more spice than most. What a life! What a woman! What a book! " --Julian Clary

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2021

Reviews

[sarahhh · Rating 3 out of 5]

this girl won’t shut up about her tits I swear

anyway good book though it’s nice to know she slept in a single bed with david Bowie though

2.5/5 stars

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book about one woman, the blues -and her 2 big tits that she just won't shut up about. I've never read an autobiography where someone talks so much about their anatomy / self-perceived assets. Made a good book into a cheap and rather tiresome read which is really too bad because the music parts are great. If you don't like gratuitous name dropping, you may want to avoid. Great life lived, not so well written about.

[Kai Addams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman! What a woman! Having met Dana a couple of times and now listened to her book on audible, what I would say is listen if you can with this one, rather than read the pages.

You just don’t get her way of speaking of you don’t listen to it.

It’s fabulous !! And what an incredibly talented by amazing lady!

[Paul Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great stories make up for the writing itself, which isn't great. It reads like it's just been typed straight from interview transcriptions. The chronological approach suits the stories but it was missing *something*. Dana has certainly led a fascinating life. Never a dull moment. Better than most music autobiographies.