I'm Coming To Take You To Lunch: A Fantastic Tale of Boys, Booze and how Wham! Were sold to China

by Simon Napier-Bell

Chronicles the rise and fall of the 1980s band Wham and the efforts and behind-the-scenes maneuverings of the author, the band's manager, to make them the first rock band to play in communist China.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2005

Reviews

[James Hartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, fun read, well told by someone on the inside. As Charles Shaar Murray is quoted as saying on the front cover of my version, "The cold print equivalent of a sparkling evening with a world-class raconteur". It´s made me want to look up Napier-Bell´s other books, also provides some interesting insights into the character of the late George Michael. The story is slightly drawn out - by the end the book is sagging - but it made me wonder what a Napier-Bell novel would be like. He can write, has obviously always harboured a desire to write, and is interested in characters. He knows how to draw out a story, develop interest in characters and has great life experience: a book or series of short stories would stretch him more than what, in the end, are tired tropes of empty fame and how shitty business people are (in this case, record company types).

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a George Michael/Wham fan? No? Doesn't make a difference. This is a hysterical book by Simon Napier-Bell, who as Wham's manager at the time thought 'wouldn't it be great if Wham gave a free concert in China?'

Well instead of dreaming about it, Napier-Bell actually went to China to arrange the concert.. Keep in mind that this was right in the middle of the 80's - and no foriegn band has done a concert there before. This book is part travel diary, how to do something in the music business, as well as a personal journey of sorts - although in a Simon Napier-Bell way. Which means eating at a very expensive restaurant with various Chinese officals and non officials alike.

And just in case you don't know, Napier Bell was the manager of The Yardbirds, Marc Bolan, as well as the band Japan. And also a great writer!

[Asha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable read and gives delightful insight of life as a music manager and the music business, which seems not as glamorous as it sounds, rather very stressful. The background and lead up to the communist China concert is very interesting for its cultural and political differences and logistics, and the work that Napier did to get it to reality is itself a very crazy story and idea in the first place.

Napier Bell comes across as having a very interesting life, hilarious and also no nonsense and must be a very relatable guy with big personality, part salesman, part pleaser, part boss.

The book also gives insight into George Michael, beyond the “nice” and talented musician/songwriter the fans see; but a zealous, overly demanding, way ahead of this age of 20ish year old, egotistical, moody, business minded, and a perfectionist’s perfectionist who must had been a nightmare to deal with as his manager (and I would have loved to have known what GM had thought of how he is described in this book; probably would had laughed at his 22yo ego?).

For those who read, I wish there was an answer to the mystery of Prof Rolf but that was never sought for by Napier and so was never known. Would be interested to read his other books. Highly entertaining and recommended, especially for Wham! and GM fans.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite different than what I expected. Rather than just a trashy tell-all of Wham!, it's a pretty considered exploration of the relationship between art and business, with particular focus on the changes in this sphere since the 80's.

Wham! are a bit of footnote compared to phenomena that were Duran Duran and Culture Club, but nonetheless they hold the mantle of playing China before anyone else, and it's this story that's central to the book. Where just thirty years ago Asia and Europe were completely distinct, globalisation has allowed them - or maybe forced them - to blend. I'm not sure how deliberate are the recurring themes of change and rejuvination throughout the book, but it nonetheless works well. Globalisation, capitalism and the author's own journey tie in nicely.

I read this coming out of reading Andrew Ridgeley's autobiography. He seems like a nice guy, even if he writes like a schoolboy. George, meanwhile, comes off as a massive twat in both books, which is a shame.

[Leigh]

Keep an open mind about what you read in this book. Much of it is either exaggerated or simply untrue as is Napier-Bell's way.

Yes, it's entertaining but his tendency to embellish and/or outright fabricate events and about people's inner lives is questionable and in many cases in this book, truly offensive.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is so trashy but worth it for the rare glimpses of george

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous book-length dinner-party anecdote

[Ding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I need to thank my friend who gave me this book. I enjoyed this book tremendously. Up until I started reading this book I totally have no idea who Simon was, but reading a memoir of this fascinating person and the way he lived, and reading a part of his life that was memorable not only to himself but on some level , on a global scale I feel like we are good friends already. It is written in a language that is so accessible and through a voice that one can easily relate to.

The book gets you inside the life of a band manager and how different cultures interact into their own little world. It is funny and also insightful. And I am most pleasantly surprised to read some bits about my country and somehow realize that it has some significance to the writer.

[Andrew McMillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book approximately two years after Stuart gave it to me. I've no idea why I postponed it for so long - great read. Pointless faff, in a way, given that we're talking about pop stars and their fragile egos.. but also fascinating in terms of political logistics. The interesting thing about this book is the amount of quoted dialogue. I wonder whether Simon was keeping a diary or recording his conversations during this time. The book was published 15+ years after the event, and no-one has a memory that good. I'd be interested in checking out his other work.

[Mark Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon managed and nurtured George Michael and Andrew Ridgely, otherwise known as Wham!, guiding through their early success and onto orchestrating the band to be the first Western band to play in China. A great, bitchy read filled with anecdotes about prima donna popstars and corrupt chinese governments. Heartily recommended for 80's fans but not if your name is George Michael.

[Tim Garth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked me in from the get go. Read it in a week, although I rarely do that! I am 24 and never really got into Wham! but I found this book fascinating (especially because I started reading it on the way home from a trip to china). If you;re interested in Wham! or China as a business/travel destination then please do yourself a favour and read this book.

[Dj'aead1818 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book many a time.... a rollicking good read. If you love the 80's, Wham!, George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, drama queens, hissy fits and lots of bitching then get stuck in... a joy to read.

Classic biography. Mr. Napier-Bell's work is a pleasure to read.
Now to start on his previous works.
Don't take my word for it...get stuck in.

[Julie Mckittrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book - I think it was a gift from a conference I went to. It was the first book I read by Napier-Bell and it has a fascinating insight into the music industry. I've read others by him, but this one is by far the best

[elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wham! Bam! I am, a really good book.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had never heard of Simon nor am I really a fan of Wham, but after picking this book up in the bargain bin I couldn't put it down. Great stories of deal making and handling egos.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favourite non-China specialist book about China - the account by Wham!'s manager of Wham!'s mid-1980s tour to China. Hilarious.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought at The Secret Record Store (?) in Dublin, 28 August 2009.

[Mark Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

preferred the others in the series, but still got some great anecdotes

[Saturno]

HI!I LIKE THE STORIE, IS VERY CURENTTLY

[John Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really odd mixture of 80's pop music and post-Maoist China, but a great read about both.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally fun, silly and enjoyable book.

[Vanya Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

So entertaining!