To mark the 20th anniversary of John Lennon's assassination this is a revised and updated ... more
edition of his biography. Capturing the frenetic life and work of the Beatle who wrote " A Hard Day's Night" through to the philosopher who wrote "Imagine" this...
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The late Ray Coleman had known John Lennon since Ray's days as editor of Melody Maker and ... more
he was about to interview him again in New York when the former Beatle was senselessly murdered. Written in co-operation with Yoko Ono, and with input from John's indefatigable Aunt Mimi and first wife Cynthia, as well as a host of former lovers, band members and relatives, this is one book that really gets close to the heart of John Lennon. Originally published in two volumes during the 1980s, this single volume paperback from 1995 includes an invaluable revised introduction, which takes account of the extraordinary posthumous obsession that developed after Lennon's murder. A diligent biographer, Coleman offers revealing insights into many aspects of Lennon's life--from rebellious teenager, through talented Beatle, to 1970s chameleon--all culminating in the assassination outside the Dakota Building on 8 December, 1980.This is a healthy, and very welcome, corrective to Albert Goldman's shrill 1988 broadside The Lives of John Lennon. If anything, Coleman may at times be a touch too reverential towards his subject--something you could never accuse John's Aunt Mimi of being! As a result, hers is often the voice which shines through in this exemplary biography: "I still can't understand a word you're saying in all these interviews, and now there's this worry over drugs. What do you need drugs for and a Scouse accent?" --Patrick Humphries
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Advantages: Great coverage of early life Disadvantages: Negative attitude and twisting of Yoko-years
of empathy with John's later life. Coleman, like most other Beatles/Lennon fans, has a bias against Yoko Ono, and a definite twisting of facts can be seen. Normal marital arguments are redefined as Ono's manipulation of Lennon (as we will find throughout Beatles literature), and the facts are generally distorted to show Yoko as the 'bad one' in the picture.
However, if you can see through the spin, this book remains the (as the title claims) "definitive" work on Lennon's life. ...
Advantages: Excellent, partly written from personal experience, covers pretty much everything Disadvantages: Could've chosen a better cover photo, I want more!
The main advantage of this biography is that Coleman actually knew Lennon. He is honest (sometimes painfully so), but not interested in digging up dirt. He doesn't set out to be controversial, nor does he glorify Lennon and his life: it's all there; the drugs, the affairs, everything.
The layout is very comprehensive: it starts with an overview, goes on to a full, detailed and almost-linear account of Lennon's childhood, through the Beatles years, the solo career, the house-husband period and finally his murder. I found it very easy to read and it was detailed without over-analysing. I literally could not put it down - to the point where I spilt an orange alcopop over it because I was trying to pour while reading, there is now an attractive orange stain over some of the pages!
Coleman has done his research and peppers it ...
Advantages: Strong insight into Lennon's character Disadvantages: A few annoying writing features (french phrases etc)
John Lennon. The complex, charismatic, outspoken, superbly talented John Lennon.
With so many people having taken the man to their heart, the amount of words written about him has been, and will continue to be, inevitably, very extensive.
However, this book written by RayColeman, himself a much revered music journalist and long time friend of Lennon, claims to be the ?definitive? portrait of John Lennon. Does it live up to this boast? I think it does.
First published in 1984, Coleman, with a scrutinising eye, sets out to capture the true character of John Lennon and dispel certain myths and misconceptions about Lennon.
Lennon was a man of great genius, great wit, great honesty and great inspiration in his willingness to always speak his mind. He was also however, equally a man with great troubles. This biography opens all ...
To mark the 20th anniversary of John Lennon's assassination this is a revised and updated edition of his biography. Capturing the frenetic life and work of the Beatle who wrote A Hard Day's Night" through to the philosopher who wrote "Imagine" this biography with rare illustrations is revised and updated with a new chronology composed by Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn and a foreword by Sir George Martin."
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