As well as his time in Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter has had a long and adventurous solo career. In this book, we unlock the secrets behind every lyric, riff, and melody. From the soul-stirring anthems that defined an era to the hidden gems that eluded the spotlight, we leave no chord unheard. It is an immersive voyage into the evolution of a songwriter extraordinaire, as we explore the stories, inspirations, and the mind of the creative maverick that brought these songs to life. With a mix of anecdotes, in-depth analyses, and a touch of rockstar charisma, this book isn't just a collection of pages, it's a front-row seat to Hunter's musical legacy. Whether you've been inspired by ‘All The Young Dudes’ since its debut or you're just discovering the magic of the Defiance series, Hunter’s music has become the soundtrack to so many people’s lives. It’s a deep dive into the heart and soul of Hunter's almost unparalleled musical journey. This book will appeal to all casual or diehard fans of Mott The Hoople's legendary frontman, making it the ultimate backstage pass Hunter fans have been waiting for. G. Mick Smith, PhD, The Doctor of Digital, is a consultant and recovering academic. He is the Chief Digital Officer at The Doctor of Digital Podcast and Smith Consulting, having formerly been an Executive Region Director and Campus Dean. Smith earned a PhD in the History of Religions from UCLA, and nine certificates in executive management and educational technology. Mick currently resides far from the madding crowd in sunny California, enjoying his parent's first new car, a 1957 Buick Special. He co-hosts The Aftermath Podcast, and wrote Burning America: In The Best Interest Of The Children?

The brother and sister team of Karen and Richard Carpenter rank as one of the most successful acts in pop music history. Between the first Carpenters’ album released in 1969 and their final studio album together in 1981, they achieved three Grammy awards, 18 hits in the US Top 20 (and ten in the UK) and multiple platinum discs, leading to eventual sales of over 100 million copies worldwide. Although the group’s career was brought to a tragic and premature end by the untimely death of Karen Carpenter in 1983, they remain a much-loved band. The Carpenters crafted their own distinctive sound with multi-part harmonies and lush arrangements. A unique singer and gifted interpreter of songs, Karen was also passionate about playing the drums, with Richard’s talents extending to keyboards, singing, composing, arranging and producing. This book explores the background to each of their studio albums and classic singles, as well as their solo recordings, live albums and compilations of rare tracks. From their earliest recordings in a jazz trio through to Richard’s reinterpretations of their best-known songs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a solo pianist, this appraisal looks at over 55 years of Carpenters material. Paul Tornbohm is a songwriter and musician. As befits a Carpenters fan, he has recorded an album of his songs, August Afternoons, with his sister Cathy on lead vocals. A former member of the ‘ghost-rock’ group Piano Magic, Paul has also released the solo EP Down an English Lane. Additionally, he composes for Spontaneous Productions, a theatre company in Sydenham, London. Paul has a Masters in music production from Kingston University, teaches music qualifications at a sixth-form college in Surrey and lives in Crystal Palace, London, with his wife, the composer Yumi Mashiki. This is his first book.

Eagles began as a backing group for vocalist Linda Ronstadt before striking out on their own. All being accomplished vocalists, musicians and songwriters, they jointly set themselves the goal of ‘number one singles and albums, great music, and a lot of money’. With guitarist Glenn Frey and drummer Don Henley as the combined driving force, by 1975 they had topped the singles and album charts at home and found major success in Britain and across the world, while establishing themselves as America’s foremost band. The global success of Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 and Hotel California, to this day the first and third best-selling albums in America of all time, proved impossible to surpass, and after several line-up changes, they disbanded in 1980. A resumption in 1994 was cemented with the live/studio album Hell Freezes Over, followed in 2007 by Long Road out of Eden, their first studio album for 28 years. After Frey’s death in 2016, they recruited new members maintaining a live schedule that continues to this day. This book recounts the band’s rise, fall and rise again, with a detailed look at every track on each studio and live album, plus an overview of original songs and cover versions recorded but never officially released. John Van der Kiste has published over ninety books, mostly historical biography and music, including 1970: A Year in Rock, and titles on Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter, Free and Bad Company, and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band in the 1970s for Sonicbond’s Decades series. He has reviewed books and records for the local and national press and fanzines co-founded and edited the 70s fanzine Keep on Rockin, and written booklet notes for CD reissues from EMI and other labels. A former DJ and performer with various groups, he also co-wrote one track on Riff Regan’s Milestones (2015), and played harmonica on London’s The Hell for Leather Mob (2020). He lives in Devon, U.K.

One Way Or Another is multi-millionaire rock, media and sport mogul Chris Wright’s explosive autobiography. In it, Wright lifts the veil on the wheeling and dealing that propelled his company Chrysalis to the forefront of the pop industry – and how the fortune he made from rock enabled him to buy Queens Park Rangers FC, Wasps Rugby Club and a fistful of radio stations and TV production companies. Chris Wright signed bands like Jethro Tull and Ten Years After who were at the forefront of the British rock invasion of America that took place in the late sixties and early seventies, then went on to embrace punk with Blondie and Billy Idol, New Romantics with Ultravox and Spandau Ballet, 2-Tone stars The Specials and many more. In a life story that reads like a Who’s Who of the rock business, Wright spares no blushes in telling tales of sex, drugs and financial blowouts that made some rich and left others by the wayside. Ever the entrepreneur, Wright remained at the heart of the unfolding story that has become the contemporary entertainment industry, subsequently taking the Chrysalis brand into TV and radio. But his story goes beyond success in media and entertainment. In later years, Wright went on to own premiership football club Queens Park Rangers and rugby giants Wasps. Interwoven with a personal narrative that has all the twists and turns of a best-selling novel, One Way Or Another is a remarkable, truly gripping story of life at the top.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO INDULGE IN DEF LEPPARD, THEN THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU! This book includes 37 chapters all about Def Leppard, featuring in-depth write-ups on the band's studio albums and select single releases **PLUS** never-before-told personal stories **AND** never-before-seen pictures! Includes: * IN-DEPTH write-ups spotlighting the band's original studio albums (plus the Retro Active compilation) and select single releases. This compendium is completely refreshed from the original versions that were written for The Lep Report. Also, a brand new, rare, from-the-inside look at the Vault greatest hits release ("Peeks Inside Vault's Vault & More")! * BRAND NEW write-ups spotlighting the Hysteria singles WOMEN, LOVE BITES, and ROCKET (And A Personal One At That!). * Numerous chapters featuring NEVER-BEFORE-TOLD personal stories (along with NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN pictures) from my time working at the band's record label in the mid-'90s, with some of my favorite memories and interactions involving the band. Chapters include "Stumping Sav," "Meet. Greet. Repeat.," "Poor Sav...And, Go Joe!," "Definitely Not A Wardrobe Malfunction," and much more! * Tribute chapters spotlighting JOE ELLIOTT ("The Ballad of Joe: Reflections & An Appreciation"), "MUTT" LANGE ("The Magical Mysteria Of "Mutt" Lange"), and STEVE CLARK ("A Tribute") * Song By Song: Ranking And Reviewing Def Leppard Songs Chapter Breakdown: Introduction: How It All Started Personal Story: Stumping Sav Personal Story: A Special Radio Request Album Spotlight: On Through The Night Album Spotlight: High 'n' Dry Album Spotlight: Pyromania Album Spotlight: Hysteria Steve Clark: A Tribute Album Spotlight: Adrenalize Album Spotlight: Retro Active Peeks Inside Vault's Vault & More! Album Spotlight: Slang Album Spotlight: Euphoria Album Spotlight: X Album Spotlight: Songs from the Sparkle Lounge Album Spotlight: Def Leppard Personal Story: If It Pleases You, It Pleases...Them Personal Story: An 'Ugly' Situation With A Concert On The Side Personal Story: Definitely Not a Wardrobe Malfunction Personal Story: Where Does Love Go When It Dies? Right Here! Single Spotlight: "Women" Single Spotlight: "Hysteria" Single Spotlight: "Pour Some Sugar On Me" Single Spotlight: "Love Bites" Single Spotlight (And A Personal One At That!): "Rocket" Single Spotlight: "Let's Get Rocked" Single Spotlight: "Make Love Like A Man" Single Spotlight: "Tonight" Single Spotlight: "Promises" Single Spotlight: "Long Long Way To Go" Single Spotlight: "Nine Lives" The Magical Mysteria Of "Mutt" Lange Personal Story: Poor Sav...And, Go Joe! Personal Story: And Now A Quick Break For The Scent Of Glitter Personal Story: The Ballad of Joe (Reflections & An Appreciation) Personal Story: Meet. Greet. Repeat. Song By Song: Ranking And Reviewing Def Leppard's Songs So rise up and gather round -- better yet, get really comfortable and get ready -- to indulge in A LOT of Def Leppard with this must-read, definitive book! From the creator of the Def Leppard fansite The Def Leppard Report (aka The Lep Report). ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

This book explores Mick Ronson's life and career with his family, friends, fellow musicians and fans. For devotees of David Bowie, and Mick Ronson – the Spider from Hull – who lit up the fabulous Ziggy Stardust shows with his dazzling guitar playing and powerful stage presence. This is Mick Ronson's story. And it begins in his home-town of Hull. Based on the successful show Turn and Face the Strange. With unique material and exclusive interviews with fellow musicians, friends and family (to include Maggie Ronson, his sister, and Nick Ronson, his son) and those who knew him. A new leading biography of guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer and musician Mick Ronson. Most famous for his critical contribution to David Bowie's spectacular live band, studio albums including Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane. Mick also helped produce Lou Reed's Transformer, released five solo studio albums, performing in bands with Ian Hunter, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan as well as working with many other musicians. This is an authentic story of a boy from a council estate from Hull who achieved international rock god status. Set in a time of seismic social change, with colliding cultures of personal and community identity, image and fashion, gender roles and sexual freedom.

HR Transformation Technology is a complete, business-orientated guide to the planning, design and delivery of HR information systems. It spells out the full scope of the applications required to support HR shared services, centres of excellence and business partner roles and goes on to set out the step-by-step process for managing the delivery of a major HR information system project, and ensure it remains on schedule and on budget. HR Transformation Technology provides: • An understanding of the role of IT in HR and the way in which it supports key elements such as the HR shared service centre and HR Business Partners; • A clear picture of the features and benefits of the main types of HR IT application and an overview of what can commonly go wrong; • The knowledge to build and communicate a definitive business case for the project; • Details of the processes to be followed when defining what you need and selecting the partners who can deliver it. The book also provides up to date, practical examples of what other major organizations have achieved along with an invaluable top ten list of dos and don'ts for the HR systems project manager. This book is indispensable for anyone with responsibility for delivering HR systems.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'THE ROCK 'N' ROLL AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Essential for fans and great reading for anyone else' Classic Rock Break-ups, make-ups, groupies, band politics, court battles, the tragic death of Rick Parfitt . . . This is Francis Rossi as you have never seen him before. Status Quo have sold over 100 million records worldwide, including 65 hit singles and 32 hit albums. The legendary band's career has mirrored the evolution of rock music. From the struggles of the flower-power '60s, the highs of the denim-clad '70s, the coke- and tequila-induced blur of the '80s, to fighting for musical integrity in the '90s and '00s and a fresh lease of life from new band members in recent years, Rossi has been there for the entirety of Quo's turbulent history. In I Talk Too Much, Rossi will reveal the truth behind one of the biggest rock bands of all time, as well as the personal highs and lows of a career spanning over 50 years. He lifts the lid on the man behind the music - from humble beginnings in Forest Hill and being labelled a has-been by the press in his twenties to opening Live Aid in 1985 - and why he's still going strong at seventy. Along the way he has fathered eight children with three mothers and beaten both alcoholism and cocaine addiction. Rossi comes clean about the time he almost left the band, what he really thinks about the music industry today and the complexities of his fifty-year friendship with Rick Parfitt. Painfully honest, riotously funny and frequently outrageous, I Talk Too Much covers the glory years, the dark days and the real stories behind the creation of some of the greatest rock music of all time.

THE ULTIMATE EDITION – EXPANDED AND UPDATED WITH MORE THAN 70,000 WORDS OF NEW MATERIALCritically acclaimed in its previous editions, The Complete David Bowie is recognized as the foremost source of analysis and information on every facet of Bowie's work. The A-Z of songs and the day-by-day dateline are the most complete ever published. From his boyhood skiffle performance at the 18th Bromley Scouts' Summer Camp, to the majesty of his final masterpiece Blackstar, every aspect of David Bowie's extraordinary career is explored and dissected by Nicholas Pegg's unrivalled combination of in-depth knowledge and penetrating insight. - The Albums – detailed production history and analysis of every album. - The Songs – hundreds of individual entries reveal the facts and anecdotes behind not just the famous recordings, but also the most obscure of unreleased rarities – from 'Absolute Beginners' to 'Ziggy Stardust', from 'Abdulmajid' to 'Zion'. - The Tours – set-lists and histories of every live show. - The Actor – a complete guide to Bowie's career on stage and screen. - Plus – the videos, the BBC radio sessions, the paintings, the internet and much more.

Bette Davis, whose career spanned almost 50 years and covered theatre, radio, TV and motion pictures, was at one time the first lady of the big screen. Working with such storied performers as Henry Fonda, Humphrey Bogart, and Joan Crawford, and directors Edmund Goulding, William Wyler and Robert Aldrich, Bette Davis provided some of the most memorable performances in movie history. This volume contains detailed analyses of Bette Davis' top twelve films spanning 1938 to 1987 and including The Letter, All About Eve, The Little Foxes, Jezebel, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and The Whales of August. Each film is discussed in depth, with an examination of its script, direction, camerawork and performances, particularly as they relate to Davis's work. A second group of films, memorable largely for Davis's performance rather than the overall success of the work, are also examined. Special emphasis is placed on the way Davis viewed her own work as well as the detrimental effect her devotion to her career had on her personal life. Appendices contain a list of her marriages and children; her Oscar nominations; a discussion of Davis's missed opportunities; and a partial chronology of her films.