but the general criticisms are shared......
1) I must put an index in the reprint or paperback
2) The first part is too long but the last part is excellent
3) More gossip about the stars of all 6 decades please

All in all; great and enthusiastic comments. Thanks and keep 'em coming.

Yes, an index would be very helpful. Maybe you could publish one to download?

And I'm sure you could improve the chapter headings.

I agree with your comments. Actually, I have suggested that people start the book at part 2, then when they get to the end of part 4, wanting more - they've got part 1 to read.
Frank Skinner was the first biog I read that didn't follow the natual age pattern. It's such a good idea to have some of the author's more famous moments at the start, and not have to read half the book to get to them!

I've just finished the book. I'm very sad about that because I intended to 'ration' it out but just couldn't stop reading. I am genuinely amazed at how absorbing the book is. Don't get me wrong: I expected it to be very interesting, insightful, provocative and entertaining, but I was bowled over not just by the extent that these qualities were in evidence but also by how engaging and powerful and moving the whole book was. It is, in my sincere opinion, one of the most important memoirs ever written about Britain's golden era of popular music in particular and entertainment in general, as well as a truly remarkable and enlightening account of a disgraceful case of injustice.

I wouldn't change a thing in the early sections. What is there is often charming, always interesting and assists the understanding of the evolution of the man. There is, inevitably for a book of such length, complexity and liveliness, the odd repetition (e.g. on taste in physique: pp.50 and 373; and Elton's single re-release: pp.358 and 362; and, in a few places, the final days of your involvement with Decca), but the only suggestion I'd make for revisions is simply: 'more, please'. More on your involvement with Genesis and 10cc, more on your own singles and their production and promotion, and more on your ITV talk show (including the opening edition and that Yoko Ono anecdote). More of most things, really.

The only other thing I can say is a heartfelt 'thank you'. It's been years - genuinely - since I had such enjoyment from reading a book about entertainment, entertainers and all of the business that goes with it and them. If it doesn't get widely reviewed, discussed and respected then it will be a shameful sign of how shallow those who ought know better have become.

Congratulations, and here's to the next edition!

A top publisher just contacted me to say they love the book, have had dozens of people mention it to them but... "as you'll understand, we simply cannot pick it up".

Yes, not only do I understand but I totally anticipated it and feel delighted it proves my assumptions and observations about modern society absolutely correct.

Whilst most sensible people would think Question One should be "is it any good?" and Question Two "can we sell lots of copies?", the reality is Questions One, Two and Three are, like politicians, "will the tabloids shit on me?".

It's pathetic, because these publishers are wasting thousands every season on utterly dull and pointless celeb autobiographies that only sell from October to December and then go straight to the bargain bins. And they're commissioned by people who still claim to love literature. Their behaviour actually wins them neither respect or money. So why not publish something that actually has literary quality, substance and style? So what if they get some controversy - it'll work commercially for them (and they're a cynical bunch at the best of times), they'll actually - quietly - win some admiration from their peers and they'll end up with something that probably sells long after their last z-list celeb snoozefest slithers down the charts. These glibly relativistic poltroons make me want to throw up.

And another thing...

Consider if, say, Canongate (clever young man, Nick Davies, in charge of non-fiction) published JK. Who'd attack them? The Sun? The News of the World? The Mirror? TalkSport? And that will have what effect on their list? I doubt they sell many titles to any of those audiences anyway - and they sure as hell don't bother to court them! So what exactly is the problem? Some risks are worth running. Some books are worth backing. This whole thing is infuriatingly cowardly and hypocritical - and illogical.

Interesting - the "People who bought this also bought..." list on Amazon are Shout LP from Lulu and Abbey Road from The Beatles.

And a copy went off to Jamie Byng at Canongate last week Pru. Great minds...

Two calls today from publishing type people... fingers crossed!

Excellent news!

Don't hold your breath Pru!

Never under estimate the cowardice of the majority.

Ha ha, yes, quite. But I hope their amoral attitude will at least mean that they'll spot that the book will actually SELL, so fingers crossed they'll take it anyway, even if not for all of the right reasons!