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Do You Want to Know a Secret? Billy J. Kramer

Do You Want to Know a Secret? By Billy J. Kramer

Do You Want to Know a Secret? by Billy J. Kramer


£24.60
Condition - Very Good
Only 2 left

Summary

When Billy J. Kramer's Do You Want To Know A Secret? by Lennon and McCartney topped the charts in 1963, he was the first singer in the world to have a number one hit with a Beatles song, apart from the Fab Four themselves. This propelled the teenage Kramer into the fast lane.

Do You Want to Know a Secret? Summary

Do You Want to Know a Secret?: The Autobiography of Billy J. Kramer by Billy J. Kramer

In this autobiography Billy J. Kramer (born William Ashton) tells his rags to riches story, from his working class childhood in Liverpool to the racy world of international pop music. Managed by Brian Epstein, produced by George Martin, and friend, confidante and colleague of the Beatles, Kramer gives a definitive insider's account of the birth of the Liverpool sound and also the British Invasion of the USA. But there are dark secrets in the Kramer story. Before he reached his twenties, he was in the grip of drugs and alcohol, and there were constant tensions between him and his backing band, the Dakotas. When the screaming stopped, he reinvented himself as a cabaret performer, and some of his best records were made in the years he was out of the limelight. With a young family, drink and pills made his domestic life, and eventually his professional life, a struggle. In this no-holds-barred account, Kramer brings to life the vibrancy of the sixties. He then reveals how he exorcised his demons and forged a new career in the United States. He assembles his current band, shows a growing mastery of songwriting, and returns to national tours of Britain and the USA, keeping the flame of the Mersey sound alive. The lifetime of experience he brings to his new songs infuses every page of this enthralling read.

Do You Want to Know a Secret? Reviews

He was the most handsome man on stage, and well-dressed too - Ringo Starr; Billy J. Kramer and his band The Dakotas have always been an inspiration to me - Peter Frampton

About Billy J. Kramer

Billy J. Kramer is a singer, songwriter and bandleader, whose career with The Dakotas took him into the top ten on the British and American charts, including three UK number one hits. Born in Liverpool he now lives in the United States.Alyn Shipton has co-authored many musicians' biographies, including most recently, that of chart topping jazz bandleader Chris Barber. His life of singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson won the 2014 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for pop biography.

Table of Contents

ForewordChapter 1: Little Children: 1943-1958 Chapter 2: I'll Be on My Way: 1958-1962 Chapter 3: Silver Dream: 1963-1964Chapter 4: It's Gotta Last Forever: 1964-1967Chapter 5: Twilight Time: 1967-1971Chapter 6: Gone Away: 1971Chapter 7: You Can't Live on Memories: 1972-1983Chapter 8: I Won the Fight: 1984-2006Chapter 9: To Liverpool with Love: from 2006Recordings List

Additional information

GOR007777484
9781781793619
1781793611
Do You Want to Know a Secret?: The Autobiography of Billy J. Kramer by Billy J. Kramer
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Equinox Publishing Ltd
2016-05-03
200
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Do You Want to Know a Secret?