Cliff Richard has been Britain’s longest surviving and most consistent hit music maker. Starting his career as a rock ’n’ roll threat to decent, upstanding citizens, he is now a friend to royalty and prime ministers, a Knight, and a holder of the OBE. This book tells his story chronologically, through the voices of his friends, family, and colleagues—like listening in on a dinner party attended by most of the key people in his career. The stories told reveal Cliff as seen by those closest to him and, in contrast to the many official publications, this book does not just include the flattering stories. The author’s probing questions have elicited extraordinary memories and observations, previously unheard by the public. Heavily illustrated with rare and interesting photographs of Cliff at work and play, this book will stand as a lasting testament to one of the most glorious careers in British show business.
Steve Turner is the author of Trouble Man: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye, A Hard Day's, Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song, Hungry for Heaven: Rock and Roll and the Search for Redemption, Jack Kerouac. Angelbeaded Hipster, and Van Morrison: Too Late to Stop Now. His articles have appeared in Rolling Stone, Mojo, Q, and the London Times. He lives in London with his wife and two children.
