Manual: How to Have a Number 1 the Easy Way [Paperback]

Bill Drummond (Author), Jimmy Cauty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999

This is an unexpurgated reissue of the rare and long out-of print 'how to' book by Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond, aka The KLF, their 'Zenarchistic' step-by-step guide to having a number one single in the official UK charts. First published in 1988, this edition includes a new introduction by Jon Savage and an afterword by Bill Drummond, and explains all the steps needed to guarantee success, as pioneered by The Timelords (another alias) with 'Jamming the Tardis'. The Manual is an unparalleled expose of the reality behind the pop-music business and while names may have changed since its first issue, the mechanics of financing, producing and promoting a hit set out here remain absolutely relevant. .

Editorial Reviews

Review

The most honest representation of the mire of crap that is the music business and how to cut through it -- in style. -- Sean Phillips

About the Author

Jimmy Cauty (aka Rockman Rock) and Bill Drummond (aka Kingboy D) have been, at various times, The Timelords, The Justified Ancients of MuMu, The Jams, The KLF, and, the K Foundation whose legendary money burning is commemorated in the ellipsis book, K Foundation Burn a Million Quid.

Product Details

• Paperback: 157 pages
• Publisher: Ellipsis London Pr Ltd; 2nd Revised edition edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1899858652
• ISBN-13: 978-1899858651
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,604,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone's a winner, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Manual: How to Have a Number 1 the Easy Way (Paperback)

This book pulls no punches when it analyses the UK's pop industry. The references may be lost in the US but if you can locate someone who lived in the UK in the late 80's, they can fill in the blanks.

The writing style is compulsive and the book is hard to put down. I have every confidence that ,if you have the courage to follow this book , you will get to number one. The authors have got to number one on two occasions and had a nummber of near misses.

This books looks at ways to "produce" your number one, manipulate the charts but misses out how to make a great video.

For anyone who wants to have a number one in the UK this is a must.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's no business, March 22, 2004

By 

Roger Flanaghan (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manual: How to Have a Number 1 the Easy Way (Paperback)

These guys are what we should all aspire to be. They've burnt one million pounds, walked to the north pole to sacrifice a tiny picture of Elvis, worked with norwegian comics' grand old man Øystein Runde sr, nailed 100 000 pounds to a piece of wood and sold it for 50 000 pounds, and now they're going to sell you the ticket to one-hit-wonderland. A pop hit is guaranteed if you follow their instructions. Really. Guaranteed.

Now, go and make mom some pop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Drummond's Gift, August 19, 2002

By 

Kurt Koller "Minimalist360 744411FD-B6B0-11D2... (South Orange, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manual: How to Have a Number 1 the Easy Way (Paperback)

Most of Drummond's writings are filled with optimism and a "just do it" attitude. This is no exception. Probably dated and localized for a U.K. audience, I found it a great read nonetheless.