Phil Spector: Out Of His Head [Paperback]

Richard Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

"One of the best books to come out of the Rock Scene," was Publishers’ Weekly’s assessment of Williams’ brilliant portrait of Phil Spector, originally published in 1972, and now updated to include Spector’s work over the following three decades and the bizarre circumstances surrounding the shooting of Lana Clarkson at Spector’s L.A. mansion on February 3, 2003.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'One of the best books to come out of the rock scene.' Publishers Weekly 'Williams classic book, reissued and updated, is a timely reminder of why this made the news in the first place.' Q FIVE STARS

About the Author

Richard Williams is one of the most acclaimed journalists in the UK. He joined Melody Maker as Assistant Editor in 1969, graduating to editor in 1978 after spells as an A& R man at Island Records and as Editor of Time Out. During the Eighties he turned to sports journalism with the Times, Independent and, currently The Guardian where he is now the paper's senior sports columnist. Richard was the first presenter of BBC2's Old Grey Whistle Test and has contributed articles on music, films and sport to scores of newspapers and magazines in the UK and US. Among his many books are studies on Bob Dylan and Miles Davis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press; Revised edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711998647
• ISBN-13: 978-0711998643
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,689,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Talented But Tragic Figure In The Music Biz, October 29, 2003

By 

"msmusiceditor" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phil Spector: Out Of His Head (Paperback)

Phil Spector is an enigma: A pop music icon who has obviously danced with his demons on many occasions. Richard Williams' book does a fine job of detailing Spector's upbringing, his early career, his domination of the charts with his Philles label, his years spent "in hiding", and his past attempts to stage a "come back." Very little about Spector's current legal woes is included, but it is touched upon. The book is filled with first-hand accounts from Spector's friends and colleagues (yes, according to these sources, Spector pulled a gun on several musicians, including Stevie Wonder). If you want to know what it was like working with him, this book paints the picture masterfully. He may have been very talented, but after reading this book, I'm glad I was never stuck in a studio with him!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phil Spector:Out Of His Head, August 10, 2007

By 

Macaw Mom (South Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phil Spector: Out Of His Head (Paperback)

Another story of a brilliant man who forged through life starting as the underdog and ending up at the top of his game only to throw it all away because of ego and needing to be in total control of everything and everybody. The end of this story is not in the book but on Court TV and coming to a close soon. What a waste of talent.

3.0 out of 5 stars phil spectical, October 28, 2010

By 

Gerlean Terrell - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Phil Spector: Out Of His Head (Paperback)

This is the third book I've read in recent weeks about Phil Spector, "Out of His Head" by Richard Williams. As a young girl I was always intrigued by his "wall of sound", and that's what it was. He had a special ear no doubt, however he must have been driven by something other than the music itself, it must have been some kind of "inner" ear. He appears to have been a self centered genius with a sense of entitlement. It's kind of hard to pinpoint his many idiosyncracies, perhaps a tortured soul? Mr. Williams' decriptions of his mixing, blending, layering and use of so many duplicate instruments made you almost "see" the cascading of his sound. His music is classic and speaks for itself.

Too bad his legacy will include the death of Ms Lana Clarkson. A tragedy for both on his part. Some of his predicament may be karma, my understanding from the books indicate he took writing credits he wasn't due and undercompensated most of his artists. What a waste and a shame, one of the books about him is titled "Reckless", I say "Senseless"!! Sad Sad Sad!