Customer Reviews

The Singer's Singer: The Life and Music of Matt Monro

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Matt Monro is Britain's biggest selling solo male performer of all time and shares this honour with our biggest solo female performer Petula Clark. Both singers have huge international reputations and fan bases. Matt's daughter, Michele, has just published her biography on her dad's life and career and here Digger reviews this new book.

A lot of people, me included, have been looking forward to this book for a long time. Matt's daughter Michele and his family and friends (and he has many) have, over the years, been resolute and highly active in their determination to keep reminding us of what a huge talent Matt Monro was and what a great musical legacy he left us. Nobody is better qualified, or more strongly driven, to write a book about Matt's life and career than his devoted daughter Michele.

The life story of Matt Monro covers a spectrum of fashions, fads, major cultural changes and musical developments. When he started his singing career, solo balladeers such as Matt wore a sharp suit and tie and Brylcreemed their hair. Britain was emerging from a devastating war and was desperate for some light relief. The British music business was dominated by stuffy old men in suits and British music predominantly imitated the American scene or relied on American imports. When Matt came along he proved that a British singer could sing as well as the major Americans - don't take my word for it - `rivals' such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis and Tony Bennett gave him the thumbs up. What's more, Matt was singing songs, many written by British songwriters, in a very British way. Matt interpreted these songs, the melody and the lyrics, with a timing, diction and phrasing and with an ability to hit and hold any note that made this diminutive man stand head and shoulders above others. He seemed to do this effortlessly and in relaxed fashion. Here also was a true entertainer in that audiences loved him and he loved to share a joke and banter with them.

Matt had to cope with some bad luck along the way. An inauspicious start in London's poor East End. Having to compete head-on with the birth of Rock 'n Roll to establish himself and then with Beatlemania when he had achieved stardom. His career had its share of ups and downs due to changes in musical tastes. Like many others in showbusiness, Matt had to sometimes negotiate a safe path through the shady manouverings of greedy managers, promoters and agents. If homesickness is an illness then Matt had an acute form which seriously marred his career's progress in America. And ultimately Matt was to face cancer and a premature death.

But in his life and career Matt also had a lot of good luck to go with this raw talent and cheerful temperament. To be partnered with EMI's Parlophone label and genius producer/arranger/A&R man George Martin and Johnnie Spence his musical director. To have the support of people like manager and songwriter Don Black. To be blessed with a loving family and his lifelong love Mickie - the wife who knew the music business and was able to manage his business affairs. And, because Matt's personality warmed him to his contemporaries in the business as much as to admiring fans around the world, he had a lot of friends. I have yet to hear a bad word about him. Matt knew everybody there is in showbusiness and they all loved him.

To reinforce this, there is an impressive section in the book with comments from his peers. The big names and their comments bear proof to his legacy and popularity. This is not an over-sentimental book but it is emotional because it is written by Matt's daughter with contributions from many of his friends. This book is not written from Michele's perspective as such but is clearly based on an impressive amount of detailed research, fact-finding and interviewing of his contemporaries. It is rich in information, quotes, anecdotes and events and gets to the heart of the man so that you feel as if you know him - surely a good result if not the main purpose of a biography? The care and attention which has gone into this project is clear.

This book contains more than the norm of photos and these are liberally sprinkled throughout the book rather than in a block of photo pages which, although this may sound trivial, is a good format because it helps the reader to digest the information and to 'contextualise' with reference to relevant images. There are also a number of hilarious and endearing quotes from Matt himself which show just how grounded and self-effacing he was. In my experience the biggest stars are always the nicest people.

When Matt's career ended in the mid-80s, it had spanned post-war austerity, Teddy boys, Rock 'n Roll, Merseybeat, Mod, Flower Power and Psychedelia, Progressive Rock, Punk, New Wave and Electropop, not to mention a huge cultural and social revolution. Matt had prevailed. Matt had convinced us, by virtue of his unique talent, personality and his output, that he was special. It's true that we in Britain tend to undervalue, or at least take for granted, our stars and this was certainly true with Matt as much as anyone else. But at the time of his death, both with the public and with his contemporaries in the business on both sides of the Atlantic and indeed around the world, he was recognised as a truly great international star.

This book lets Matt's accomplishments and music and the comments of others speak for him. Michele has every reason to be proud of her dad and of this definitive, enjoyable, informative and reliable testament to his talent, fame, legacy and continued popularity and esteem.

HAVIN BEEN A LONG TIME MATT MONRO FROM FLORIDA ,THIS BOOK WAS SOMETHING I HAD BEEN WAITING ON FOR A LONG LONG AND I WSN'T DISSAPOINTED

IT GOES INTO DETAILS OF THIS MARVELOUS SINGER'S LIFE FROM THE VERY START, TELLING HOW HE STRUGGLED TO "MAKE" IT.

THE DEVOTION AND SACRIFICE OF HIS WIFE, MICKIE WHO SO INSTUMENTAL IN HIS SUCCESS.

IT PROVED WHAT I ALWAYS THOUGHT, THAT MATT WAS A VERY HUMBLE MAN WHO JUST HAPPENED TO BE GIFTED WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL VOICE AND HE NEVER FORGOT WHERE HE CAME FROM.

IT TAKES A LOT MORE THAN JUST THE VOICE, ONE HAS TO HAVE THE SINCERETY, LUCK, A LOT OF INTANGIBLE FACTORS TO MAKE IT ON THAT LEVEL

I BOUGHT THE "SPECIAL EDITION" WHICH ENCLUDES SONGS FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION THAT WAS RECORDED BEFORE HE MADE THE BIG TIME.

THERE IS ALSO A ANOTHER SMALLER BOOK ENCLUDED WITH THIS SPECIAL, THAT GIVES DETAILED RECORDING DATES OF TV, RADIO AND RECORDING SESSIONS-WELL WORTH THE EXTRA PRICE

HIS DAUGHTER MICHELE IS TO BE CONGRATUALATED FOR HER DEDICATION AND LOVE THAT WENT INTO THIS PROJECT.

THIS BOOK IS SOMETHING EVERY MUSIC LOVER SHOULD OWN AND MUST HAVE FOR THE MATT MONRO FAN

ED HARROD

I bought this book from Amazonuk a few months ago. Written by his daughter Michele, it is an absolute must have for all Matt Monro fans! It is incredibly detailed. It is a very interesting read! Want to know what it is like to be on the road? This book will let you know all about it. Whether you are a Matt Monro fan or just a music lover, this book is very informative. This wonderful singer has been compared to Sinatra many times, but personally I think he is far and away much better than Sinatra ever was! If you have never heard Matt Monro sing you are missing a huge treat! You can check out his cds right here on Amazon. There is also a website [...]. Personally, I bought the Special Edition which has many extras. Be sure and treat yourself to this book, you won't be sorry!

A wonderfully intimate look into the life of the world's greatest entertainer, written by a daughter who obviously loved her Dad. "A Singer's Singer" tells the incredible story of a man with a poverty stricken childhood, who overcame lifes adversities to become an international superstar. It tells his unedited story, both good and bad, to give the reader a true "Potrait" of this great man. Once you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down! An inspirational read for people of all ages. Now, the comparison's between Matt Monro and Frank Sinatra can finally end. There is no comparison, Matt Monro is the best! Great job Michelle. Thank you for opening your life and letting us take a small peek. More importantly though, especially for those of us who never knew your Dad, to feel like we got to know him in some small way. Out of 5 stars, I give this a book a "6".

I may have heard Matt Monro somewhere back thirty or forty years ago when he sang ballads such as 'A Portrait of My Love, Born Free and If I Never Sing Another Song,' but didn't make the name connection. I just knew that the singer had a voice like no other. However,the more I listened to a tape I had had for years of James Bond themes, especially enjoying 'From Russia With Love,' I began exploring the singer's music.

Matt Monro's rich and flawless, romantic voice is unequalled. Every word he sang is so articulately punctuated that one never needs to guess what the lyrics are. I have to listen several times to most singers to understand what the singer is saying, especially in today's music. Matt's music is timeless. He definitely out-shined other singers of his time, even those like Sinatra and Bennett who went on to great careers. No wonder thay touted him as their favorite singer.

As to Michele's book, The Singer's Singer, I found it superbly written and obviously, carefully and meticulously researched, filled with amazing particulars about her dad's life and career, as well as the loving relationship Matt had with his wife and children. One of the best biographies I have ever read, it genuinely reflects a true 'portrait' of her love for her dad, Matt Monro. Great job, Michele. I will recommend it to all my literary friends.

MATT MONRO........IS the world's "Greatest" ever singer, no doubt about that.

This book written by Matt's daughter Michelle will make you cry, it will make you laugh, you will go through every emotion while reading the life story of Terence Parsons (Matts real name). If you have never heard of Matt Monro before, don't miss out, just go and buy a few of Matts CDs........ you will not be dissapointed at all.........also buy this wonderful 600 page + extravaganza of the world's "Greatest" ever singer!!

The Singers Singer - The Life and Music of Matt Monro

I love the book. It has the perfect cover, with a large and handsome photo of Matt Monro with his name and title below. It cannot fail to attract the buyer's eye.

This exceptionally researched true story holds the reader spellbound all along the way wanting to know more.

Matt Monro's life story is fascinating, from a childhood of poverty in the East End of London, following his journey to super stardom as a top performer in many countries of the world. The long awaited story of Britain's best ever singer.

The detailed research in the book is exceptional, and the many quotes and anecdotes from people who he worked with, loved and laughed with, add another dimension to the man, that distinguishes this book from the usual biography.

The many photographs throughout the book are a great asset to the story, as they show pictures relevant to the time described, and they are there on every few pages to illustrate his life's journey.

Born Terry Parsons in Shoreditch in 1930, the youngest of five children, from early difficult childhood days, to school days, to wartime London and evacuee days, early days at work, to Army days discovering he was gifted with the wonderful talent of a flawless voice, and then on to his break into the world of show biz, an early doomed marriage and a baby son, to eventual lasting love and a new and promising future with a new name as Matt Monro, it is all here...

Following on from the early days there is a phenomenal amount of detailed information from Matt's many friends and acquaintances he worked with, the numerous venues he appeared in all over the world, his eventual happiness and a loving family life with the love of his life Mickie, and two more much loved children, Michele, the highly motivated and dedicated author of this book, and Matt Jnr. who has built up a following of his own as a singer, touring regularly in the U.K. and other countries of the world, enjoying great success in his own right.

The book is a joy to read. It is so obvious that it has been a complete labour of love on the part of Matt's daughter, and the attention to detail is second to none.

Matt Monro's whole life and music are packed into this one volume, the highs and low points are all descriptively and honestly included, that sadly lead us all to an ultimate heartbreaking conclusion.

I feel compelled to mention here the Foreword to the book. It is so powerfully written..

The Foreword to 'The Singer's Singer' is the most true, honest and moving descriptive piece of writing that I have ever read.

How her feelings are conveyed to the reader by just words written on paper is heartrending. Michele Monro takes us with her on a rollercoaster journey from hope to despair. She makes her words palpable. We feel the pain too.

Thank you for sharing your memories Michele. A great read.

I unfortunately just learned of Matt Monro a few months ago. I was listening to a local radio station WHLI and heard this song and voice and was just stunned. I couldn't make out the voice but I knew I loved what I was hearing and needed to find out who was singing. It was Matt Monro singing My Kind Of Girl. I had never heard of him, so I started my search to find out who this magnificant singer was. I googled him and found that he had passed away in 1985, but that didn't stop me. I wanted to hear more of him and learn everything I could. I searched You Tube, Ebay, the Web, etc. Then I learned that his daughter had just written a biography of him. I was estatic!! I immediatley purchased it and I have to say it has been one of the best book purchases I have ever made! I recently finished it and am about to re-read it again! It was truly an amazing book! The book is not just about Matt Monro, it is about the music industry, his ups and downs in his career, his love of music, his family, friends, associates, etc. After reading it you can honestly say that you knew Matt Monro. The book brings you right into the era, and I found myself feeling all the emotions as I was living right alongside him. It is truly a book for any Matt Monro fan, but like I said I never knew who he was until a few months ago, so as a new forever fan, I am so thankful that his daughter Michele decided to write this book and share her father and their life with us all. I am so sorry I never got to see him perform or had the chance to meet him in person, but strangely after reading this book, I truly feel I have met and know Matt Monro!!

Matt was a very special man with a very special gift. This book is a treasure. Written lovingly by his daughter with complete information on Matt's life and work. It's been more than 25 years since we lost him but with this book to help he will live in the hearts of all his fans and admirers forever.

Ric Ross

My husband purchased this book for me as a birthday gift, because he knew what a huge Matt Monro fan I've always been. It is a very comprehensive book, and I found it to be a fascinating read....anyone interested in Matt Monro will love it, and it is also a wonderful look inside "making it" in the music business at that time in history. Buy it...you won't be disappointed!