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Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy. A nostalgic journey through the golden age of British pop and rock music

About the Author

Tony Visconti was born Brooklyn in 1944. His family’s traditional love of music ensured an early exposure to music that soon developed into a life-long obsession. Following a chance meeting with his ‘British music industry cousin’, Denny Cordell-Laverick, Visconti moved to the UK to begin one of the most famous careers in music production, launching and supporting some of the biggest names in pop history. He has now moved back to New York where he lives with his third wife, Mai Pang, but continues working within the UK music scene.

Tony Visconti was born Brooklyn in 1944. His family’s traditional love of music ensured an early exposure to music that soon developed into a life-long obsession. Following a chance meeting with his ‘British music industry cousin’, Denny Cordell-Laverick, Visconti moved to the UK to begin one of the most famous careers in music production, launching and supporting some of the biggest names in pop history. He has now moved back to New York where he lives with his third wife, Mai Pang, but continues working within the UK music scene.

Reviews

'What makes this latest instalment of the baby-boomer's tale so readable is his easy-going, unjudgemental familiarity with the professional foibles of his clients. Not many people can remark, as he does of Bob Geldof, that "singing is not his forte", without the slightest trace of bitchiness or reproach.' The Sunday Times Culture magazine 'Without question, Visconti is one of the greatest and most innovative music producers of all time. His gritty history of two decades of British pop makes me want to brush the dust off my old Bowie and T.Rex albums and skip-jive around the kitchen' Daily Mail Four star review in MOJO: ' A life in music, rich in chemical romances, bickering stars and some wonderful work, is recounted with great dignity.' 'Just as George Martin was the definitive '60s producer, so Tony Visconti's work with David Bowie and Marc Bolan shaped rock's landscape in the '70s.' Q '[Morrissey] is so spectacularly presented by producer Tony Visconti that we end up not just with a Morrissey masterpiece ! but also a Visconti masterpiece ! Ultimately, Visconti helps transform Morrissey's dogged oddness and phenomenal fussiness into pure magic.' Observer, 2006 'Visconti recently teamed up again with his old foil David Bowie to record Bowie's best album in 20 years; now he has helmed Morrissey's best in 15 years.' Scotsman, 2006 'Visconti's sparky autobiography takes you stomping back to the frantic, glory days of glam rock and pop' London Lite '!a fascinating glimpse into the working practices of genuine rock royalty.' Glasgow Herald

'What makes this latest instalment of the baby-boomer's tale so readable is his easy-going, unjudgemental familiarity with the professional foibles of his clients. Not many people can remark, as he does of Bob Geldof, that "singing is not his forte", without the slightest trace of bitchiness or reproach.' The Sunday Times Culture magazine 'Without question, Visconti is one of the greatest and most innovative music producers of all time. His gritty history of two decades of British pop makes me want to brush the dust off my old Bowie and T.Rex albums and skip-jive around the kitchen' Daily Mail Four star review in MOJO: ' A life in music, rich in chemical romances, bickering stars and some wonderful work, is recounted with great dignity.' 'Just as George Martin was the definitive '60s producer, so Tony Visconti's work with David Bowie and Marc Bolan shaped rock's landscape in the '70s.' Q '[Morrissey] is so spectacularly presented by producer Tony Visconti that we end up not just with a Morrissey masterpiece ! but also a Visconti masterpiece ! Ultimately, Visconti helps transform Morrissey's dogged oddness and phenomenal fussiness into pure magic.' Observer, 2006 'Visconti recently teamed up again with his old foil David Bowie to record Bowie's best album in 20 years; now he has helmed Morrissey's best in 15 years.' Scotsman, 2006 'Visconti's sparky autobiography takes you stomping back to the frantic, glory days of glam rock and pop' London Lite '!a fascinating glimpse into the working practices of genuine rock royalty.' Glasgow Herald