Cliff Richard The Biography

'What is so good about this book is that none of the gossip is too touchy to dwell on. Although this is an authorised biography, all the innuendos are confronted head on. There are a lot of fine anecdotes. Turner's sympathetic, sagacious and highly enjoyable book tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Cliff. Turner's Cliff Richard is refreshingly human, though not without his faults.' Tony Parsons, The Sunday Telegraph: 'Well researched, pleasantly written, and shows an almost Kitty Kelleyish ear for good quotes.' Lynn Barber, Independent on Sunday

'Before Cliff Richard and the Shadows, there was nothing worth listening to in British music.' - John Lennon. Cliff Richard tells his story, in his own words, in his highly anticipated new autobiography. Achieving a hit in every decade since the 1950s, Cliff Richard stands alone in pop history. Coming of age in 1950s London, he began his music career at Soho's legendary 2i's Cafe, and now he's approaching his 80th birthday with record sales of over 250m and counting. Cliff Richard was a pioneer, forging the way for British rock 'n' roll with his unique sound. The original British teen idol, his incredible story takes us into the studio of TV's first pop show Oh Boy!, through 40 years of Top of the Pops, and playing live up and down the country and across the world, with a constant backdrop of screaming fans. Cliff looks back on his humble upbringing, and how he went on to fulfil his wildest dreams by becoming a pop star and even a film star. He talks about finding Christianity, reflects on the ups and downs of life in the public eye, and reveals how the false allegations against him changed his life forever. He's seen era-defining pop stars come and go, and he's still making new music, with a new project to be released this year. As a teenage Elvis-fan in Cheshunt, this may have seem a distant dream. Here's his story of how he made it all happen.

Revealing and fascinating autobiography by one of Britain's best loved and most enduring stars

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 including songwriters, film directors, managers, and agents—like listening in on a dinner party attended by most of the key people in his career. The stories 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 unique oral history will stand as a lasting testament to one of the most glorious careers in British show business.

Cliff Richard has been a musical icon for mo re than four decades. In his autobiography, Cliff looks back over his career, which has encompassed numerous hit singles, roles on screen and stage, and has seen him earn a knighth ood. '