Roll over image to zoom in
Said and Done
£0.62
Roger McGough is one of Britain’s best-loved poets, and something of a national institution. His name is ubiquitous with matter-of-fact Scouse humor, easy-going charm, and perfect observations of the idiosyncrasies of everyday life, whether you know him from his poetry, or from his regular broadcasts on television or radio. Roger first rose to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the pop group The Scaffold, who had two number one hits – “Thank U Very Much” and “Lily The Pink”. He began his poetry career performing with The Grimms, alongside fellow Liverpool poets Adrian Henri and Brian Patten, with whom he went on to publish “The Mersey Sound”, which remains the biggest-selling British poetry book ever. This is his autobiography – and like the best of his poetry it is packed full of hilarious observations, unbelievable stories, nostalgic reminiscences and bittersweet tales of love, life and loss. This work features his memories of growing up in Liverpool, playing in bombed out houses as a young boy, the skiffle-crazed days of his adolescence, through to his time at university – and his meetings there with Larkin. He explores his sudden, almost overnight fame and success with Mike McCartney et all in “The Scaffold”, as well as his time working with George Martin, and co-writing the “Yellow Submarine” film script for the Beatles, through his international touring days, to the present. He certainly has many a story to tell about meeting some fascinating characters; Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Marlon Brando, Alan Ginsberg, Pete McCarthy and Salman Rushdie all appear amongst others, but it’s his sheer story-telling nous, and his gift for observing the minutia of everyday life, and to completely capture a moment in time which sets this apart from other books. His life story is one that will be universally identifiable to those who grew up with him – who embraced the verve and irreverence of the sixties, only to end up as slightly embittered romantic cynics. This is has done here in the most funny, poignant, bittersweet, and melancholic autobiography you will read this year – a man whose hugely popular take on it all resonates with honesty and humour.
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Century, First Edition (3 Nov. 2005) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1844138119 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1844138111 |
| Dimensions | 16.18 x 3.18 x 24.13 cm |
by Rosie Dragon
An interesting autobiography from a poet whose work I love and used when I was an English teacher. Like the writer, I am from Liverpool and throughout the book I ‘heard’ his voice as though he were reading to me. I was particularly interested in his early teaching career as it was in the town where I grew up, just outside Liverpool A number of years ago I heard Roger McGough interviewed and he described his time in Kirkby as being a member of the United Nations peace keeping force. Yes, at that time the town was pretty rough!!
I felt the middle section was a bit sticky and I ‘lost’ McGough’s voice. It was still ingesting if a tad repetitive. I loved the little poems and parts of poems which were interspersed throughout.
I would recommend this to lovers of McGough’s poetry.
by laura wilde
Enjoyable reminiscences from a Lancashire poet (not Liverpool)
neatly sidestepping any scandal and Jesuit like, concealing more than he reveals, reminding me of Alec Guinness’s autobiography, but with more humour. His humility pushes its way into the spotlight and we are treated to much name dropping which may be of interest only to those who were there at the time (or can remember the times…)
by John of Highgate
A good insight to Roger’s developent and background ffrom childhood through to ‘the older years'( or an older childhood )
by John Stuart Grey
Somewhat biographical, this publication shows what lies behind one of the great modern day poets and goes some way to explaining what inspires his darker ,melancholy writings as well as the humourous
by Mrs Sheila Lally
Loved the references to Liverpool circa 60s and 70s. If you were around then and also enjoy the poetry of Roger McGough, I would recommend his auto biography.
by S Riaz
I have always enjoyed the poetry of Roger McGough and, over the years, as a Beatles fan, he has cropped up again and again – in Scaffold with Mike McCartney, in the Rutles TV special, etc etc. So, when I finally decided to get around to reading his autobiography, it was with a sense of great anticipation and I was certainly not disappointed. Told with humility and humour, this is the story of a wartime Liverpool childhood, becoming a teacher, a beat poet, a musician, author and so much more.
There is no doubt that McGough was both hampered and helped by his birthplace and being young during the phenomenon of Mersey Beat. As he himself reflects, had he been born in Hull, for example, he would have been, well, a poet from Hull… His Liverpool years linked him to that time of immense success and optimism and his friendship with Mike McCartney saw Scaffold joining NEM’s, under Brian Epstein’s somewhat disinterested management. McGough does touch on the Beatles, as he knew them well, describing Lennon wonderfully as the iron fist inside Paul’s velvet glove. Indeed, he was even at Paul McCartney’s infamous 21st birthday party, although sadly missed the action of John’s attack on Bob Wooler, so cannot add anything to the stories which have been discussed since that day. I thought his most surreal anecdote regarding them concerned his dog, Bran, offspring of Martha (my dear). Asked for an autograph, he was about to sign when told in no uncertain terms that it was Paul’s dog whose autograph was required. There can be no more bizarre event for a poet than having his dog swiftly paw-printed, while he stood by, surely?
Much of the best parts of this wonderfully entertaining read, concerns the poet touring – continually it seems. A life of B&B’s, disinterested audiences, school visits, success at the Edinburgh Fringe, the highs and lows of a career which has spanned decades. From Ginsberg to Jimi Hendrix, Roger McGough crossed paths with anybody who was everybody. Always, he tells his anecdotes and stories with a view of showing himself, often unfairly I feel, at fault when anything goes wrong. The only criticism is self criticism, which merely shows what a gentleman he is. Talented, funny and a great poet, it is no exaggeration to say that McGough has done such a lot for poetry in this country that we are always indebted to him. This is an excellent, intelligent and interesting read for anyone interested in the man and his work.
by faith herberts
good condition very interesting very pleased with purchase