- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Orion; New Ed edition (1 May 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0752849581
- ISBN-13: 978-0752849584
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 207,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
INTERVIEWS:David is being interviewed for DAILY MAIL WEEKEND 'My Childhood Home' and also for DAILY MIRROR. FEATURES: YOURS HEALTH PLUS (April/May) double page feature interview with David Essex and competition to win 10 copies ofthe book. REVIEWS:BURTON MAIL, MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, DURHAM JOURNAL, NORTHUMBERLAND JOURNAL, LEICESTER MERCURY, TEESIDE EVE GAZETTE, DERBY EVE TELEGRAPH GIVEAWAYS: PRIZES GALORE will give away 10 copies in their June issue.
Product Description
Born in West Ham in 1947, David recalls his childhood living in a hostel for the homeless and his passion for football that led him to play for West Ham United. He recounts hilarious tales of his introduction to music in 50s' Soho, hop-picking with his Gypsy relatives in Kent, buying his first drum kit and playing in blues and jazz bands before he left school. At the age of 23 David was simultaneously the star of a West End hit musical GODSPELL, had a number one hit record with ROCK ON and was starring in the massive hit film THAT'LL BE THE DAY. David recounts the 'Essex Mania' of the time, and talks candidly about creating the role of Che in EVITA and missing out on Broadway and the film. Then there are the stories of times with Keith Moon, John Lennon, and Richard Burton - the pop stars and the film stars. This is an honest, funny and insightful account of his amazing life.
Inside This Book
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Knowing I am a great fan of David my daughter ordered this book for my 50th Birthday and what a great present!
David has written this just as though he were talking to us -it is so hard to put down but I want to make it last so ration myself to a chapter each time I pick it up.
There are several pages of photos from the early days to family shots, which I enjoyed - some of which I'm sure most people will not have seen before.
All in all a great book and insight into the life of a superb artiste - and a great present. Thank you.
David has written this just as though he were talking to us -it is so hard to put down but I want to make it last so ration myself to a chapter each time I pick it up.
There are several pages of photos from the early days to family shots, which I enjoyed - some of which I'm sure most people will not have seen before.
All in all a great book and insight into the life of a superb artiste - and a great present. Thank you.
21 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I suspect the media already hate this book - no dirt dished no kiss and tell.
David Essex has eloquently told it as it as. In doing so he has given the reader a rare insight into his family and shared his passion for music and performing.
His tremendous talent, continued successes and popularity make him undeniably unique in the business today. This book is his first hand account of how it all happened. Despite deliberately failed exams, blowing up a few lorries and the odd unsavoury character he emerges relatively unscathed and by his own admission "charmed". The diversions along the way make excellent reading, highlighting his perspective on life and sense of fun. His recounted anecdotes cannot fail to bring both smiles and tears to the reader. (I particularly liked the one about the milk cart horses!) This book clearly puts aside the media myths that nowadays inevitably arise when one is sucessful on pure talent and sheer hard work. It reveals (for those who don't already know) his professionalism, his love of life, work and family. There is no pretence attached to Mr Essex. He discloses his respect and thanks to both fellow perfomers and critics alike.
I would recommend "A Charmed Life" to all would be's / wanna be's. The book like its Author exudes integrity and is a true testament. I am sure those to whom it is dedicated are extremely proud of him.
David Essex is without doubt one of Britain's greatest performers (long may he continue). I like many others look forward to the next 50 years!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Told me things I didnt know, like at the height of his fame he was married with a child! Also didn't realise the amount of acting he did, both before & after his pop heyday. All in all quite interesting, but dull in parts with too much detail on theatre & music writing. Also it would've benefitted from more info on his social life.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
david essex autobiography
Excellent book,well written by a very modest and talented performer.Thoroughly enjoyed it.Surely with this talent he could go on to write further books.
Published 6 months ago by Mr. John D. Stafford
A Charmed Life By David Essex
This book is a must for all David Essex fans and those who are not it is the best Autobiography I have ever read it is interesting and quite funny in places one of those books you... Read more
Published 9 months ago by silvershewolf
A Charmed Life as an author
Dreadfully dull account. No attempt to enthuse the reader. Even as a life-long Essex fan I'm very disappointed. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Craig 'Winters Tale' Stewart
Great Crang Read
What I really found inspiring about David's life, and it IS inspiring I can tell you, are the sections devoted to his so far fruitless attempt to locate and nurture the Crang. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Godspell
Good read
If you're expecting him to "dish the dirt" on what he got up to in the 1970's as I was, you'll be disappointed. It's a "safe" book written by a clean cut popstar.
Published on 1 July 2009 by Glenn Philip Williams
david essex autobiography a charmed life
I am rather dissapointed in the state of the book as it had a rip on the dustcover and a dent on the front.
Published on 10 Jun 2009 by Mrs. Eileen M. Roberts
A list of events in David Essex life
No real insight into Davids life, just a boring list
of events, I would not recommend this book
and I speak as an ardent fan.
of events, I would not recommend this book
and I speak as an ardent fan.
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by A. R. Neville
A Charmed Life:The Autobiography of David Essex
It was a pleasure to read this book,It made me laugh a lot,and also cry in the manner it was written ,very heart-warming,the hardships endured to obtain the recognition David... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2004 by "angelagriff"
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