There's Something About Jonathan: Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Softcover

Mitchell, Tim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0720610761 ISBN 13: 9780720610765

Publisher: Peter Owen Publishers, 1999

Synopsis

This is the first biography of the unique American musician and songwriter Jonathan Richman whose career has spanned three decades. Achieving worldwide recognition for his musical commentary in the recent hit film There's Something About Mary, Richman had already been a pop star in the mid-1970s with hits such as 'Roadrunner' and 'Egyptian Reggae', while earlier he was a proto-punk hero with his band the Modern Lovers and associated with the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol.
Meticulously researched, with exclusive interviews with former members of his band the Modern Lovers, ex-members of the Velvet Underground and others who have known him intimately, and with detailed descriptions of concerts and recordings, this unauthorized biography gives an insight into the creative genius of one of the USA's true musical originals.

About this title

From Library Journal:

Although Richman's musical narrations in There's Something About Mary finally earned him commercial success in America, the founder of the protopunk Modern Lovers remains a kinder-cult figure. In spare, friendly prose, Mitchell, a British writer and musician, briskly walks readers through Richman's " 'bland' but not 'bad' " suburban childhood around Boston, discovery of the Velvet Underground, founding and premature breakup of the Modern Lovers, love and social lives, and gleefully prolific solo career. Although Richman politely declined to cooperate, his rebelliousness (e.g., he chose vitality over volume) and eternal sonic youth come through, probably because Mitchell saw Richman live--his favorite state of mind--many times. For music buffs who doubt Richman's influence on the Sex Pistols, Mitchell got testimony from original bassist Glen Matlock. This solid but frustratingly brief study is perfect for a three- to four-hour road trip. Recommended, as this is the only study available on Richman in the States.
-Heather McCormack, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Peter Owen Publishers
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0720610761
• ISBN 13: 9780720610765
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224