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Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me
List price: $19.95
Sale price: $13.57
You save: $6.38 (32%)
Binding: Audio CD
Creator(s): Reader Pattie Boyd
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.42166092
EAN: 9780739358191
Edition: Reprint
Format(s): AbridgedAudiobook
ISBN: 0739358197
Label: Random House Audio
Language(s): English Original LanguageEnglish UnknownEnglish Published
List Price: $19.95
Manufacturer: Random House Audio
Number Of Items: 2
Package Dimensions:
Height: 0.63"
Width: 5.04"
Length: 0.63"
Weight: 0.22 lbs.
Product Group: Book
Address: 2007-08-28
Publisher: Random House Audio
Release Date: 2007-08-28
Studio: Random House Audio
Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
An iconic figure of the 1960s and ’70s, Pattie Boyd breaks a forty-year silence in Wonderful Tonight, and tells the story of how she found herself bound to two of the most addictive, promiscuous musical geniuses of the twentieth century and became the most famous muse in the history of rock and roll.
She met the Beatles in 1964 when she was cast as a schoolgirl in A Hard Day’s Night. Ten days later a smitten George Harrison proposed. For twenty-year-old Pattie Boyd, it was the beginning of an unimaginably rich and complex life as she was welcomed into the Beatles inner circle—a circle that included Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, Jeff Beck, and a veritable who’s who of rock musicians. She describes the dynamics of the group, the friendships, the tensions, the musicmaking, and the weird and wonderful memories she has of Paul and Linda, Cynthia and John, Ringo and Maureen, and especially the years with her husband, George.
It was a sweet, turbulent life, but one that would take an unexpected turn, starting with a simple note that began “dearest l.”
I read it quickly and assumed that it was from some weirdo; I did get fan mail from time to time.... I thought no more about it until that evening when the phone rang. It was Eric [Clapton]. “Did you get my letter?”... And then the penny dropped. “Was that from you?” I said....It was the most passionate letter anyone had ever written me.
For the first time Pattie Boyd, former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, a high-profile model whose face epitomized the swinging London scene of the 1960s, a woman who inspired Harrison’s song “Something” and Clapton’s anthem “Layla,” has decided to write a book that is rich and raw, funny and heartbreaking—and totally honest and open and breathtaking. Here is the truth, here is what happened, here is the story you’ve been waiting for.
From the Hardcover edition.
Amazon.com Review:
A Q&A with Pattie Boyd, Author of Wonderful Tonight
Why are you writing the book now? I have been asked for the last 15 years to write a book, and it is only now that I feel the time is right. My confidence in myself was restored after two successful exhibitions of my photography, and it occurred to me that I was finally ready to take a look at the unique experiences of my life and to share them--including all the ups and downs. Tell us about the first time you met George Harrison. Working as a model, I occasionally went for castings, mainly for television commercials. I went for an interview with one of the directors I had worked with in the past, and he cast me in his first movie, A Hard Day’s Night, to play the part of a schoolgirl. When I first saw George on the set, I thought he was the best-looking man I’d ever seen. I was so surprised when he asked me out on a date at the end of my first day of filming. Tell us about the first time you heard George Harrison's song, "Something." George said he had written a song for me, and he played it on the guitar at home without the words. Then when I heard the song after it had been recorded I couldn’t believe how utterly beautiful it was. It was released on a single in October 1969, and I felt so thrilled and flattered. Tell us about the first time you heard Eric Clapton's "Layla." Eric invited me to his band's flat one day and played a rough recording of "Layla" on a cassette recorder. I was sitting on a sofa and he on the floor as it played, and he kept looking up at me for a reaction. I was stunned; the intensity, passion and tenderness came across so strongly--I knew, as he said, it was written for me.
Customer Reviews Average rating - 3.5
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-29
Content: It's been long overlooked that behind every great accomplished artist or musician, is The Woman. When I grew up in London and saw television footage of Pattie she looked so pretty. We called them "dolly girls" in those days...the British way of saying that a gorgeous (to begin with) and then "dolled up." Mary Quant, I think started the saying. Anyway, Cheers! to Pattie and I can not wait to read this book!
Summary: Before I Even Read it!
Rating - 1 Date: 2008-12-28
Content: Her recollection of what they ate, what they wore, what color their furniture was was just remarkable but the book is nothing more than a string of disconnected details that don't tell any real story. Even that might be interesting if it were well written, but this reads like it was penned by a seventh grader. Skip it, that's all I can say. I have no real insight into who SHE was nor either of her famous musician husbands.
Summary: A disarray of disconnected details without any real story
Rating - 4 Date: 2008-12-27
Content: While Wonderful Tonight is not what I would call a masterpiece, it provided a wonderful snapshot of that Golden Era of rock. The way it was narrated tended to be a little monotonous at times but her imagery was vivid and the memories flooded back to me...I was a fan of hers (and of Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy as well). I loved the fashions of the day and consequently I followed all the doings in the gossip rags faithfully living vicariously through them.
I wasn't shocked to read of the goings on in the drug culture-I lived in Miami and had friends who were moderately successful musicians as well. I experienced some of what she wrote about first hand. I felt sad for her and her loveless childhood - for the years of anguish, yet, look at the life she had and as someone once asked "Without the ugliness, how will w eknow the beauty?"
I wish there had been more photographs- that was the best part of the book for me. It's not even that her photos were THAT good technically- but they were intimate, candid and often touching portraits of our rock royalty and their friends.
A who's who of Carnaby Street celebs and classic rock icons- from Mary Quant, Donovan, Jeff Beck and Mick Fleetwood to name just a few - I personally LOVED the book - I loved the era and I loved her honesty. I fel a better ghost writer would have made this a real best seller.
I don't think anyone under 50 will REALLY appreciate it as much but for us baby boomers or die hard fans it's a must read and a fabulous walk down memory lane.
Summary: A wonderful return to the 60s and 70s
Rating - 1 Date: 2008-12-22
Content: This is a terrible book and it's disappointing to discover that this icon of the '60s is really a dumb blonde. How many times did she need to be abused by either George or Eric before she got the message that they were just using her? Most of all, this book made me angry that they could be such jerks and she could be such an idiot for not seeing their real personalities. This book must have been written for money since she wasn't smart enough to at least get some alimony from these morons. Love their music, but realize now exactly how bad they were.
Summary: Vapid
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-18
Content: an excellent book.if you have read eric claptons auto-bio you should also read this one.
Summary: wonderful tonight
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