The Times Lives Behind the Music

The ideal Christmas gift for all music fans

Delve into the tumultuous world of music stardom with this collection of obituaries from The Times.

From the rock’n’roll pioneers of the 1950s to the pop superstars of the 21st century – as well as lesser-known, boundary-pushing innovators with undeniable influence, this collection features music greats such as:

• Chuck Berry, founding father of rock’n’roll who lit the flame of teenage rebellion in 1950s America and was himself never far from trouble
• Christine McVie, reserved, intelligent singer and songwriter for Fleetwood Mac, whose album Rumours was one of the biggest-selling of all time
• Jimi Hendrix, American singer and songwriter who expanded the range and vocabulary of the electric guitar into areas no musician had ever ventured before
• Amy Winehouse, singer and songwriter with an astonishing voice and talent, her career was tarnished by drugs, alcohol and scandal
• Freddie Mercury, flamboyant singer and songwriter who achieved worldwide fame as the lead vocalist and pianist for the rock band Queen
• Elvis Presley, singer known as “The King” and remembered as one of the earliest and greatest exponents of rock’n’ roll music
• Nina Simone, tempestuous soul singer, who enjoyed a 50-year career, but left America because of racism
• David Bowie, rock superstar who had a profound impact on popular music and culture during 50 years of continuous artistic innovation
• Dusty Springfield, shy, soulful, smoky-voiced singer whose songs and beehive hair became enduring symbols of Swinging London
• Shane MacGowan, hard-drinking frontman of Celtic punk band the Pogues who was hailed for his raw talent and masterful songwriting

Era-defining obituaries are illustrated with behind-the-scenes photos from The Times archive, revealing the lives behind the music that have left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape. Authoritative, insightful and endlessly engaging, this collection of music biographies is a must-read for music fans and anyone with an interest in fascinating life stories.