Lesley-Ann Jones – författare

The authoritative portrait of one of Britain''s greatest music icons: the late Freddie Mercury. ''Exactly the sort of tribute Mercury himself would have wanted'' - SPECTATORThis is the definitive biography of Freddie Mercury. Written by an award-winning rock journalist, Lesley-Ann Jones toured widely with Queen forming lasting friendships with the band. Now, having secured access to the remaining band members and those who were closest to Freddie, from childhood to death, Lesley-Ann has written the most in depth account of one of music''s best loved and most complex figures. Meticulously researched, sympathetic, unsensational, the book will focus on the period in the 1980s when Queen began to fragment, before their Live Aid performance put them back in the frame. In her journey to understand the man behind the legend, Lesley-Ann Jones has travelled from London to Zanzibar to India. Packed with exclusive interviews and told with the invaluable perspective that the twenty years since Mercury''s death presents, Freddie Mercury is the most up to date portrait of a legendary man. ---Acclaim for Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography: ''No one has captured better than Lesley-Ann Jones the magical, enchanting dualism of Freddie Mercury'' - THE TIMES''Truly definitive, truly Freddie, an energetic, entertaining and essential account'' - SIR TIM RICE''This book grabs you with its opening, then builds. Insight and anecdote in perfect harmony'' - SIMON NAPIER-BELL''At last a massive tribute to a massive talent'' - STEVE HARLEY, COCKNEY REBEL----Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography was reissued as Bohemian Rhapsody: The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury in 2018.

*** By the Sunday Times bestselling author of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY ***From mod folk artist to flower power pixie elfin to the king of glam rockers, Marc Bolan was the ultimate chameleon. His far-reaching musical and stylistic influence is more relevant today than ever with hits such as ''Ride A White Swan'', ''Children Of The Revolution'', ''Get It On'' and ''Hot Love'' as fresh and exhilarating as when first released. At the peak of his popularity during his lifetime Bolan was outselling Jimi Hendrix and The Who, and yet relatively little is really known about the hypnotic, enigmatic 20th century boy turned 21st century icon. At last, in the 35th anniversary year of his tragic death, Marc Bolan represents the definite biography. Here rock biographer, Lesley-Ann Jones, paints a meticulous portrait of the T-Rex front man. From his childhood growing up in Hackney to his untimely death at the age of 29, Bolan''s life was one of relentless experimentation and metamorphoses. Hallucinogenic drugs, wizardry and levitation, alcoholism, tax evasion and a spectacular fall from grace were to punctuate his short life, as he continued to strive to reinvent himself and his music over and over again. Lesley-Ann has been granted access to those who knew Bolan best, including his partner and the mother of his only son, Gloria Jones and his brother, Harry Feld.

''Through interviews with friends and colleagues, as well as detailed research, the writer has gained unprecedented knowledge of the true story behind the legend. This is a fascinating insight into one of the greatest artists of our lifetime.'' Evening Standard

''Through several interviews with Bowie she evocatively portrays his fascinating life, often with a tenderness you wouldn''t expect.'' Daily Express

''An intriguing book. This is a personal friendship in writing. The knowledge divulged here is an endearing and powerful tale of a man who conquered the entire entertainment industry with his creative force.'' VarietyA unique portrait of the globally revered artist and the extraordinary, complex man behind the legend.

His music thrilled the generation it was written for, and has entertained and inspired every generation since.

HERO: DAVID BOWIE is an intelligent exploration of the man behind the myths and the makeup told from the very beginning.

Respected music journalist and biographer Lesley-Ann Jones knew David Jones from the days before fame, when he was a young musician starting out, frustrated by an industry that wouldn''t give him a break and determined to succeed. Here she traces the epic journey of the boy from Bromley born into a troubled background to his place as one of the greatest stars in rock history.

Jones has interviewed numerous friends and associates of Bowie, many of whom have never spoken publicly about him before. Drawing on this new material and meticulous research, the real story of Bowie''s family background is told; the true inspiration behind the creation of Ziggy Stardust is revealed, and we learn how his marriage to Angie ended in agony following his comeback from a near fatal drug addiction. Jones also revisits Bowie''s tragic relationship with his brother and his deep bond with T Rex frontman Marc Bolan.

Bowie''s rebellious nature, his many sources of inspiration and creativity, and his complex, intense personality are discussed here, creating a unique and compelling portrait of an extraordinary man. This is Bowie as you''ve never seen him before.

Who was the real love of Freddie Mercury''s life . . . ?''Eyewitness gold'' - SUNDAY TIMESMillions of Queen and screen fans who watched the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody believe that Mary Austin, the woman he could never quite let go of, was the love of Freddie Mercury''s life. But the truth is infinitely more complicated.Best-selling biographer and music writer Lesley-Ann Jones explores the charismatic frontman''s romantic encounters, from his boarding school years in Panchgani, India to his tragic, final, bed-ridden days in his magnificent London mansion. She reveals why none of his love interests ever perfected the art of being Freddie''s life partner.In Love of My Life, the author follows him through his obsessions with former shop girl Mary, German actress Barbara Valentin and Irish-born barber boyfriend Jim Hutton. She explores his adoration of globally fêted Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé. She delves into his intimate friendship with Elton John, and probes his imperishable bonds with his fellow band members. She deconstructs his complicated relationship with the ''food of love'' - his music - and examines closely his voracious appetite for - what some would call his fatal addiction to - sex. Which of these was the real love of Freddie Mercury''s life? Was any of them?Drawing on personal interviews and first-hand encounters, this moving book brings to the fore a host of Freddie''s lesser-known loves, weaving them in and out of the passions that consumed him. The result, a mesmerising portrait of a legendary rock star, is unputdownable. Love of My Life, published during the year of the 30th anniversary of his death and that would have seen his 75th birthday, is Lesley-Ann''s personal and compassionate tribute to an artist she has revered for as long as she has written about music and musicians.