Richard Balls – författare

The abrasive Dury always met life head on as an unsentimental, uncompromising lyricist and artist, in his relationships and in his music and this great biography does not shrink from chronicling some of his darker moments as well as his triumphs. As a man he was harder to fathom. Here at last is the first complete, no-holds-barred biography of the late, great, self-made Essex lad.

The definitive biography of Shane MacGowan, fully updated to include Shane's final months and the response to his passing.Punk protagonist, legendary drinker, Irish musical icon. The complete and extraordinary journey of the Pogues' notorious frontman from outcast to national treasure.A Furious Devotion vividly recounts the experiences that shaped the greatest songwriter of his generation, including the formative trips to his mother's homestead in Tipperary and the explosion of punk which changed his life.As well as exclusive interviews with Shane himself, author Richard Balls has secured contributions from his wife and family, and people who have never spoken publicly about Shane before: close associates, former girlfriends and the English teacher who first spotted his literary gift. Nick Cave, Aidan Gillen, Cillian Murphy, Christy Moore, Sinead O'Connor and Dermot O'Leary are on the rollcall of those paying tribute to the gifted songwriter and poet.This frank and extensive biography includes many previously unseen personal photographs.