{"title":"Lucy O'Brien","description":"\u003cp\u003eLucy O'Brien's works explore the intricate lives of iconic figures in music and culture, weaving rich narratives that blend thorough research with vivid storytelling. Her biographies offer intimate portraits that go beyond the headlines, revealing the complexities and creative spirits of her subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect engaging accounts that illuminate the personal and professional journeys within the world of arts and culture. O'Brien's writing captures both the brilliance and vulnerability of her characters, making her books essential for those fascinated by creative legends and cultural history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lead-sister-the-story-of-karen-carpenter-by-lucy-obrien-9781788708272","title":"Lead Sister: The Story of Karen Carpenter","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA \u003ci\u003eTimes\u003c\/i\u003e Book of the Year\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA \u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e Book of the Year\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Waterstones Book of the Year\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Reading the book made me want to give her a huge hug. Anybody who is a fan should pick this up.' - ANITA RANI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'A fascinating but tragic story.' 4\/5 - \u003ci\u003eMOJO\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Carpenters first toured Japan, a journalist mistakenly referred to Karen as the 'lead sister' of the band. This designation stuck, and Karen liked it so much that she had a T-shirt custom-made with the slogan, which she wore while drumming on the band's 1976 world tour. The term also sums up the approach of this biography: a celebratory re-evaluation of a pioneering woman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1970s, sibling duo Richard and Karen Carpenter created lush soundscapes of melodic pop, producing global hits like 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Top of the World' and 'Close to You'. However, though Karen is rightly recognised as one of the greatest singers in popular music, the tragedy of her early death in 1983, at the age of just thirty-two, often overshadows all that she achieved. She has long been portrayed as a victim, controlled by her family and exploited by the music industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book now seeks to reframe her life and legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough fresh interviews with friends, musicians and co-workers, bestselling author Lucy O'Brien's fascinating profile explores Karen's contributions in the studio as a singer, drummer, arranger and producer, as well as tracing the roots of the Carpenters' sound and of Karen's distinctive vocals. Forty years after her death, it also honours the lead sister's achievements in the face of her struggle with anorexia, as viewed through the lens of new perspectives on eating disorders and mental health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47596758171884,"sku":"9781788708272","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781788708272-lead-sister-the-story-of-karen-carpenter.jpg?v=1777940220"},{"product_id":"dusty-by-lucy-obrien-9781789295863","title":"Dusty","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe story of pop legend Dusty Springfield from the people who knew her, from her troubled childhood to 60s mod queen and enduring music icon.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDusty Springfield\u003c\/i\u003e was one of our greatest pop singers. From 60s hits like ‘I Only Want to Be With You’, ‘Son of a Preacher Man’, and ‘You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me’ to her 80s collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys and beyond, she was a musical pioneer and the very essence of authentic white soul. A member of the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame, international polls have named Dusty among the best female pop artists of all time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty-five years after her passing, she continues to fascinate and inspire. This classic biography is based on over forty-five original interviews with close friends and people who worked with her, including Sir Tom Jones, Lulu, legendary arranger Ivor Raymonde, and the late, great Atlantic Records trio, Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, and Arif Mardin, with whom she recorded her classic album \u003ci\u003eDusty In Memphis\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book fully explores her life and legacy, from a troubled Home Counties childhood to 60s mod queen and solo star, to her struggles with addiction and mental health issues, to her status as an influential LGBT heroine and enduring pop icon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48241148428524,"sku":"9781789295863","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781789295863-dusty-1.jpg?v=1787934636"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/lucy-obrien.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}