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Street-Level Superstar

A Year With Lawrence

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About this listen

 'Will has finally written his masterpiece. I'm glad I could be of assistance' LAWRENCE

'Essential reading' JARVIS COCKER

'****' MOJO

'One of the best music books I've ever clapped eyes on' MARC RILEY

'10/10 - An extraordinarily empathetic study' UNCUT

'Magnificent' SPECTATOR

Guardian Book of the Day

This edition includes an exclusive Q&A with LAWRENCE

Lawrence is the greatest pop star who never made it, his dreams of glory thwarted over the past five decades by bad luck and self-sabotage. At sixty-one, he set off on a new mission: to escape poverty, obscurity and the humiliation of kids at the bus stop laughing at him by writing a smash hit. But what is the cost of a dream?

In 1980, Lawrence formed Felt, who released ten albums and ten singles in ten years before splitting up. In 1991, he reinvented himself with novelty-pop outfit Denim. Signed to EMI, riding the wave of Britpop, in 1997, Denim's song 'Summer Smash' became Radio 1's Single of the Week and looked like a sure-fire hit. Then Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. All copies were melted down. Crushing depression, addiction and homelessness followed... but in the face of it all, Lawrence never gave up.

In Street-Level Superstar, bestselling author and journalist Will Hodgkinson follows Lawrence as he rebuilds his life. He gets mistaken for an old lady by an amorous pensioner, is reduced to dragging sacks of 2p coins to his local bank and wanders through London's distant suburbs in search of lyrical inspiration. As they walk together down rain-soaked streets, Will tells the story of Britain's most eccentric cult star. Will he write the greatest song the world has ever known before the year is out? And was it worth sacrificing everything - family, relationships, health, sanity - for art?©2024 Will Hodgkinson (P)2024 Bonnier Books UK Business Aspects Entertainment & Celebrities Music Thought-Provoking Dream
All stars
Most relevant
Fantastic book and story, really enjoyed Wills reading of it. Wasn’t a massive fan of Felt or Denim tbh but will be going back to check it out some more

Humour and warmth

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Or possibly not. But you can’t stop Lawrence dreaming of the big time. This is a rare opportunity to get to know one of pop music’s oddest characters. Despite having made a pile of records, some very well regarded, Lawrence has yet to break into the top echelons of stardom. Meanwhile, he ploughs his solitary furrow, working out his next move, his appetite for fame undiminished. The book chronicles one such year, tracking Lawrence from studios to gigs, from choco logs to milky teas, from wide fitting shoe sellers to big head statue. Will Hodgskinson is the Boswell to his Johnson, or, more likely Martin Di Bergi to his Creme Brûlée. Highly recommended.

This time next year, he’ll be a star!

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I liked it a lot, I hadn't heard of Lawrence prior to listening to this.
It is by far the best book I have read/listened to in years.

Narration/ subject

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I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. And I mean that in the most positive way. A fantastic insight into a fascinating life, written with plenty of warmth and humour. Well worth your time.

Refreshingly different

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I love Denim. I love Go Kart Mozart. I love Mozart Estate. Get this book if you do too.

It's Brilliant.

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