The Islander: My Life in Music and Beyond

Description

As the founder of Island Records, fabled music producer Chris Blackwell has discovered and worked with some of the most important musicians of the second half of the twentieth century - from Steve Winwood to Cat Stevens, Bob Marley to Grace Jones, U2 to Roxy Music, plus countless others. He is also widely credited with having brought reggae music to the world stage. Now, as he turns eighty-five, Blackwell takes us back to the island where it all began: Jamaica - the place where his family once partied with the likes of Nol Coward, Ian Fleming and Errol Flynn and where, as Jamaican local music began to adopt contemporary American trends, Blackwell's burgeoning musical instincts flourished. It was also the birthplace of the now-legendary Island Records, founded by Blackwell in 1959. Five years later, while living in London selling Jamaican records to Caribbean immigrants, Blackwell came across the vocal talents of teenager Millie Small, who he paired with the song 'My Boy Lollipop'. The producer added a ska beat and released what would be a worldwide hit. But this was just the beginning of a truly remarkable career. In this fascinating memoir, including up to fifty photos supplied by Blackwell's team, the music icon will discuss the many artists he's worked with over the years, as well as unpicking the initiatives, decisions and risks that ultimately brought such success to both Blackwell and his esteemed musical collaborators.

Chris Blackwell is a celebrated record producer, businessman and founder of the hugely influential Island Records music label. Paul Morley is an acclaimed British music journalist and music industry executive

'As you're about to find out through the pages in this book, Chris Blackwell - who looms large in U2's life and was in fact our lifeline into the music world - is an adventurer, an entrepreneur, a buccaneer, a visionary and a gentleman. I'm proud to know him.' -- Bono 'C.B. had this way of throwing me in the deep end knowing that I would thrive on being challenged. As you'll read in The Islander, he knows how to get the very best out of people - he's a mover and a shaker and a mischief-maker.' -- Grace Jones 'I read Chris Blackwell's autobiography in one sitting, unable to tear myself away. From "My Boy Lollipop" and Bob Marley, via Swinging London and punk, all the way to Talking Heads and U2, I felt like I was reading the inside story of the music of my life.' -- Salman Rushdie 'A thoroughly quotable autobiography, a book that's hard to put down. 4/5' -- Mojo 'Fascinating. 8/10' -- Uncut 'Highly readable.' -- The Guardian 'A compelling autobiography.' -- The Observer 'A story told with disciplined coherence that plunges deep beneath the surface.' -- Daily Telegraph 'Highly recommended.' -- Kirkus 'If you're even a minor fan of music books ... buy this autobiography. Fascinating.' -- Variety 'A page-turner of an autobiography.' -- Record Collector 'Fascinating autobiography of the Island Records founder. The Islander is a treasure.' -- Prog 'A rip-roaring yarn, the ultimate behind-the-scenes insider look at the coolest label ever on the planet.' -- The Quietus 'A compelling, juicy book.' -- Irish Times 'An absorbing read.' -- Echoes 'An extraordinary story and a wonderful book. It couldn't be more enthusiastically recommended.' -- Mark Ellen 'Highly entertaining, rapid-fire, hard-to-put-down memoir.' -- Air Mail 'There are amazing insights. If you want to know how it was ... read The Islander.' -- Bob Lefsetz