reference to the esteemed historian of twentieth-century European politics. Clayson's bestsellers include Backbeat (subsequently made into a film by director Iain Softley); Beat Merchants; and an authorised biography of the Yardbirds. In addition to Backbeat, he has written books on each of the four Beatles, beginning with the 1990 publication of The Quiet One: A Life of George Harrison. The four titles were re-released as a box set in 2003 by Sanctuary Publishing. Clayson's volume on Ringo Starr, subtitled Straight Man or Joker?, remains a rare work dedicated to the drummer's career. In his overview of the most popular Beatles books, for Rough Guides, Chris Ingham writes that the four volumes "have been described as Beatles-flavoured teabags in a cup full of Clayson", due to the author's tendency to refer to his own musical career and insert his "harmless prejudices" in the narrative. Ingham concedes, however, that "as a second-generation veteran of the British beat scene, [Clayson's] point of view usually contains a certain authenticity and authority." Clayson has also written English-language studies of the French singer and actor Serge Gainsbourg, French composer Edgard Varèse and Belgian chansonnier Jacques Brel. His other subjects include Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Keith Moon, Roy Orbison, Yoko Ono and the Troggs. Aside from his writing on popular music, Clayson has presented radio programs and lectured on music in Britain and the United States. He has also contributed liner notes and commentary to CD and DVD releases by artists such as Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Édith Piaf, Peter Frampton, Matt Monro, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Harley, the Animals and Mungo Jerry. References External links Official website 1951 births Living people People from Dover, Kent English biographers English male singers English songwriters English record producers English male journalists English historians Musicians from Kent Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages members Male biographers British male songwriters