Ray Coleman (15 June 1937, Leicester – 10 September 1996, Shepperton) was a British author and music journalist.[1][2][3]
Ray Coleman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 June 1937 Leicester, England |
| Died | 10 September 1996 (aged 59) Shepperton, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Author Editor in chief, Melody Maker Biographer Journalist |
Career
editColeman was the former editor-in-chief of Melody Maker known for his biographies of The Beatles.[1] Besides Melody Maker, Coleman contributed to music magazines such as Disc, Black Music, and Musicians Only, and a contributor to magazines such as Billboard. An author or co-author of ten books, he was working with Nicky Hopkins on a never-completed biography at the time of Hopkins' death in 1994. Coleman was also near the completion of a Phil Collins biography at the time of his own death in 1996. The book was completed and published in 1997.[4]
Coleman was the first journalist to be awarded a Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for services to British music.[citation needed]
Ray Coleman died of kidney cancer on 10 September 1996 at his home in Shepperton, near London. He was 59.[1]
Coleman as biographer
editColeman wrote or co-wrote the biographies of at least a dozen famous musicians.[4] They include the following:
- Gary Numan: The Authorised Biography (1982)
- Lennon: The Definitive Biography (1985, updated 1993)
- McCartney: Yesterday and Today
- The Carpenters: The Untold Story
- Clapton: The Authorised Biography of Eric Clapton
- Frank Sinatra: A Celebration
- Stone Alone: The Definitive Story of the Rolling Stones (co-written with Bill Wyman)
- Brian Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles
- Rod Stewart: The Biography
- I'll Never Walk Alone (co-written with Gerry Marsden)
- Phil Collins: The Definitive Biography
References
edit- ^ a b c Welch, Chris (12 September 1996). "Obituary: Ray Coleman". The Independent. UK. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Ray Coleman, biographer of Beatles and Clapton, at 59". The Standard Times. SouthCoastToday.com. 26 September 1996. Archived from the original on 18 February 1997 – via archive.is.
- ^ "Coleman, Ray". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Muze. 1 March 2006. Archived from the original on 23 June 2006 – via archive.org.
- ^ a b "Books by Ray Coleman". Thrifty Books. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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