Just Help Yourself Tom Jones, the Senators and the Road to Stardom

Paperback (15 Oct 2018)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Just Help Yourself is the classic story of the difficult path to fame trod by so many bands and artists in the 1960s. It tells the story of Rhydyfelin rock group The Senators (later the Squires), of founder Vernon Hopkins's discovery of Tom Jones, and their launch towards international stardom. This is the band's story from their gigging days in south Wales when Tom and Vernon were as close as brothers, to their eventual and inevitable painful falling out in 1969 when Vernon was sacked by manager (and fellow south Walian) Gordon Mills: since then Hopkins has seen Tom on only a handful of occasions. This is a no-holds-barred account of their time together, gigging in Working Men's Clubs in south Wales, living a less-than-glamorous life in Notting Hill, waiting for their breakthrough in London. When fame finally did arrive, with it came the uncoupling of the star singer from the band by an unscrupulous manager.

Just Help Yourself gives new insight into Tom Jones himself, and into the world of pop music in the late Sixties and early Seventies in a grittily authentic narrative. Hopkins experienced both the pop star high life, touring America, Australia and Europe, and the low points of being a jobbing musician. The music business really was - and is - as cut throat as reported.

About the Publisher

Seren

Seren

Seren is an independent literary publisher, specialising in English-language writing from Wales. Our prize-winning list has something to offer anyone with an interest in excellent writing. Our aim is not simply to reflect what is going on in the culture in which we publish, but to drive that culture forward, to engage with the world, and to bring Welsh literature, art and politics before a wider audience.Over its thirty year existence Seren has developed into one of the most interesting publishing houses in Britain. Based in Bridgend and aiming primarily to give voice to outstanding writing in the English language from Wales, Seren continues to nurture and publish new talent whose quality is recognized around the world.At the heart of our list is a good story told well or an idea or history presented interestingly or provocatively, what used to be called literary publishing before accountants and managers gained ascendancy. We're international in authorship and readership though our roots remain here in Wales (seren = star in Welsh) where we prove that writers from a small country with an intricate culture have a worldwide relevance.

Book information

ISBN: 9781781724767
Publisher: Seren
Imprint: Seren
Pub date:
DEWEY: 782.42164092
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Weight: 510g
Height: 135mm
Width: 207mm
Spine width: 32mm