Puttin' On The Style - The Lonnie Donegan Story

Astonishingly, PUTTIN’ ON THE STYLE is the first biography of one of Britain’s greatest musicians and innovators, Lonnie Donegan. The book bounds along with the same energy as Lonnie himself as it recounts his days in Chris Barber’s Jazz Band, his years as the King of Skiffle and the many different things he tried when the bubble burst. Lonnie’s extraordinary, larger than life personality bursts off every page and, like him or loathe him, you will be captivated by the way he takes control of every situation. The book ends with an hilarious account of his creative but tetchy relationship with Van Morrison.

The well-known music writer, Spencer Leigh, has spoken to scores of musicians and backroom people about Lonnie including Kenny Ball, Chris Barber, Dickie Bishop, Oscar Brand, Joe Brown, Jack Bruce, Diz Disley, Adam Faith, Arlo Guthrie, Doug Kershaw, Finbar Furey, Chas McDevitt, George Melly, Gerry Rafferty, Monty Sunshine, Josh White Jr, Marty Wilde and many of his band members. Spencer also draws on several interviews he had with Lonnie over the years.