Aug 07, 2019 the true story that inspired the movie by jon ronson is an exciting look at the whole frank sidebottom phenomenon that would later become the inspiration for the movie. Michael fassbenders chops remain hidden during most of this beguiling tragicomic fable inspired by jon ronsons memoir about indie enigma frank sidebottom, writes peter bradshaw published. Frank sidebottom out of his head is a fascinating and bittersweet read, and is very highly recommended. Sporting a fibreglass cartoon head, frank played by chris sievey would perform strange beatlesqueenbruce springsteen covers with his oh blimey big band, of which jon ronson was the keyboardist. Talking truth and fiction in frank with jon ronson the. Apr 09, 2014 after his talk about frank sidebottom and the film inspired by him at kings place on 8 april, jon ronson took to the stage in tribute of the frank sidebottom band with vocals by chris sieveys son. How connected do you want the film to be with frank sidebottoms own legacy.
Frank sidebottom and the man behind the mask bbc news. In 2014, ronson cowrote a screenplay that was a fictionalized version of his memoir of being in frank s band. Why the oddball genius of frank sidebottom will live forever. Jon ronsons books include the new york times bestseller the psychopath test. Jon ronson, who played in his band, and has cowritten a film inspired by the. I still see myself as marginal the writer often focuses on people who live in irrational bubbles, such as frank sidebottom but then, its a state of mind he has.
Frank sidebottom was unique, and that comes across nicely in this short book about him and his creator, chris sievey. The book s timeline spans more than a quarter of a century and includes cameos from sieveys family and friends as well as the likes of mark e smith, steve coogan, jon ronson, caroline aherne, chris evans, mark radcliffe, and, er, bros. Frank sidebottom wore a papiermache head and sang pop covers in a nasal twang. Frank sidebottom was possibly the strangest pop star in history. I still see myself as marginal the writer often focuses on people who live in irrational bubbles, such as frank sidebottom but then, its a state of mind he has personal. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read frank. Frank sidebottom, best known for performing with a big fake head with a cartoon face painted on it, was a cult favorite in the. Jan 01, 2015 being a fan of jon ronson, i was looking forward to frank despite only having a passing interest in frank sidebottom. May 12, 2014 the film frank was loosely based on the character and jon ronson was even in the original frank sidebottom i would recommend that you have a look at some material on youtube to give yourself an understanding of the child like comedy involved and then try to believe that he supported bros and unfortunately gary glitter both accounts are hilarious. The true story that inspired the movie by jon ronson is an exciting look at the whole frank sidebottom phenomenon that would later become the inspiration for the movie. Frank in the late 1980s jon ronson was the keyboard player in the frank sidebottom oh blimey big band. Starring the likes of michael fassbender, maggie, gyllenhaal, and domhnall gleeson, this 2014 movie told the story of frank sidebottom. When jon ronson met frank sidebottom pan macmillan. In the late 1980s jon ronson was the keyboard player in the frank sidebottom oh blimey big band.
Thats a really good question, and having read the book. But instead he chose to perform a series of terrible bros cover versions for five minutes and was bottled off. Ronsons brief memoir comes out just as a movie version of frank sidebottom, starring michael fassbender and maggie gyllenhaal, is released and recounts the barmy days he was in the band. Acclaimed journalist ronson, who has also penned the script for a starstudded feature film inspired by sieveys creation, has revealed he plans to release a book telling the true story behind frank. Twentyfive years later and jon has cowritten a movie, frank, inspired by his time in this great and bizarre band. If youre curious to know which elements of the film were true, read jon. His book captures perfectly that rarest of journeys when an onlooker got to see. The true story that inspired the movie ebook written by jon ronson. Nobody outside his inner circle knew his true identity. This was the screenplay for frank, a fictitious feature film inspired by ronsons time in frank sidebottoms band. Jon ronsons book so youve been publicly shamed is a deep look into the long term impact for the victims of online shaming and tries to see its impact on broader society. The true story that inspired the movie is a book by jon ronson, available in hardcover, e book, or audio.
Jon ronson performs on stage with frank sidebottoms band and. Frank sidebottom, best known for performing with a big fake head with a cartoon face painted on it, was a cult. Last year, jon ronson and peter straughan released a terrific film called frank, which was a fictional telling of ronsons time in frank sidebottoms band. In 2014, ronson cowrote a screenplay that was a fictionalized version of his memoir of being in franks band. A biography of chris sievey was written by manchester author mick middles, 48 and was published in november 2014. Smashwords frank sidebottom out of his head a book by. The true story that inspired the movie is a memoir of funny, sad times and a tribute to outsider artists too wonderfully strange to ever make it in the mainstream. Dec 14, 20 new book will honour cult comedian frank sidebottom the paperheaded comedian the alter ego of timperleys chris sievey will be the subject of a new book written by his pal jon ronson. The psychopath test download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Jan 15, 2014 frank sidebottom was a novelty act from the manchester music scene of the late 80searly 90s. The typeface can be read from the moon, theres scant information in the book, and its basically a long article.
The true story that inspired the movie by jon ronson. In the late 1980s i was the keyboard player in the frank sidebottom band. The true story that inspired the movie is a book by jon ronson, available in hardcover, ebook, or audio. The papermacheheaded comedian the alter ego of timperleys chris sievey will be the subject of a new book written by his pal jon ronson. The awardwinning film frank, starring michael fassbender and maggie gyllenhaal, was cowritten by jon ronson and was inspired by his time as the keyboard player in frank sidebottoms oh blimey big band. The film, titled frank, was cowritten by journalist and broadcaster jon ronson, who spent three years playing keyboards in sidebottoms oh blimey big band in the late 1980s. If youre a fan of frank sidebottom, then this is one book i can recommend.
Jon ronson, who played in his band, and has cowritten a film inspired by the character starring michael fassbender, remembers. Comedian frank sidebottom book statue film manchester. The loose inspiration for lenny abrahamsons frank whose cowriter, jon ronson, appears here, sidebottom was an unshakable presence in. Frank works as satire, as memoir, as comedy bromance, but it works mostly because it is just so weird guardian in the late 1980s jon ronson was the keyboard player in. Talking truth and fiction in frank with jon ronson the atlantic. The true story that inspired the movie based on a story ronson wrote many years ago, the movie frank was born. The typeface can be read from the moon, theres scant information in the book, and its basically a. The true story that inspired the movie, jon ronson reflects on his days playing keyboard for the frank sidebottom oh blimey big band. Jon ronson taking about frank the hollywood movie starring michael fassbender also harry sievey son of chris sievey who was the man behind the mask. Frank sidebottom, best known for performing with a big fake head with a cartoon face painted on it, was a cult favorite in the united kingdom and is the subject of the new movie frank, cowritten by.
Yes, it has mostly been written before, and it is short, but it still made me smile, and reminded me of the many good memories io have of chris and frank. The true story behind the movie tells the reallife story that inspired the fictional film. The true story that inspired the movie in 2014, a memoir of his time in the frank sidebottom oh blimey big band. Smashwords frank sidebottom out of his head a book. Mar 29, 2019 why the oddball genius of frank sidebottom will live forever. I think this is the only book that ive read from cover to cover in under 40 minutes. From the bestselling author of the psychopath test comes a characteristically humorous story of a musician on the margins. The loose inspiration for lenny abrahamsons frank whose cowriter, jon ronson, appears here, sidebottom was an unshakable presence in english popular culture from 1984 until his creators. The books timeline spans more than a quarter of a century and includes cameos from sieveys family and friends as well as the likes of mark e smith, steve coogan, jon ronson, caroline aherne, chris evans, mark radcliffe, and, er, bros. New book will honour cult comedian frank sidebottom the paperheaded comedian the alter ego of timperleys chris sievey will be the subject of a. In the late 1980s jon ronson was the keyboard player in the frank sidebottom. Frank sidebottom was a novelty act from the manchester music scene of the late 80searly 90s.
Being a fan of jon ronson, i was looking forward to frank despite only having a passing interest in frank sidebottom. A funny, sad and true story about jon ronson, frank sidebottom and other outsider musicians. Frank works as satire, as memoir, as comedy bromance, but it works mostly because it is just so weird guardian in the late 1980s jon ronson was the keyboard player in the frank sidebottom oh blimey big band. Frank sidebottom and jon ronson, birmingham, the 1980s. Apr 24, 2014 the film, titled frank, was cowritten by journalist and broadcaster jon ronson, who spent three years playing keyboards in sidebottom s oh blimey big band in the late 1980s. After his talk about frank sidebottom and the film inspired by him at kings place on 8 april, jon ronson took to the stage in tribute of the frank sidebottom band. Frank sidebottom panic on the streets of timperley youtube. Jon ronsons books include the new york times bestseller the psychopath. Frank sidebottom with jon ronson in birmingham in the 1980s photograph. Jan 12, 2014 frank sidebottom was possibly the strangest pop star in history. Jon ronson recalls his own glory days in the entertainers band. Jon ronson, who worked with sievey, published frank. Loads of laughs with chris aka frank over the years.
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