July 2012

(28) Talk Radio Europe, Spain – Keith made another live guest appearance this morning on the highly-respected, Talk Radio Europe, this time the Selina MacKenzie Show. The topic of conversation was, unsurprisingly, his book on Marilyn Monroe.

(18) America – Top Barnes & Noble biography & memoir critic, Edward, chose Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years as one of his Top 10 books for the month in his on-line column, Edward’s Picks.

Meanwhile, one day after its release, the two editions of Keith’s book reach the Top 20. In the Amazon.com Marilyn book charts, the hardback edition of Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years reaches No.8, while its kindle counterpart, No.11. (How incredibly impressive!)

(17) America (national) – With great pride, Keith’s book, Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years was released across America (and selected parts of the Globe) by Thomas Dunne Books (New York)in both hardback and Kindle editions. (As Keith quite proudly said, “What an immense, immense honour this is!”)

(16) Record Collector, London – Keith’s tribute to the late Bee Gee, Robin Gibb was published in the latest edition of Record Collector magazine, as part of his regular monthly feature, Rockin’ The Box.

(15) America – As the release in the States of Keith’s Marilyn book edges ever nearer, it was revealed that the publication has reached the dignified No.5 position in the “Best Sellers in Marilyn Monroe Biographies” section on Amazon.com.

(11/12) Berkshire, England – Keith updated his Linkedin page, when the experience, projects and books published sections were brought right up-to-date.

(10) Berkshire, England – Keith concluded work on the latest Queen-related project; the DVD/ Blu-ray release, Queen Live in Budapest ‘86, in particular the set’s bonus feature, Hungarian Rhapsody. Interestingly, in a press-release issued on June 27, it was announced that the main feature (in association with Sony Digital Cinema and More2Screen) will be released to selected cinemas Worldwide from 20th September 2012.

(9) America – Eight days before its official release, Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years reached the No.9 position in Marilyn biographies section on Amazon.com.

(6) Berkshire, England – Keith (quite proudly) conducted an interview with Sylvia Gong, Senior Editor of the full colour, glossy, general newspaper and fashion magazine, The Chinese Weekly, the most popular print media of the elite and middle class in big and medium cities in China. The first and only of its kind in China, the publication boasts a circulation of 1.5 million and a nationwide readership of 1.99 million. Naturally, the piece focused on Marilyn Monroe, the Chinese-language version of Keith’s book and the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the actress’s death.

(5) Italy – Just one day after its release, Keith’s book reaches the lofty No.5 position in the “Bestseller in Cinema e Television” section on Amazon.it.

(4) Italy – The Italian-language version of Keith’s book, Gli ultimi giorni di Marilyn Monroe: Le relazioni pericolose, le trappole, il presunto suicidio: tutta la verità sulla fine (The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: Dangerous Liasons, Traps, The Presumed Suicide, The Whole Truth about the End) is released by Rizzoli as a Kindle edition. (The hardback edition is set for worldwide release on August 5, precisely 50 years to day that the world learnt of Marilyn’s tragic passing.)

While in England, Keith completes his definitive article on the 50th Anniversary of Granada TV filming a Beatles lunchtime performance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, the first professional footage of the band ever caught on celluloid. (It will appear in the September 2012 issue of Record Collector magazine.)

June 2012

(28) London, West End, England – Drinks, chats and a catch-up with three notables in the pop/rock publishing world; Doug Hinman (the world’s leading Kinks historian), Andy Neill (Faces biographer) and Johnny Rogan (Byrds author). Earlier in the day, paperback copies of Keith’s Marilyn book were spotted in the “Highlights – New Releases” section in the prestigious Foyles bookstore on Charing Cross Road.

(27) USA/ Berkshire, England – For inclusion in the forthcoming, 50th Anniversary of Marilyn’s passing, special edition of the newspaper, Keith was interviewed by Craig Wilson of USA Today. If all goes to plan, his quotes and the publication, Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years will feature in the paper’s round-up of the very best new Marilyn books. (How incredible is that?)

(20) London, England – Meeting in London with Keith’s long-time friend and Monty Python / Status Quo documentary director, Alan G. Parker. A number of collaborations were discussed. Watch this space!

(19) WPRK Radio, Florida, USA – Precisely one week later, Brent discusses his recent meet with Keith and plugs the Marilyn book on his latest Magic Transistor Radio show. (Thanks Brent. You’re a top, top chap and a star!)

(12) Bloomsbury, London – Lunch meeting with Brent Kubasta, host of the weekly archive music radio show, Magic Transistor Radio, on the Rollins station, WPRK, Florida. As they munched our way through our most exquisite Indian meal, all manner of topics were discussed, namely Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles and, of course, our beloved Beach Boys.

(14) Rhythm Factory, London – Keith was in attendance at the launch of the new Mike Chapman produced & directed, Chords DVD, What Became of the People? A performance by the group themselves rounded off a truly top evening! Prior to that, Keith was a guest on a live BBC Radio phone-in, to discuss the preserving of 9 Madryn Street, Toxteth, Liverpool the former home of ex-Beatle, Ringo Starr. A playing of The Fabs’ ‘We Can Work It Out’ wrapped the short piece.

(8) Brazil – Further promotions for Marilyn book: Keith conducted an on-line interview with Rogerio Borges of the highly respected Brazilian newspaper, O Popular.

(7) America – Promotions for Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years continue in the States, prompting advance sales of the sales. Today in the Marilyn biographies/ memoirs section on Amazon.com, Keith’s book reaches the No.10 position.

Promotions, plugs and (mostly favourable) reviews about the book continue to appear across the globe; the most recent being in the top, highly-respected US Fashion magazines, Elle and Vanity Fair and by the Mexican journalist & columnist, Luis Felipe Soares, who covered it in an impressive Portuguese piece entitled, ‘Ultimos anos da Loira: Livro traz novas revelacoes sobre a agitada vida pessoal de Marilyn Monroe’ ('Recent years of blonde: Book brings new revelations about the hectic life of Marilyn Monroe'). Stylish and Grazia were two other publications who expressed an interest in the publication. (The piece in the latter is set for inclusion in the 31 July – 6 August issue.)

May 2012

(24) London, England – Yes, it was that time again, a get-together to celebrate the birthday of the Carry On / Sid James / comedy expert, and all-round nice-guy, Robert Ross. A splendid time was had by one and all at the Sherlock Holmes pub, Charing Cross. Earlier in the day, Keith attended a production with another top-chap, Simon Lupton, director of the forthcoming Queen/ Eagle Rock short-feature, Hungarian Rhapsody.

(18) London, England – Meeting with American producers, Kathy McCabe, Ryan White (director of the 2010 movie, Pelada) and Peggie White to discuss a rather exciting new documentary project. Watch this space!

(2) The Lancaster London Hotel London, England – At the prestigious FOCAL AWARDS, the
documentary, Queen: Days of Our Lives (on which Keith was the archive footage researcher), came second in two categories, ‘Best Use of Footage in an Arts Production featuring Music’ (losing out to the superb Harry Belafonte American programme, Sing your Song - S2BN Belafonte Production) and ‘Best Use of Footage in a Cinema Release’ (behind the equally wonderful, Senna - Universal Pictures UK). Keith, once more, sends his congratulations to those who worked on those programmes and to those who quite happily toiled alongside him, Simon, Rhys, Matt, Cara et al, on the Queen show. Ladies and Gentlemen, we can now, quite proudly call ourselves “Award-Nominated” individuals in our respective careers.

April 2012

(29) London, England – With The Beach Boys’ 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour starting in America, Keith recorded an interview about it with BBC Radio Five Live. (It was aired the following morning on the station at approximately 7:40 and repeated precisely one-hour later.) Due to prior commitments, Keith was unable to accept an invitation to talk about the big reunion on BBC Radio Birmingham later this morning.

(27) London, England – Further work on the Freddie show entails a visit to Music Week and their archives. A massive thank you must go to Sara Mather, Dave Roberts and Paul Cross for their splendid help that day.

(26) London, England – Work on the new Freddie Mercury documentary, The Great Pretender rolls- on, with Keith paying a visit to Channel 4 to go through their archives. It was a most fruitful visit. A big thank you to Paul McAllister for his most invaluable help that day.

(10) Berkshire, England – As the reunited Beach Boys prepare to release their first new studio material in over two decades, That's Why God Made the Radio, Keith was invited to talk about the album on BBC Radio Oxford’s Malcolm Boyden Show.

March 2012

(5th) Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years-Promotional advance reading copies (aka galleys) of Keith's Marilyn book published were released in the United States, and thus beginning four months of advance promotion for it before its release in the country (in both hardback and eBook) on July 17. The publishers, the mighty, New York-based, Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin's Press are advertising Keith's book by way of huge "Online Promotion" and "National Print Publicity" campaigns. (Btw, the UK publication date, for the eBook and paperback editions, complete with a slightly new cover design, is still set for June 1.)

Meanwhile over in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on the same day, the Mexican edition of Keith's book was published by the Saraiva Publishing Group. Boasting an alternate title of Os Ultimos Anos de Marilyn Monroe, A Verdadeira E Chocante Historia, it runs to an impressive 472 pages and is on sale for R$ 44,90. (Interestingly, Keith now shares the same publishing house, Benvira as the legendary, Ozzy Osbourne. As Frank Sinatra once said to him, "Never name drop.")

(14th) FOCAL INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2012 - Queen's 2011 documentary, Days of Our Lives (on which, Keith was archive researcher) was nominated in two categories at the Ninth Annual Focal International Awards Ceremony. Produced in association with AP Archive, to celebrate the best in the world of footage, the 2-hour programme (produced by Globe Productions UK) was classified in the 'Best Use of Footage in an Arts Production' and 'Best Use of Footage in a Cinema Release' categories. The winners will be revealed at the gala award ceremony on 2 May 2012 at the Lancaster London Hotel. Fingers crossed, aye?

(22nd) London & Berkshire, England - Keith began work on another Queen-related project. Obviously confidential at this moment in time, but you can rest assure that, when it appears later in the year, it will befit the true legacy of the group. (More news about it soon.)