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August 2013

(30) America – The month concluded with even more impressive chart action. On Amazon.com, Marilyn was at #6 in the “Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Monroe, Marilyn” and at #44 in the “Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Biographies” sections.                          
- Canada – While on Amazon Canada, it was at #7 in the “Hot New Releases” in biographies listing

 (24 – 27) Liverpool – Keith, once more took control of the video show at Liverpool’s annual Beatles Convention, easily the biggest and best in the Fab Four-loving world! Many thanks to each and every one (long-time friends, loved-ones etc.) who was there to share the brilliance of this great weekend and to everyone at Cavern City Tours for making it all happen. 

- The CCT sanctioned, CD-Rom, History Of Beatleweek, by author and good friend, Neville Stannard (and friends) and featuring a foreword by Keith, was released at the Convention... and every single copy was soon snapped up! (Best check eBay I reckon for a copy now.)  

  (21) Canada / America – STILL hanging in there! The paperback Marilyn was at No.7 in the “Hot New Releases” in biographies section on Amazon Canada. While on Amazon.com, that version of the book made a surprise leap to the #42 position in the “Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Monroe, Marilyn” section of the site. 

(20) Berkshire – Due to logistical problems, Keith was unable to fulfil a request to appear on BBC Radio’s The Anne Diamond Show.

(19) Berkshire – With the Bank Holiday fast approaching, Record Collector’s deadline was moved forward meaning Keith’s spent most of today researching/ typing his next Rockin’ column, which just happened to be The Beatles’ highly amusing, November 1963 Granada TV appearance with the comedian, Ken Dodd.  

- Berkshire – Further work was also undertaken on the treatment for Keith’s new Marilyn Monroe-related proposal. 

- Italy – The Kindle version of Keith’s Marilyn climbed back up to the N.9 position in the “eBook Kindle > Arte, cinema e fotografia > Cinema e television” section on Amazon Italy. While on Amazon Canada, the forthcoming paperback version of Marilyn was still to be found at the No.6 spot in the “Hot New Releases” in biographies chart. 

(16) Canada – A rise of two places (from 8 to 6) for Marilyn in the “Hot New Releases” in biographies section on Amazon Canada.

- A small piece of urgent, last-minute fine-tuning and Keith’s article on the 1972 ATV/ ITV documentary, Whatever Happened to Tin Pan Alley for Record Collector magazine was finally ready for publication.

(14) Canada – Book chart news! The paperback edition of Marilyn stood at No.7 in the “Hot New Releases” in biographies section on Amazon Canada. The feat also marked the fact the, as-yet unpublished, softback edition has had an uninterrupted run of two straight months in the Top 10 of that listing.

(12) West End, London – Keith paid a visit to his agent, Robert Kirby at United Agents to discuss further their long-mooted Marilyn idea. More news soon. 

(10) Berkshire – The latest edition of Record Collector, featuring Keith’s feature on What’s On from 1978, dropped through the letter-boxes of homes across the UK.

- A return visit to the fine bistro of John Barratt. Sumptuous chicken was (once again) finely served, alongside top conversation. Sheer delight! 

(9) Canada – It’s all go there! In the “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” section today on Amazon Canada, Keith had two placings; the kindle version of The Final Years of Marilyn Monroe: The Shocking True Story was at No.5, while the paperback (USA/ Canadian) version of the as yet unreleased Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years stood at the No.10 position.

(7) South London – Keith caught up with old, long-time friend, Tel. Fine wine and conversations flowed effortlessly throughout the late afternoon/ early evening.

- While over on Amazon Canada, our Mr Badman added another number one to his belt when Marilyn climbed one place to the top position in the “Hot New Releases” in biographies section. (For the record, The Richard Burton Diaries was at No.2 while My Lunches With Orson (Welles) was at No.3.) At the same time, in the “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” listings, Keith’s book on the actress stood at the No.7 position. 

(6) Canada – Well, you couldn’t make it up! Keith’s Marilyn’s sped-up the Amazon Canada book charts to the No.2 position in the “Hot New Releases” section. (“Thank you Canadians; you’ve obviously got great taste!”) Keeping it from the top spot was The Richard Burton Diaries. And it didn’t end there. Marilyn was also to be found in the No.8 spot in the Amazon Bestsellers “Best Sellers in Biographies” Chart (on Amazon Canada) that day and in the No. 4 position in the “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” category.  

- While over in Italy, I kid you not, the Italian version of Keith’s Marilyn raced back to the n.1 position in the “eBook Kindle > Arte, cinema e fotografia > Cinema e television” Kindle Store and the n.5 spot in the “Arte, musica e cinema > Cinema e television” listings in the Libri (book) section. 

(5) Berkshire – Keith completed his latest instalment of Rockin’ The Box for Record Collector magazine. Under the spotlight today, the wonderful, star-studded 1972 ATV/ ITV documentary, Whatever Happened to Tin Pan Alley. 

(4) Canada – Amazon Canada update. Keith’s Marilyn was STILL in the Top 20, at No.15 in the “Hot New Releases” section. (It didn’t stay there for long, though!) 

July 2013

(31) Canada – It’s still hanging in there, y’ know. Over a month since it first troubled the charts, the paperback edition of Keith’s Marilyn climbed one place to the no.14 position in the “Hot New Releases” in Biographies section on Amazon Canada, beating hands-down forthcoming publications on (cough, cough), Michael Douglas and Jack Nicholson. (“As Frank Sinatra once said to me, never name-drop.”)

(28) Yet another “KB” credit could be seen on TV tonight when BBC Four re-screened the well-respected, 1999 documentary programme, It’s Slade.
(25) Berkshire – With the 2013 Liverpool Beatles Convection fast approaching, Keith set to work researching/ compiling this year’s video show.

(22) Berkshire – Keith compiled the foreword for a rather exciting, new Beatles CD-rom, which celebrates 30 years of the Liverpool Beatles Convention. It should be released next month. (Watch this space for more news shortly.)

(19) Windsor, Berkshire – Another afternoon meet and catch-up with the iconic, rock, 1960s/70s photographer, Mike Randolph. The reason? To plan/ publicise his forthcoming exhibition, Randolph’s Rock Icons, which runs at the Windsor Library in Windsor, Berkshire between the 3rd and 29th September this year.

- Another Keith Badman credited programme hit the airwaves when BBC Four repeated (two times this evening) the “Director’s Cut” version of the 2012 documentary, Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender.

(18) Canada – Well I never. Marilyn made a surprise leap up to the No.4 position in the “Hot New Releases” in Biographies section on Amazon Canada, even beating the highly-anticipated new book, The Richard Burton Diaries, which stood at No.7. Get this. On the same day, Keith’s book was at No.8 in the “Amazon Bestsellers”, a chart based on the site’s “most popular products based on sales.” But what makes the feat so noticeable was that every other publication in the chart that day was available for sale at that very moment! Keith’s Marilyn was not scheduled to appear in the softback format until December 10 this year, still over 5 months away!

(15) Italy – No holding it back, it seems. The Kindle edition of Keith’s Marilyn book climbed back up to the n.11 position in the “eBook Kindle > Arte, cinema e fotografia > Cinema e television” section on Amazon Italy. While on the same day, on Amazon Canada, the paperback edition, a little under 5 months before its release, was still seen in the No.8 position in the “Hot New Releases in Biographies” category.
- The latest edition of Record Collector, featuring Keith’s ‘Doors Special’ reached the UK shops today.

(13) Berkshire – A return visit for Keith to the home of the famed bistro belonging to Mr John Barratt, one of the country’s chefs, for another top night of chatting, philosophizing, socialising and (of course) eating. “His cooking is still not on prescription, sadly!” Keith was heard to remark afterwards.

- Canada – Well I never. It’s still hanging in there. Keith’s Marilyn climbed one place to No.8 in the “Hot New Releases in Biographies” section on Amazon Canada.

(12) Windsor – Another meeting with the famed photographer, Mike Randolph. Expect an announcement about this shortly.

(5) Canada – It’s still there! Keith’s Marilyn was seen at the No.9 position in the “Hot New Releases in Biographies” section on Amazon Canada.

(3) Berkshire – Keith completed his latest Rockin’ The Box for Record Collector magazine. Under the spotlight today was the January 1978 Granada show, What’s On hosted by the late, great Tony Wilson and featuring, amongst many others, Glen Matlock, Georgie Fame and The Buzzcocks.
- Canada – Still on the up. The amazing run continues! Keith’s Marilyn climbed one place to 7 in the “Hot New Releases in Biographies” on Amazon Canada. And get this! The as-yet-unreleased paperback edition of the book was also seen in the No.88 position on the site’s “Amazon Most Wished For” category.

(2) Windsor, Berkshire – With a multitude of ideas in mind, Keith met-up with his old friend, the legendary 60s/70s photographer, Mike Randolph, best-known for his ground-breaking shots of rock icons such as John Lennon, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

(1) Canada – A new month…with more of the excellent same. The paperback edition of Keith’s Marilyn climbed one position to No.8 in Amazon Canada’s “Hot New Releases in Biographies” chart.

June 2013

(27) Italy – Still flying high. Keith’s book on the great actress was placed at n.18 in Amazon Italy’s “Kindle Store > eBook Kindle > Arte, cinema e fotografia > Cinema e television” section of the site.

- Canada – Ten days on and the American paperback version of Marilyn was seen pitched at the highly respectfully No.10 position in the “Hot New Releases in Biographies” section on Amazon Canada (some five and a bit months before its official release). As the day progressed, it climbed up to No.9.
(24 – 26) South Coast – After 19 months of trying, Keith’s “Peter Lawford” dream finally became a reality. (Those “in the know” will get this entirely and why he has chased this dream for so long.)

(23) Canada – Yep, it’s still there. On Amazon Canada today, the Marilyn book was seen at No.9 in the “Hot New Releases in Biographies” listing and at No.50 in the “Hot New Releases in Movies” chart. Cannot be bad!

(21) Berkshire – Keith met producer, Simon for further discussions about the proposed Marilyn TV/film idea. (Watch this space. More news soon.)

- On the same day, on the highly-respected Goodreads site, poster “Jane” rated Keith’s Marilyn book 5 out of 5. Her review was equally impressive, “The Author really did his research, and filled me in on information I had no idea about. Very descriptive and informative, and refreshingly objective. Many people pick a side when it comes to her death. This book set it straight with her alleged relationships with the Kennedy family, however made the air clear for you to make your own educated opinion on what happened. Many biographies on M.M seem only interested in painting her as a troubled mad woman, and the conspiracy of her death and Keith Badman does neither. Highly recommend it.” Thanks, Jane. Just cannot thank you enough.

(20) Canada – Still hanging in there! Two days on, and the softback edition of Keith’s Marilyn book was still in the No.4 position in the “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” chart. Meanwhile, in the “Amazon Bestsellers” listing, the publication (despite the fact it’s not due out for a little less than 6 months yet) was doing nicely in the No.52 position, one place below the book, Conversations with Woody Allen.

- While in the fabled, “Hot New Releases in Biographies” section, the paperback was still placed in the Top 10, sitting in the highly-presentable No.8 position (a fall from yesterday’s 7) and at No.37 in the “Hot New Releases in Movies” chart.
(18) Canada – Following a full 24 hours of being in the No.1 position, Keith’s Marilyn fell two places to No.3 in the “Amazon Hot New Releases” biographies section on Amazon Canada. Meanwhile, on the same site, the paperback version of the book was still placed at No.4 in the “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” chart.

- And it didn’t there. Oh no, sir. On the same day, the book reached the No.21 position in the “Hot New Releases in Movies” chart on the site.

(17) Canada – Incredible! Just under six months before its release (and bearing in mind that the work itself has been freely available in America and Canada for eleven months now), the paperback edition of Keith’s Marilyn book reached the No.1, YES, the Number ONE position, I reiterate the very top position in the “Amazon Hot New Releases” biographies section on Amazon Canada, beating new forthcoming titles on artists such as Michael Douglas, Al Pacino, Richard Burton, Marlon Brando, Brigitte Bardot, James Stewart and Corey Feldman! (The list, updated hourly, is based on an inventory of the site’s best-selling new and future releases.)

The good, nay truly superb news didn’t end there, Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years also climbed to the #4 and #5 positions in the “Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > Monroe, Marilyn” and (get this!) the “Best Sellers in Biographies” sections respectively on that same Amazon site. (“I reiterate. This was incredible!”) By the way, in the latter listing, Keith’s work was placed two spots higher than a book on comic-genius, Woody Allen and was actually beaten to the top spot by William Shatner’s biography, Get A Life. “You really couldn’t make it up,” as Keith proudly said.)

(15) Berkshire, evening – A return visit to Keith’s good friend, the star chef, John Barratt’s for dinner and fine conversation. A truly sumptuous fare (chicken, of course) was served to all. (“Pity his superb cooking isn’t available on prescription,” our Mr Badman was quoted as saying afterwards.)

(10) Berkshire – A small piece of fine-tuning on Keith’s Ray Manzarek tribute and it was done. Thanks to Jason at Record Collector for his superb assistance on this.

(8) Italy - In the “Posizione nella classifica Bestseller di Amazon: Visualizza i Top 100 nella categoria Libri Arte, musica e cinema > Cinema e television” libri listings on Amazon Italy, Keith’s Monroe book was to seen at the n.11 position.

Nice reviews: Thanks to Amazon customer, “Elsa” who took the time to write, “Compelling and intriguing if you love Marilyn's story (this) will give you new insights and ideas on her. Very good buy!” Also, to Michelle on the Goodreads site, the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations, who rated it 4 out of 5 stars and said, “Excellent book! Cleared up so many ‘conspiracy theories’. Loved this book!” Thanks very much to you both.

- Here’s a most pleasing and interesting fact. Statistics show an astonishing 93% of the reviewers of the book on Goodreads liked Keith’s work.

(6) South-Coast – For those who know Keith well, let’s just say today was the start of his, so-called often-talked about, frequently proposed, “Peter Lawford Project”. (Full of riddles yes, but for those familiar with him, you’ll know exactly what he means by this.)

(4) Central London – Provisional, yet extremely early work on Keith’s long-mooted Marilyn TV/film idea got underway with discussions between producer, Simon and his agent, Robert at the United Agents offices in London. (More hopeful news soon.)

May 2013

(31) Berkshire – As the month wrapped, Keith penned his latest piece for Record Collector magazine, a lengthy tribute to former Door, the great Ray Manzarek, who sadly passed away on May 20. The article, on Granada International's legendary 1968 show, The Doors Are Open show, for his monthly Rockin’ The Box series, will be published in approximately 6 weeks’ time.

(30) South London – Another trip into London. Amongst illustrious colleagues, much was discussed, plans were thrashed-out, projects were progressed and a couple of glasses of wine were consumed. It was an eventful day.

(25) Berkshire – A most interesting conversation occurred between Keith and a noted showbiz, paparazzi from the 60s and 70s. As a mark of respect, he won’t be named but let’s just say that, at the peak of his fame, he ruffled quite a few (Royal) feathers. “Thanks, Sir,” Keith said. “It was an immense honour speaking to you.” (Watch this space...)

(24) America – Keith’s Marilyn book made a surprise leap to the #6 position in the “Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Monroe, Marilyn” section on Amazon.com.

(18) Berkshire – “It was 50 years ago today” that…The Beatles played in Slough for the very first time, and to discuss the fact, Keith was a live guest on BBC Radio Berkshire’s lunchtime, Henry Kelly Show. The group’s 1964 recording, ‘And I Love Her’, preceded the short interview.

(7) LinkedIn – The largest professional networking site celebrated its 10th year, and to celebrate a special, video-message email was sent to many of its members, including our Mr. Badman. Well done again! (Worth noting that, on that day, Keith’s total of connections on the site stood at 208.)

(6) Berkshire – Celebrating 35 (and a bit) years since The Sex Pistols’ original split, Keith covered John Lydon (Johnny Rotten)’s April 1978 appearance on LWT’s The London Weekend Show for his regular, monthly Record Collector column, Rockin’ The Box. The interview was noteworthy since it was, at the time, his very first for two straight years