Don Short’s autobiography is a treasure trove of revealing untold stories and sensations from a show-business journalist who became enmeshed in the golden age of entertainment.
He was credited with coining the 'Beatlemania' tag. He had the scoop of a lifetime with his world exclusive — "Paul Quits The Beatles." This book tells of his travels around the world with The Beatles. It also talks about Don’s ominous task of healing a rift between John Lennon and his seafaring father Freddie, who he had not seen for 17 years.
Don Short also monitored the rise to fame of the Rolling Stones and acted as a bodyguard for Mick Jagger at his wedding to Bianca. He went on to become a confidante of many of Hollywood's greatest stars. He was at Elizabeth Taylor's bedside as she recovered from a life threatening illness; he helped Roger Moore to obtain a tricky divorce; he persuaded Elvis Presley to explain his nine-year absence from the stage; he managed hellraiser Richard Harris as a challenge in New Orleans; dined with Muhammad Ali in his snowbound Chicago home and caught up with Louis Armstrong in San Remo as he prepared to premiere his international hit ‘What A Wonderful World.’
Born in 1932 Short began his journalism career in local news before moving to Fleet Street in 1958 as a general news reporter with the Daily Sketch. He joined the Daily Mirror two years later, where he became Chief Showbusiness Correspondent before leaving in 1974 to form his own editorial bureau named Solo Syndication.
It was soon recognised as one of the world's leading agencies. He acted as literary agent for tennis great Fred Perry, singer Val Doonican, cricketer Mike Gatting, snooker player Jimmy White and theatrical impresario Joe Collins, father of Joan and Jackie Collins. He ghosted several best-selling books including those of Britt Ekland, Peter Sellers, Lady Norah Docker and an authorised biography of Engelbert Humperdinck.
Don Short retired in December 1998 after merging Solo with an American newspaper group. The Agency was later acquired by Associated Newspapers and today is a thriving concern for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.
Paperback: 216 x 138 mm, 224pp, plus 8 page photo section
