LONG TIME RUNNING: The Johnny Wakelin Story. [Author SIGNED copy.]

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED,1st edn.[Includes laid in loose,publisher's Press Release card RSVP celebration invitation on 11th June,2009 (7.00 - 9.00) at the Brighton Trades & Labour Social Club.Brighton.] FINE+/FINE+.No owner inscrptn but author's handwritten,blue ink inscrptn: 'Best Wishes to David Johnny Wakelin' to title page and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean,glossy laminated 3/4 wrap-around subject/author's portrait colour photographic illustrated dw/dj with white lettering; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Top+fore-edges bright and clean; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners, appears unread - apart from my own collation.Bright, crisp,clean, sharp-cornered,publisher's original plain black cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine/backstrip and immaculate plain white endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,v-viipp+1-251pp [paginated] includes contents list/table, acknowledgements,an introduction,25 chapters and section of Wakelin's solo and co-written song lyrics,16pp contemporary b/w autobiographical photographs in 1 block,between pp152/3,an index; plus [unpaginated] half-title page,SIGNED title page,and 4pp blanks at the rear of the book. If the 1974 Ali-Foreman fight - known affectionately as the 'rumble in the jungle' - has reached mythical proportions in our collective memory, for singer/songwriter Johnny Wakelin it holds particular resonance, marking the turning point in his career from bar singer to bona fide pop sensation.It all started with 'Black Superman' (Muhammad Ali),a personal tribute to Wakelin's boxing idol that captured the public imagination.In the wake of Ali's miraculous eighth round victory,the single became a hit,paving the way for a successful recording career that would take the Brighton-born singer to the top of the charts around the world. His next single 'In Zaire', a second homage to the great Ali,was an even bigger hit,and Johnny Wakelin became a household name. However,the road to fame and success had been anything but smooth.Following a life-changing motorcycle accident in his teenage years,the young Johnny found his first ambition - to become an Olympic decathlete - tragically dashed before he even got off the starting blocks.Johnny lost a leg in the accident,and the future looked bleak. Johnny,however,still had his dreams and,with characteristic optimism, turned his energies into carving out a career as a singer/songwriter, paying his dues on the pub and club circuit before finally getting his break and striking out for the big time.Told with humour and humility, 'Long Time Running' chronicles this remarkable journey from war-torn Brighton boyhood to Top of the Pops and life on the rock 'n' roll rollercoaster. Please contact rpaxtonden@blueyonder.co.uk ,because of the weight/value of this item for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.