Willie Nelson: The Outlaw

by Graeme Thomson

Overview

In this intimate and engaging biography, Graeme Thomson interviews Nelson himself, his band and those who knew him best en route to discovering the real Willie Nelson.

The Outlaw brilliantly describes a complex and compelling man whose life and music reflect something fundamental at the heart of twentieth-century America. Thomson's revealing portrait is a timely reminder of the stature and achievements of a true living legend.

Covering everything from dirt poor beginnings in Texas, global fame in the 70s, four marriages, the death of a son and affairs with Amy Irving and Candice Bergen up to his current position as a 73-year-old pot smoking man of the road, Thomson's account emerges as the first detailed, clear-eyed account of Nelson's fascinating life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448133413
Publisher:	Ebury Publishing
Publication date:	07/31/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Graeme Thomson writes on music for several publications, including Word, the Observer, Time Out and the Herald. He is author of Complicated Shadows: The Life&Music of Elvis Costello.

Table of Contents

Introduction Keith Richards vii
Happiness 1
1933-1950 4
No Such Thing as an Ex-Wife 18
1950-1957 20
Labour Pains 36
1958-1961 38
Who Gives a Damn? 52
1961-1965 53
Smoking Pot Made It Better 70
1966-1970 72
Where Was I Going to Go? 92
1970-1972 93
Texas Was Always There 109
1972-1973 111
The Outlaw 128
1974-1976 129
You Need Friends 147
1976-1978 149
I Never Listen to the Band 164
1978-1984 166
It Will Have To Be Solved Spiritually 184
1985-1990 186
Bad 204
1990-1992 205
I've Been Out Here So Long 222
1993-1998 224
I Have No Reason To Think About Quitting Anything 240
1999-2005 242
Notes on Sources 261
Biographical Notes 266
Bibliography 269
Acknowledgements 271
Index 273

Editorial Reviews

"A fabulous biography of one of country music’s most colorful characters."  —Tatler

"Thomson makes the most of the access granted by Nelson, his friends and relatives."  —Q Magazine

"Sharp writing, astute observation . . . make for a lively read and a vivid portrait of an often baffling talent. Recommended."  —Observer Music Monthly

EBOOK COMMENTARY

"A fabulous biography of one of country music’s most colorful characters."  —Tatler



"Thomson makes the most of the access granted by Nelson, his friends and relatives."  —Q Magazine



"Sharp writing, astute observation . . . make for a lively read and a vivid portrait of an often baffling talent. Recommended."  —Observer Music Monthly

From the Publisher