Buckley, David 1965–

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Buckley, David 1965–

PERSONAL: Born 1965. Education: Liverpool University, Ph.D.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Chicago Review Press, 814 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610.

CAREER: Freelance biographer.

WRITINGS:

David Bowie: The Complete Guide to His Music, Omnibus Press (Chester, NY), 1996, 2nd edition, 2004.

The Stranglers: No Mercy, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1997.

Strange Fascination: David Bowie, the Definitive Story, Virgin (London, England), 1999.

R.E.M. Fiction: An Alternative Biography, Virgin (London, England), 2002.

The Thrill of It All: The Story of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music, Chicago Review Press (Chicago, IL), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: A biographer of rock musicians, David Buckley has produced well-researched studies of David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, and the Stranglers. After publishing a short guide to Bowie's music and an official biography of the Stranglers, Buckley was able to publish a biography of his rock music idol, David Bowie. Strange Fascination: David Bowie, the Definitive Story is a heavily documented study that explores the cultural themes and the biographical details that have been such a powerful influence in Bowie's music.

Buckley next produced R.E.M. Fiction: An Alternative Biography after his publisher rejected his idea of doing a study of Roxy Music. He persevered, however, and eventually published The Thrill of It All: The Story of Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music. Buckley had interviewed Ferry while researching his biography of David Bowie, but he found a reluctance on the part of band members to participate in the new venture. Nevertheless, he undertook the extensive research and wide-ranging interviews that have marked his biographies. He describes Ferry's compelling rise from coalminer's son to rock star, as well as the artistic influences and personal battles the musician encountered along the way, particularly his difficult relationship with keyboardist Brian Eno, who left Roxy Music a few years after its formation. Reviewing the book for Artforum International, Greeta Daval felt that, "as a history, the book is perfectly competent—but readers seeking an account as original and thought-provoking as the band itself should look elsewhere." Other reviewers were more impressed, Library Journal contributor Matthew Moyer concluding: "this is the best Ferry/Roxy read yet."