Chris Wade

The Classic Album Series highlights records from the past, forgotten, overlooked and cherished alike, selected for their influence, relevance and worth. In this edition, writer, musician and filmmaker Chris Wade looks at Black Sabbath's landmark record, Paranoid, released in 1970. It was a big seller in its day, though one could perhaps judge it more thoroughly by its influence, longevity and undying power. Featuring landmark songs like Iron Man, War Pigs, Fairies Wear Boots and the hit single title track, Paranoid is as close to perfection as early Heavy Metal ever got, and remains a firm rock classic nearly fifty years later. This book celebrates the sounds within, from a personal viewpoint, and also looks at the legacy of its eight perfect songs. Chris Wade is a UK based writer, musician, artist and filmmaker.

This book comprises Chris Wade's two volumes on Frank Zappa, looking at his musical output from 1966 to his death in 1993. Also features interviews with many collaborators and iconic photos of Zappa, the Mothers and his other line ups.

In Bob Dylan: Through Time, writer, musician and filmmaker Chris Wade goes through the whole of Dylan's long and winding career; from the classics albums and the overlooked gems, to the misunderstood films and his astonishing paintings. There are also a wide variety of interviews and Q and As with Dylan associates and collaborators from every era. By putting his private life to one side, Wade explores the magic and myth of Bob Dylan through his extraordinary work, a legend and an icon whose reverence seems to grow and evolve in every medium as the years go by. The collected writings in this book, both new and old, hope to explain some of his mystique.

The film career of Dennis Hopper spans half a century, beginning in the mid 1950s and ending in the new millennium upon his death. Hopper had a strange but brilliant career on the screen, starting in the golden age of James Dean and John Wayne, going through the Corman B movies of the 1960s, the turbulent but brilliant 1970s, his big comeback in the 1980s, to his days as Hollywood's favourite villain in the 90s, then into the B movies and late TV gold of his final years. This book goes through Hopper's credits, the TV appearances (Medic, 24, Crash), his classic movies (Easy Rider, The Last Movie, American Friend, Apocalypse Now, Blue Velvet), lesser known classics (Tracks, Mad Dog Morgan, River's Edge), odd ball curiosities (White Star, Human Highway, Bloodbath), lost forgotten gems (Last Days of Frankie the Fly, Blackout, Catchfire) and everything in between. This is the ultimate guide to the screen work of Dennis Hopper, one of the most exciting and charismatic actors the world has ever seen.

Ken Russell: On Screen celebrates the film and television career of one of the world's most innovative, controversial, and outrageous directors of all time. Over the top, operatic, eccentric, flamboyant and magnificent, Ken Russell was a one off, a notorious enfant terrible, and the definition of a true maverick. He was also a genius.In a series of articles, writer, musician and filmmaker Chris Wade goes through Ken's long and varied career, focusing on such seminal works as The Devils, Tommy and Lair of the White Worm, as well as assessing his seminal BBC films of the 1960s. Also explored in depth is Ken's final era, The Gorsewood Years, his time as a truly independent filmmaker. The book features new recollections from Russell collaborators like Murray Melvin, who looks back on The Devils, his son Xavier Russell, Rick Wakeman and many more, plus pictures provided by Ken's wife Lisi. It is a tribute to one of the bravest and most overlooked directors of all time.

This book explores and celebrates the later years of Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous and influential artists of all time. In a series of articles, Chris Wade looks at how and why the ageing Picasso remained as restlessly creative as ever before, in an era that is so often glossed over. Alongside essays on his work, articles on his muses and a piece on his death at the age of 91, there is also a new interview with Lydia Corbett, known to the world as Sylvette, who sat for Picasso in 1954. This is a glimpse into another age, the final chapters of Picasso's long story.

Writer, musician and filmmaker Chris Wade takes a look at the early years of Pablo Picasso. In a series of essays, Wade goes from Pablo's childhood in Malaga, his time in A Coruna, vitally important periods in Madrid and Barcelona, through his brief stay in the village of Horta and his eventual arrival in Paris to explore the roots and inspiration of his art and life. Explored within are the details of Pablo's birth, infant years, early developments, friendships and family dynamics, not to mention his earliest artistic passions, all of which led to his culture shifting work of the 20th century. The essays are illustrated with historical and new photographs taken by the author.

Chris Wade explores the career of legendary actor Marcello Mastroianni, the Italian icon who gained mythical status when he starred in Fellini's La Dolce Vita. Marcello was a leading light in world cinema from the fifties until his death in 1996, starring in some of the finest films of the 20th century. This book goes through his mighty career on screen, from the early Italian comedies, through the iconic sixties, the latter day renaissance and to his final years. It also includes a new interview with Beeban Kidron, who directed him in 1992's Used People. Films explored include: La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2, La Notte, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, A Special Day, City of Women, The Beekeeper, Ginger and Fred, Dark Eyes and many more...

The complete guide to the films of Charlie Chaplin, from his early silent comedies at Keystone to his seminal feature length masterpieces such as The Kid and City Lights. In this book, Chris Wade explores the making and legacy of these extraordinary movies.

This book takes a look at the cultural and musical impact Madonna's music, films and persona had on the world in the 1980s. It was the decade she helped define with a series of classic albums (from her self titled debut, through Like A Virgin and True Blue to Like Prayer), the hit movie Desperately Seeking Susan, and her revolutionary music videos. She became the most famous woman in the world and a pop idol rivaled only by Michael Jackson. Nearly thirty years since that decade ended, Chris Wade delves into this special time in a series of essays on her work, gaining fresh insights into the phenomenon of early Madonna, as well as interviewing those who worked with her.

""The ultimate guide to McDowell's career. Much more than a standard biography."" -Alternative Reel

Chris Wade celebrates the final years of the life of Charles Dickens, one of the most popular and influential writers of all time. Illustrated with photographs and drawings, this book is a warm homage to a literary giant's last decade.

For fans of the cult comedy audiobook CUTEY AND THE SOFAGUARD, here is Chris Wade's essential companion book. It features a diary of the recording, Chris's personal memories of working with Rik Mayall, photos, scans of work notes, plus a 2010 interview conducted by Chris with Rik at the same studio where they recorded the audiobook. The book also features additional material, including an essay on Rik's career, and interviews with directors Ate De Jong (Drop Dead Fred) and Jane Spencer (Little Noises). The book is both a personal memoir and an appreciation of Rik Mayall's talent.

Chris Wade explores the long, rich and varied screen career of STACY KEACH, one of the most versatile and multi talented American actors in history. For almost sixty years, he has entertained audiences the world over. Beginning his acting life on the stage, he was highly acclaimed for his turns in various productions of the works of Shakespeare, as well as hit plays such as MacBird and Indians. While still committing himself to the theatre, Keach began appearing on screen in the late 1960s. He became one of the New Hollywood era's most interesting and quirky leading men, giving stellar performances in such films as End of the Road, The Traveling Executioner, Doc, Fat City, and The Ninth Configuration. Into the 1980s, he starred in the cult favourites The Long Riders and Road Games, while on the small screen he became the quintessential detective, Mike Hammer. In the following decades he continued to act on stage, appear in major movies, and star in a stunning range of TV shows. This book goes through his finest work, from his beginnings in such films as The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, obscure gems like Watched and The Killer Inside Me, TV appearances in such shows as Ray Donovan, The Blacklist, Prison Break and ER, and more recent films like American History X, Nebraska and Truth. Wade also celebrates his stage and audio credits. It's a remarkable body of work, explored in thorough detail, in what is an affectionate homage to one of the acting world's true greats. The book also includes a 2022 interview with Keach, as well as fresh recollections from the likes of Jeff Bridges, Oliver Stone, Bruce Campbell, Harris Yulin, and Tom Atkins.

CONTENTSA LUCKY MAN: LOOKING BACK AT LINDSAY ANDERSONRemembering the Maverick FilmmakerRICHARD EVERETT, STEPHEN FREARS, DAVID WOOD, JEREMY BULLOCH AND BRIAN PETTIFER ON LINDSAY ANDERSONIntimate memories of Anderson from the set of if.... and beyond....MARLENE DIETRICH: THE GODDESS OF GLAMOURA profile of the sex symbol and megastarFILM SPOTLIGHT: SHANGHAI EXPRESSPerhaps Dietrich's finest moment on screenHENRY JAGLOM ON ORSON WELLESThe indie icon recalls his legendary friendTHE FILMS OF ETTORE SCOLAThe Italian master profiled, with cast recollectionsSALUTING BUSTER KEATON'S THE GENERALOne of the true greats of American cinemaCHARLIE CHAPLIN: THE FINAL YEARSHis last decade, from the making of A Countess from Hong Kong to his death in 1977. Features recollections from David Robinson and Carol ClevelandCHARLIE CHAPLIN: THE MUTUAL FILMSCelebrating Chaplin's classic shorts from 1916 and 1917 while under contract with Mutual Films

In the golden age of silent cinema, Buster Keaton was one of the world's most revered filmmakers, his fame and acclaim matched only by Chaplin. However, when his career and personal life took a down turn upon the arrival of sound, Keaton's achievements were forgotten, and for years he was seen as a faded relic from another era. Contrary to popular belief however, Keaton bounced back. He quit the drink, remarried and got his career back on track. In the 1950s and 60s, he kept on working steadily on TV, in commercials, telefilms, mainstream movies and independent features. This book explores the final years, and days, of Buster Keaton. Chris Wade looks at the wide variety of work he took on, such as Film, which Keaton made with Samuel Beckett; The Railrodder, one of his final two- reelers; and a host of other lost curiosities worthy of dusting off and re-evaluating. Wade makes a case for this latter period being a Keaton renaissance. Also includes a new Q and A with Gerald Potterton, director of The Railrodder.

Chris Wade examines the films of the legendary Marlene Dietrich, from her early days in silent German cinema, through her iconic collaborations with director Josef von Sternberg and beyond. This illustrated movie guide includes pieces on such films as Morocco, The Blue Angel, Dishonoured, Shanghai Express, Blue Venus, Stage Fright, Witness to the Prosecution, Touch of Evil and many more.

The Classic Album Series highlights records from the past, forgotten, overlooked and cherished alike, selected for their influence, relevance and worth. In this edition, writer, musician and filmmaker Chris Wade looks at the two albums made by the legendary folk rock band Trees, both in 1970, The Garden of Jane Delawney and On the Shore. Overlooked at the time, they have now become seminal albums of their era, influential and timeless to a certain listener. This book goes into the making of them, but mostly focuses on the music's personal effect on the listener. As a bonus there is also a Q and A with the band's singer, Celia Humphris, conducted by the author. Chris Wade is a UK based writer, musician, artist and filmmaker. His work includes the acclaimed music project Dodson and Fogg, films such as The Apple Picker, and numerous fiction and non fiction books. He also worked with Rik Mayall who voiced his audiobook Cutey and the Sofaguard and edits the ongoing Hound Dawg Magazine.