Michael Parkinson

A historical novel

"At the age of 97 I am proud to share my story. It is dominated by music but with a few tragedies along the way"This large print edition of The School Pianist is typeset in Arial 16 point for ease of reading.My happy routine of doing the job I loved was shattered in 1979 when the government decided to make cuts in spending on education and I was made redundant. The Seeley Primary School in Perry Road at Sherwood, Nottingham organised two concerts in appreciation of my 18 years service. The entertainment consisted of performances from former pupils of the school, a choir and an orchestra picked from the last ten years' concerts. The Nottingham Evening Post reported the story, on Friday October 26, 1979 and included the picture printed below giving it the title "Bitter-Sweet School Harmony". The reporter wrote: "As a further indication of the popularity of Mrs Broughton. the shows - held on Wednesday and again last night (Thursday) were sold out for both nights". I finished with a blaze of publicity but felt unwanted and abandoned as I sat at home on my own. A fairy godfather smiled on me a few months later enabling me to continue my story...

"At the age of 97 I am proud to share my story. It is dominated by music but with a few tragedies along the way"My happy routine of doing the job I loved was shattered in 1979 when the government decided to make cuts in spending on education and I was made redundant. The Seeley Primary School in Perry Road at Sherwood, Nottingham organised two concerts in appreciation of my 18 years service. The entertainment consisted of performances from former pupils of the school, a choir and an orchestra picked from the last ten years concerts. The Nottingham Evening Post reported the story, on Friday October 26, 1979 and included the picture printed below giving it the title "Bitter-Sweet School Harmony". The reporter wrote: "As a further indication of the popularity of Mrs Broughton. the shows - held on Wednesday and again last night (Thursday) were sold out for both nights". I finished with a blaze of publicity but felt unwanted and abandoned as I sat at home on my own. A fairy godfather smiled on me a few months later enabling me to continue my story.

My YouTube Adventures chronicles more than a decade of live entertainment.The adventures started at the Steinway piano showroom in London where Michael Parkinson was influenced by an exciting piece of Franz Liszt music. He progressed to being the videographer for Nottingham Organ Society, Ravenshead Gilbert & Sullivan Society and the Eric Coates Society. Features: Vanessa Benelli MosellThe Reluctant YouTuberSaara Aalto, X Factor, sang for Michael Parkinson in Leicester Square

'Like my father before me, I believe that both the playing and watching of sport can teach us important lessons about ourselves by providing practical instruction in co-operation, tests of resolve and temper'Michael Parkinson was destined to spend his life in sport. Introduced at a young age to cricket and football by his father, he rose through the ranks of Barnsley cricket alongside Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott. But while they went on to find fame on the field, he found a career watching, writing and talking about sport.My Sporting Life is Sir Michael's love letter to sport, to the heroes and legends of his Yorkshire youth, to the characters of the international games he watched and wrote about, and to the very idea of sport itself. With warm, humorous anecdotes about many icons of sport, from Shane Warne to George Best and Muhammad Ali to Fred Trueman, Sir Michael Parkinson reflects on his life writing about his one great passion.

'A lovely kind of nostalgia, which colourises the black and white of yesteryear' - The Oldie Review'He writes about them all with wonderful precision and a powerful evocation' - Radio Times'Like my father before me, I believe that both the playing and watching of sport can teach us important lessons about ourselves by providing practical instruction in co-operation, tests of resolve and temper'For Michael Parkinson it was never really in doubt that he would spend his life in sport. His father, a fearsome fast bowler himself, indoctrinated young Michael from an early age into the Yorkshire cricket tradition and supporting Barnsley FC. All he ever wanted was to play cricket for Yorkshire and England.He rose through the ranks of Barnsley cricket along with his friends Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott. But while they went on to find fame on the field, he spent the next few decades watching, writing and talking about sport. My Sporting Life is Sir Michael's love letter to sport, to the heroes and legends of his Yorkshire youth, to the characters of the international games he watched and wrote about, and to the very idea of sport itself. With warm humorous anecdotes about many icons of sport, from Shane Warne to George Best and Muhammad Ali to Fred Trueman, Sir Michael Parkinson reflects on his life writing about his one great passion.

This hugely different biography starts with the Amazing Audition that propelled Billy Fury from unknown to pop star. Marty Wilde discloses new poignant information, Michael Parkinson describes promoting Billy Fury Shows with 200 dancers and narrators. Robert worked with young Ronald Wycherley who showed songs that he was writing. Ann used her artistic ability to become a friend. Avril accommodated Billy, Marty and other performers at no charge because they were so badly paid. Christine watched filming of 'Ive Gotta Horse'. Colin Paul is a tribute singer with a big story. Billy visited Marion in hospital leading to a lifelong friendship. Myra writes a heart wrenching story of male jealousy. Pauline became a dedicated fan club worker. Peter has produced a guitar instrumental tribute to Billy. Sandra describes meeting Billy Fury when she was 15 and wrote about his shyness. One hundred and twenty pictures accompany the stories to make this a very interesting compilation.

Barbed Wire and Cucumber Sandwiches is the compelling story of a cricket tour framed in a landscape of turbulent social history. Cricket, England's gentle summer game, was shaken to its core by demonstrations, strikes, arrests and violence amid growing global disgust at apartheid, ahead of South Africa's planned 1970 tour. The battle to stop and then to save the tour split the nation, drove a wedge between the generations and destroyed friendships in an uncanny foreshadowing of Brexit. Fifty years on, acclaimed author and social historian Dr Colin Shindler has delved deep into the MCC archives for new information and gained exclusive interviews with key players of the time. Alongside the views of cricketers Mike Brearley and Ray Illingworth are the opinions of Labour politician Peter Hain, who was chairman of the Stop The Seventy Tour campaign. Barbed Wire and Cucumber Sandwiches brings you the full untold story of one of cricket's biggest controversies - the significance of which reaches far beyond the realm of sport.

One of the most famous footballers of all time, George Best is an icon to football fans all over the world. He lived a tumultuous life, and died in 2005 after battling with alcoholism. He is someone who has crossed over into legend status, with his personal life sometimes overshadowing his footballing prowess. There have been many books written about George, but here, Michael Parkinson combines his professional and personal knowledge of George with his classic and much loved writing style to produce a new, and interesting biography of a football and cultural icon.

Liverpool Beyond the Brink is a fascinating commentary on the economic decline that caused the physical, social and political fragmentation of the imperial city during the 1970s and the efforts since then to revive and reconnect it. It charts Liverpool’s fall in the 1980s, its gradual normalisation in the 1990s, its staggering achievements and, as a European city in the first part of this century, its efforts to be ambitious in an age of austerity. This thought-provoking work asks: how far has Liverpool come and where does it now stand in comparison with thirty years ago and alongside other cities in the UK? What were the most important forces driving change? Who helped the most and who helped the least? Who and where gained the most and who and where gained the least? Finally, the author asks what is next for Liverpool: what are the current challenges for the city? Liverpool Beyond the Brink identifies the key economic, social and political challenges facing the city today to ensure there is increased productivity, future development is high quality and that the benefits of the city’s renaissance are experienced by all the people in Liverpool in all parts of the city. [Cover image: Liverpool Waterfront 2017 © McCoy Wynne (mccoywynne.co.uk)]

Liverpool Beyond the Brink is a fascinating commentary on the economic decline that caused the physical, social and political fragmentation of the imperial city during the 1970s and the efforts since then to revive and reconnect it. It charts Liverpool’s fall in the 1980s, its gradual normalisation in the 1990s, its staggering achievements and, as a European city in the first part of this century, its efforts to be ambitious in an age of austerity. This thought-provoking work asks: how far has Liverpool come and where does it now stand in comparison with thirty years ago and alongside other cities in the UK? What were the most important forces driving change? Who helped the most and who helped the least? Who and where gained the most and who and where gained the least? Finally, the author asks what is next for Liverpool: what are the current challenges for the city? Liverpool Beyond the Brink identifies the key economic, social and political challenges facing the city today to ensure there is increased productivity, future development is high quality and that the benefits of the city’s renaissance are experienced by all the people in Liverpool in all parts of the city. [Cover image: Liverpool Waterfront 2017 © McCoy Wynne (mccoywynne.co.uk)]

Originally published in 1970, Michael Parkinson examines the Labour Party’s attitude towards secondary education in general and comprehensive schooling in particular and shows the effect of the party’s philosophy on the question of education and its social importance. The Labour Party is seen both as a policy-maker with the power to implement policies and as a pressure group with power only to influence. The case study provides valuable background reading to the controversies over comprehensive education at the time.

Originally published in 1970, Michael Parkinson examines the Labour Party’s attitude towards secondary education in general and comprehensive schooling in particular and shows the effect of the party’s philosophy on the question of education and its social importance. The Labour Party is seen both as a policy-maker with the power to implement policies and as a pressure group with power only to influence. The case study provides valuable background reading to the controversies over comprehensive education at the time.

'A riveting read about an amazing man' THE SUNLegendary boxer Muhammad Ali visited Michael Parkinson's chat show sofa four times, culminating in an iconic interview in 1971. Muhammad Ali: A Memoir is a fresh, revealing and personal account of the life of the most important and enduring cultural figures of our age. An icon of boxing who has inspired the biggest names in boxing, from Mike Tyson to Anthony Joshua, this is the story of boxing's biggest star. Muhammad Ali was God's Gift to the interviewer. Funny, articulate, outspoken with a fascinating life story, unparalleled talent and controversial views. These 4 interviews charted Ali's life, revealing significant phases at different times, charting the rise and fall of this kaleidoscope of a man.In Muhammad Ali: A Memoir Sir Michael Parkinson will bring his award-winning journalistic talents to bear on this extraordinary man. The book will mix personal recollections of the times they met with selected transcripts of the famous and, in the case of the 1974 meeting, infamous interviews all brought together and contextualised by a sober and honest assessment of the life and times of a figure that, it is certain, we will never see the like of again.

Michael Parkinson discusses the life of Muhammed Ali

The Sunday Times Bestseller All Michael Parkinson really wanted to do was play cricket for Yorkshire and England. However, he soon realised that to be paid to watch films, football and cricket would be the best way to spend life, and he became a journalist. Television beckoned and for three decades Parkinson interviewed the movers and shakers of the late twentieth century, making his television programme the must-see event of the week. In singing with Bing Crosby, dancing with Billy Connolly, flirting with Miss Piggy and sparring with Muhammad Ali, Parkinson proved himself one of the most engaging and durable hosts in both Britain and Australia. In Parky he recalls a full life with honesty, insight and humour.Praise for Parky: 'Nothing less than riveting.' Mirror 'Joyous' Telegraph 'Wonderfully readable' Daily Mail 'One of the finest broadcasters of any era' Guardian