About Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me - Book Description
A Q&A with Pattie Boyd, Author of Wonderful Tonight Why are you writing the book now? I have been asked for the last 15 years to write a book, and it is only now that I feel the time is right. My confidence in myself was restored after two successful exhibitions of my photography, and it occurred to me that I was finally ready to take a look at the unique experiences of my life and to share them--including all the ups and downs. Tell us about the first time you met George Harrison. Working as a model, I occasionally went for castings, mainly for television commercials. I went for an interview with one of the directors I had worked with in the past, and he cast me in his first movie, A Hard Days Night, to play the part of a schoolgirl. When I first saw George on the set, I thought he was the best-looking man Id ever seen. I was so surprised when he asked me out on a date at the end of my first day of filming. Tell us about the first time you heard George Harrison's song, "Something." George said he had written a song for me, and he played it on the guitar at home without the words. Then when I heard the song after it had been recorded I couldnt believe how utterly beautiful it was. It was released on a single in October 1969, and I felt so thrilled and flattered. Tell us about the first time you heard Eric Clapton's "Layla." Eric invited me to his band's flat one day and played a rough recording of "Layla" on a cassette recorder. I was sitting on a sofa and he on the floor as it played, and he kept looking up at me for a reaction. I was stunned; the intensity, passion and tenderness came across so strongly--I knew, as he said, it was written for me.
Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me Reviews by BookSwim Members
written by BookSwimmer on 03/29/2008I am so glad that some of these 60's stars are writing books. And Pattie was certainly a star. I was a very young Beatle fan in the 60's, but followed them faithfully into my college years. Everyone read every magazine to follow Patty and Jane Asher's comings and goings. It was a magical time, the Beatle-era. I thought she was crazy when she left George for Eric. (I read a quote in an interview with George that said something like, "Well at least she didn't run off with some jerk, she ran off with Eric") The British Invasion groups really huddled together in order to survive their sudden fame and wealth. I thought it interesting that money was at times embarressingly hard to come by and ask for, by both of her husbands. I had read Eric's book first, and am glad I did, since her memory is much better. Eric was so in love with her...I am sorry he was so unfaithful. Well, I certainly enjoyed this respectfully told book. She seems like a very sweet person.
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written by BookSwimmer on 03/29/2008Interesting read, not spellbinding but at times close, this memoir offers compelling insight into the lives of Eric and George. The cast of characters is dark, even though the period is otherwise perceived to be one of light and peace. Lots of troubled individuals plagued by the same old human sorrows.
The book could have used a good editor. Timelines get a little dizzying in places, but the thing that rang out REALLY loudly is the confusion over the Fender Stratocaster guitar. The strat is made by Fender. Gibson makes the Les Paul. They are two, forever religiously divided camps. Pattie says toward the end of the book that she sold a "1960 Les Paul Stratocaster" guitar. That's like saying "1960 Mustang Corvette." I don't expect her to know the difference, plus, who cares. But reading the book as someone who does know the difference made me think the editing/fact-checking was pretty marginal.
Power to her for committing her life to print for the rest of us vultures to pick at.
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written by BookSwimmer on 03/29/2008Interesting for Beatles Fans. Some inside info on the group. Not a spellbinder but interesting.
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written by BookSwimmer on 03/29/2008incredible story, well written and almost impossible to believe if it were not true. sheds light on the wild time of late 60's / 70's
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written by BookSwimmer on 03/29/2008As a woman of the same age as Pattie Boyd, I was quite excited to read her story. I think most of us in the Beatle Generation have had some questions about her life. She answers these quite well, and kindly, especially considering the difficulties of fame, along with relational problems associated with substance abuse. Of course, in common with folks in other substance abusing families, she really was less in control of things than she later realized she needed to be. She also inspired two of the most acclaimed musicians of our times. I sense her extraordinary strengths, and her resiliency, partly due to her upbringing in Africa. However, she also shares her vulnerabilities with us, which is courageous. I was especially intrigued by the way she explained why she ended up leaving George, and how with the wisdom gained by time and experience, she actually realized later how she might have handled their problems in a better way and they might have grown together as a couple. Despite the problems in their marriage, he is the one she remembers with the most love. For those who are disappointed in some aspect of the story, either the writing style, or what she chose to report, remember, she didn't need to write this book. It is a personal perspective on some of the charm and tragedy in the lives of several extraordinary, famous people, as well as a journal about one woman's journey of self-discovery while surviving relationships which included substance and domestic abuse. This woman clearly has a knack for making and keeping friends, and she surely has some interesting stories to tell. I think I would like knowing her in person. Best wishes to you, Ms. Boyd, and I hope you make even more of your dreams come true.
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written by J42T11 on 02/01/2008This book had some interesting stories about Boyd's experiences as the wife of two iconic musicians, but I remained far more interested in the men than in her. The rambling, unconnected nature of her recollections made it much more difficult to empathize with her. Overall, I wish the book had been given a bit more structure and a lot less name dropping.
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