Street-Level Superstar cover art

Street-Level Superstar

A Year With Lawrence

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Street-Level Superstar

By: Will Hodgkinson
Narrated by: Will Hodgkinson
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About this listen

 'Will has finally written his masterpiece. I'm glad I could be of assistance' LAWRENCE

'Essential reading' JARVIS COCKER

'****' MOJO

'One of the best music books I've ever clapped eyes on' MARC RILEY

'10/10 - An extraordinarily empathetic study' UNCUT

'Magnificent' SPECTATOR

Guardian Book of the Day

This edition includes an exclusive Q&A with LAWRENCE

Lawrence is the greatest pop star who never made it, his dreams of glory thwarted over the past five decades by bad luck and self-sabotage. At sixty-one, he set off on a new mission: to escape poverty, obscurity and the humiliation of kids at the bus stop laughing at him by writing a smash hit. But what is the cost of a dream?

In 1980, Lawrence formed Felt, who released ten albums and ten singles in ten years before splitting up. In 1991, he reinvented himself with novelty-pop outfit Denim. Signed to EMI, riding the wave of Britpop, in 1997, Denim's song 'Summer Smash' became Radio 1's Single of the Week and looked like a sure-fire hit. Then Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. All copies were melted down. Crushing depression, addiction and homelessness followed... but in the face of it all, Lawrence never gave up.

In Street-Level Superstar, bestselling author and journalist Will Hodgkinson follows Lawrence as he rebuilds his life. He gets mistaken for an old lady by an amorous pensioner, is reduced to dragging sacks of 2p coins to his local bank and wanders through London's distant suburbs in search of lyrical inspiration. As they walk together down rain-soaked streets, Will tells the story of Britain's most eccentric cult star. Will he write the greatest song the world has ever known before the year is out? And was it worth sacrificing everything - family, relationships, health, sanity - for art?©2024 Will Hodgkinson (P)2024 Bonnier Books UK Business Aspects Entertainment & Celebrities Music Dream

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All stars
Most relevant  
Brilliant. Well controlled writing about a fascinating personality. I was a Felt fan - but you don’t need to know the band to be immersed in the story. However the author’s love of his subject is obvious too - and Im with you all the way. One of the best biographies Ive read. I want Lawrence to be famous.

A character out of a Dostoyevsky novel, a modern pop rock flaneur - he’s an art thing.

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Absolutely loved this book. Beautifully written, great narration and the subject matter is a joy.
Laurence is endlessly fascinating. Unique.

Thank you

Loved it.

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I love Denim. I love Go Kart Mozart. I love Mozart Estate. Get this book if you do too.

It's Brilliant.

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Since my teens I have read so many books about artists and obsessed over them, books about Andy Warhol, Alfred Hitchcock, Brian Wilson and many more. This book could be my favourite out of all of them. Lawrence is a unique artist and this book has so much heart in how it captures his essence. It’s sad, it’s funny and wonderfully written. I already Lawrence and his work and this book made me love and appreciate him even more, I didn’t think that would be possible. It could be adapted into a beautiful movie or Netflix type TV series, it should be.

A super book about a Superstar.

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Quitw simply, I did not want this book to end. I need more Lawrence musings in my life.

Wonderful

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I really enjoyed listening to this well-told narrative of Lawrence's life. What I don't understand is if Felt has 90.000 monthly listeners on Spotify, that's got to translate into some money. Has this been looked into? Anyway, well done with the book!

Get on the internet

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I’ve listened to a lot of books on Audible. Some great ones actually, but Street Level Superstar is the best by some distance. Witty, humorous, wry and endearingly thoughtful and thought provoking throughout. Will’s sympathetic and empathetic narration gives Lawrence the platform to show the world how much of a superstar he really is.
I listened to this on Audible but I also wanted to physically own a copy on the book, it was that good, so I went out and bought a hard copy too!

A joy! This book is an absolute masterpiece!

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Some books are a delight to read, this is one of them. A record of his life whilst walking around haunts with the author.

A lovely read

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Compulsive reading/listening. Especially hearing Lawrence talk about Water Orton. I found it hard to put it down. What an interesting life he’s led!

Beautiful boy from my past

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A fascinating and humorous insight into the life of an eccentric creative being.
Prior to listening, I didn't know anything of Lawrence and his various bands (Felt, Denim, Go Kart Mozart, Mozart Estate)
and it's not necessary to know or be a music nerd in order to enjoy this biography, although I've looked the bands up since and enjoy his music and lyrics.
The revelations of Lawrence's idiosyncrasies and eccentricities are always kept on the right side of understanding and compassionate and stay upbeat, even had me laughing out loud in places.
The author facilitates us to glance at the past, wonder about the future, whilst also generally hanging around chatting and walking at street level with L who is a constant source of ideas and observations about himself and life in general.
The inclusion of (difficult) experiences of band members, former friends and ex-girlfriends pull no punches but aren't hateful, enriching and give the year with L a fully rounded feel.
I've listened to the audio version and particularly enjoy WH's voice and light-hearted tone.
Much appreciate the interview with L at the end.
Lawrence comes off far more likeable and interesting than I'd imagined would be the case.
There is so much beauty in what could be the mundane, or straight up pain, of Lawrence's life and the author has drawn this out.
I'd like to know more and feel this leaves room for further exploration and scrutiny - L is an interesting character and he wants to express everything he knows to all of us, so why not let him?
I'm fairly sure he'll read this review. So, thanks Lawrence for being so open and thank you Will.

"I'm not going on a quiz show!" ~ Lawrence

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