In the summer of 1956, while on shore leave from the Merchant Navy, Thomas Hicks was spotted playing a new type of music in a coffee bar in London. Having never heard anything like this 'rock' performed in Britain, he became an overnight sensation--never returning to his ship. He changed his name to Tommy Steele and for 65 years he has been Britain's greatest showman. In a remarkable career spanning radio, records, Broadway and Hollywood, Tommy Steele started the rock revolution in the UK before moving to lighter, family entertainment and becoming a well-loved household name. He received an OBE for Services to Entertainment in 1979 and a knighthood for Services to Entertainment and Charity in 2020. He has conquered the West End, Hollywood and Broadway; holds records for the longest-running one-man-show in the London's West End and also the record for most appearances at the hallowed London Palladium. However, his remarkable career has never been detailed accurately and comprehensively--until now. Authorised by Sir Tommy Steele himself, 'A Life in the Spotlight' offers readers a detailed insight into the career of an unrivalled entertainment legend, with countless facts, stories, details and anecdotes never before committed to print.
Sebastian Lassandro is a high school English teacher from Manchester, England. He first heard Tommy Steele at the age of sixteen in 2004 and since then has followed Tommy's stage performances all around the country. He is a recognised authority and archivist of Tommy Steele's work. Aside from Tommy, Sebastian's other interest is Dame Gracie Fields and he is the President of the Dame Gracie Fields Appreciation Society. In 2018, he published 'Pride of Our Alley' a comprehensive two-volume biographical set about 'Our Gracie.' A keen amateur theatre actor and director, he has recently completed his Master's Degree in Education.
1 Ready to Rock 1956; 2 The Golden Year 1957; 3 Rockin' Around the World 1958; 4 A Handful of Steele 1959; 5 Stooping to Conquer 1960; 6 It's All Happening 1961-1962; 7 So, This Is Broadway? 1963-1965; 8 The Sixpenny Millionaire 1966-1967; 9 Looking to the Rainbow 1968-1969; 10 Wonderful Applause 1970-1979; 11 What a Glorious Feeling 1980-1989; 12 What A Star! 1990-1999; 13 Steele Going Strong 2000-2021; Finale; Appendix 1 'If A Picture Paints A Thousand Words'-The artwork; Appendix 2 'What a Picture!-Filmography; Appendix 3 'Tommy Steele and a Show'-The Television specials; Appendix 4 'Hit Record'-Discography; Appendix 5 'Come On In!'-The BBC radio series; Appendix 6 'An Evening with Tommy Steele'-The complete stage shows.
