> Skip to content
  • Published: 1 August 2011
  • ISBN: 9781407071114
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416

Said And Done




The extraordinary life story of 'the patron saint of poetry', Roger McGough

Roger McGough is one of Britain's best-loved poets, and something of a national institution. His name is ubiquitous with matter-of-fact Scouse humour, easy-going charm, and perfect observations of the idiosyncrasies of everyday life, whether you know him from his poetry, or from his regular broadcasts on television or radio.

Roger first rose to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the pop group The Scaffold, who had two number one hits - Thank U Very Much and Lily The Pink. He began his poetry career performing with The Grimms, alongside fellow Liverpool poets Adrian Henri and Brian Patten, with whom he went on to publish The Mersey Sound, which remains the biggest-selling British poetry book ever.

This is his autobiography - and like the best of his poetry it is packed full of hilarious observations, unbelievable stories, nostalgic reminiscences and bittersweet tales of love, life and loss. From his memories of growing up in Liverpool, playing in bombed out houses as a young boy, to the skiffle-crazed days of his adolescence, through to his time at university - and his meetings there with Larkin. He explores his sudden, almost overnight fame and success with Mike McCartney et all in The Scaffold, as well as his time working with George Martin, and co-writing the Yellow Submarine film script for the Beatles, through his international touring days, to the present.

He certainly has many a story to tell about meeting some fascinating characters: Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Marlon Brando, Alan Ginsberg, Pete McCarthy and Salman Rushdie all appear amongst others, but it's his sheer story-telling nous, and his gift for observing the minutia of everyday life, and to completely capture a moment in time which sets this apart from other books.

His life story is one that will be universally identifiable to those who grew up with him - who embraced the verve and irreverence of the sixties, only to end up as slightly embittered romantic cynics. This is done here in the most funny, poignant, bittersweet, and melancholic autobiography you will read this year - a man whose hugely popular take on it all resonates with honesty and humour.

  • Published: 1 August 2011
  • ISBN: 9781407071114
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416

About the author

Roger McGough

Date: 2004-03-15
Roger McGough was born in Liverpool in 1937. He has written over 50 books for both. He has won the Signal Award for Poetry twice, and the Cholmondeley Award. He has also won a BAFTA for his film work and a Royal Television Society Award for his TV series. He was awarded the freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2001 and his OBE in 1997. He presents Poetry Please and guest hosts Home Truths on Radio 4.

Roger McGough was born in Liverpool and educated at St Mary's College and the University of Hull. He has been a writer for many years, and his numerous collections have established him as one of the most distinctive and powerful voices in contemporary poetry. Among his most popular titles are Summer with Monika, Blazing Fruit and Defying Gravity, all published by Penguin, and for children An Imaginary Menagerie, Pillow Talk and Bad, Bad Cats. He is an international ambassador for poetry and in 1997 was awarded an OBE, and in 2004 he was awarded a CBE. His most recent books include All the Best and Slapstick and for adults,  Collected Poems and Selected Poems.

Also by Roger McGough

See all

Praise for Said And Done

Unique ... worthily the 'people's poet Mail

Daily Mail

Delightfully self-deprecating autobiography ... his prose is lovely, considered, concise and frequently frivolous, but it never strays far from the poetry that is his natural environment and, essentially, his subject

The Independent on Sunday

A warm-hearted book about the extraordinary life of an extraordinary man. He may choose to depict himself as Mr Ordinary, but there is nothing at all ordinary about his energy or talent

Independent