Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me [NOOK Book]

Outstanding Autobiography of 'Rock Music's Favorite Muse'

'Wonderful Tonight' expertly captures the life of photographer Pattie Boyd, by who else than Boyd herself? Even though she was a middle-class girl with a huge modeling portfolio, she has a great amount of writing talent. I applaud her wit AND great memory, especially for those quirky moments in her life that have probably been forgotten by others. This book really makes you feel like a fly on the wall of the Beatles time in Rishikesh, or the night when Boyd, Harrison, Lennon and his wife tried LSD for the first time. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any Beatles fan or anyone who likes a good, honest story about a smart woman who, despite the fact that her goal in life was not to end up like her mother 'divorced twice', got divorced twice. This raw, heart-wrenching read is good for any age level.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Totally Engrossing!

Very detailed account of the real world of rock n roll in the seventies and eighties. I was not a huge Beatles fan before reading this, but I now have a new appreciation for them, and especially for George Harrison.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A love affiar for a lifetime

this story expresses the originality, the beauty, and the secrets behind the love affair of Pattie Boyd, George Harrison and Eric Clapton. a beautiful choice of words, smart, funny and alive. Pattie shows initiative and does not hide anything. you get the long version with nothing left out. she has made a true story come alive for all of the public to enjoy. this book will knock your socks off.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

BOTH FASCINATING AND INTERESTING

This is a fascinating and interesting book for those of us who came of age in the Sixties and know of whom Pattie Boyd speaks. Married to rock icons George Harrison and Eric Clapton, Pattie lived every girl's fantasy. Or so we thought.
There was a dark side to drugs and rock and roll, and Pattie tells us all about it. But she also tells the good side, and so much of the insider stuff is just pure fun to read, especially when one remembers one's perceptions of how it must have been. If, however, you need to idolize George Harrison and Eric Clapton as the super rock gods they were, it's probably best not to read about them as mortal men.
With all the drugs and alcohol that Pattie did alongside her men, it's amazing she is still alive to tell the tale. Although the book drops off into a few chapters of endless (and I do mean endless) name dropping at the end, it's still worth a read if, like me, your soul never quite left the Sixties.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A Strong Classy Lady

Rock Star behavior should be no secret to any fan, but this is unbelievable. Here we have the ultimate story of Zero self control on the part of two of the greatest guitarist - George and Eric, either because they thought they were above it or had no concept of it. The victim, a lady who genuinely cared for both of them.

Entertaining and sad. Congratulations Pattie for surviving all that!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Interesting reading.

I always wanted to hear the story behind the woman who stole the hearts of George Harrison and Eric Clapton -- and how it affected the rockers' friendship.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

GREAT UNDERSTANDING

I had to read the book to see the real inside story. Many friends and relatives, and partners are named here. Wonderful Tonight is packed with the truth as painful and misunderstood as the era may have been. I'm am not saying we are lost souls, just perhaps misguided by our hearts and free spirit. Though I probably will never be able to forgive Eric, we could not have arrived to where we are now with out his art, influence, and magic. George had the magic as well. We all love George, god bless his sweet soul. Patty, you are the survivor. Wish I could say the same for all of us. This book is wonderful tonight or any night.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful Revolution

The decade that was the vibrant sixties is brought back to life in Pattie Boyd's autobiography Wonderful Tonight. A juicy and enlightening memoir of rock music's most famous muse is relived through the eyes of the audience. This enjoyable read illustrates a picture of the world of rock stars with all of the rollercoaster appeals. Boyd's life began in Kenya with divorced parents who did not have financial stability. The movement of the time was artistic and free spirited and Boyd made sure she tasted it all. Just a glimpse at one page will take a reader back in time to this revolutionary generation. Being the former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, Boyd was vastly involved in the 60's rebellion consisting of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Due to her modeling career, she was also a fashion icon, which led to her inevitable encounter with two of the most influential musicians of the decade. Boyd's life definitely was changed by the Beatles and Clapton and suddenly was filled with a whirlwind of romance, high-profile parties, and fame. I was intrigued to learn that when she first met George Harrison, he immediately asked her to marry him or at least go out to dinner! Boyd wrote candidly about her relationship with George, despite the pain he caused her. On the contrary, her experiences with Clapton came off as tedious due to his addiction to alcohol. However, Boyd did not appear fazed by either of her husband's infidelities. Instead, she portrayed an aura of charm and was open with the fact that she regretted leaving George. For most of her life, she had been what others expected her to be-a role model to her siblings, the sixties icon, and a glamorous model. It was not until after she left Clapton that she found a sense of identity and learned self-acceptance, which led to making a name for herself as a photographer. I am impressed with how she developed from being dependent to independent from the men who could never be faithfully committed. She bravely fended for herself and walked away from her burden of bad romances. The experiences mentioned in this novel make it a desirable read that should be passed on from one person to the next.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ah, Layla....

I really enjoyed learning of Pattie's first hand experience with both George Harrison and Eric Clapton! She doesn't hold anything back when describing either of them and their lives together, which I was happy about. I found the book to be most exciting in the times when she describes herself as "Mrs. Harrison" and "Mrs. Clapton." Especially when she describes how all the songs written about her came to be. I found some of the end of book to drag slighty (where she describes her life post-Eric), but that might have been my bias towards her husbands (I'm a fan of both). A great book to pick up if you're a George Harrison or Eric Clapton fan!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful

I am not a Beatles fan, but I watched an interview Pattie Boyd gave on CBS and became interested in reading her life story. What a story. Pattie writes about her childhood in Africa, moving back to England after her parents divorce, and her life before and after with George and Eric. This book is a great read and she writes about the expectations placed upon her to be a wife to two rock stars. She tries to find herself after her divorces, but also wants to fulfill her desire to be a serious photographer. I felt really sympathetic towards her, but there were times when I was reading her book where I was just frustrated with the choices she was making. I sometimes forget it was a different time back then and expectations for women were different. This book made me a fan of Pattie and I love the great photographs included. I think readers should remember this is an autobiography with an inside look at two great rock legends, but the focus is still Pattie and is told from her perspective.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Oh, Pattie... we expected so much more!

Geez, this book was more a compilation of old 16 Magazines and a few Hunter Davis books tossed in for good measure.

Here was THE woman of the 60s, married to a handsome Beatle, a famous model, actually, George and Pattie were the FIRST to start off that crazy "Rocker/Model" marriage thing... think about it. No one else did before them.

Next time out, Pattie... here's what we wanna know:

WHAT was it like on that first date?... How did you feel when George first kissed you? Where were you when he first said I love you?
How could Cynthia Lennon go on vacation with you and George knowing John had a secret crush on you?
Are you still friends with her?

We were there through all of it with you, and so, when you write a "tell -all" that's what we expected -- next time, please fill in the blanks.

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

From Mrs. Harrison to Mrs. Clapton

Pattie Boyd tells her journey of drugs, modeling, traveling and most famously her marriages to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton. She begins as a skinny girl dealing with parental issues growing up in Kenya and ends her memoir as an adult who has learned many lessons and is recognized not only as a famous muse but for her photography and talent, creating a name for herself. The major messages and themes I took from this novel were love, honesty, youth, and Pattie's message of creating yourself and happiness isn't found through fame or knowing a famous person. What I liked about the book was her simplicity; I could tell by her writing and voice that her view of the world was very simple, which is refreshing. I enjoyed that I learned the facts about her life as well as Georges and Eric's and could view them as people instead of a stardom that is so unrelateable. This book really made me think about the lessons I have to learn in life and it taught me that fame can be very overrated and we do not know everything about a celebrity's life. The book surprised me because she stumbled into fame and never really worked for it, which is something we all dream but it isn't reality. I did not like how she wrote with very little explanation and wouldn't go into detail about the parties they attended or how they lived day to day, being the time period was so influential I would have like to hear more about the drugs they did and what tied into the music. Someone interested in The Beatles and Eric Clapton's music inspiration should read this book, as well as an interest of Pattie. I believe the book is more pointed towards her relationships and her life, so if you just want to know about George or Eric I wouldn't read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Waste of Time!

I had to read this book for book club and everyone found Pattie Boyd to be pathetic. She wants to put the blame on all others for things that happened in her life, but never take responsibility for her actions or roles in these situations. I found myself annoyed the entire book.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great!

No text was provided for this review.

compelling, historical, and very interesting

Not only did I really enjoy this book but I learned a lot of interesting facts and bits of history. I especially liked how she described both of her husbands. She talked about them so deeply that in the end I had a new interest in both George Harrison and Eric Clapton. A really great book.

A BIT JUDGMENTAL

I found it enjoyable at times, and confusing at times. I only enjoyed it because I remember all the names of the people she mentioned in the book - I grew up in the same time period, and the whole era was fascinating. It was good to get her perspective. Having said that, she seemed to have a terribly high opinion of herself as a femme fatale to rock stars, and she was constantly judging others for their drinking & drug use, while she always participated herself. Her life consisted of getting drunk & high at party-after-party and then complaining about her husbands' drug & alcohol abuse. Don't know what to make of this book.

A Great Memoir

I absolutely loved this book. She wasn't just one of the Beatles girls, or a typical 1960s model, but an inspiring and outspoken woman who wrote from the heart about her marriage struggles with Eric Clapton and life as a Beatles girl. Pattie also wrote about her childhood from boarding school to boarding school, without her mother and five younger siblings in sight.

A Classy Survivor's Compelling Story

Boyd's take on rock's greatest love story is far more sympathetic than ex-husband Clapton's because Boyd is so unassuming. She's a normal, likable person who wound up in extraordinary circumstances. Her book is also as beautiful as she is and features fantastic photographs. Every chapter of Boyd's life is compelling, with the common thread being abuse and abandonment. There are some good glimpses into the Beatles' exclusive world and the real reasons why they broke up. (Yoko should send Pattie a thank-you card!) There are magical moments: George Harrison serenading Pattie with 'Something.' Eric seducing her with 'Layla.' It's painful to read how drugs and drink turned both men so cruel. Clapton finagled to leave Boyd nearly penniless after she demanded a divorce, but it's inspiring to watch Boyd graduate from arm candy to self-sufficiency. My only complaint is Boyd holds back too much at times. Maybe she's tactful, maybe it has to do with her many years as an abuse victim. Whatever, she's definitely at peace with her past and she comes across as a classy survivor, free of recriminations or regrets. I'm happy to know she and Harrison, the love of her life, became friends years after their divorce. Her eternal fondness and respect for him comes shining through. I would love to sit down and talk with her and I don't often feel that way after reading show biz memoirs.

what a fool.......

I feel sorry for her. She lived life with her heart and not her head. No wonder Yoko and Linda caught such flak - they actually had brains and used them and the rock 'n roll boys don't like that apparently. All the wives/girlfriends were treated badly in this book and put up with such nonsense from the mentioned rockers... it's mind boggling. How many times does your man have to display such lack of respect for you that you finally stand up and do something?

My Favorite Book of 2007!

I was terribly disappointed in Eric's memoir, but it did spark my interest in Pattie Boyd so I picked up hers. Some chapters are somewhat unorganised and some thoughts are left unfinished. I don't blame Pattie, I blame her co-author. One expects more from the royal family's biographer, however, Pattie's story is fascinating and her book is addictive. I LOVE Pattie! She's so down to earth you can identify with her even though she lived in a rarefied world. I'm amazed at her lack of bitterness and her forgiving attitude. I wish I could be like Pattie and let go of nasty emotional baggage. There's so much heartache in Pattie's life yet she has a healthy perspective on her trials. I expected Pattie's book to have a very sad ending, but the final chapters are truly uplifting. I admire her for learning to stand on her own two feet and making a name for herself as a photographer. Look up Pattie's website, she has some of her amazing photos there, especially her travel photos. The photos and love letters Pattie included in the UK and US editions of her book are great too. I bought both editions because the photos are slightly different, with the US edition far superior. I also enjoyed B&N's interview with Pattie on Meet The Writers. This is my favorite book of 2007!