{"title":"Gina Waggott","description":"\u003cp\u003eGina Waggott’s works delve into the rich tapestry of personal and musical histories, bringing to life the stories behind iconic figures. Her writing captures the essence of her subjects with sensitivity and vivid detail, making her biographies resonate with authenticity and emotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect compelling narratives that blend factual insight with engaging storytelling, appealing to those drawn to \u003cem\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/em\u003e. Waggott’s books offer an intimate glimpse into the lives that have shaped cultural moments and music history alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"scatman-john-by-gina-waggott-9798881807078","title":"Scatman John","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Larkin – a fast-living, hard-playing, stuttering jazz pianist – overcame abuse, addiction, ageism, and obscurity to stage one of the most improbable debuts in pop music history by turning his greatest pain into his purpose.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 52, Larkin was a recovering alcoholic and veteran pianist, haunted by shame because of his lifelong stutter. His stutter meant he could scat-sing better than anyone else on the planet, grabbing and firing syllables like bullets – yet he couldn’t even say his own name. But when a small indie record label took a gamble on an oddball fusion of John’s scat-singing and dance music, his life changed overnight: \u003cem\u003eScatman John\u003c\/em\u003e was born.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1995, his singles \"Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)\" and \"Scatman’s World\" shot to #1 across Europe and Asia, turning a man who’d spent his life hiding into a global star. Audiences were captivated by the absurdity and charm of a middle-aged man in a fedora, machine-gunning syllables over a dance beat. But behind the novelty was a deeper story: John’s scat-singing was creative camouflage for his stutter – his music, a last-ditch attempt to survive. When fame finally found him, he chose to reach others who felt broken or silenced, especially stutterers like him, by harnessing the one thing he was most afraid of: his voice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on rare archives and interviews with those who knew him best, this authorised biography is a redemptive, deeply human story of struggle, heartbreak, and triumph. For anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, this book inspires with a powerful message: your deepest fear can become your greatest strength, and your pain can become your purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47932428386540,"sku":"9798881807078","price":55.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9798881807078-scatman-john.jpg?v=1783862663"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/gina-waggott.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}