Me and Mr Jones: My Life with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars

From the very hands that sculpted David Bowie's iconic Ziggy Stardust hair comes Me and Mr Jones, an electrifying peek behind the velvet curtains of a truly legendary chapter in pop culture history. Hanif Kureishi rightly notes, "Suzi Ronson was there as Bowie transitioned from suburban folkie to world superstar and genius. Few can offer such insight, and tell this fascinating story with such verve." Deborah Levy, writing in the Literary Review, astutely observes, "It's still hard to accept that Ziggy didn't fall from the stars in full makeup to blow our minds. Yes, other people helped create him. One of them was Suzi Ronson."

Working in a Beckenham hair salon in the early seventies, Suzi Ronson's life took an unexpected turn when a regular client, Mrs Jones, introduced her to her son David and his wife Angie. Soon, Suzi found herself drawn into the Bowies' bohemian world. Having crafted the instantly recognisable Ziggy Stardust hairstyle, she became the sole working woman in David's touring entourage, joining the Spiders from Mars as they blazed a trail across the globe.

Amidst the chaos of costume mishaps, wild parties, and enthusiastic groupies, Suzi also found love with the band's brilliant guitarist, Mick Ronson. Together, they navigated the often-absurd realities of life in show business, rubbing shoulders with luminaries like Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, and Lou Reed along the way.

Dazzling and remarkably intimate, Me and Mr Jones offers far more than just a unique perspective on one of the most enigmatic stars of our time. It paints a vivid picture of a world teetering on the edge of cultural transformation, charting the exhilarating highs and sometimes brutal lows of life as one of the very few women in the room as it all unfolded.

As the Observer highlights, "This candid memoir by the stylist who helped create the singer's Ziggy look offers a vivid snapshot of his golden years . . . As his dresser, Suzi gets as close to him as anyone." Variety concurs, stating, "Considering the vast number of books published every year about David Bowie, a new one had better have either fresh info or fresh insights. Thankfully, Me and Mr Jones delivers on both counts . . . A first-hand view of the glory and brutality that comes with a rapid rise to stardom."

Me and Mr Jones is an engrossing and often raucous read, as Salon aptly puts it. It's a refreshing and largely unvarnished account that pulls few punches, offering a truly insider's perspective on the creation of a legend and the whirlwind of the glam rock era. Suzi Ronson's voice is engaging and honest, making this a compelling and essential read for any Bowie aficionado and anyone fascinated by the raw energy and creative explosion of the 1970s music scene.