Lee, Myself & I - by Wyndham Wallace (Paperback)

About the Book

Part memoir, part biography, this is the story of what happens when you meet a musical legend, befriend him, and then watch him die.

Book Synopsis

"If I had a name like Wyndham Wallace I would not associate or correspond with anyone with a simple name like mine. However, since you have lowered yourself to such depths, how can my old Indian heart (west not east) not respond favourably." - Lee Hazlewood, fax message to the author, Valentine's Day 1999

Lee, Myself & I is an intimate portrait of the last years of Lee Hazlewood, the legendary singer and songwriter best known for 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'', the chart-topping hit he wrote and produced for Nancy Sinatra. It begins in 1999, when Hazlewood began his comeback after many years in the wilderness, and ends with his death in 2007. In the intervening years, the author, Wyndham Wallace, became Hazlewood's friend, confidante, de-facto manager, and more, even providing the lyrics for Lee's final recording, 'Hilli (At The Top Of The World)'.

In the light of reissues of Hazlewood's work by the esteemed Light In The Attic label--including There's A Dream I've Been Saving: Lee Hazlewood Industries 1966-1971, an acclaimed boxed set of his work with the label he founded, LHI, as well as further releases including liner notes by Wallace--interest in Hazlewood has never been greater. Lee, Myself & I is the first book to address his life and work.

Through recollections of their lengthy conversations and adventures together, Wallace captures the complex personality--charming but cantankerous, blunt but poetic--of a reclusive icon whose work helped shape the American pop cultural landscape, and who still influences countless artists today. He also sheds light on often overlooked or more obscure aspects of Hazlewood's career, including his pioneering work with Duane Eddy and Phil Spector, and the outstanding recordings he made during his self-imposed exile to Sweden in the 1970s.

Lee, Myself & I is a tale of validation: both the author's and Hazlewood's. It's the story of what it's like to meet your hero, befriend him, and then watch him die.

Review Quotes

"...the book is about friendship. It's about love. It's about loss. It's about dreams dashed and dreams brought to life. It's about what you feel and what you think when you come face-to-face with your heroes." - All Music Books.com

About the Author

Wyndham Wallace is a Berlin-based, English writer for the likes of Uncut, Classic Pop, The Quietus, The Guardian, and more. Before he became a writer, he worked as an independent music publicist and then, for eight years, ran City Slang Records' UK office, working with bands like Lambchop, Tortoise, and Calexico. He moved to Berlin in 2004, where he set up another short-lived label, and at the same time he continued as Lee Hazlewood's manager up to the release of his final album, Cake Or Death.