Ossie Clark came from a modest, diligent working-class family, an ordinary boy who went on to do extraordinary things. He was born in Liverpool and raised in the industrial Lancashire town of Warrington, famous for its factories and the birthplace of Lewis Carroll. The author never knew Ossie, but they attended the same technical school, Beamont. Seventeen years apart, both made their way to the enclave of Notting Hill in West London. Ossie found fame and fortune as the go-to fashion designer to the stars in the swinging 60s and psychedelic 70s. Once dubbed the King of the Kings Road, this is one of the most extraordinary stories of a man who had it all. It's a classic tale of a rise from anonymity to the pinnacle of the fashion world, with the ultimate betrayal, told from the perspective of a fellow Northerner. The author has dramatized Ossie's life with facts and informed imagination.
About the Author
Tommy Kennedy IV, born in the North West of England. His early years were spent living in convents, caravans, and care homes around the UK.He had a troubled childhood which resulted in him being sent to many Institutions, before finally leaving his hometown and heading to the bright lights of london. After a few years in london, he spent over a decade travelling the world, living of his wits and not much else .His love of music saw him running a bar and putting parties on in Thailand, where he came into contact with many musicians on his travels and made the fateful descion to head back to Notting hill, in 1999, setting up a music promotions company . He spent over 4 Years, homeless through drink and drugs and going bankrupt and losing his home .He has spent the last 21 Years, living in London's Notting Hill, where he managed and promoted Bands. Including Managing Steve Dior, the legendary Punk Rock Singer who was hanging out with Sid Vicious when he died in New York .Driving bands around the UK, and across Europe,he was kept very busy . He has been working for the last 16 years on the world famous Portobello Road, at the Mau Mau Bar, in Notting Hill, promoting gigs.He has two children Sophie, and Tommy Jnr, the lights of his life. He is Currently working on his second book " Going Straight in Notting Hill Gate" about his release from the General Penitentiary in Jamaica, and working in the underground music scene in london, and turning his life around, which he Hopes to have finished sometime in 2020.His philosophy on life, "find what you do best and share that knowledge to other people".