Drum legend Phil Seamen’s life celebrated in major new biography, 'Percussion Genius' Legendary Rebel and Born Raver

Fifty years after his death, a major biography of British drum legend Phil Seamen has just been published. Written by Peter Dawn, who hails from Seamen's hometown of Burton-on-Trent, Phil Seamen 'Percussion Genius' Legendary Rebel and Born Raver is a richly illustrated, 750 page hard back epic tracing Seamen's colourful and ultimately tragic life as an exceptionally talented kingpin of the UK jazz scene.

From his early semi-professional drumming career in Derbyshire through to post-war big bands, the hot-bed of 1950s/60s Soho with Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes and Joe Harriott bands, to working with Alexis Korner and Ginger Baker's Airforce, Dawn has spent many years researching and writing this hugely immersive study of Seamen's work, life, drug problems, fellow musicians and the culturally charged times he lived and played through.

Packed with over 300 photos and a foreword by Charlie Watts, the book is now available for £45 plus P&P from www.philseamen.com