Ray Coleman (15 June 1937, Leicester – 10 September 1996, Shepperton) was a British author and music journalist.[1][2][3]
Ray Coleman
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| Born | (1937-06-15)15 June 1937
Leicester, England
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| Died | 10 September 1996(1996-09-10) (aged 59)
Shepperton, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Author Editor in chief, Melody Maker Biographer Journalist |
Coleman was the former editor-in-chiefofMelody Maker known for his biographies of The Beatles.[1] Besides Melody Maker, Coleman contributed to music magazines such as Disc, Black Music, and Musicians Only, and a contributor to magazines such as Billboard. An author or co-author of ten books, he was working with Nicky Hopkins on a never-completed biography at the time of Hopkins' death in 1994. Coleman was also near the completion of a Phil Collins biography at the time of his own death in 1996. The book was completed and published in 1997.[4]
Coleman was the first journalist to be awarded a Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for services to British music.[citation needed]
Ray Coleman died of kidney cancer on 10 September 1996 at his home in Shepperton, near London. He was 59.[1]
Coleman wrote or co-wrote the biographies of at least a dozen famous musicians.[4] They include the following:
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| Preceded by Jack Hutton |
Editor of Melody Maker 1970–1978 |
Succeeded by Richard Williams |
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