[Becky]

ELGIN AUTHOR CHARTS ROCK STAR'S LIFE

TOMMY SMITH

09:00 - 03 October 2003

A prolific Elgin author launched her 11th celebrity biography yesterday and revealed that plans for a movie based on one of her earlier books are progressing well.

Laura Jackson's latest book details the life of Jon Bon Jovi, the charismatic frontman of US rock group Bon Jovi.

The group recently completed a world tour to mark their 20th anniversary.

Mrs Jackson had exclusive access to Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora while researching the book.

"I have interviewed a wide range of people, and have been able to use exclusive information about Jon which I got when interviewing Richie Sambora a few years ago," said Mrs Jackson.

"It was a one-on-one interview over the phone. These guys are so busy I was very lucky to talk with him.

"There is no one bigger than Bon Jovi in America. They have sold over 100million albums and recently played to over 90,000 people in London's Hyde Park."

Mrs Jackson's previous biographies, including Bono, Paul Simon and Freddie Mercury, are all selling well in Britain, the US and throughout Europe.

She said: "The Spanish edition of Bono - The Biography was reprinted within a week. The rights to my Jon Bon Jovi book were bought by my American publisher before I had even written it, which is quite a compliment."

However, it is Mrs Jackson's biography of Rolling Stone legend Brian Jones, who died in suspicious circumstances in 1969, which has brought her most attention.

A top US producer secured the rights to Golden Stone earlier this year, and Mrs Jackson said the film project was evolving into what could be a major production.

"Work has begun on the screenplay and locations for filming have been decided on, which may include Elgin," said Mrs Jackson.

"I am keeping my feet on the ground at the moment, but if it does eventually come to fruition it may be a bigger production than I first thought.

"There are many people in the film industry in the US interested in it." Mrs Jackson will be signing copies of Jon Bon Jovi - The Biography at WH Smith in Elgin on Saturday, October 11, at 2.30pm.

[Miracle]

Sounds like it could be interesting!

Stephanie