One More Step!

The colourful autobiography of extraordinary song-and-dance man Johnny Brandon, from tap-dancing in British music hall at the age of 11, to writing chart-topping singles and hit musicals. Johnny Brandon worked with some of the biggest names in show business, including Vera Lynn, Adelaide Hall, Jessie Matthews, Morecambe and Wise and Barbara Windsor in London. As well as writing hit songs for others, he released his own chart-topping singles in the early 1950s. But the 'Personality Kid' was more than a stage presence. His lifelong involvement in civil rights was underpinned by the 50 years he shared with his African-American partner, Robert Richardson. When they set up home in New York, Johnny immediately began writing hits for American stars, including Sarah Vaughan, Bill Haley and the Comets, Theresa Brewer and The Andrews Sisters, and musicals for some of the finest performers in American theatre. The zest for life and passion for music of the 'King of Zing' bring his story dancing off the page. But he returns time and again to the underlying themes that are most important to him: his admiration for and gratitude to all his 'black soul brothers and sisters', and his relationship with Bob. His deep love of all humanity, his fundamental belief that we are all 'family', regardless of race, colour, religion, sexuality or lifestyle, shine strongly through his narrative - the story of a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant soul brother.