McCartney Times

Ray Coleman

Ray Coleman

Ray Coleman

Ray Coleman (15 June 1937 – 10 September 1996) was a British author.

Coleman was the former editor-in-chief of Melody Maker known for his biographies of The Beatles. 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, Coleman was near the completion of a Phil Collins biography at the time of his death. The book was completed and published in 1997.

He 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.

Coleman wrote or co-wrote the biographies of at least a dozen famous musicians. They include the following.