Neil McCormick

Neil McCormick is a British music journalist, author and broadcaster best known as the chief music critic for The Daily Telegraph and for his long-standing association with the rock band U2. His 2004 memoir "I Was Bono's Doppelganger" (released in the US as "Killing Bono") chronicles his parallel musical journey alongside U2, having attended school with Bono and The Edge in Dublin. The book was later adapted into a 2011 feature film starring Ben Barnes and Robert Sheehan. McCormick has written extensively about popular music for over three decades, contributing to numerous publications including Hot Press, GQ, and The Observer. His work spans artist interviews, album reviews, and cultural commentary on the music industry. Beyond his journalism, McCormick has maintained a secondary career as a musician, having fronted various bands including Yeah!Yeah! and The Ghost Who Walks. He regularly appears as a music expert on television and radio programs, particularly on BBC and Sky Arts.

Readers primarily know McCormick through his memoir "I Was Bono's Doppelganger/Killing Bono" and his music criticism in The Telegraph. What readers liked: - First-hand insights into U2's early years and the 1970s Dublin music scene - Self-deprecating humor about his own music career failures - Clear, accessible writing style in music reviews - Balanced perspective when critiquing both mainstream and alternative artists What readers disliked: - Some found the memoir too focused on U2 rather than McCormick's story - Critics noted repetitive themes throughout the book - Music reviews sometimes perceived as overly conservative Ratings: - "Killing Bono" averages 3.7/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings) - Amazon UK: 4.1/5 (150+ reviews) - Top reader comment on Amazon: "An honest and entertaining look at what happens when your schoolmates become the biggest band in the world and you don't" Most reader engagement comes from U2 fans seeking background on the band's origins, rather than followers of McCormick's journalism.

U2 by U2 (2006) An oral history of U2 told through extensive interviews with band members, documenting their journey from Dublin schoolboys to global rock stars.

I Was Bono's Doppelganger (2004) A memoir detailing McCormick's musical aspirations and parallel journey alongside U2, whom he knew from school in Dublin.

Killing Bono (2004) The US edition of "I Was Bono's Doppelganger," telling the same story of McCormick's life in music and his connection to U2.

Nick Kent wrote for NME during punk's emergence and published "The Dark Stuff," containing raw accounts of musicians like Iggy Pop and Sid Vicious. His personal involvement in the 70s music scene and unflinching journalism style mirrors McCormick's insider perspective.

Tony Fletcher documented the rise of The Smiths and wrote biographical works on Keith Moon and R.E.M. His writing combines first-hand music industry experience with detailed research into the British and Irish music scenes.

Paul Morley wrote for NME and published books examining post-punk and new wave, including "Words and Music: A History of Pop in the Shape of a City." His work connects music criticism with cultural analysis of the industry, similar to McCormick's approach.

Simon Reynolds chronicled post-punk in "Rip It Up and Start Again" and writes about music evolution through decades. His focus on the transformation of rock music and industry changes aligns with McCormick's historical perspective on U2 and Irish rock.

Mark Ellen co-founded Q and Mojo magazines and wrote "Rock Stars Stole My Life!" about his experiences in music journalism. His career spans the same era as McCormick's and provides similar insights into British music journalism and industry relationships.