Defying Gravity

Jordan's Story

Jordan Mooney, Cathi Unsworth

$36.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Omnibus Press
03 April 2025

Punk, New Wave & Indie; Individual composers & musicians, bands & groups; Biography: arts & entertainment

The image of Jordan in her white shards of beehive and Mondrian make-up is one of the most iconic in pop history. But nobody knows what was really going on behind those watchful eyes when Anarchy hit the UK.

How did a ballet-mad girl from sleepy Sussex make her way, via the clandestine gay clubs of Brighton and London, to 430 King's Road and the eye of punk's storm? Help shape a revolution and deal with the consequences of being in the spotlight so young? Share hair-raising adventures with McLaren and Westwood; The Sex Pistols; Adam and his Ants; Derek Jarman and Andy Warhol and then just disappear?

With commentary from key players including Vivienne Westwood, Paul Cook, Marco Pirroni, Holly Johnson and her partner behind the SEX/Seditionaries counter Michael Collins plus a wealth of never-before-seen images from Simon Barker, Sheila Rock and Harri Peccinotti Jordan finally reveals her outrageous life story.

By: Jordan Mooney, Cathi Unsworth
Imprint: Omnibus Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781915841834
ISBN 10: 1915841836
Publication Date: 03 April 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Icon, muse, catalyst and the most recognisable female face of punk, Jordan was described as ""the first Sex Pistol"" by Derek Jarman, Jon Savage and those who dared to walk up to 430 King's Road from 1975-81. The public face of SEX, Seditionaries and World's End; the motivating force behind Jubilee and the first manager of The Ants - these are just some of her achievements. Defying Gravity: Jordan's Story was published in 2019. Cathi Unsworth has written six pop-cultural noir novels, That Old Black Magic, Without The Moon, Weirdo, Bad Penny Blues, The Singer and The Not Knowing. She started out on Sounds and has since written for Bizarre, Fortean Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, Mojo and Sight & Sound. More at www.cathiunsworth.co.uk Jon Savage is a writer, broadcaster and music journalist best known for his book England's Dreaming.

Reviews for Defying Gravity: Jordan's Story

""If you've never read a book about punk, this is the only one you'll ever need."" New Statesman ""This is not just a great book - it is a real page turner. It is an important resource in the story of punk. In short, it is a 100% stone cold, 24 karat classic. Buy it or regret it"" HiFi World ""Jordan's extraordinary gospel is here to set you straight... It's a book about fashion, fetishism, music, drugs, individuality, strength in adversity, death, reinvention and rebirth. But most of all it's the story of a pioneering spirit; the first punk on the block; a woman who empowered a generation and whose totemic inspiration changed the entire landscape of popular music."" Classic Rock, 9/10