Groovy Bob: The Life and Times of Robert Fraser

Anyone with even the vaguest interest in the Sixties would have heard of Robert Fraser - infamously imortalised as "Doctor Robert" on the Beatles "Revolver" album, he was the catalyst for the Sgt Pepper cover and was influential in many ways. An art dealer who sold to the famous and the fashionable in Swinging London, Fraser was arrested during the notorious Redlands bust and served several months in prison. The cover of this book shows the photograph of Mick Jagger and Robert Fraser handcuffed while being taken to court, which caused outrage at the time.Using interviews with people who knew him, snippets of letters, etc, this book then tells the story of one of the most important people in Sixties London. From his days at Eton and the army, through his most successful period as an art dealer, his drugs bust, time in prison, Marrakesh, India and his downfall through drugs and drink to his death from AID's in the 1980's. It seems to be accepted that Fraser was wonderful at recognising and showing great art, but easily bored and not a great businessman by any standards. However, he was certainly a very influential man, intelligent, witty, argumentative and terrible with money. This is a very interesting read about a fascinating man.

Extraordinary account of cutting edge 1960s life among the art crowd and those who were 'hip' at the time. This book brings to life, from the inside, a period that was unique for its combination of vitality and self-destructiveness. We now know, with hindsight, that this decade brought in a revolutionary change to both music and the decorative arts. Vyner's book deliniates that change from first hand accounts from the people at the steering wheel at that time. Vyner's style is unique, the entire book is written from first-hand interviews with the people involved. Her memoir of the time centres around the character of Robert Fraser - inspirational art dealer, drug addict, nucleus of the 'happening' scene in the 1960's, friend of so many famous names, gay sex addict - who died of Aids in 1986. He emerges, through the first-hand accounts of friends like Paul McCartney, john Lennon, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, as this mysterious person who held the kernel of 'Swinging London' in his hand in the 1960s and then threw it all away. He emerges as an epitaph for the era.

Totally un-put-down-able book about the man who put the swing in to the sixties. A must for anyone who loves autobiographies - I've never read one written in this format and it works so well. The author has interviewed loads of people from Robert Fraser's life (including the most eloquent Mick Jagger) and edited them all to form a smooth, chronological trip through his life from their perspective so you get such a good all round view of the man. Also a must have for anyone who remembers or would like to be reminded of the sixties, modern art fans, Beatles fans, Rolling Stones fans....the list goes on. Robert Fraser - a true maverick

This is a terrific book that brings the '60s Art & Music scene alive, but also outlines Robert Fraser's activities into the '80s. The interviews are endlessly fascinating and illuminating. Harriet Vyner has done a wonderful job and is to be congratulated on bringing Fraser's importance to our attention. I have personally been very inspired by Vyner's research and book (& her & Brian Clarke's curated exhibition at Pace Gallery, London). I urge you to read all about the life & times of Robert Fraser.

Great story about one of the 60's prime movers, who attracted many well known artists and musicians, before ultimately becoming one of the early victims of Aids. But if you lived through this period, as I did, then this is a jolly good read.

a unique book in which the varied bizarre life of Robert Fraser is recalled by those who knew him well in good times and bad. it is a marvellous glimpse into several worlds of which swinging London is only part.

I enjoyed this book.

Good read

He was an upper class s**t who was sloppy about paying bills or repaying loans, but he had a superb eye for art. He knew everyone because everyone wanted to know someone as hip and knowledgeable as him. Excellent biography and an excellent view of the times.

Robert Fraser was a cornerstone in the Swinging Sixties in London. He was one of the leaders of that era. Very good book, narrated in a coral way, with different personages, between them Mick Jagger -who is in the cover handcuffed with Robert Fraser-, Keith Richards, Marianne Faithfull or Paul McCartney. A must for understanding of the sixties.

I loved this book. It's a great period piece about a unique personality and a profession that you rarely get to see from that perspective.Refreshing to see the 'art world' from something other than a business perspective . It was a great 'ride' of a book.

This is not a biography. It’s a collection of quotes from people who knew Fraser. I can’t even say it’s poorly written because it was not written all. But I can say that it is about the laziest excuse for a book, much less a biography, as ever I’ve seen. It reads like 320 pages of blurbs from People Magazine. One paragraph we’re in Mexico with Dennis Hopper, and the very next, without transition, we’re at a party in Kensington with Marianne Faithful. Blah. Awful. If you want 300+ pages of Swingin’ Sixties gossip, this is it.

I haven't had a chance to read it yet. But browsing through it I found it looks interesting. Looking forward to reading it.

Great read