On paper, Kenny Everett's qualifications did not look promising – with little in the way of education, physique or social skills. What he had was a gift for funny voices, an oblique imagination and a way with a tape recorder. Yet, the British radio revolution in the ‘60s and ‘70s needed these exact qualities. Ever a corporate player, Kenny was frequently fired, but still went on to reinvent television. Meanwhile, outside the studios, the challenge to 'get a life' brought moments of ecstasy, frequent bother and at least one suicide attempt. And at the exact moment when tabloid frenzy about the AIDS epidemic reached its peak, he came out. This new biography, based on intricate documentary research as well as interviews with colleagues, friends and enemies – including Alexei Sayle, Barry Cryer, David Mallet and "Whispering" Bob Harris – not only gets under the skin of the man, but also gives a taste of the times. Cupid Stunts covers the novelty and excitement of hearing all-pop radio for the first time, the terror and bluster of the high-ups, the brilliant blossoming of gay culture throughout the 70s and 80s, and the tragedy and vile hypocrisy that surrounded the AIDS epidemic.

ケニー・エヴェレットという稀代の変人。本作が描くのは、録音機という魔法の杖を手に入れ、退屈な日常を騒乱のカーニバルへと変貌させた一人の天才の魂の軌跡です。洗練された教育も社交性も持たなかった彼が、多重録音と変幻自在の声でラジオの歴史を塗り替えていく様は、まさに個人の想像力が巨大な組織の壁を突破する痛快な文学的ドラマと言えるでしょう。 光り輝く狂乱の裏側に潜む、深い孤独と自己との闘争も見逃せません。エイズ禍という過酷な時代、タブロイド紙の暴力に晒されながらも自身の真実を貫いた彼の生き様は、読む者に自由の代償とその尊さを突きつけます。これは単なる一介のＤＪの記録ではなく、七〇年代から八〇年代という激動の時代を駆け抜けた一人の開拓者の、悲劇と喜劇が交錯する崇高な人間讃歌なのです。