Finished 'My Family and Other Rock Stars' by Tiffany Murray.
It's a childhood memoir about growing up in and around Rockfield Recording Studios. The author's mum was the chef there, and it details encounters with various rock and folk artists from early 70s on [e.g. Queen, Motorhead, Horslips, Ozzy Osbourne, Bowie etc]. Their quirks, and foibles.
Bill / BBD get a passing mention, but only a name check. A good read, nonetheless.
Read by the author, the audible version of Bobby Gillespie’s memoir, Tenement Kid, originally published in 2021. Knew precious little about Bob besides liking his singing, lyrics, and songs. For someone such as me who doesn't hear a Glaswegian brogue often, the audio version is an educational listen. So many people places and things along with the music, I was surprised to find him such an entertaining writer and such a warm person. Learnt much.
Cannot recommend this enough. So much history and so interestingly told. Many missing bits and pieces are tied together in regards to your favourites, whatever those might be.
Read by the author. His voice is easy on the ear and very much like Nick Broomfield's but in a cadence similar to Dylan Thomas' or even Christopher Walken's. More observation than narrative. If you like surrealism, arcane and historical facts bursting like fountains this is for you. It's got an attention to detail and is reminiscent of the writings of William S. Burroughs but more like the lyrics of John Foxx.
Just finished Little Did You know the autobiography of David McGillivray. Living the extremes, from British trash / exploitation films of the 70s, Edinburgh Fringe productions, showbiz, gay culture, drug culture etc. Fascinating and not for the faint hearted!
McGillivray also hosts an online chat with some interesting and obscure guests. On this one below he interviewed Bruce Lisker...the man falsely imprisoned for 26 years, charged with his mother's murder.
@Palladium"New financial paradigm" also makes me wonder about The Economic Reset. As with bitcoin, I've been too frightened to investigate The Economic Reset.
I’m actually re-reading the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. An epic undertaking, but I’ve got the time at the moment and it seems entirely fitting being that it revolves around a group of young people telling each other stories to pass the time while they isolate themselves in the countryside in order to escape the plague.
Just started it. Didn't know about it until yesterday and since it's read by the author decided immediately it was to be my next Audible credit.
Steve' s really not only a gifted guitarist, but also speaker. He knows how to go slow, pause and all that, and he's a knack for telling a story. Quite an observer. He's the best interviewer as well.
Steve's 'I'm a victim' thing I like just a little better than the version of it sold to us over these many decades by his more famous fellow (sometimes) Angeleno, John Lydon.
@Tourist have you seen this YouTube clip of Steve demonstrating Pistols chords? The first time I watched it I heard influence of The Who influence and the second time I heard influence of The Faces on his playing ...
Okay, not currently reading. But ran across this & it reminded me that I have this edition that Ballentine Books put out. I’ve read “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy three different times, but it has been about 35-40 years since I read it.
What this reminded me of was the poster that combined all three of these covers into one. It was massive, and covered an entire wall of my room in the early 1970s. Wish I still had that poster.
Jonny Trunks latest book + pink 7" has landed today it's more pics than words but is a treasure trove of sweet nostalgia, a small Christmas treat for myself, yum
Novel by James Gunn, but not the director of “Guardians Of The Galaxy”. A totally different James Gunn.
Originally published in 1972, the story sounds familiar to “Contact”. A scientist at the Aricebo listening station looks for signals of intelligent life for years. Almost loosing hope… then a message comes through. His nemesis is a religious zealot who is sure there is no intelligent life outside of earth. Hmm… that does sound familiar. But this book came out earlier. “Contact” was published in 1985.
Interestingly, I was trying to find if the two James Gunn’s were related. Well, they are not. But I did find that the author of “The Listeners” lives just outside Kansas City in Lawrence, KS.
And he’s still around at 95 years old.
And I found his email, contacted him (and sent the above photo), and he replied!
One of Keith Emerson's influences was Brother Jack McDuff. George was in his band very early in his career, which led me to this book. George was quite the prodigy when he was young, playing ukelele and guitar at the local candy shop for tips! Check out YouTube for more on Jack McDuff quartet with George Benson on guitar.
Someone had just posted this book cover from the 1970, and it happens to be a book I have. Originally obtained when I was a member of the Science Fiction Book Club way back when. My copy is actually in better shape. I need to get a photo & post it at some point.
Finished 'My Family and Other Rock Stars' by Tiffany Murray.
It's a childhood memoir about growing up in and around Rockfield Recording Studios. The author's mum was the chef there, and it details encounters with various rock and folk artists from early 70s on [e.g. Queen, Motorhead, Horslips, Ozzy Osbourne, Bowie etc]. Their quirks, and foibles.
Bill / BBD get a passing mention, but only a name check. A good read, nonetheless.
Read by the author, the audible version of Bobby Gillespie’s memoir, Tenement Kid, originally published in 2021. Knew precious little about Bob besides liking his singing, lyrics, and songs. For someone such as me who doesn't hear a Glaswegian brogue often, the audio version is an educational listen. So many people places and things along with the music, I was surprised to find him such an entertaining writer and such a warm person. Learnt much.
Cannot recommend this enough. So much history and so interestingly told. Many missing bits and pieces are tied together in regards to your favourites, whatever those might be.
Read by Debbie Harry
Read by the author.
Currently reading ...
Finished recently...
Read by the author. His voice is easy on the ear and very much like Nick Broomfield's but in a cadence similar to Dylan Thomas' or even Christopher Walken's. More observation than narrative. If you like surrealism, arcane and historical facts bursting like fountains this is for you. It's got an attention to detail and is reminiscent of the writings of William S. Burroughs but more like the lyrics of John Foxx.
The Book of Forgotten Authors by Christopher Fowler
This is excellent, but it will leave you with a very long list of [forgotten] books you can't wait to read.
Just finished Little Did You know the autobiography of David McGillivray. Living the extremes, from British trash / exploitation films of the 70s, Edinburgh Fringe productions, showbiz, gay culture, drug culture etc. Fascinating and not for the faint hearted!
McGillivray also hosts an online chat with some interesting and obscure guests. On this one below he interviewed Bruce Lisker...the man falsely imprisoned for 26 years, charged with his mother's murder.
Link:
LITTLE DID YOU KNOW The Chat Show Episode 26: Bruce Lisker - YouTube
Finished this, and forwarded it to Chromiumlad to read.
Managed to finish it right as they’ve come out with a 25th anniversary edition. 😂
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The Buzzard by John Gorman. Inside the glory days of WMMS in Cleveland, OH.
Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi wax lyrical about their formative years, how they met, the music they love and accidentally forming a band together.
The Buzzard - Inside the Glory Days of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio
I’m dying…😂 😂
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Soil and Soul: People Versus Corporate Power by Alastair McIntosh
Kid books:
I’m actually re-reading the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. An epic undertaking, but I’ve got the time at the moment and it seems entirely fitting being that it revolves around a group of young people telling each other stories to pass the time while they isolate themselves in the countryside in order to escape the plague.
Sauron Defeated
Just finishing "Roadshow Landscape With Drums", Neil Peart's book from 2006. I've enjoyed all 3 of his books - thanks for the recommendation, Carol!
Just started it. Didn't know about it until yesterday and since it's read by the author decided immediately it was to be my next Audible credit.
Steve' s really not only a gifted guitarist, but also speaker. He knows how to go slow, pause and all that, and he's a knack for telling a story. Quite an observer. He's the best interviewer as well.
Steve's 'I'm a victim' thing I like just a little better than the version of it sold to us over these many decades by his more famous fellow (sometimes) Angeleno, John Lydon.
Okay, not currently reading. But ran across this & it reminded me that I have this edition that Ballentine Books put out. I’ve read “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy three different times, but it has been about 35-40 years since I read it.
What this reminded me of was the poster that combined all three of these covers into one. It was massive, and covered an entire wall of my room in the early 1970s. Wish I still had that poster.
.
"Nothing's Bad Luck: The Lives of Warren Zevon" and "Me" by Elton John. Both very good reads.
Jonny Trunks latest book + pink 7" has landed today it's more pics than words but is a treasure trove of sweet nostalgia, a small Christmas treat for myself, yum
Currently reading John Cowper Powys epic A Glastonbury Romance. It's all of England.
Just finished "Riding the elephant : a memoir of altercations, humiliations, hallucinations, and observations"
by Craig Ferguson. Excellent book and very funny!
Just finished "Dr. John - Under A Hoodoo Moon" by Dr. John with Jack Rummel. An excellent read!
Novel by James Gunn, but not the director of “Guardians Of The Galaxy”. A totally different James Gunn.
Originally published in 1972, the story sounds familiar to “Contact”. A scientist at the Aricebo listening station looks for signals of intelligent life for years. Almost loosing hope… then a message comes through. His nemesis is a religious zealot who is sure there is no intelligent life outside of earth. Hmm… that does sound familiar. But this book came out earlier. “Contact” was published in 1985.
Interestingly, I was trying to find if the two James Gunn’s were related. Well, they are not. But I did find that the author of “The Listeners” lives just outside Kansas City in Lawrence, KS.
And he’s still around at 95 years old.
And I found his email, contacted him (and sent the above photo), and he replied!
.
A unique view of both England and Jamaica, among all the other things that it is.
"Benson The Autobiography" by George Benson
One of Keith Emerson's influences was Brother Jack McDuff. George was in his band very early in his career, which led me to this book. George was quite the prodigy when he was young, playing ukelele and guitar at the local candy shop for tips! Check out YouTube for more on Jack McDuff quartet with George Benson on guitar.
Someone had just posted this book cover from the 1970, and it happens to be a book I have. Originally obtained when I was a member of the Science Fiction Book Club way back when. My copy is actually in better shape. I need to get a photo & post it at some point.
Always loved the illustration by Mike Hinge.
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What an intriguing title, David 😎