Music Maps Podcast

This week we hear the story of the classic Graceland by Paul Simon.

It started with a cassette titled Gumboots: Accordion Jive Hits, Volume II, which is given to Paul Simon in the Summer of 1984.

He plays it on drive to Montauk, New York where he is renovating a house with his then wife Carrie Fisher.

Paul Simon is coming off the 1983 album Hearts & Bones & was looking for a new direction in some respects.

He makes the decision to travel to South Africa in order to make this music as authentically as possible.

Arriving at Ovation Studios in the summer Johannesburg in the summer of 1985 the process of making the record begins.

The record is completed back in the US with the African musicians travelling to finish the record.

The final tracklisting features appearances by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Linda Ronstadt, the Everly Brothers & more.

The cover artwork is a late-15th-century Ethiopian painting of St George on horseback found in an exhibition catalogue from the Peabody Essex Museum.

The record was a slow burn success & its only after winning Best Album at the 1987 Grammy Awards that a new video for You Can Call Me Al is commissioned featuring Chevy Chase.

The subsequent tour is very expensive to put together but proves hugely popular.

Graceland has sold approximately 16 million copies to date & its influence has been hailed by Joe Strummer, Peter Gabriel, Ezra Koenig & more.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimmy McDonough joins us this week to tell us about his new book Gary Stewart: I Am From The Honky Tonks.

The book is available in the UK & also in the US.

While not a household name Gary Stewart became a hugely influential singer described as ‘too country for country and too rock for rock’.

Jimmy developed a relationship with the Stewart family over a long period, enabling this book to come to fruition.

Jerry Lee lewis was a key influence on Gary in his younger years & the Allman Brothers Band became a significant influence as he grew older.

Gary Stewart was born in Kentucky before the family relocated to Fort Pierce, Florida.

His route into the music business came as a songwriter in Nashville, before signing a solo deal with RCA Records, where he achieved a number of country hits including a number 1 with "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)".

Some of his more rock oriented material did not sit well with RCA & his relationship with the label began to fracture.

His later years were patchy filled with memorable gigs but also some questionable decisions.

Gary Stewart passed away in 2003 & his ashes were scattered outside the Texas Honky Tonk he had been due to play that night.

His influence was proven as names including Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, Sturgill Simpson & Willie Nelson went onto name check him over the years.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roy Boulter joins us to talk about his time in The Farm & also his new film Algorithm Party starring PJ Smith, which marks Roy’s directorial debut.

The idea came from a football game, Roy’s band The Farm had played an informal football game on Fridays in Birkenhead for over 20 years. One day PJ Smith turned up to play & Roy later found out.

Algorithm Party was filmed in St. Georges Hall in Liverpool, features mucis by fellow Farm member Steve Grimes & is out now.

Roy also tells us about his time writing for Brookside & Eastenders, his career in film & documentary working with the likes of Terence Davies, building a wicker man for The Coral, making a Beatles documentary with Mark Lewisohn & meeting Yoko Ono.

He also toured with the Justice Tonight band with Mick Jones playing The Clash songs to raise awareness for the Hillsbrough campaign.

In 1987 Roy joined The Farm as their new drummer. The band had originally had more of. Punk sound but with the help of producer Terry Farley they change their sound, closer to what becomes known as baggy.

The Happy Mondays become a key band in The Farm’s story & another key ingredient is the Channel 4 documentary A Short Film About Chillin’ about the bands trip to Ibiza.

We hear how close Bill Drummond ever was to managing The Farm.

A cover of the Monkee’s I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone nearly becomes a hit but its Groovy Train which becomes the breakthrough.

All Together Now follows & becomes a hit around the world. The track has a long afterlife being featured in football coverage, in Hollywood movies & famously as the 1995 Everton FA Cup final song.

Suggs, Paul Heaton & other play a part in the production of the Spartacus album which goes to number 1.

If you have enjoyed Music Maps please subscribe for more. We would also hugely appreciate a review or star rating.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we present an episode in 2 parts - in part 1 we welcome Holly Buckler daughter of The Jam drummer Rick Buckler.

Holly has organised a tribute gig to her Dad who passed away in February 2025. The gig will take place at Woking Theatre on October 12th 2026 & you can buy any remaining tickets here.

The gig is in aid of the Same Beare Hospice in Woking.

The lineup includes: A Band Called Malice, Steve Brookes (founding member of The Jam), The Highliners, Pretty Green, Instrumental support from Stuart Prosser (Style Council, trumpet player), Steve Grainger (Played on Culture Club Album, saxophonist), Jody Smith (Worked with Van Morrison, Nigel Price and Bill Shanley, keyboard player)

Stories and memories from: Dennis Munday - Polydor Record Label, Peter Wilson - The Jam Producer, Bill Smith - Album / Sleeve designer for The Jam, Luke Morgan (The Highliners) - Life after The Jam

Exhibition pieces from About The Young Idea Exhibition in the foyer on arrival and during the interval. Some pieces have never been displayed publicly before!

Holly tells us about her plans for the gig & who will be there on the night, how the tribute concert came together, growing up with a former member of The Jam for a Dad & more.

We are also joined by founder member of The Jam, Steve Brookes.

Steve met a young Paul Weller at Shearwater School after moving to Woking in the early 70s. The pair became close & Steve spent a lot of time at the Weller family home on Stanley Road.

They began to play some lunchtime gigs at school & this was soon followed by their first gig at Woking Working Mens Club.

They were originally joined by Dave Waller & Neil Harris to round out the lineup before Rick Buckler joined as drummer.

Rick was perhaps more into heavier music at the time, but liked the fact the band had gigs & appeared to be on an upward trajectory.

Bruce Foxton has similar thoughts when he joined originally on guitar, with Paul Weller still on bass, before swapping roles shortly after.

A very early Jam track, Takin’ My Love later appeared as a B Side to the debut single In The City a few years later. Although it sounded drastically different in its original guise as the band had not yet taken in harder punk influences later important in defining their sound.

Paul was still quite shy at this early stage, with Steve taking on more of a frontman role in the very early days of The Jam.

Notable gigs take place with a residency at Michael’s in Woking.

Steve Brookes left The Jam in 1975 as he wanted to keep more of a Beatles influenced sound whereas Paul has begun to take in harder influences including Dr. Feelgood & the Sex Pistols.

If you have enjoyed Music Maps please subscribe, like or leave a review or a comment.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne is our focus this week as Keith Kahn-Harris joins us to mark the release of his book The Beautiful Death of Ozzy Osborne - How Metal Teaches Us To Live. Out now in the US & the UK.

Our journey starts in Aston, a suburb of Birmingham where a young Ozzy Osbourne grows up.

His first band is the Pulka Tulk Blues Band who gig around the established circuit before eventually morphing into Black Sabbath.

Legend has it that Tony Iommi injured his fingertip in an industrial accident which inadvertently helped create the Black Sabbath signature sound.

Black Sabbath originated the metal genre almost by accident & Keith tells us how the genre grew from its earliest mentions in the bands early days.

We find out how Paranoid began as a throwaway track written in 5 minutes at the end of a session & we discuss some of their other key tracks including War Pigs & Iron Man.

We also cover the famous Live Aid performance of 1985, the infamous bat story, The Osbournes & Ozzfest.

Keith also takes us on a walk through Black Sabbath’s Birmingham leading up to the bands final gig the Back To The Beginning show at Villa Park in the summer of 2025.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us to go back 25 years to the release of The Strokes debut album Is This It. 

Steven’s new book Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes is out now in the US & also here in the UK. 

The story begins when future Stroke frontman Julian Casablancas meets future bassist Nikolai Fraiture meet as kids. 

They hold a shared interest in music as they grow up before Julian is sent to Switzerland to attend a boarding school where he meets guitar player Albert Hammond Jr. 

They later reconnect in New York as Julian is putting together a band. 

The lineup comes together with Albert becoming the final member to join. 

The first Strokes gig takes place at The Spiral in Manhattan in September of 1999 & with the help of guru J.P. Bowersock they build the material which becomes their debut release The Modern Age EP, released on Rough Trade in the UK. 

Is This It is released in the Autumn of 2001 & is an immediate success in the UK, however it is a slower process in the US with their star not rising until a year or so later. 

We hear about the unique drum & vocal sounds on Is This It & the process behind some of the albums biggest songs as well as what Tom Petty made of the similarity between Strokes hit single Last Nite & his own American Girl. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marco Pirroni joins us to talk us through his huge success with Adam & The Ants - Marco’s new book Your Money Or Your Life is out now. 

It all starts with a note through Marco’s door which simply says ‘Call Me, Adam’. 

The next day Marco & Adam Ant meet & before long they are recording together at Rockfield Studios. 

Drummers Chris Hughes, Terry Lee & bassist Kevin Mooney soon round out the lineup giving the band its unique 2 drummer sound. 

Their first gig takes place at the Electric Ballroom & the band are soon signed to CBS, preferring a major to an indie label. 

Kings of the Wild Frontier is the bands breakthrough & the album which follows featured some unorthodox recording techniques including creating giant ant noises & recording fire extinguishers. 

Early gigs are marred by chaos & occasional crowd trouble as Dog Eat Dog becomes another success, bringing the band their first appearance of Top Of The Pops. 

Stand & Deliver & Prince Charming both reach number 1 with their quirky & groundbreaking music videos becoming a key part of the bands marketing. 

Prince Charming is the subject of a plagiarism claim from Rolf Harris while Diana Dors appears in the video. 

Gary Tibbs formerly of Roxy Music joins Adam & The Ants & they undertake their biggest tour to date, the Prince Charming Revue. 

However Marco dislikes touring & stops playing live with the band, although he continues use to write & record with Adam. 

The band breaks up shortly after as Adam launches a solo career. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Fletcher joins us to talk about his new book POW!: When UK Punk Went Pop, 1980-84.

Starting with his Jammin’ fanzine at age 13, by the time he is 14 Tony writes a letter to Paul Weller & receives a reply. 

He is invited to RAK Studios in London whereThe Jam are making what becomes All Mod Cons.

He begins a relationship with The Jam & amongst other tales nearly ends up with the famous WHAM! Roy Lichtenstein guitar from the Start! video, his band Apocalypse open for the band air their final gigs at Wembley Arena & in Brighton. 

Concurrently Tony is also writing for The Face magazine & is dispatched to Nottingham with Madness, the thinking being they may open up to a 16 year old rather than an established music writer. 

Tony puts on early gigs for his band Apocalypse along with other bands including The Birthday Party at The Africa Centre in Soho. 

He has a ringside seat for the end of The Jam & shortly after Paul Weller simply gives him the Jamming record label they had founded together. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elliott Smith is our focus this week & we are joined by Jamie Fisher whose new book - Nobody Broke Your Heart: An Intimate Biography of Elliott Smith is out now in the UK & the US. 

What differentiates Jamie’s book from others about Elliott Smith is the people who she spoke to when writing it - the Smith family were involved & talked to her at length. 

Elliot Smith’s formative influences included Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr. & the Beatles & he started to write songs early in life, often holding onto melodies for years before finalising them into songs. 

Elliott Smith’s parents separated when he was young & tensions with his stepfather led to his relocation to Portland, Oregon. 

While there he formed Heatmiser with Neil Gust, Tony Lash & Jason Hornick. 

All the while he was writing his own softer, gentler material but was hesitant to pursue it out of respect for his band mates. 

The recordings that become his debut solo album Roman Candle are made for around $20 & despite never being intended for release, do come out on local label Cavity Search Records. 

Elliott moved to the Kill Rock Stars label after meeting label founder Slim Moon & his self-titled follow up appeared in 1995, featuring Needle In The Hay, his best known work to date. 

In 1997 film director Gus Van Sant becomes enamoured with Elliott’s music & approaches him to contribute music to his next film, Good Will Hunting, written by & starring Matt Damon & Ben Affleck. 

Four of Elliott’s songs from the Either/Or album ultimately appear on the soundtrack & lead to an appearance at the 1998 Academy Award Ceremony, wearing a now legendary white suit, performing Miss Misery which closes the movie. 

Elliott Smith sings with DreamWorks & now has a bugger budget & access not available to him before, his next album Figure Eight follows. 

Despite the label being happy with the records sales, Elliott was not, constantly comparing himself to The Beatles & Bob Dylan. 

Elliott passes away on August 6th 2003 & his final recordings, From a Basement on the Hill is released posthumously in 2004. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first episode focusing on Crosby, Stills Nash & Young with Rolling Stone’s David Browne.

David’s book is out now or on audio if you prefer. 

David also has a regularly updated substack you can subscribe to with lots of his music writing. 

CSNY comes together after David Crosby, Stephen Stills & Graham Nash all leave their previous bands (Crosby from The Byrds, Stills from Buffalo Springfield & Nash from British group The Hollies). 

They meet in Los Angeles & informally play together. Cass Elliot encourages them to form a group & the rest is history. 

Initially they travel to London to audition for The Beatles’ Apple label but ultimately sign with Atlantic Records back in the US following a complex arrangement to release them from their prior labels. 

They self-produce their debut album which is an immediate success but shortly after they add Neil Young & become a four piece. 

Neil brings his wealth of material to the band but is a headstrong individual, changing the dynamic. 

Their second public performance takes place at Woodstock with Neil not appearing in any of the footage leader featured in the Woodstock film. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early 1970s the music scene is dominated by prog rock concept pieces, synth solos & overblown tours. 

The societal backdrop in Great Britain is one of labour & coal strikes, riding inflation & unemployment & a struggling economy. 

In the background of this upheaval an American band named Eggs Over Easy begin to play gigs at The Tally-Ho in Kentish Town in North London. 

Another band who come on the scene is Brinsley Schwartz featuring Nick Lowe who goes on to become a key part of the story. 

Along with The Tally-Ho others key venues include the Hope & Anchor ins Islington, the Lord Nelson & the Kensington. 

Pub rock received positive coverage in the music press of the day & Ian Dury enters the scene after several good reviews for his band Kilburn & the High Roads. 

Dr. Feelgood become the first band from the pub rock scene to attain a degree of commercial success including a number 1 album. 

The short-lived outfit The 101ers come to an end when Joe Strummer departs to make heavier, punkier music inspired by The Sex Pistols who they share a bill with at The Nashville in West London. 

Stiff Records is another key part of the story & Nick Lowe produces a number of early releases including the Damned’s first album & debut single New Rose, often credited as the first punk single in the UK. 

He also produces other offshoots from the pub rock scene including Graham Parker & Ian Dury’s debut albums & Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True. The scene fizzles out once punk arrives. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first episode about Jimi Hendrix & we are joined by Jimi’s former roadie Eric Barrett. 

Eric ran into Mitch Mitchell & Noel Redding, bassist & drummer in The Jimi Hendrix Experience in a club & received a phone call shortly after asking him to fly to Milan to work his first gig with Jimi. 

Eric had met them on a previous tour working for a band named The Koobas who had opened for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. 

It proves a baptism of fire as Eric is expected to learn how to work with Jimi during a gig almost instantly. 

Eric attended the famous Saville Theatre show where Hendrix opened with Sgt. Pepper with several Beatles in the audience. 

The band live in a house together with Eric in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles, where they race sports cars, survive drug busts & more. 

Electric Lady Studios opens in New York & Jimi’s focus turns to recording, but not before his most iconic gig takes place at Woodstock in August of 1969. Eric tells us about this legendary gig & his role in it along with Jimi’s performance at the Isle of Wight festival the following year. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we take a deep dive into the AOR scene of the 1980s, re-appraising some often overlooked bands & music. 

We start with the story of Boston, where an MIT graduate named Tom Scholz spends 7 years practicing & making demos before coming up with ‘More Than a Feeling’ & achieving huge success. 

Meanwhile Ann & Nancy Wilson form the female fronted band Heart - scoring several number 1 singles.

Journey are put together in a different way, assembled by manager Herbie Herbert. Initially there is resistance from the existing band embers when Herbert brings in lead singer Steve Perry, finding him working on a turkey far in California. But that stance softens once commercial success appears. 

Meanwhile in the midwest of the US bands such as REO Speedwagon & Styx are forging their own path based largely on work ethic - playing a lot of gigs & building a local following. 

Toto come together via the Los Angeles session musician scene & have previously played on Michael Jackson’s Thriller amongst hundreds of sessions.

The producers are significant part of AOR, specifically Mutt Lange who brings Def Leppard to prominence & is instrumental in Foreigner’s huge fourth album. 

Bands like Van Halen & Bon Jovi are on the periphery but manage to sustain their success beyond some of the others as the scene fades once drugs, changing fashions, song doctors & a well worn formula bring one end to the glory days of AOR. 

In 2007 David Chase chooses ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ to close the final episode of The Sopranos, opening the song & the genre open t a whole new audience. As of today the track has 2.9 billion streams on Spotify. 

Toto also find a new audience via the track Africa appearing in Stranger Things. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a deep dive into Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska with writer Warren Zanes, author of Deliver Me From Nowhere which was recently made into a Hollywood movie. 

In late 1981 Bruce Springsteen is coming off his biggest success to date with The River album & tour plus his first hit single, Hungry Heart. 

But rather than offer more of the same Springsteen offers a curveball - a quiet, almost ghostly sounding record with no hit singles, no tour & not even any interviews to support it. 

Springsteen had recently relocated to a house in Colts Neck, New Jersey, where he recorded the bulk of the album on the evening of January 3rd 1982 on a TEAC 144 home recorder. 

Influenced by the films of Terence Malick, specifically Badlands, the writing of Flannery O’Connor & the first couple of Suicide albums, Springsteen recorded what were intended as home demos in a bedroom. 

Later attempts to re-record the material with the E Street Band proved largely fruitless & they eventually went back to the original water damaged cassette recording, which was released as the finished album. 

The album proved hugely influential to the likes of Steve Earle & Matt Berninger (The National) & even Johnny Cash recorded two of its tracks. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are joined by author Rachel Brodsky to talk about the life & career of Stevie Nicks. Rachel’s new book Lessons & Lace is out now. 

Stevie Nicks was born in Phoenix & moved around a lot as a child, finally settling in Los Angeles. 

Her grandfather AJ Nicks was a country singer who would take her to saloons her played in as a child. 

She grew up listening to the likes of the Everly Brothers & Buddy Holly before receiving her first guitar at age 16 & begins to take music more seriously. 

After meeting Lindsay Buckingham at Menlo-Atherton High School she ends up joining local band Fritz. They achieve a degree of success in the LA area opening for Jimi Hendrix & Janis Joplin. 

Before long Stevie Nicks & Lindsay Buckingham break off on their own & perform as a duo, releasing one album on Polydor. 

The album is not a success & they both join Fleetwood Mac shortly after, Mick Fleetwood being the driving force in getting them to join. 

The strong relationship between Stevie Nicks & Christine McVie becomes the backbone of Fleetwood Mac for decades to come. 

The first album featuring Buckingham & Nicks is self-titled & becomes a success spawning the hit single Rhiannon. 

However it is the second album they are a part of Rumours which propels them into the stratosphere & makes Stevie a huge star. 

Follow up Tusk does not achieve the same level of commercial success but becomes a cult classic over time, meanwhile Stevie embarks on a successful solo career including a hit with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. 

Tango In The Night is another success with Fleetwood Mac & there are various reunions, tours, fallouts & dramas over the years. 

Stevie Nicks continues to be hugely influential today & has appeared with Harry Styles & been name checked by Taylor Swift & Olivia Rodrigo. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Reynolds joins us to talk about his new book Still in a Dream: Shoegaze, Slackers and the Reinvention of Rock, 1984–1994. 

Against a backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s third term in Downing Street & Stock, Aitken & Waterman’s domination of the pop charts a new scene begins to emerge. 

Starting with the Cocteau Twins & developing to include My Bloody Valentine & more, a noisy & dream like sound which comes to be known as Shoegaze. 

At the same a more melodic sound appears represented by the likes of the Smiths, Felt, The Pastels & the C86 scene. 

Over in America Sonic Youth achieve notable success & are joined by Dinosaur Jr & Pavement amongst others. 

Grunge arrives in the early 90s while Britpop & Oasis appear in the UK< drawing this period to a close. 

In recent years the shoegaze sound has reappeared by a sleuth of young bands while many of its originators including Slowdive, Lush & My Bloody Valentine have toured in larger venues than they played originally. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us for a live recording with Debsey Wykes about her book Teenage Daydream: We Are The Girls Who Play In A Band. 

Debsey’s early musical experiences were centred around Cambridge & her early interests included The Bay City Rollers, Queen & David Bowie. 

Punk arrived soon after & her tastes developed into The Damned, The Jam & The Stranglers. 

Her & a couple of friends have the idea to form an all girl band which becomes Dolly Mixture. 

They draw the attention of John Peel, get a mention in NME after only two months of rehearsals & incredibly play the largest venue in Cambridge, The Corn Exchange on only their fourth gig. 

After a couple of gigs with U2 & a tour with The Undertones, their debut single Baby Its You is released, a cover of the Bacharach & David track. 

However they don’t end up signing to Chrysalis Records & their second single is released on Paul Weller’s Respond Records. 

The Weller family are hugely supportive & the band want Ann Weller to manage them. 

They later appear on Happy Talk by Captain Sensible which leads to an appearance on Top of the Pops. 

The only Dolly Mixture album The Demonstration Tapes is released towards the end of the bands lifespan. 

The band member stayed in touch & their legacy has been kept alive by a documentary by Paul Kelly & various reissues with Bob Stanley. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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We welcome legendary music writer Peter Guralnick as we take a deep dive into the fascinating relationship between Elvis Presley & his manager Colonel Tom Parker. 

Peter first gained access to Parker’s archives in the mid 1990s & what he found may change your view of Tom Parker & his relationship with Elvis.

Parker was born in Breda, Holland in 1909 & came to the US in 1926, renaming himself Tom Parker, he creates an origin story about his life in the US & never returns to Europe. 

In his early years in the United States he travels as a hobo, works on travelling carnivals before beginning to manage musical artists. Scoring huge success with country stars Eddy Arnold & Hank Snow. 

In early 1955 Parker first hears about a singer from Tupelo, Mississippi named Elvis Presley after he draws 800 people to a nearby show. Bowled over by what he finds & the hysterical crowd reactions, Parker begins to promote Presley immediately. 

Parker gets Elvis off Sun Records for a more lucrative deal with RCA, after RCA meet Sun founder Sam Phillips $35,000 number to agree to the deal. His first new recording for RCA is Heartbreak Hotel. 

We also debunk numerous parts of the relationship between The Colonel & The King including Parker’s part in Presley’s acting career, the lack of foreign touring, the famous 50/50 revenue split & the sale of his master recordings to RCA. 

Parker never worked with another artist following Presley’s death, turned down a million dollar deal to write a memoir, didn’t give interviews & rarely spoke in public. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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An episode we have wanted to bring you since before we recorded our first episode - the birth of British rock & roll with 2 legendary drummers, Brian Bennett from The Shadows & Clem Cattini of The Tornados. 

It starts at the 2i’s Coffee Bar at 59 Old Compton Street, Soho in London. 

Opened by 2 Iranian brothers (hence the name) the coffee bar is taken over by 2 professional wrestlers - Dr Death Paul Lincoln & Rebel Ray Hunter in April of 1956. 

Rock & roll bands begin to lay in the dark, sweaty basement, coming together from skiffle bands & word of mouth. 

For a time it was the only venue to hear original rock & roll in London & Tommy Steele is discovered there shortly after. 

As word gets around people begin to travel to play at the club including Bruce Welch & Hank Marvin who travel all the way from Newcastle for the chance to play. 

Brian & Clem go onto play with other bands including Marty Wilde, Joe Meek, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran & Billy Fury. 

Brian Bennett joins The Shadows & co-writes Summer Holiday while Clem Cattini is part of the first band to score a US number 1 single with Telstar, The Tornados. 

Adam Faith, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Sheridan, Kris Kristofferson & Georgie Fame, Marc Bolan amongst many more attended or played at the 2i’s during its lifespan, closing in the late 60s. 

We also hear stories about Ginger Baker, Lulu, Keith Moon, The Beatles & Clem nearly playing with the Fab Four on their Australian tour instead of Jimmie Nicol. 

Clem also nearly joined Led Zeppelin & Wings but didn’t fancy either, for differing reasons. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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We turn our attention to one of the most influential bands of all time, The Velvet Underground for the first time with biographer Richie Unterberger. 

Lou Reed grew up in suburban Freeport, Long Island listening to the first wave of rock & roll. 

Later at Syracuse University Reed began to write future Velvet Underground tracks including Heroin & I’m Waiting For The Man, while there he also met future Velvets guitarist Sterling Morrison. 

Meanwhile in Garnant, Wales a young John Cale was a musical child prodigy, later moving to Goldsmiths College in London & on to New York on a music scholarship. 

After graduating Lou Reeds ends up at budget record label Pickwick Records writing songs on demand for immediate release. 

Through Pickwick, Lou Reed & John Cale meet & Lou begins to visit John in his Ludlow Street apartment in Manhattan. 

Also in New York, Lou coincidentally bumps into Sterling Morrison & he joins them in what becomes The Velvet Underground, all living together in Ludlow Street. 

The band take their name from a pulp novel by Michael Leigh & drummer Moe Tucker replaces Angus MacLise to complete the classic lineup. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us & Paul Morley to hear all about Yoko Ono & the Avant-Garde Diaspora. 

We hear about her early years in Tokyo, born into an almost aristocratic background via her banker father, before her eventual relocation to New York to enter the art world.

Once in New York Yoko goes on to create numerous significant works of art including Cut Piece & Grapefruit before meeting John Lennon in late 1966. 

Paul also gives us an overview of the avant-garde world prior to Yoko Ono, including The Incoherents, Marcel Duchamp, Fluxus & John Cage. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us for a deep dive into an iconic gig venue, the legendary Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom. 

The building was first opened by Maggie McIver on Christmas Eve 1934 & hosts dances for the East End of Glasgow for decades, however once the big band era passes the venue begins to decline & loses popularity following the infamous Bible John murders in the late 1960s. 

After a brief period as a Roller Disco the venue is revived following Simple Minds filming their Waterfront video in 1983. 

In 1985 the famous neon sign goes up on the exterior of the building & the venue is still family ran to this day. 

We hear about what makes the venue so famous from its legendary acoustics, to the ceiling stars & original features & also the famous Barrowlands atmosphere. 

Some of the famous performances at the Barrowlands include The Pogues debuting Fairytale of New York with Joe Strummer on guitar, Noel Gallagher finishing an Oasis gig solo after Liam Gallagher walks off stage, debuting Whatever on acoustic guitar. 

Unknown local acts Lewis Capaldi & Rianne Downeyt play early gigs at the venue while Scottish band The Saw Doctors hold the record for the most appearances at the Barrowlands. 

Others to play the venue include Bob Dylan, David Bowie & dozens more. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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So today we take a deep dive into the early life of Ringo Starr, how he joined the Beatles & their subsequent unprecedented success. 

After overcoming various serious Illnesses as a child, a young Ringo first develops an interest in drumming while in hospital recovering. 

His first arrives courtesy of stepfather Harry Graves & before long Ringo is drumming in skiffle bands around Liverpool before moving on to join Rory Storm & the Hurricanes where he comes known as Ringo for the first time.

Having met the other Beatles briefly back in Liverpool, Ringo finds himself in Hamburg at the same time as them. After sitting in with the band for the increasingly unreliable Pete Best, Ringo is asked to join the band in 1962. 

His first gig with the band takes place at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight in August of that year. Back at The Cavern some fans take a dislike to Pete’a replacement & some dissent & altercations follow. 

The Beatles debut album comes out in February of 1963 & features Ringo’s debut vocal performance with the band, Boys. 

I Wanna Be Your Man follows on With The Beatles but by now the Starkey family home in The Dingle is besieged with Beatle fans, eventually forcing the family to relocate. 

The Beatles arrive in the US in February of 1964 & Ringo plays a starring role in their debut press conference in New York. 

Ringo goes on to become the most popular Beatle stateside inspiring a number of novelty releases about him. 

One of Ringo’s catchphrases becomes the title of the Beatles debut feature film A Hard Days Night later in 1964 & he receives positive reviews for his acting in the film. 

Other notable Ringo tracks include Act Naturally & What Goes On but it’s 1966’s Yellow Submarine which gives Ringo his first number one. 

Another memorable Ringo vocal is released the following year on Sgt. Pepper with A Little Help From My Friends. 

Some of Ringo’s most memorable drum parts appear on Rain, Ticket To Ride & A Day In The Life. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us for a very special live episode to mark the release of Dreaming Of You - The Making of the Coral - the new documentary available now to rent or buy. 

Our starting point is the faded seaside town of Hoylake, on the Wirral Peninsula near Liverpool, where The Coral meet & come together to form the band. 

Before music James & Ian Skelly live in a fantasy world of Ghostbusters, Transformers, Thundercats & Turtles - aided partly by their Dad’s market stall selling toys in Liverpool. 

Its drummer Ian Skelly & bassist Paul Duffy who start the band with singer James Skelly eventually joins them & guitarists Bill Ryder-Jones & Lee Southall follow. 

Nick Power completes the lineup & James stumbles on the name The Coral & it sticks. 

Early influences include Captain Beefheart, Pink Floyd, The La’s, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, The Beach Boys, Dr. Dre, Peter Green & Oasis. In time this morphs into a love for The Beta Band, Super Furry Animals & Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci. 

A scene develops in Liverpool around The Zanzibar & The Bandwagon involving Tramp Attack, The Skylarks, The Bandits & The Zutons. 

The Coral begin to play regularly at The Cavern, entertaining Beatles tourists in a regular Sunday afternoon slot. 

The band are introduced to Deltasonic founder Alan Wills & not long after release debut single Shadows Fall. 

Shortly after the band sign to Sony after a gig at Night & Day in Manchester.

Ian Broudie comes in as producer for what becomes the debut album which reaches 5 in the charts when released in July 2002. 

Hit single Dreaming Of You almost doesn’t appear on the album when the band are reluctant to include it, but ultimately have a change of heart. 

2nd single Goodbye gets the band on Top Of The Pops & also gives the band the chance to build a full size Wicker Man for the accompanying video. 

A large headline gig takes place in a big top in New Brighton dubbed A Midsummer Nights Scream with The Libertines, The Bees, The Zutons, The Thrills & The Basements & makes the end of the first chapter of The Coral. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell116 - The Coral with James Skelly, Nick Power & James Slater (Hoylake)

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Altman

John’s Uncles Sid Phillips & Wolf Phillips were big band conductors at the London Palladium so John grew up around the likes of Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong & Jack Benny.

At a young age he played with the likes of Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green, John Martyn, Nick Drake, Bridget St. John & Kevin Ayers.

He joined Hot Chocolate & also found time to jam with Jimi Hendrix, have a laugh with Freddie Mercury & have Muddy Waters attend his 21st birthday party. 

John also had a hand in the music of Monty Python playing a key role in the Life Of Brian spinoff hit Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. 

Beatles spoof The Rutles featured John’s work & we hear how he recreated the famous Beatles sound on record. 

Moving into the world of cinema & John had a hand in the music of Pierce Brosnan’s first turn as James Bond in 1995’s Goldeneye & also in 1997’s Titanic which became the biggest movie of all time up to that point. We hear about a frantic phone call from James Cameron during the making of Titanic. 

John has also played on an estimated 4000 TV adverts ranging from Sheila’s Wheels to You Can Do It If You B&Q It, working with the likes of John Frankenheimer, Ridley & Tony Scott, Alan Parker, Elliot Erwitt, David Bailey & Terance Donovan. He also worked with Salman Rushdie as a lyricist, but never knew he was also a writer. 

Fans of Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman can hear about John’s work on Walking In The Air with Aled Jones. 

In the late 90s, a club in London known as 10 Room was founded, at first it started slowly but picked up once Lionel Richie & Chakak Khan turned up & played. In the coming years it hosted the likes of Nas, Will Smith, Chris Tucker, Kanye West, John Legend, Backstreet Boys, Ja Rule, Wycliffe Jean, Joss Stone & Amy Winehouse. 

We hear about proposed albums with Amy Winehouse & Dusty Springfield which do not come to fruition. 

And if that isn’t enough John throws in stories about Prince, Bjork & working on George Michael’s Faith for good measure. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Jon King joins us to talk about the early years & formation of the Gang of Four - formed at Leeds University while Jon studied art. 

Jon was born in South London but moved to a village near Sevenoaks in Kent & while the King household rarely featured music, Jon grew up listening to Motown & Trojan Records before discovering Bob Dylan & the Velvet Underground. 

Another notable formative experience was bumping into John Lennon on Sevenoaks high street, the Beatles were in the area to film the video for Strawberry Fields Forever. Lennon also purchased the circus poster which inspired Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite on the same visit. 

Once up in Leeds, Jon blagged a trip to New York under the guise of needing to see Jasper John’s paintings in the flesh. While there he attends CBGBs & sees Richard Hell & the Voidoids, the Dead Boys & the other seminal New York bands. 

Gang Of Four’s first gig takes place in the basement of the Corn Exchange in Leeds & not long after Buzzcocks manager Richard Boon invited them to open for them on tour. 

The bands debut single Damaged Goods comes out on Fast Product Records but the band soon sign with EMI. 

The band’s debut album Entertainment! is released to universal acclaim & leads to a deal with Warner Brothers in the US & similar praise from the likes of Greil Marcus & Jerry Wexler. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Take a deep dive with us into the end of the Beatles, Paul McCartney in the 70s, Wings Over America, Mary Had a Little Lamb, feuding with John Lennon & more with writer Tom Doyle whose McCartney biography Man On The Run is out now. 

The Beatles come to an end & Paul takes refuge at High Park Farm in Scotland, taking a little time to consider his next move. 

Amid the Paul Is Dead rumours, Paul releases his debut lo-fi solo album McCartney followed not long after by Ram - credited to he & Linda. 

It is Linda who plays a key role in getting him back into music & she ends top in his next band, Wings. 

There are some nasty public exchanges with John Lennon culminating in the acerbic How Do You Sleep on Lennon’s Imagine album. 

Wings first tour is a series of unannounced gigs at universities around the UK & Wildlife becomes their debut album. 

Red Rose Speedway follows not long after but its James Bond theme Live & Let Die which becomes their first huge success. 

Not long after Wings decamp to Lagos, Nigeria to record what becomes Band On The Run, but not before losing 2 members, completing the album as a three piece (Paul, Linda & Denny Laine). 

Paul begins to reconnect with John Lennon & the other Beatles by the middle of the decade & also begins to play Beatles songs for the first time on the hugely successful Wings Over America tour - feeling he has enough new hits to blend in with the older material. 

Following a drugs bust in Japan, Wings Peters out without a formal announcement, leaving a charity gig at Hammersmith Odeon in late 1979 as their last gig. 

John & Paul are on better terms by the end of the decade with their final conversation coming in October 1980 on the occasion of John’s 40th birthday. Would the Beatles have re-formed had John lived into the 1980s? 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we welcome Melissa Auf der Maur to hear about her new book Even The Good Girls Cry - out now on Atlantic Books. 

Our starting point is Montreal as Melissa recounts growing up listening to The Cure & The Smiths, studying photography & seeing Hole & Smashing Pumpkins in one week in 1991 - both bands she would later join. 

On her first meeting with Hole, Melissa in forced to un-invite the band to stay at her apartment after the roommate objects after seeing Courtney Love in Straight To Hell alongside Joe Strummer. 

After picking up the bass at age 21, her first band Tinker open for the Smashing Pumpkins in Montreal after Melissa writes a letter to Billy Corgan. 

Shortly after the opportunity arises to join Hole - at first Melissa is hesitant but is soon won over after being flown to L.A. to meet the band. 

She took photos the whole time - ending up with an archive of over 15,000 pictures - some of which will feature in a new photo book in the Autumn. 

Hole are offered the chance to appear on The Simpsons - however their management inexplicably turn it down & the Smashing Pumpkins, Cypress Hill & Sonic Youth appear in their place. 

The band are under pressure to deliver on 1998’s Celebrity Skin album as they juggle their schedule around Courtney Love’s burgeoning acting career. 

Melissa leaves Hole shortly after a notable appearance at Glastonbury in 1999 & joins the Smashing Pumpkins - her favourite band. 

She plays over a hundred shows in just under a year - with gigs often running as long as 3 hours, with over a hundred songs to learn. 

Melissa reconnected with Courtney Love, Patty Schemel & Billy Corgan subsequently & today owns & operates Basilica Hudson an arts centre in Hudson, New York. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us for our first episode on one of the seminal bands of the 90s - Nirvana with legendary music writer Everett True. His book Nirvana - The True Story is out now. 

Kurt Cobain & Krist Novoselic meet in Aberdeen, Washington but it’s in Tacoma & Olympia where the band really comes together. 

We hear about Kurt’s early influences including The Melvins, The Raincoats, The Pastels, Teenage Fanclub, Young Marble Giants, Bikini Kill & various releases on local label K Records. 

The first gig billed as Nirvana takes place at the Community World Theatre in Tacoma. 

Nirvana sign to Sub Pop Records in Seattle & their debut single Love Buzz comes out as part of the Singles Club series. We hear about the influence of other local bands Mudhoney & Soundgarden. 

The debut album Bleach is made for $600 & Everett conducts his first interview with the band not long after. 

The band tour the UK starting at Newcastle Riverside & Everett himself joins them onstage at a gig in Nottingham. 

Original drummer Chan Channing leaves Nirvana & is replaced by Dave Grohl as the band sign a major label deal with Geffen Records & producer Butch Vig comes in to help realise the sound of Nevermind. 

Shortly after the band debut a new song named Smells Like Teen Spirit at the OK Hotel in Seattle. The song title famously comes after Kathleen Hanna scrawls ‘Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit’ on an apartment wall. 

The band headline the Reading Festival in England in the summer of 1992 as Everett wheels Kurt Cobain onstage to start the gig. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we celebrate 50 years of The Undertones with guitar player Damian O’Neill. 

Damien kept diaries during the early years of the band & reads extracts for us throughout & he tells us about joining the band age 15 & their first gig at a local scout hall. From there The Undertones honed their craft playing regularly at The Casbah in their hometown of Derry, Northern Ireland. 

His older brother John O’Neill starts to write songs & they record their debut release The Teenage Kicks EP - after which John Peel plays it & becomes a fan - resulting in the songs success & an appearance on Top Of The Pops. 

The day after their TV debut the band return to Derry for a triumphant homecoming gig at The Rocking Chair, a local pub.

Damien tells us about briefly touring with Joy Division & The Rezillos & their ill fated attempt to stage a festival in their hometown headlined by The Clash. The festival is cancelled after Joe Strummer receives a letter from local political loyalists. 

In return for the cancellation, the Undertones get to open for The Clash on a US tour in the Autumn of 1979. 

Damien also tells us about his favourite Undertones tracks, his brother John getting arrested on tour & previews the upcoming 50th anniversary gigs later this year. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we travel to Forest Hills, Queens, New York to trace the origins of the legendary punk band The Ramones. 

While Joey Ramone is actually the only Ramone born in Forest Hills, it is this conversation suburb of New York which creates one of the iconic bands in the history of NYC. 

The bands influences include 1960s Girl Groups, The Beatles, The Beach Boys & Elvis Presley. 

The bands first big takes place in March of 1974 with Joey Ramone on drums. They played original material from the start - with varying explanations as to why. 

Johnny Ramones would probably have preferred to bat for the New York Yankees than be in a band but his famous guitar sound is there from the beginning. 

Arturo Vega designs the famous Ramones logo however he is not paid royalties on the subsequent mass marketing of the design. 

New York City figure Danny Fields comes in as the bands manager & they subsequently sign to Seymour Stein’s Sire Records. 

The debut album clocks in at just 28 minutes & features a now iconic photo taken by Roberta Bailey who had only been taking photos for a few weeks at the time the picture was taken. 

Their next few albums Leave Home & Rocket To Russia repeat the trick with such classics as Rockaway Beach & Sheena is a Punk Rocker. 

Tommy Ramone leaves the band, breaking up the original line up having tired of touring. 

The band continue to search for a hit & bring in Phil Spector for the End Of The Century album. 

Joey & Johnny Ramond fallout & do not speak to each other for 16 years while touring relentlessly. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we bring you a very special conversation between singer/songwriter Amy Rigby & Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go’s) to mark the publication of Amy’s brand new book Girl To Country. 

Amy Rigby has established herself as one of America’s enduring underground/cult/indie artists, combining the insight and humor of country and folk songwriting with classic rock craftsmanship and punk DIY spirit.

Kathy Valentine has been a working musician and songwriter for over 40 years, ever since she started her first band at age 16 in her hometown of Austin, Texas. After moving to Los Angeles, Kathy joined a band that would go on to make music history: The Go-Go’s. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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In July of 1966 the biggest band in the world touched down in Manila in the Philippines to play 2 shows at the Rizal Memorial Stadium - and we are joined by David Guerrero whose book You Won't See Me - When The Beatles Ghosted Imelda is out now on Penguin.

Why did the Beatles choose to play in the Philippines? Who made the call to tack it onto an existing trip to Japan? There are a number of bizarre incidents including a press conference at a local Naval Base, a proposed overnight stay on a boat in Manila Bay & of course the infamous no-show to visit the First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.

Hysterical TV coverage follows & subsequently the huge security detail assigned to the band was withdrawn, as was room service back at their hotel, a large 'income tax' bill also arrives.

All this takes places while the Beatles play 2 of the biggest shows of their career on July 4th 1966 - the daytime show drew a crowd of 30,000 people while over 50,000 attended the evening show (potentially significantly more since many came in through unmanned gates at the stadium).

This was the Beatles final tour & they only play 1 song released in 1966 at either show, their latest single Paperback Writer.

After the 2nd gig things begin to turn sour & when leaving the country the following dat the band are jostled at the airport (resulting in driver Alf Bicknell ending up with fractured ribs), the management at the airport even turn off the escalators & make The Beatles park in the main car park with the general public, not treatment they were accustomed to by 1966.

On the plane out of Manila, John Lennon declares he won't tour again & the bands days as a touring act come to a close the following month after a show at Candlestick Park in San Francisco & to this day none of the Beatles ever returned to the Philippines.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we start in Brooklyn to chart the life & career of Carole King - from her beginnings as part of a local Doo Woo group through to the unprecedented success of Tapestry via New York’s Brill Building. 

Carole King & Gerry Goffin’s big break came when they are asked to write a hit for girl group The Shirelles - the song they hand in, Will You Love Me Tomorrow shoots to number 1 & sells over a million copies. 

They replicate the success with their next release The Locomotion, inspired & sang by their babysitter Eva. 

They have dozens of other hits as one of the key songwriting partnerships of their era including Chains, Up On The Roof, Crying In The Rain, Some Kind of Wonderful & dozens more. 

You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman) becomes a huge hit for Aretha Franklin in 1967 & also features on Carole’s breakthrough solo release Tapestry. 

The album initially receives a quiet reception upon release in 1971 but goes onto sell tens of millions of copies & its influence is still felt today as it is passed down through generations. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Baz Warne frontman of The Stranglers joins us this week to talk us through his new book & to tell us a little about his recent tour & his history with The Stranglers, the Toy Dolls & more. 

Baz was born in Sunderland but it was while briefly living in Vancouver he first discovered the guitar. Upon returning to Sunderland, Baz sets about learning to play. 

His diligence is rewarded when at age 19 he is asked to join the biggest band in the north east at the time, punk band The Toy Dolls. He travels across Europe & the US multiple times with the band although his bass part is replaced on the bands biggest hit Nelly The Elephant after he leaves the band after about 18 months. 

His next band Troubleshooters morphs into Small Town Heroes & he spends the next 8 years hammering the circuit in the north east & across the country. 

In 2000 Baz is invited to audition to join The Stranglers although he initially turns down the invitation. After nailing Golden Brown he is offered the job on the spot. 

For his first 3 years with the band he plays guitar as the band play tour consistently - over time he starts to contribute songwriting as the band make a return to form with the Norfolk Coast album. 

Following the 2006 departure of singer Paul Roberts, Baz takes over as vocalist. 

We hear about some of Baz’s most memorable gigs including Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall (with Jimmy Page in attendance) & being heckled in Newcastle. 

Baz also shares a few memorable stories from over the years including encounters with Debbie Harry & AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Roddy Bottum is best known as the keyboard player in Faith No More & his new book The Royal We is out now on Akashic Books. 

Roddy moves to San Francisco from L.A. in 1981 & a l;ittle while later he joins what was originally known as Faith No Man. After a few lineup changes (including a brief stint with Courtney Love as lead vocalist) the band morphs into the first incarnation of Faith No More with Roddy writing their breakthrough track We Care A Lot. 

The band make their first trip to the UK for a small tour including a show at Dingwalls in London. 

Things really start to come together when lead vocalist Mike Patton joins & The Real Thing album comes out in 1989 - backed by a top 10 single in Epic. 

Roddy’s keyboard sound sets the band apart from their contemporaries & a huge tour with Metallica & Guns n Roses follows. We hear about Roddy’s experiences as a gay man in this very masculine & often toxic world. 

The Angel Dust album follows in 1992 as the bands commercial peak continues - the band comes to an end in 1998 although a couple of reunions have took place since in 2009 & 2015. 

Roddy also tells us about his other project Imperial Teen, a very different sounding band to Faith No More. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we celebrate 50 years of The Undertones with the one & only Mickey Bradley - our starting point is Derry in the late 1970s as we trace the formation of the band at the O’Neill house on Beechwood Avenue. 

Although the initial idea for the Undertones was a folk band playing Mandolins - everything changes when they hear The Ramones & the early punk records - realising they need to speed up their songs. 

Vincent O’Neill leaves & younger brother Damien joins to round out the lineup with Feargal, Mickey, Billy & principal songwriter John. 

The first gig takes place in a local scout hall but its at Derry venue The Casbah where the band hone their craft, playing weekly for over 18 months from early 1977.

Their first visit to a recording studio remarkably results in the Teenage Kicks EP & it is released via legendary Belfast record shop burgeoning record label Good Vibrations. 

The bands lives are changed forever when John Peel takes a liking to the record & plays it on his radio show - Mickey tells us about the varying accounts of how Peel got hold of the record. 

John Peel famously played Teenage Kicks twice in a row on September 25th 1978 & Sire Records head Seymour Stein heard it while on a trip to the UK, resulting in the band signing to the prestigious New York home of The Ramones & Talking Heads. 

Teenage Kicks also leads to an appearance on Top Of The Pops (the bands second time in a studio) & the rest is history. 

The Undertones have tour dates throughout 2026 & you can get Mickey’s book here.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we are joined by an all-star panel comprising founder member of The Jam, Steve Brookes, Acid Jazz founder Eddie Piller & Dan Jennings, author of Paul Weller - The Oral History. 

We retrace the early years of The Jam from Steve & Paul playing in Paul’s bedroom on Stanley Road in Woking, through Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler joining the band. 

However Steve dislikes the direction the band is taking & leaves before they are catapulted to success in with In The City after signing to Polydor. 

We hear about their early material, the early mod scene in & around London, the infuleucne of punk on Paul Weller, specifically the Sex Pistols & hoe the famous graffiti The Jam logo was born. 

Eddie Piller tells us about how he interviewed Paul for his fanzine at a young age while also getting Paul a McDonalds, toured across Holland & France going to Jam gigs & how close Paul was to signing for Acid Jazz in the early 90s. 

The story has a happy ending for Steve Brookes when he reconnects with Paul Weller in the 90s - playing on 22 Dreams & other recent Weller projects. We also find out if he might have fit into the Style Council more than The Jam. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week esteemed writer & broadcaster Robert Elms joins us to tell us about the legendary Blitz nightclub in London’s Convent Garden. 

Back then Central London looked very different to today - back then it was an empty & desolate wasteland of abandoned buildings & crumbling blocks. 

But from this rose a cultural phenomenon - starting at Billy’s as a David Bowie night & then moving onto The Blitz came a nightclub so legendary at least 70 of its regulars went onto achieve global prominence in some form. 

Punk had peaked & in the gap came the extravagantly dressed creatures that inhabited The Blitz - regulars included founders Steve Strange & Rusty Egan, Boy George, Sade, Gary & Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet, Mudge Ure, Billy Idol, Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama & many more. 

Within 18 months of this club night starting many of its regulars are in the charts both at home and& in the US with Visage, Ultravox, Spandau Ballet, Sade, Banarama, Culture Club & more all achieving huge success. 

Affirmation came in July 1980 when David Bowie visited The Blitz. 

It was over within 18 months, drawing to an end towards the end of 1980. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us to celebrate 100 episodes of Music Maps with the mighty Kevin Rowland to discuss hew recent memory Bless Me Father & the story of Dexys Midnight Runners. 

We start with Kevin’s early years in Wolverhampton, the families relocation to the London suburbs & how he ended up attending the 1966 World Cup Final & briefly meeting Cassius Clay. 

Kevin’s tells us about his early years as a skinhead, his early musical influences including Bob Dylan & Bryan Ferry, his brief career in hairdressing & the beginnings of his first band Lucy & The Lovers. 

The band morphed into punk band The Killjoys with future bandmate & collaborator Kevin Archer. 

Kevin develops a very specific idea for a band right down to the clothes, the dancing & the unique brass sound. 

We hear how Kevin missed Joy Division while having a haircut, how close Dexys ever came to signing to Two Tone & their appearance on the famous Two Tone tour.

Geno reaches number 1 & Dexys become much better known with their debut album Searching For the Young Soul Rebels (we also hear what actually happened with the demo tapes for the album). 

However just as success arrives Kevin veers in a different direction & develops a new version of Dexys with multiple new members & a different sound. This incarnation go on to score huge hits with Come On Eileen & Jackie Wilson Said both featuring on the Too-Rye-Ay album. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Our starting point is the breakup of The Beatles as writer Tom Doyle joins us to talk through the life of Ringo Starr, his biography is out now.

His debut album Sentimental Journey arrives in March of 1970 & is quickly followed up with Beaucoup of Blues, a set of country standards. 

Ringo has also began to build an acting career with The Magic Christian alongside Peter Sellars. An appearance in Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels follows. 

He appears on not only George Harrison’s blockbuster All Things Must Pass but also John Lennon’s Imagine album. 

Meanwhile he unexpectedly initially becomes the most successful of the solo Beatles, scoring a number of hits including It Don’t Come Easy, I’m The Greatest & Photograph (with the latter becoming the first Beatle to score a number 1 single). 

You’re Sixteen also becomes a number 1 & his third album Ringo becomes his commercial peak with all 3 other Beatles appearing. 

Ringo goes on to feature in the hit film That’ll Be The Day along with some not so successful releases including Son Of Dracula with Harry Nilsson & taking the lead in Caveman. 

The 70’s see Ringo as one of the ‘Hollywood Vampires’ alongside Alice Cooper, Micky Dolenz, John Lennon, Harry Nilsson & Keith Moon. 

Moving into the 1980s & Ringo unexpectedly becomes a hit on children’s television as the voice of Thomas The Tank Engine (or Shining Time Station to American viewers). 

The 90s see Ringo mostly out on the road with his All Starr Band but will be remembered by Beatles fans for the Anthology reunion project & the comeback single Free As a Bird. 

Ringo is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 & continues to perform to this day. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us for a live conversation linked to the recent release of ACR:NYC - Live at Hurrah 1980, with A Certain Ratio, director Merrill Aldighieri - moderated by Dave Haslam.

45 years after A Certain Ratio’s first performance in the US (at Hurrah, NYC in September 1980) the band premiere a film of the performance. The Hurrah performance took place on 12 Sept, just before the band took to the studio to record their 1981 album, To Each, so the live set included tracks that would later appear on the album.

The film exudes some of the energy that the band must have felt being out in NYC at that time, and the excitement of the people they met on the way. ACR will be expanding on stories and memories from that time.

The conversation includes recollections of the trip, the gig, the New York City venues of the era & features stories about Tony Wilson, Madonna, Joy Division, Grace Jones, Johnny Marr & even Robert De Niro's wife.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us to hear all about Pulp with Mark Webber - Mark found his way into the band by way of running the fan club (Pulp People) before eventually joining full time in 1995.

Mark's wonderful new book 'I'm With Pulp Are You' traces the band's history in forensic detail via the many bits of Pulp ephemera Mark collected over the years.

We hear about his initial Pulp fandom, getting to know the band long before joining (his first bands first gig was opening for Pulp), his early influences including David Bowie & the Velvet Underground.

One of his first sessions as a full time member was with producer Chris Thomas recording the iconic Common People & while working on the subsequent album Mark played a key role including coming up with the now famous guitar part for Disco 2000.

We hear about how Pulp came to step in to replace the Stone Roses to headline Glastonbury in 1995, filling in for The Verve - opening for Oasis at Sheffield Arena, working with Scott Walker, the furore over the Sorted For E's & Whizz cover & the infamous BRIT Awards incident with Jarvis Cocker & Michael Jackson.

Mark also tells us about Pulp's recent renaissance which began in 2023 with a huge gig at Finsbury Park in London, their new album More & their plans for 2026 & beyond.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us to round out 2025 by travelling back 30 years to 1995 with writer Anna Doble. 

Among much more we discuss the battle of Britpop with Blur v Oasis, the disappearance of Richie Edwards & the return of the Manic Street Preachers, the emergence of Supergrass, the joy of making tapes, our favourites from 1995, Pulp headlining Glastonbury, Oasis playing Earls Court, queuing up for gig tickets, Robbie Williams leaving Take That, the colossal success of Friends & of course Mariah Carey’s entry into the world of the Christmas single. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we are joined by music writer Paul Morley to guide us through the early years of David Bowie - from his early life in Brixton & Bromley through to his formative experiences in Soho, his early bands & his original desire to be a saxophone player. 

We find out what led to his rebranding of himself from David Jones into the David Bowie the world came to know. 

After meeting Marc Bolan, Bowie was signed by Leslie Conn & released his debut album in 1967, featuring the novelty release The Laughing Gnome. 

Space Oddity follows & after producer Tony Visconti dismissed the song as a novelty, Gus Dudgeon ends up coming in to produce. 

The song has a singular quality & becomes a hit although such is its uniqueness David struggles to follow it up. His 2nd album (also titled David Bowie) follows shortly after & David’s time as an unknown comes to an end. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we welcome Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie to talk us through the history of the band - starting in Glasgow in the early 1980s following in the footsteps of the success of the Sound Of Young Scotland on Postcard Records.

The bands first releases appear to significant fanfare after Melody Maker featured the band on the cover before they’ve released anything - bit their debut on Chrysalis proves to be a false start.

4 years pass before their 2nd album Waking Hours appears on A&M in 1989 featuring their breakthrough single Nothing Ever Happens.

Always The Last To Know becomes another hit & 1995’s Roll To Me breaks the top 10 in America.

In 1998 Del Amitri make the official World Cup song for the Scotland national team after they quality for the World Cup.

The bands go on hiatus in the early 2000’s but make a triumphant return in 2014 at the Hydro in Glasgow & have continued to tour periodically since & a new album came in 2021.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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The story of the Beach Boys begins in Hawthorne, California in the late 1950s as the band come together led by Brian Wilson, originally as The Pendletones & Dennis Wilson suggests they focus on surfing themed material. 

They sign with Capitol Records in 1961 & soon have chart success with Surfin’ Safari, Surfin’ USA & Surfer Girl. 

There is also more introspective material appearing on their albums such as In My Room, The Warmth of the Sun & Don’t Worry Baby. 

They score their first number 1 in 1964 with I Get Around & go onto have a string of hits including California Girls, Barbara Ann, Wouldn’t It Be Nice & Good Vibrations. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us to discuss a music book classic ‘I’m With The Band - Confessions of a Groupie’ with Pamela Des Barres. 

Pamela’s first touchstone in music was the Beatles & she became on obsessive Beatlemaniac after the Fab Four arrive on US soil in early 1964. 

The following year she met Captain Beefheart & it opened up a new world to her on the Sunset Strip in LA. 

Before long she was mixing with the likes of The Byrds, Frank Zappa, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Gram Parsons & Led Zeppelin (legend has it the Zeppelin track ‘Going To California’ is about her & her friends). 

Her many relationships over the years include Keith Moon, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Chris Hillman & Jim Morrison. 

Her band the GTOs were formed by Frank Zappa & went onto release an album. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us & writer Mark Blake to hear about the formation & early years of Pink Floyd - from their beginnings in Cambridge, ultimately relocating to London where the band gets going.

Syd Barrett's songwriting develops quickly & before long the band are playing iconic gigs & 'happenings' at UFO, the Marquee & the Roundhouse.

Joe Boyd produces debut single Arnold Layne but is replaced after Pink Floyd sign with EMI by Beatles engineer Norman Smith for follow up single See Emily Play & debut album The Piper at the Gates Of Dawn.

Syd Barrett's behaviour becomes increasingly unpredictable as the bands profile rises after a tour with Jimi Hendrix & their first US tour.

Bassist Roger Waters begins to assert a greater influence on the band & eventually takes over as the bands principle songwriter when Syd Barrett is replaced by David Gilmour.

Mark's bookShine On - The Oral History of Pink Floydis out now.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we are joined by Ride bassist Steve Queralt to discuss his new album Swallow - which is out now on Sonic Cathedral featuring contributions from Emma Anderson (Lush) & Verity Susman (Memorials).

We also delve into the history of Ride starting in Oxford in the late 1980s where Steve met Andy Bell & Mark Gardner at college, even making a recording of Freedom by George Michael with Andy.

What we now know as the classic Ride sound comes together organically in rehearsals & after almost signing for Warners the band come to the attention of Alan McGee & end up signing with Creation Records.

The first 3 EPs come out in quick succession followed by debut album Nowhere in the autumn of 1990. Tours with Lush, Slowdive & the Pale Saints follow & 2nd album Going Blank again is produced by Alan Moulder following a positive experience with Alan mixing the previous album.

The lead single Leave Them All Behind clocks in at over 8 minutes in length & breaks the top 10 of the singles chart, reaching number 9, marking probably the commercial peak of the shoegaze genre.

Things start to unravel on 3rd album Carnival of Light with John Leckie producing. The album comes out in 1994 but fails to reach the heights of its predecessors - and amid tensions within the band & after quickly releasing the Tarantula album, Ride come to an end in 1996.

Ride do reform in 2015 & it becomes one of the more successful reunions of recent years producing 3 albums & a number of tours & high profile festival appearances, including playing debut album Nowhere in its entirety.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we travel back 20 years to 2005 with writer Paul Vallely to hear about Live 8, the G8 summit, Bob Geldof & Bono & more.

So it starts in 1997 with the landslide general election win for Tony Blair & New Labour. The government will ultimately be sympathetic to the issues of debt & aid which come to the fore eight years later with the huge gig in Hyde Park in London the week before the crucial G8 leaders summit in Gleneagles.

We hear about Bono's appearance at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton where he famously likened Tony Blair & Gordon Brown to Lennon & McCartney.

Also in 2004 is the new Band Air recording headed by Nigel Godrich featuring Paul McCartney, Chris Martin from Coldplay & Bono amongst others.

But Bob Geldof doesn't think another gig would have the same impact as the original Live Aid in 1985 at Wembley Stadium, but he changes his mind when Bono pitches to him 'it was 20 years ago today' with Paul McCartney opening the show with U2.

We hear about the difficulty in getting Hyde Park as the venue & convincing the Royal Parks people to allow an extra 200,000 people to watch on screen in addition to the 300,000 attendees. Bob also convinces original Band Aid cover artist Peter Blake to produce a new artwork for the 2005 edition.

But perhaps the toughest feat he pulls off is convincing Pink Floyd to appear for their first gig in years - we hear how he convinced them to reform & share the stage with more modern acts such as Coldplay with Richard Ashcroft, Elton John with Pete Doherty, Dido, Razorlight, , Ms Dynamite, Travis, Scissor Sisters, Mariah Carey, Joss Stone & Stereophonics with Bill Gates, Will Smith & Brad Pitt all appearing too.

We hear about the near misses including the Rolling Stones & a possible mini Beatles reunion & the old guard are also represented with Paul McCartney closing the show & George Michael returning after also appearing back in 1985.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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We are joined by Peter Jesperson as he tells us about his time spent with R.E.M. & his role in Twin Tone Records in the twin cities of Minneapolis/St.Paul. We also squeeze in a couple of stories about his time around Alex Chilton & the 1993 Big Star reunion.

Peter's career began importing records into Minneapolis from the UK at legendary record store Oar Folk, specifically the first release Beatles albums with the UK tracklistings.

While at Oar Folk the store pioneered in-store appearances & gigs from bands passing through Minnesota including Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Graham Parker, Pere Ubu, Blondie, the Dead Boys, Devo, Ian Dury, The Only Ones & The Ramones (on no less than 3 separate occasions.

We hear about the important Twin Cities venues of the time - The Longhorn, The Depot, First Avenue, The Labor Temple & the 7th Street Entry, 

From there Peter plays a key role in the founding of legendary indie label Twin Tone records with over 300 records released over 20 years & distributed by Rough Trade.

Bands based in the area during this time include Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Husker Du, the Suicide Commandos, Flamingo & more.

In 1981 Peter first hears 'Radio Free Europe' the debut release by R.E.M. & they play their first gig in the area on Thanksgiving of that same year. Over the next year the band are back in Minneapolis on 3 separate occasions & Peter gets to know them & starts joining them at gigs elsewhere.

The band invite him to become their Tour Manager & he unexpectedly ends up sharing a room with Michael Stipe. Peter drives the van into Shea Stadium as one of seven dates the band share with Sting & The Police.

After a year or so with R.E.M. Peter joins back up with the Replacements & his time with the band comes to an end.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we get to talk about one of the best music books of recent years Revolutionary Spirit by Paul Simpson.

Paul was born in Liverpool but grew up in Lancashire alongside future members of Echo & the Bunnymen - Les Patterson & Will Sergeant. After relocating back to Merseyside Paul was frequented legendary Liverpool venue Eric's & became a founder member of The Teardrop Explodes alongside Julian Cope.

He left the Teardrop Explodes to form his own band The Wild Swans & their classic debut single Revolutionary Spirit is funded by Paul's flatmate, Echo & the Bunnymen drummer Pete De Freitas, who also played on the session. It comes out on Bill Drummond's Zoo Records.

After Courtney Love stays in Paul & Pete's flat for 9 months he disbands the Wild Swans & goes on to form Care with future Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie. Briefly a pop star, Paul shares an unexpected encounter with Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder while making a record at AIR Studios in London.

The 2nd incarnation of the Wild Swans end on Seymour Stein's Sire Records but also comes to a premature end. Inbetween Paul enjoys cult success under the name Skyray before a 3rd version of the Wild Swans comes into being & enjoys huge success in the Philippines.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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It is truly a pleasure to welcome Donovan to Music Maps - a true legend of the 60s. His book The Hurdy Gurdy Man is available on Penguin.

We start with his early life in Glasgow in the 1950s & the family relocate to Hatfield in Hertfordshire when Donovan was a teenager. His early influences included Buddy Holly, Hank Williams & Jack Kerouac.

After a trip to Southend on Sea with the blue rock crowd from St. Albans, Donovan is spotted & taken to Tin Pan Alley to make his earliest recordings (The Rolling Stones were also making demos on Denmark Street at the same time).

Into 1965 & Donovan has key encounters with Bob Dylan (contributing to the video for Subterranean Homesick Blues) & The Beatles at the Savoy in London. He also saw the arrival of Jimi Hendrix to London in 1967 first hand.

An A to Z of session players appear on Donovan's records including 3 future members of Led Zeppelin - Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones & John Bonham as he scores big hits with Mellow Yellow, Sunshine Superman & more.

In 1968 Donovan travelled to Rishikesh in India with the Beatles, Mia Farrow, Mike Love & others to study with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, where he taught John Lennon a style of fingerpicking he later used on Julia & Dear Prudence.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we travel back to the 1950's & 60's to hear all about one of the most influential acts of all time The Everly Brothers with biographer Barry Mazor. Don & Phil's Dad Ike was a musician & the brothers are already playing live & on the radio as children.

They sign with Cadence Records in 1956 & record the iconic Bye Bye Love at their very first session. The record sells over a million copies but they follow it up with Wake Up Little Susie which is an even bigger hit.

We find out how they achieved their incredible acoustic guitar sound & hear about their pioneering techniques in the recording studio as well as their friendship with Buddy Holly.

The Everlys sign with Warner Brothers in 1959 & immediately deliver their biggest hit Cathy's Clown. Their first UK tour takes place in 1960 with George Harrison & Graham Nash amongst those in attendance. The duo become a huge influence on the Beatles particularly on their early hit Please Please Me. Their guitar sound can also be heard on Bob Dylan's Highway 51 & It's Alright Me (I'm Only Bleeding).

While they fall out of fashion in the US they remain a big act in the UK & Europe & make some of their best records in the late 60s despite lower sales than at their peak.

The brothers split after a final show at the Knott's Berry Farm theme park in California in 1973, but they return in 1983 for a reunion show at the Royal Albert Hall in London. They record a Paul McCartney track & release a number of new records. They continue until their victory lap on a 2004 farewell tour with Simon & Garfunkel.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we discover the history of The Raincoats - formed by Gina Birch & Ana De Silva in 1977 after they meet at Hornsey Art College in London. The Sex Pistols & The Slits are influences on the burgeoning band & they end up signing to Rough Trade.

The classic all female lineup debuts at Acklam Hall in London in January of 1979 & debut single Fairytale In The Supermarket is followed by their debut album later in the year.

The Raincoats release several further albums but the band comes to an end in 1984 however a huge resurgence in the band comes in the 90s spearheaded by super fan Kurt Cobain.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us for a LIVE episode with Lawrence, Will Hodgkinson & Sian Pattenden to discuss STREET LEVEL SUPERSTAR - one of the best music books of all time. 

We retrace Lawrence’s career from Felt & Denim to Mozart Estate & through to the present day. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy MaxwellIt takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Recorded at The Ivy House, Nunhead

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us & take a trip to Essex as we focus in on the early years of Blur with drummer Dave Rowntree. His new photograph book is called No One You Know: Early Blur Photos.

We begin in Colchester where a young Dave meets future Blur guitarist Graham Coxon on the local music scene. Graham later invites Dave to a mate's gig at local venue the Colchester Arts Centre, that mate turns out to be Damon Albarn.

The trio begin to play together in Colchester & London after Graham moves from saxophone to lead guitar. A vacancy on bass opens up & is filled by Graham's neighbour in his Goldsmiths College hall of residence, Alex James.

The first Blur (then known as Seymour) gig takes place at the East Anglian Railway Museum in the summer of 1989 & after a positive write up in the pages of Music Week, the band are signed within 6 months of forming. Blur end up on Food Records & following a name change become known for their chaotic & energetic gigs.

The label are keen for the band to pursue a 'baggy' sound with the Manchester scene still prominent in 1990 & debut single She's So High is released in October of 1990.

Things really take off once producer Stephen Street comes into the fold. Follow up single There's No Other Way breaks the top 10, peaking at number 8.

Debut album Leisure follows in the summer of 1991 & features a 1954 Charles Hewitt photograph on the cover.

Dave begins to document this early period by taking photographs, eventually taking hundreds which were edited down for the book. They cover the bands first trips to the US, Japan & Mexico & document a time when the world did not yet know Blur.

You can buy Dave's book here.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we travel north of the border to talk about the history of the Bay City Rollers, one of a handful of British bands to have a number 1 single in the UK & the US. 

Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood is our guest & he tells us about going the band after working as a roadie for them first. Once officially a member Woody joins the band, who are without a hit for a few years at this point touring the working men’s clubs & Mecca ballrooms of Scotland & the north of England. 

The band explode in popularity in 1974 & we find out about how the tartan clothing came to be so closely associated with the band, various injuries sustained, how Woody’s family dealt with the fans gathered at the family home & even starring in their own TV show. 

The Bay City Rollers success is replicated in the US, Australia, Japan & around the world. 

Famously the bands financial situation becomes messy & takes over 40 years to find a resolution meanwhile there are various revivals of the Rollers from the late 1980s onwards including a homecoming gig at T in the Park in Scotland in 2016 & today the band is thriving with a new lineup. Woody still plays with the band & has taken over as the custodian of the Bay City Rollers legacy. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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This week we have a world exclusive - we are the first podcast to discuss Freddie Mercury's recently discovered diaries/notebooks with biographer Lesley-Ann Jones.

You may have seen it reported in the press that Freddie Mercury left 17 volumes of notebooks to a daughter hardly anyone knew existed - we find a bit more out about these diaries which amount to 500,000 words in length & make up several autobiographies worth of information.

Within its pages we hear about Freddie's early years in Zanzibar, his summer holidays in Bombay, the fantasy land of Rhye, his lifelong passion for the royal family. the Bulsara family's sudden relocation to Feltham in South London & a Freddie the world never knew.

We hear new details regarding the writing or many of his most famous songs including Bohemian Rhapsody.

Freddie Mercury made his home at Garden Lodge in Kensington, the contents of which were sold off in a 2023 auction raising over £40m - what might Freddie have made of the auction? Or the suggestion the house should be turned into a Graceland style exhibit? Would Queen have toured again or would Freddie have retired?

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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In May 1980 an unknown Paul Westerberg walked into Oar Folk Records in Minneapolis & handed Peter Jesperson a demo tape. When Peter eventually got round to playing it he was bowled over by what he heard & asked to come & see them play live.

All does not go to plan as the band are thrown out of the venue as Peter arrives at the venue. He later falls into becoming their manager & creates the Twin Tone label in Minneapolis for the band.

It takes over 7 months to finish their debut album but before long the band begin to gain traction on college radio across the United States. The mini album Stink follows soon after & the Hootenanny album follows in April of 1983.

Peter briefly breaks off from the Replacements to become tour manager for R.E.M. & the bands tour together. The sessions for what becomes the Let It Be album begin towards the end of 1983 & the album becomes the top selling record in Twin Tone history.

An eventful trip to New York begins with the band making the cover of the Village Voice & playing a secret gig with Alex Chilton at CBGB's. The trip culminates in a show at Irving Plaza where Seymour Stein sees the band & later signs them to Sire Records.

The Replacements appear on Saturday Night Live in support of their next record Tim but Peter's time with the band comes to a sudden end in 1986.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Join us this week on Music Maps as we dive into the world of metal with Randy Blythe, the frontman of Lamb of God. Hear about his journey from a small-town punk rocker to global success.

Randy tells us about the early years of Lamb Of God, when they all worked day jobs in addition to the band, through to signing for Epic Records in 2004.

We also hear about Lamb Of God's recent participation in the final Black Sabbath show at Villa Park in Birmingham - Back To The Beginning & Randy's longstanding relationship with Ozzy Osbourne.

We discuss first hearing the Sex Pistols' Never Mind The Bollocks as a teenager as well as other significant influences including Nick Cave, Iggy Pop, Bad Brains, Judas Priest, Napalm Death, Black Flag & Henry Rollins, 

Randy is also an accomplished photographer & he tells us how he got into the medium, developed his skills & his love for the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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Maybe I'm Amazed - A Story of Love & Connection in 10 Songs is one of the music books of the year it tells the story of how writer John Harris connects with his autistic son James via the music of The Clash, The Velvet Underground, The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Ian Hunter, Magazine, The Band, Wire, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Amy Winehouse & more.

We hear how music was woven into the fabric of James's life, becoming an essential part of who he is. It takes us through the struggles of raising an autistic child in a prejudiced world, and uncovers a hidden history of neurodivergence and creativity that casts new light on why notes, chords and lyrics speak so powerfully to the human mind.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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We go back to the sixties this week as we welcome Tom McGuinness to tell us about his various number 1s as a member of Manfred Mann. 

A chance meeting with a young Eric Clapton at the Station Hotel in Richmond led to them forming The Roosters, it fizzles out but the are both briefly involved in another band, Casey Jones & the Engineers. 

Eric drifts off to the Yardbirds shortly after & Tom ends up in Manfred Mann. It wasn’t until Tom heard Eric’s work with John Mayall he realised how far he would go. 

Upon joining The Manfreds, their breakthrough hit 5-4-3-2-1 had been recorded but was not yet released. It had been commissioned as a new theme for the popular music TV program Ready, Steady, Go! 

In the autumn of 1964 Do Was Diddy Diddy goes to number 1 in the UK & the US as part of the British Invasion, despite it almost getting dropped from the bands live set prior to release. 

The band become known for their Bob Dylan covers, scoring a string of hits with Dylan tracks including ‘If You Gotta Go, Go Now’, ‘With God On Our Side’ & the Mighty Quinn. 

Pretty Flamingo becomes their next number 1 in May of 1966 as Tom moves from bass to lead guitar. We find out about Bruce Springsteen’s love for the song. 

Lead singer Paul Jones leaves the band & is replaced by Mike D’Abo & Jack Bruce is briefly a member of the band before moving onto Cream to be replaced by Klaus Voorman. 

The band comes to a sudden end in 1969 but has reformed several times since & continues to tour to this day & you can find their tour dates here. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elijah Wald joins us to take a deep dive into Bob Dylan’s famous Newport Folk Festival appearance, featured in his book Dylan Goes Electric! available in the UK & over in the US now.

The Newport festival started in 1954 originally as a jazz festival. By 1958 the likes of Ray Charles & Chuck Berry appeared as tastes began to change.

Future Bob Dylan manager Albert Grossman became involved in the festival & in 1959 the festival adopted a folk program with folk stars of the day appearing including Joan Baez & the Kingston Trio.

Pete Seeger built the folk revival of the 60s & introduced a non-profit concept to Newport, offering a fee of $50 per act appearing on the bill.

Bob Dylan makes his first appearance at Newport in 1963 although his songs are better known than he is at this point, with Blowin’ in the Wind a hit for Peter, Paul & Mary.

Bob would return in 1964, still playing more traditional sounding material & Johnny Cash also appeared, a controversial choice in some quarters. Over 70,000 people attend the 1964 festival.

Like a Rolling Stone is released five days before the 1965 festival & Dylan arrives with a new band led by guitarist Mike Bloomfield.

Elements of the gig remain shrouded in conjecture & bad weather almost prevented Bob from appearing at all.

Dylan takes to the stage introduced by Peter Yarrow but plays for only seventeen minutes with the band. Before returning to sign off with ‘It’s All Over Now Baby Blue’ & Mr. Tambourine Man.

The book was subsequently turned into a Hollywood movie directed by James Mangold & starring Timothee Chalomet. Elijah tells us the story of how the adaptation came to be & how Bob Dylan himself played a hand.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we welcome our local Member of Parliament here in Walthamstow, Stella Creasy to Music Maps by way of Manchester & Colchester. 

Stella grew up in Manchester where she loved the Stone Roses & her Mum taught A Guy Called Gerald at school. As a teenager she was unexpectedly uprooted to the suburbs in Colchester where she discovered a local band by the name of Blur. 

She tells us about her love for Pulp, James, Suede & her well documented passion for The Wedding Present.  

We also discuss issues for touring bands as a result of Brexit & how we can do more & assistance for grassroots venues to ensure new acts continue to come through. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us & celebrate the 40th anniversary of Live Aid which took place on July 13th 1985. And to do that we are joined by John Kennedy, one of the original trustees of the Band Aid Trust. 

One morning in November 1984 John was surprised when his office door flung open & Bob Geldof walked in. Insisting that John gave him one hour of his time, it led to a lifelong commitment. 

Following unprecedented attention from the media & the public, Bob Geldof decides he has to put on a concert, eventually it is decided this will take place not only in London but also in Philadelphia on the same day. 

Some were easier to persuade than others, but the star studded lineup at Wembley Stadium eventually includes Elton John, Queen, U2, George Michael, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, The Who & of course Status Quo. 

Phil Collins performs at both shows after travelling on Concorde & John himself ends up in the Royal Box with princess Diana. 

Join us to find out how this all unfolded from someone who was there from the very beginning & continues to be involved on a daily basis today. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a live episode of Music Maps Podcast with John Robb recorded live at the Walthamstow Trades Hall. 

We are also joined this week by James from The Oasis Podcast & Sam Shiner to discuss the return of Oasis last week in Cardiff & the 2025 tour. 

John takes us through the highlights from his new book Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis we start back in the 70s with the Gallagher brother’s childhood in Manchester. 

Eventually settling in Burnage, Noel Gallagher finds a guitar lying around the house & learns to play it while beginning to pick up Greatest Hits compilations from local record shop Sifters, listening to the Beatles, Slade, The Jam, The Smiths & the Sex Pistols. 

Acid House is another key influence & Noel begins to frequent the Hacienda but its a gig at the International 2 featuring James & the Stone Roses which becomes key as younger brother Liam also attends & subsequently joins local band The Rain, founded by Paul Arthurs (AKA Bonehead). 

Meanwhile Noel Gallagher is touring the world working for the Inspiral Carpets & is amazed to hear Liam has joined a band asap till then he had expressed no interest in music. 

After attending an early gig Noel eventually joins the re-named Oasis & the band rehearse diligently at the Boardwalk in Manchester.

Alan McGee famously spots Oasis at King Tut’s Way Way Hut in Glasgow in 1993 & manager Marcus Russell enters the equation via Johnny Marr. 

After the buzz created by the Columbia white label demo, Supersonic becomes the first single in the spring of 1994. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hard & Simon Cardwell

Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell 

Recorded by Rob Donnelly-Jackson

Recorded at the Walthamstow Trades Hall

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart Maconie is well known as the host of The Freak Zone on BBC Radio, he has written for NME, The Times, The Guardian & many more.

His books have been widely published & include Long Road From Jarrow, The Nanny State Made Me, Cider With Roadies & Pies & Prejudice. 

His new book is published by HarperNorth - With a Little Help From Their Friends - The Beatles Changed the World. but Who Changed Theirs?

We discuss a number of people who have an impact on the Beatles lives & career, from the more obvious such as Brian Epstein or George Martin to the obscure including John Mustard (of Mean Mr. Mustard fame) & Harry Graves (Ringo Starr’s stepdad who bought him his first drum kit). 

We touch on the many former members of the Beatles - some more well known such as Pete Best & Stuart Sutcliffe, and some less familiar such as early bassist Chas Newby & Tommy Moore who skipped a Beatles gig to fulfil a shift at Garston Bottle Works. 

Others such as temporary drummer Jimmie Nicol were unable to move on from their brief tenure with the band while others such as photographer Astrid Kircherr were forever linked with the Beatles. 

There are those who let the band slip through their fingers such as Allan Williams & Dick Rowe as well as those that stayed loyal to the Fab Four such as fan club founder Freda Kelly. 

Find out about the £5 flat fee Ivor Arbiter received for designing the iconic Beatles logo still used today or the £200 received by Sgt. Pepper cover designer Peter Blake. 

Another curio is George Harrison’s 1963 visit to the US to visit his sister Louise - the only time a Beatle would visit the country without being treated like a superstar. 

A handful of people have received a credit on a Beatles track including Billy Preston who the band had met back in Hamburg & who joined them for the Get Back sessions as seen in the documentary. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of our deep dive into the New York music scene of the 2000's with Lizzy Goodman - we pick the story back up with the Anti-Folk scene with gives us the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol & Regina Spektor.

We find out how the Yeah Yeah Yeahs came to be & the connections between Detroit & New York around this time. The Strokes were the first band to break big & they helped through others that came in their wake including Regina Spektor, Kings of Leon & The Killers.

Was the perceived privilege of The Strokes more in the media than in real life? And was it overblown compared to reality?

Also coming out of New York around this time but in reality a completely different world was DFA Records, James Murphy & what becomes LCD Soundsystem. We find out how it unfolded & more.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome Lizzy Goodman as we travel to New York City to discuss her seminal oral history of the NY scene Meet Me In The Bathroom - the Rebirth and Rock in Roll in New York City 2011 - 2011. 

Lizzy met Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi a couple of years before the band broke but it’s actually Jonathan Fire*Eater who are the first band to break, signing to DreamWorks. Their success is short lived & the subsequent album flops. 

9/11 becomes a catalyst for what follows as Is This It is released a couple of weeks after & the Strokes play a key show at the Hammerstein Ballroom. 

In a pre-social media world Lizzy keeps track of the Strokes burgeoning success largely via email. Yet it’s the coverage in the UK media via The Face & the NME which breaks many of these bands. 

Ryan Adams is also in New York around the same time & shared a manager with the Strokes but Interpol are the next band to break & they sign with Matador. 

This & more in Part 1 of our 2 part discussion with Lizzy. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us & legendary photographer Glen E. Friedman to talk through his beginnings photographing skateboarding before transitioning into the world of punk rock & hardcore photographing Black Flag, Minor Threat & Bad Brains. 

Glen also talks us through the creation of his influential fanzine 'My Rules' & his eventual transition more into hip hop photography with the likes of Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J & Public Enemy. 

A few iconic photos from Glen’s archive include the cover of Check Your Head by the Beastie Boys, another iconic cover - It Takes a Nation of Millions by Public Enemy & some of the earliest pictures of Run DMC. 

You can see more of Glen’s work here & his books are available to order directly from Akashic Books.  

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted, Written, Edited & Produced by Simon Cardwell. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us & legendary promoter and agent John Giddings to discuss the Isle of Wight Festival, its history, and the challenges of managing such a significant event and the evolving dynamics between the festival and the local community.

We hear about some of John's most memorable experiences at the festival over the years from biblical rain in 2012 to David Bowie's final UK performance in 2004.

From the festival's inception in 1968 to its revival in 2002, we cover some of the iconic performances from Bob Dylan & Jimi Hendrix in the 60s to David Bowie & the Paul McCartney in more recent times.

Prior to taking over the Isle of Wight festival in 2002 John had worked with a who's who of the music world & we hear about seeing the Sex Pistols at the Nashville in Kensington in 1976, his early days promoting at Exeter University, and touring with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Genesis & more.

John tells us about some of the relationships with legendary artists he has maintained over the years including Iggy Pop, Celine Dion & The Corrs.

The Isle of Wight Festival takes place on June 19th to 22nd 2025 & is headlined by Sting, Stereophonics & Justin Timberlake.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram:@rocknrollbookclube17

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome David Browne, a senior writer at Rolling Stone, to talk about his book Talkin' Greenwich Village & to explore the musical history of Greenwich Village from its heyday in the 50s & early 1960s through to it's decline in the 80s.

Many of the areas venues were originally jazz venues hosting the likes of Billie Holiday, John Coltrane & Charles Mingus & many legendary venues appear in Greenwich Village at the dawn of the 60s including the Village Vanguard, Gerde's Folk City, The Folklore Centre,

We touch on the likes of Peter, Paul & Mary, Woody Guthrie, Fred Neil, Phil Ochs & Dave Van Ronk all of whom passed through the area. Joan Baez arrived in Greenwich Village already signed to Vanguard having built a following in Cambridge, MA.

Not long after Bob Dylan also appears in the area & is signed to Columbia within a year, in early 1962. Bob achieves a quantum leap on his second album Freewheelin' which follows in May of 1963 & we discuss how this material is received in the coffeehouses & clubs of the village when Dylan first starts bringing it in.

At this point Dylan's songs are more well known than he is, Peter, Paul & Mary having scored a huge hit with 'Blowin' In The Wind' selling over 300,000 copies in the first week.

A little later Simon & Garfunkel are briefly in the area playing the coffeehouses but they soon move on once signed to Columbia.

The arrival of the The Beatles in the US in early 1964 changed things & many left the folk scene as the it started to dissipate - although the village had several brief periods of renaissance - one when the New York Dolls breakthrough while playing regularly in the area & Bruce Springsteen also played a series of legendary shows at The Bottom Line in the 1970s.

In the early 80s Gerde's Folk City hosts the likes of Sonic Youth, The Minutemen, The Replacements, Violent Femmes & Husker Du for a brief but fondly remembered period.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Music Maps we finally talk about The Beatles as we welcome writer Ian Leslie to discuss his new book on Faber: 'John & Paul: A Love Story In Songs'.

We focus on their early years from meeting at Woolton Village Fete in July 1957, with Paul McCartney joining the Quarrymen shortly after.

The dynamic in the Quarrymen changed after Paul joined with John Lennon no longer the total leader as before - the pair bonded over their shared love of imported rock & roll from America. Before long they were writing songs as a duo.

John & Paul both lost their mothers as teenagers & became an unspoken bond between the two & their friendship deepens as their songwriting blossoms.

George Harrison joins the band but rather than coming between John & Paul, his presence actually reinforces their bond. Stuart Sutcliffe & Pete Best also join before The Beatles head to Hamburg for the first time in August 1960. They come of age in Hamburg both in terms of stagecraft and musicianship - playing 6 hours a night on the Reeperbahn.

Upon returning to Liverpool, the Beatles soon turn from unknowns into the leaders of the beat scene in the city & they make their debut at The Cavern in February of 1961.

Paul McCartney moves to bass following the departure of Stuart Sutcliffe & Brian Epstein comes in to manage the band at the end of 1961.

Following a failed audition at Decca Records, the band come to the attention of George Martin at EMI & their debut release Love Me Do follows in October 1962.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we welcome back Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner & pick things up with the formation of Mudhoney - first Mark Arm joins Steve’s band The Thrown Ups & they meet drummer Dan Peters soon after. 

Matt Lukin joins soon after to complete the lineup & Mudhoney come into being on New Years Day of 1988. Their first gig follows in April 1988 & SubPop Records forms soon after. 

Touch Me I’m Sick comes out in August of 1988 & a split single with Sonic Youth follows & then the now iconic Superfuzz Bigmuff EP follows on SubPop in October. 

Various tours follow - first on the West Coast of the US & a show in January of 1989 at the Satyricon Nightclub in Portland (notable for the appearance of Nirvana as the opening act). We discuss the bands interactions with Nirvana & Kurt Cobain. 

Mudhoney become the first Seattle band to come to the UK, opening the tour in Newcastle & also the first Seattle band to record a John Peel session. 

Another notable gig takes place in May of 1989 at the School For Oriental & African Studies in London with Soundgarden as opening act - the show ends in a stage invasion with part of the stage collapsing. 

Back in Seattle, Mudhoney join Nirvana & Tad at the Sub Pop Showcase at the Moore Theatre in Seattle on June 9th 1989, the coming out party for the whole Seattle scene in the US. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome Ali Smith, a New York photographer, musician, and writer of the memoir 'The Ballad of Speedball Baby.' 

The conversation explores Ali's formative musical influences growing up in New York, her experiences in the punk scene, particularly at the iconic CBGBs, and the evolution of her band Speedball Baby. 

We discuss the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated music industry, the impact of signing with a major label (the band end up on MCA) & what happens when that doesn’t necessarily go to plan. 

Punk has often been portrayed through a very male-dominated lens, especially in music - we discuss the importance of female voices in music, back then & today, and how the experience of being in a band differed for a woman. 

Ali tells us how the Lower East Side of New York has changed from back then - in the 80s & 90s it was a cheap place to live which created art & culture, today it is a very different place. 

Ali is also an accomplished photographer, we touch upon her photographic career from her early photos at CBGBs & other New York venues to more recent book projects & newspaper assignments. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Music Maps, we welcome back Simon Wolstencroft, the former drummer of The Fall. His book You Can Drum But You Can't Hide is out now on Route Publishing.

Funky Si joined The Fall in 1986 after his previous band The Weeds had opened for them. Following a meeting at Mark E. Smith's house in Prestwich it became official.

'Hey Luciani' becomes the first Fall track he works on with producer Ian Broudie in Amazon Studios in Liverpool & his first gig follows at Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall in June 1986.

Sessions for the Bend Sinister album follow with John Leckie at Abbey Road, followed by Simon's first US tour. A one off gig with U2 at Elland Road in Leeds follows & non-album single There’s a Ghost In My House becomes the highest charting Fall single to date shortly after.

Hit The North follows close behind in October of 1987 & the next album is The Frenz Experiment in 1988, with I Am Kurious Oranj & Shift Work albums following.

With their commercial peak in the view mirror, Simon's final gigs with The Fall take place in 1997 & he leaves the band shortly after.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are joined by legendary photographer Gered Mankowitz to discuss his time with the Rolling Stones, focusing on 1965 to 1967. 

Gered shares how he entered the world of music photography via a meeting with Peter Sellers, later opening his own studio in Central London, aged 17. 

A photograph of Marianne Faithfull led to a meeting with Andrew Loog Oldham which in turn led to meeting the Rolling Stones. 

Gered’s first session with the Rolling Stones takes place in Masons Yard close to his London studio, a picture from this session becomes the front cover for the Out Of Our Heads album. 

He then became the bands photographer for the next 2 years - joining them on US tours, recording sessions, Ready Steady Go appearances & an infamous performance at the London Palladium. 

While on this US Tour, Gered spends a few days in Arizona riding horses with Keith Richards & in 1966 took photographs of each member of the band at home. Many of these photos went unpublished until Gered’s new book - The Stones - Rare & Unseen. 

We touch on the change in Brian Jones over the time Gered spent with the band leading to the classic cover photo for 1967’s Between The Buttons album taken on Primrose Hill - one of the iconic photos of 1960s London. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Music Maps we are joined by Penderyn Prize winning writer Michael Cragg to dig into the history and impact of the Spice Girls.

We explore their formation in 1994 via an audition process & their early days sharing a house in Maidenhead. Originally they are known as Touch & original member Michelle Stephenson leaves after 3 months & Emma Bunton completes the lineup.

They part company with original handlers Chris & Bob Herbert (also known for Bros, 5ive, Bewitched & Hearsay) & bring in Simon Fuller.

The Spice Girls sign to Virgin Records in 1996 'Wannabe' becomes their debut single. The subsequent debut album quickly breaks 20 million in sales.

We also touch on the concept of 'Girl Power', who came up with 'zig-a-zig-ah', the BRIT Awards appearance, the huge tours, their significant success in America, the Spice World movie, Geri Halliwell's departure, the struggles surrounding their final album 'Forever' & more.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

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Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Music Maps, hosts Mark Hart and Simon Cardwell welcome back Lesley-Ann Jones to discuss her latest book on Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac.

The conversation explores McVie's early life, her musical influences, and her journey through the music industry, including her early career with Chicken Shack and her later success with Fleetwood Mac. The hosts delve into the dynamics within the band, the making of the iconic Rumours album, and the personal struggles faced by McVie and her bandmates.

We touch on her early time with Fleetwood Mac when they were a very different band to what they would become, how Lindsey Buckingham & Stevie Nicks come to join, the excess the band become known for, the later success of the Tango in the Night album, her decision to leave Fleetwood Mac, her later appearances with the band including the 1993 appearance at Bill Clinton's inauguration, the bands induction into the rock & roll hall of fame & her colossal success with Songbird, Everywhere, Little Lies & more.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are joined by legendary music PR Alan Edwards - we discuss Alan's journey from the early days of punk in London, seeing the Sex Pistols at the Nashville, The Stranglers & their infamous Battersea Park gig, promoting Blondie in Britain, visiting Prince at Paisley Park, playing football with Bob Marley & an early PR gig with The Who,

Alan went on to work extensively with The Rolling Stones, starting in the 70s and David Bowie in the early 80s for over 30 years - from the huge commercial success of the Let's Dance years, being presented a BRIT by Tony Blair, his 90s years playing smaller venues before his iconic comeback gig at Glastonbury in 2000 & his final surprise release The Next Day in 2013.

We go into how Alan came to work with the Spice Girls & later Amy Winehouse as well as the unexpected connection between Jon Bon Jovi & Gordon Brown.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome Steve Diggle, original founder member of Buzzcocks, to discuss his memoir 'Autonomy: My Life as a Buzzcock'. The conversation explores Steve's early life in Manchester - growing up in the suburb of Bradford, the influence of music in the 60s, and the formation of Buzzcocks amidst the early UK punk scene.

Steve shares personal anecdotes about his childhood, the impact of hearing bands like The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, and the magic of performing live for the first time at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester.

We go into on the early days of the Buzzcocks with Pete Shelley, Howard Devoto & John Maher following their remarkable meeting at the first Sex Pistols gig at the Manchester Free Trade Hall. The recording of their iconic Spiral Scratch EP with Martin Hannett, the impact of Howard Devoto's departure from the band & Steve switching to guitar, the White Riot Tour with the Clash, the Slits & the Jam, the Screen on the Green gig in Islington with the Sex Pistols & signing to United Artists with the guidance of Andrew Lauder & more.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Jaeger is our guest to discuss her unique Punk Diaries 1977-1981 book documenting her experiences in the punk rock scene in New York & London. Angela shares her journey growing up in the East Village, her encounters with the likes of Lydia Lunch, Joe Strummer, Viv Albertine & John Belushi.

She was right in the thick of the vibrant New York punk scene & became a regular visitor to CBGB's & Max's Kansas City. Angela later moved to London & befriended the Clash, visited Kings Road & even stayed on X-Ray Spex couch.

Back in New York, Angela hosted a party for The Clash following their NYC debut at the Palladium & even ended up on stage with the band briefly. We also touch on the legendary Tier 3 nightclub - Angela's sister was the booker & helped to bring the likes of A Certain Ratio, the Raincoats, Pop Group, The Slits, and Young Marble Giants to the venue.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome back Steve Wynn from the Dream Syndicate for Part 2 of our conversation, delving into the band's experiences touring with U2, the departure of band member Kendra, and the challenges of recording their follow-up album with A&M Records.

We discuss the bands extensive touring with R.E.M. as well as their dramatic rise, the conscious shift in sound during tours, the indie rock movement's collective rise, and the importance of authenticity in music, the dynamics within bands, and the motivations behind reunions.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome Don Letts to discuss his experiences with The Clash - from directing every music video the band made to joining them on the pivotal White Riot tour in 1977, his initial impressions on meeting the band, the key gig with the Sex Pistols at the Nashville with Joe Strummer’s 101ers. 

Don shares anecdotes about filming the band, trips to America and his interactions with legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. 

Years later Don made the legendary documentary Westway to the World: the legacy of The Clash for which he won a Grammy Award. We discuss the making of the documentary & the interaction 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Music Maps Podcast

00:42 Reflections on Economic Challenges and Cultural Richness

03:27 Exploring Don Lett's Life and Memoir

04:48 The Punk Rock Scene and Its Influences

10:28 The Clash and Reggae Connections

16:09 The White Riot Tour and Its Impact

24:07 Commercialization of Music and Cultural Reflections

27:50 The Evolution of Music Videos

30:26 The Clash's American Dream

33:20 Meeting Legends: Scorsese and the Clash

36:52 Documenting the Clash: Westway to the World

39:29 The Clash's Legacy and Impact

42:09 Reflections on the Clash's Influence

46:11 Remembering Johnny Green

49:56 Upcoming Events and Recommendations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome Joel Gion of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, to discuss his memoir In The Jingle Jangle Jungle and the vibrant music scene of San Francisco in the 90s.

We explore Joel's early experiences in the city, his journey to becoming a musician, the early Shoegaze scene in San Francisco including seeing Lush, Ride & The Jesus & Mary Chain at local venues.

We go through the evolution of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the influences that defined their sound during the 90s. We highlight Joel's unique approach to percussion, meeting the Dandy Warhols, opening for Oasis & how for one week in 1994 San Francisco is briefly centre of Britpop Incredibly Blur, Pulp & Elastica are all in San Francisco on the same day.

Joel tells us about going the Brian Jonestown Massacre & how their early years unfolded, the chaotic events at the South by Southwest festival, the infamous Viper Room incident & into 1996 which is a key year for the Brian Jonestown Massacre with 3 albums released - Take It From the Man, Their Satanic Majesties 2nd Request & Thank God For Mental Illness.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Hann is our guest to explore the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, focusing on its origins, key figures, and the cultural impact of the movement. The conversation delves into the role of Neil Kay in promoting heavy metal, the emergence of local bands, the DIY aesthetic of self-released records, and the significance of venues and radio in shaping the scene.

We also highlight the rise of record labels and the signing of influential bands, providing a comprehensive overview of this moment in music history. We focus on key bands like Def Leppard and Iron Maiden, their management, and the cultural impact of media like Kerrang! We also touch on the significance of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and its influence on the global music scene, as well as the legacy of bands like Diamond Head and their connection to Metallica.

We also mention transformation of classic rock bands such as Deep Purple and the emergence of specialised labels like Neat Records, culminating in the birth of iconic festivals like the Monsters of Rock at Castle Donington.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a live episode of Music Maps recorded at the legendary Walthamstow Trades Hall with John Doran in conversation with artist, writer and musician Cosey Fanni Tutti about her life, her new book 'Re-Sisters', and her connections to influential figures like Delia Derbyshire and Margery Kempe.

The discussion features the impact of the Radiophonic Workshop, the historical significance of Margery Kempe's life and work, the intersections of music, art, and personal experience, providing insights into the creative processes of these remarkable women.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Music Maps and Cozy

04:57 Cozy's Journey and Artistic Evolution

10:05 Exploring the Book: Resisters

15:04 Delia Derbyshire and the Radiophonic Workshop

20:02 Marjorie Kemp: A Historical Perspective

24:49 The Intersection of Music and Personal Experience

25:55 The Power of Otherness in Creativity

30:37 Navigating the Fringe: A Personal Journey

32:30 Historical Context: Misogyny and Artistic Expression

34:33 Reflections on Autobiography and Legacy

36:00 The Evolution of Women in Music

40:28 Childhood Sounds and Their Influence

43:10 Art, Magic, and Intuition in Creativity

46:15 The Impact of Electronic Music Today

49:09 Researching Lives: Writing About Others

51:21 Balancing Parenthood and Creativity

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Edited, mixed & spruced up by Rob Donnelly-Jackson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Nolan takes us on a tour of Granadaland - including Tony Wilson & his various TV programmes such as So It Goes & The Other Side of Midnight, the Beatles TV debut in October 1962, the Sex Pistols TV debut followed in 1976.

Muddy Waters and Sister Rosetta Tharpe also performed on Granada TV in 1964 & the network also produced key music recordings & documentaries including The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park, T rex, The Bay City Rollers, Johnny Cash at San Quentin & much more.

Granada TV was founded by Sidney Bernstein in 1954 & also created Coronation Street, World In Action, The Krypton Factor & University amongst many more.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don Letts shares his rich musical journey, starting from his childhood in Brixton, where he experienced a blend of Jamaican and British music. He reflects on the cultural impact of radio and television on music consumption, the profound influence of The Beatles, and his personal connection with Bob Marley. Letts also discusses the rise of reggae in the UK, the intersection of punk and reggae, and a memorable concert - seeing The Who at the Old Vic Theatre.

Don also tells us how he ended up on stage with Patti Smith at the Hammersmith Odeon, spent time with Bob Marley & how he came to DJ & film at the first punk venue - The Roxy in Covent Garden.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yvonne Innes joins us to explore the life and legacy of Neil Innes, touching on his early days in Soho, his experiences with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, and his connections with Monty Python and The Beatles. Yvonne shares personal anecdotes about their life together, the creative process behind Neil's music, and his impact on children's television. The discussion also details the formation of The Grimms, the success of 'How Sweet to Be an Idiot', and the cultural significance of the Rutles.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we delve into the life and music of Arthur Russell, exploring his eclectic style, early influences, and the New York Lower East Side music scene that shaped his career. Richard shares insights from his book 'Travels Over Feeling: Arthur Russell', discussing Arthur's unique approach to music, his connections with notable figures, and the cultural context of his work. The conversation highlights Arthur's impact on the music world and the enduring legacy of his artistry.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

This conversation delves into the life and career of Arthur Russell, exploring his unique approach to music, his performance habits, and the impact of the AIDS epidemic on his work. We discuss Russell's eclectic style, his relationships with record labels, and the lasting influence he has had on contemporary music. The dialogue also reflects on the personal aspects of Russell's life, including his work ethic and the support he received from friends and collaborators.

Takeaways:

The New York Lower East Side experimental music scene was pivotal in Arthur's career development.

Arthur's connections with figures like Allan Ginsberg were significant.

The Kitchen was a key venue for avant-garde music in New York.

The rise of digital music changed the way Arthur's work was perceived.

Arthur had little interest in traditional touring or live performances.

His music resonated with the cultural fabric of New York City. Arthur Russell performed frequently in small venues, often walking to gigs.

He had a successful working relationship with Geofff Travis from Rough Trade.

Russell's music was not commercially successful during his lifetime.

His influence can be heard in contemporary artists like Frank Ocean and Kanye West.

Arthur Russell meticulously kept artifacts from his life and career. 

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are joined by Pulp drummer Nick Banks to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Different Class.

It starts with Jarvis Cocker bringing in a rough cassette of a new track named Common People, it proves a difficult song to nail in the studio but once Chris Thomas comes in as producer it is honed into the bands first bonafide hit single, reaching number 2 in the charts.

Disco 2000 is another track which comes together & a surprise support slot with Oasis at Sheffield Arena follows. Mark Webber joins as a full time member around this time but everything changes following a surprise phone call from Rough Trade head Geoff Travis. Pulp end up replacing the Stone Roses headlining Glastonbury.

Following the triumph of Glastonbury a double A Side single follows - Sorted For E's & Whizz & Mis-Shapes which again peaks at number 2. The singles cover art depicting a drug wrap causes a tabloid furore (not the last involving the band).

The album debuts at number 1 & leads to the bands first arena tour in the spring of 1996. We find out how the title Different Class came about & Nick also gives his recollections of a memorable night at Earls Court for the BRIT Awards & a run-in between Jarvis Cocker & Michael Jackson with help from Bob Mortimer.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Keywords: Pulp, Common People, Britpop, Glastonbury, Nick Banks, Jarvis Cocker, music production, 1990s, album release, British music, Different Class, music history, Brit Awards, Mercury Prize, concert experiences, behind the scenes, music industry

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Music Maps, Johnny Hopkins, former head of press and publicist for Oasis at Creation Records, shares his journey into the music industry, his early obsession with music, and the pivotal moments that led to Oasis's rise.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

From his beginnings in Hull to his eventual role at Creation, Johnny recounts the excitement of discovering Oasis and the whirlwind of events that followed their signing. He reflects on the band's unique personality, their impact on the music scene, and the challenges faced during their early days.

This conversation delves into the early days of Oasis, exploring their rise from obscurity to fame, the challenges faced during the recording of their debut album 'Definitely Maybe', and the pivotal moments that shaped their career. Key themes include the importance of live performance energy, the strategic decisions made in promoting the band, and the role of media in crafting their image. The discussion also highlights memorable anecdotes from their journey, including a legendary trip to Amsterdam and the impact of their first single 'Supersonic'.

This conversation delves into the evolution of Oasis, exploring their connection to acid house music, the influence of the dance music scene, and the challenges of navigating the music press and tabloid culture. It highlights the band's unprecedented success with their debut album, Definitely Maybe, and the cultural shift they represented in the music landscape, particularly in relation to football culture and the American market. In this conversation, Johnny Hopkins reflects on the journey of Oasis, detailing their experiences in America, the challenges they faced, and the dynamics within the band.

He discusses Noel Gallagher's prolific songwriting during a pivotal period, the rivalry with Blur, and the significance of headlining major venues. The conversation concludes with recommendations for music and reflections on the band's legacy.

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On May 31st 1993 Alan McGee walked into King Tut's War War Hut in Glasgow & stumbled upon Oasis - immediately after the gig he rang Creation Records Press Officer Johnny Hopkins to enthuse about his new discovery - the calls were repeated every hour throughout the night. Johnny joins us this week for the first part of our conversation about the beginnings of Oasis & the making of their debut album Definitely Maybe.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

The day after King Tut's, Alan McGee arrives back at Creation HQ in Hackney with the famous Union Jack demo tape - Bring It On Down being the first track Johnny & the Creation staff heard.

Within a week Liam, Noel & Bonehead come into Creation & are sharp & funny - impressing everyone. Shortly after they sign with Creation in the UK & Sony worldwide.

The first thing many people hear is the Columbia white label 12" which appears towards the end of 1993 & is instantly played on Radio 1.

Also in late 1993 Oasis decamp to Monnow Valley Studios with original producer Dave Batchelor, however the results are deemed unsatisfactory & Noel Gallagher & Mark Coyle take over production duties for further sessions at Sawmills Studios, but again the recordings fail to capture the sound everyone is hearing at Oasis gigs.

Owen Morris has a go at mixing the record & nails it - producing the sound you hear on the finished album.

The first London gig takes place at the Water Rats in Kings Cross in January of 1994 & features the first known performance of debut single Supersonic, which comes out on April 11th.

This landmark gig is followed by a legendary trip to Amsterdam which is where we end Part 1 of our Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary episode - part 2 will follow next week.

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

Join us to discuss the music book of 2024 & one of the best music books of all time - Street Level Superstar - A Year With Lawrence has swept the board in the end of 2024 charts. Sunday Times writer Will Hodgkinson spends a year with Lawrence from Felt.

Our starting point is the West Midlands suburb of Water Orton - Television, Subway Sect & T-Rex proving formative influences of Lawrence's earlier years.

Eventually he forms Felt & they achieve a degree of success with their debut 7", Index. The band achieve a degree of success with 10 albums across a 10 year period including a stint on Creation Records.

However their success was limited by the many rules Lawrence enforced upon the band including a specific type of plectrum only, rectangular guitar cases only, specific clothing & others.

Lawrence's next project in the early 90s was Denim - while seemingly on the cusp following a tour with Pulp in 1996 the band did not achieve the success Lawrence long craved. His complete lack of compromise at some points of his life more of a hindrance.

The books is not a typical music biography & is more a character study & an examination of Lawrence's eccentric life. Will spends a year in Lawrence's company as they travel to Waltham Cross, Chelsfield, Welling, Beckenham & Temple Fortune.

We cannot describe how engaging this book is & really could not recommend it any higher.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tiffany Murray grew up at Rockfield Studios after her Mum was appointed chef - she tells us about meeting Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Queen, Iggy Pop, Motorhead, Simple Minds, The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen, Adam & The Ants, Siouxsie Sioux, Lemmy's parents, Showaddywaddy, Rush, Bauhaus & more.

One memorable moment came when she heard Freddie Mercury rehearsing Bohemian Rhapsody on a piano. As a child she snuck in to watch them practice. 

She later heard them recording Bohemian Rhapsody & even played a game of rounders with Freddie Mercury. Killer Queen could even by about Tiffany’s Mum. 

Black Sabbath also visited & were the loudest band Tiffany had heard, followed closely by Motorhead who came not long after. 

David Bowie & Iggy Pop visit Rockfield to record the Soldier album while Simple Minds are in the other studio simultaneously. 

By the early 80’s Tiffany’s time at Rockfield is coming to an end but she does get to interact with Bauhaus, The Cure, Julian Cope & The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & the Bunnymen & the beginning of a new scene. 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

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You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us on our first trip to Seattle for part 1 of our conversation with Steve Turner from Mudhoney - Steve's book Mudride is out now on Omnibus Press.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link:ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. 

Steve grew up in the Seattle of the 1970s & his first access to punk rock comes via the pages of Skateboarder magazine which leads to picking up his first guitar during senior year of High School.

While still at school Steve meets future bandmates Mark Arm & Stone Gossard (later of Pearl Jam) & he & Mark form Mr. Epp & The Calculations.

The Seattle Scene begins at the Metropolis Club & the band splinters into two, Steve & Mark then start a new band which becomes Green River with Stone Goassard joining. Others floating around the city include Duff McKagan (future Guns n' Roses) & Kris Novoselic (future Nirvana).

A key gig follows with Sonic Youth & local legends The U Men at the Gorilla Gardens which becomes the new centre of the Seattle scene & the band sign with Homestead Records shortly after.

You can see our upcoming live events here:https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.