No one likes being played for a fool. Whether it’s the cocky little so-and-so down the pub, or it’s the government U-turning, it gives you one of the worst feelings you can have. It’s embarrassment, anger, and humiliation all wrapped up into one. So, when a government spy agency uses a musician tour for ulterior… Continue reading 69: Africa, Espionage, and Jazz
68: Punk, Hotel Rooms, and Heroin
Some musicians become famous; some people become infamous. Some musicians have talent; some musicians have not so much. Sex Pistols bass player Sid Vicious probably is categorized in the latter of those but is recognised as one of the architects of the punk scene. That is until his girlfriend and manager Nancy Spungen is found… Continue reading 68: Punk, Hotel Rooms, and Heroin
67: Religion, Prime Time, and Fighting The Real Enemy
Religion and modern music have always had a rocky relationship. When the Rock and Roll era started it was classed as the devil’s music. Outrage was caused when John Lennon was quoted as saying that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus (although they probably were). In the late 1980s members of the Scandinavian Death Metal… Continue reading 67: Religion, Prime Time, and Fighting The Real Enemy
66: Tensions, Break-Ups, and Sibling Rivalries
There’s always a competitive nature between siblings. Being the eldest of three growing up we were always trying to outdo each other. But when it comes to brothers in bands it hardly ever becomes happy families. Just ask Dave and Ray Davies of the Kinks or David and Mark Knopfler they didn’t end well. This… Continue reading 66: Tensions, Break-Ups, and Sibling Rivalries
65: Sci-fi, PR Stunts, and Conspiracies
When a band splits up, the first thing that the fans want is for them to reunite. Countless times we hear rumours about the Gallagher brothers reforming Oasis. Over the last couple of months, Blink 182 reformed at Coachella as a last-minute replacement with their classic line-up of Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus, and Travis Barker.… Continue reading 65: Sci-fi, PR Stunts, and Conspiracies
64: Drugs, Injunctions, and More Drugs
When the Woodstock film was released in March 1970, many concert promoters rushed to find a field that could hold the next big festival. The film had forgotten the previously doomed events at the ill-fated Altamont festival only three months prior. Now the music festival scene was big business and promoters wanted to make money,… Continue reading 64: Drugs, Injunctions, and More Drugs
63: Imposters, Grammys, and Scandal
Live music is always tricky for live TV events. You have to make sure the performers behave themselves and perform the song that was agreed upon. You can allow the performance to overrun for a minute or two but any longer, the whole show could be off-kilter. Some shows like Top of the Pops in… Continue reading 63: Imposters, Grammys, and Scandal
62: Surprise, Stealing, and The Internet
When the internet was first devised, no one knew of its capabilities. It was like going from black and white to colour TV. Our lives would never be the same again after it was unleashed on the public. One of the first industries to be caught out by the internet was music. When the internet… Continue reading 62: Surprise, Stealing, and The Internet
61: Big Breaks, DNA, and Murder
A warning before you start reading this article, it does feature some gruesome stuff and may not be suitable for those who are faint of heart. In the Seattle grunge scene of the 1990s, there were a lot of deaths. Most of these deaths were done by their own hand, Kurt Cobain’s suicide, Andrew Wood… Continue reading 61: Big Breaks, DNA, and Murder
60: Glastonbury, Luck, and Peaking
The Glastonbury Festival of contemporary performing arts is one of the most British things ever. It’s one of the only times in the year that people who have average office jobs or builders in hard hats and high visibility vests can let themselves go and be at one with the music. And it’s not just… Continue reading 60: Glastonbury, Luck, and Peaking