Rock Music Memoirs

Late on 8th December 1980, the world abruptly stopped turning for millions, as news broke that the world's most beloved bard had been gunned down in cold blood in New York City. The most iconic Beatle left behind an unrivalled catalogue of music and legions of faithful disciples - yet his profound legacy has brought with it as many questions and contradictions as his music has provided truths and certainties. In this compelling exploration, acclaimed music biographer Lesley-Ann Jones unravels the enigma that was John Lennon to present a complete portrait of the man.

In the early '60s, four friends from Liverpool formed a band. But this is not the 'fab four' story we know... Mary, Sylvia, Valerie and Pamela - also known as The Liverbirds - were one of the world's first all-female rock'n'roll bands. At an early gig, backstage at the Cavern Club, a young John Lennon told them that 'girls don't play guitars'. But they took that as a challenge. Despite the early scepticism, they won over tough crowds, toured stadiums, recorded two hit albums, and played with the Kinks, Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry - all in the space of just five years.

In this new audiobook, broadcaster and music writer Alan Cross narrates the definitive history of The Sex Pistols. Cross succeeds once again in revealing the fascinating history behind the music in the same compelling way we've come to expect from his long broadcasting career.

Riff-Raff, Rebels & Rock Gods chronicles the rise of the most exciting generation of British music and musicians the world has ever seen - before or since. In rapid succession came Ska, New Mod, anarcho-punk, Oi, and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. A firestorm of incendiary music, created and performed by geniuses and madmen. What a time to be a music journalist! At the heart of this rock tsunami was SOUNDS magazine. And at the heart of SOUNDS was your narrator, Garry Bushell.

In a sodden tent at a '70s festival, the teenage Mark Ellen had a dream. He dreamt that music was a rich meadow of possibility, a liberating leap to a sparkling future, an industry of human happiness - and he wanted to be part of it. Thus began his 50-year love affair with rock and roll. From his time at the NME and Smash Hits to Radio One, Old Grey Whistle Test, Live Aid, Q, Select, Mojo, and The Word magazines, he's been at the molten core of its evolution, and watched its key figures from a unique perspective.