Music Maps - The Rock n Roll Book Club Podcast

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Music Maps Podcast00:42 Reflections on Economic Challenges and Cultural Richness03:27 Exploring Don Lett's Life and Memoir04:48 The Punk Rock Scene and Its Influences10:28 The Clash and Reggae Connections16:09 The White Riot Tour and Its Impact24:07 Commercialization of Music and Cultural Reflections27:50 The Evolution of Music Videos30:26 The Clash's American Dream33:20 Meeting Legends: Scorsese and the Clash36:52 Documenting the Clash: Westway to the World39:29 The Clash's Legacy and Impact42:09 Reflections on the Clash's Influence46:11 Remembering Johnny Green49:56 Upcoming Events and Recommendations

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

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/musicmapsIt 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: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell