Wanna tell you a story,
lots of them…
Everyone who has ever been on the road in the business of entertaining people has a story to tell. Right place at the wrong time. Wrong place at the right time. Stranded in a foreign country with no money or passport. Pyrotechnics blowing up in your face. A musician smashing his guitar into a speaker cabinet to impress the crowd. A disgruntled crowd setting fire to a venue. An even madder crowd burning down the stage. Serendipity. Accidental meetings that lead to unbelievable things. Movie stars at your show. Surprise hosts at dinner, witnessing the first UK concert of a future superstar, working at Woodstock, on stage at Live Aid, trekking across Europe and the USA, then circling the globe alongside the biggest musical stars in the world.
Of course, the aim is to try and be in the right place at the right time.
Then what? Magic can happen. And another story to tell.
Large format
198 pages
60,000 word narrative
175 photos
200 memorabilia items.
CLICK BUTTON TO DISCOVER...
What they said about Chris' earlier music books...
"The authors and brilliant photographs have vividly captured a moment in time." Ed Bicknell, former manager of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Bryan Ferry, Scott Walker, Gerry Rafferty.
"As you turn through the pages, you can feel the 1960s swinging... superbly illustrated with vintage memorabilia as well as the photographs." Chris Lloyd, THE NORTHERN ECHO
"...a genuinely touching & refreshing stroll down memory lane with this fabulous book... a must have and a must read..." David Coverdale, WHITESNAKE
"Produced with love and a real passion for the history of this iconic venue." WATERSTONES' BOOK STORE
"this one is a true gem... incredibly well written and the pictures range from fantastic to astonishing... a clear labour of love for those who have created it..." Lee Ricketts blogspot.
“looks fantastic... a great piece of work which will serve as a time in history for future historians, excellent.” Dave Macnamara, bass guitarist & singer.
“...devoured it almost in one sitting! Fabulous stuff... the band members’ anecdotes and vignettes were a joy to read.” Ken Robinson, bass player.
“....the book far exceeds all my expectations. The format and content is superb, wonderful photos, memorabilia and anecdotes from band members... interspersed with great images of guitar catalogues, musical equipment, adverts, flyers, tickets, promo cards etc. All this is perfectly backed up by Chris's excellent narrative of how the music scene evolved over those 10 years... This book is an absolute MUST for anybody who was there at the time but I'm sure it would also appeal to anybody who is interested in local live music from the best era ever." Terry Carter, guitarist & singer
“Boys in the Band is a stunning work of art. Thank you so much for the tremendous work in compiling this masterpiece.” Phil Udall, bass player
“Brilliant book... I can't put it down." Mark Aynsley Hay, singer
"...spent last night engrossed... not only the exhaustive detail, but brilliant descriptions of that atmospheric period.” Mike Gutteridge, singer & guitarist.
“A formidable piece of work to be proud of,” Anth Clements, singer
“I'm blown away with the photos, the memories and the sheer breadth and depth of what you've been able to capture.” Jackson Griffith.
“… fantastic amount of work there and bloody good value for money…” Graham Lowe, photographer
“A truly magnificent book – I have to keep putting it down because it’s so heavy. Packed with facts and information.” Stan Laundon
“…spent the last three hours totally absorbed, it’s a great read.” Merv Jones, drummer
“I love this book. Packed full of heritage and memories.” Paul Goffy Gough DJ & PR consultant
“…the book is terrific. I never attended a gig at the Bowl but having read the book, I now feel I did!” Dave Robson, DJ, Radio Zetland
“... superbly written and researched ... very hard to put down... The book is captivating... Brilliant and a must read.” Les Podraza, drummer, Galliard, Tim Rose Band, Aretha Franklin.
“…this truly excellent 200 page book in glorious colour with some first class photographs and stories.” Stan Laundon, ex:BBC presenter & website host
“The research that has gone into this book is breathtaking” Stephen Harland, promoter
“The book’s brilliant...” Michael Todd, admin Redcar Coatham Bowl Facebook
“Great effort all round... a work to treasure alongside the Jazz Club history.” Steve Dinsdale, musician
“Everyone who loved the Bowl needs to buy this book, it’s essential reading.” Chris Hewitt, guitarist, Bryan Adams Experience
“Wonderful new book. Great read!” Ian Monaghan, Hartlepool Life
"Brilliant book.” Al Kenny, guitarist, Skid Marks
“Relishing this tome – a real tour de force.” Fil Cieslik, keyboard player, Dire Staithes
“…an essential read for anyone interested in both music and local history.” Lee Theasby, Radio Hartlepool
“ I haven't had chance to read it yet because my family keep grabbing it” Chris Hicks