Titles

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 Norfolk Rebels: Fire In The Veins by Joanna Lehmann-Hackett  
Foreword by Keith Skipper, Introduction by Steve Hackett 
ISBN: 978-1-908724-02-1
 
The quiet face of Norfolk gives the appearance of a backwater that has changed little for centuries. But this most easterly of England’s counties has a history of dissent and upheaval.  A Norfolk woman once challenged the strength of the Roman Empire, and a Norfolk man helped to inspire and instigate the American Revolution.
Norfolk’s rebels have transformed life in the county, and in many cases have had a powerful influence on national and international events.  Norfolk has been a surprising hotbed of subversion and rebellion. This book tells the stories of Norfolk’s rebels, many of them linked, and weaves them into the vibrant tapestry of rebellion that is our inheritance.  With a foreword by one of Norfolk's most well-known modern day rebels, and another, beautifully written by Joanna's husband, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, this book depicts the many fine men and women of Norfolk who through the centuries have defended their ways, as only Norfolk people can.   
 
Read a review of the book here: Norwich Evening News
 
 Published: 30th January 2012 

 

 
 

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Sketches Of Hackett - The authorised Steve Hackett Biography 
 (Alan Hewitt)
 ISBN: 978-1-908724-01-4  (Paperback edition, revised & expanded)  

The first full and authorised biography of former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett.  Written by Alan Hewitt, a recognised authority on Genesis, whose previous books include Opening The Musical Box and the critically acclaimed Genesis Revisited. Hewitt is also editor of the Genesis web fanzine The Waiting Room. 
 
Revised paperback edition with extra chapters and expanded appendices, taking the story fully up to date with the Beyond The Shrouded Horizon and Fire & Ice releases. 
 
Includes:
* Foreword by Steve Hackett.
* Full pre-Genesis to solo discography.
* Genesis and solo gig guides.
* Album by album chronicled. 
 
"Sketches of Steve Hackett is an essential read for any Steve Hackett fan. It not only offers a wonderful telling of the history and the music, but also offers enough thoughtful analysis and detailed information to make this an invaluable resource for anyone moved by Steve's work".  David Negrin, WorldOfGenesis.com 
 
“The real plusses are without doubt an intriguing musical journey of the man”. Jerry Ewing, Classic Rock

“A first class reference. Enthusiastically written, breathtakingly fact-packed, a crowning glory”. 
Daryl Easlea, Record Collector

Format: (234x156mm)
350 pp (including 16 b/w photo pages) 
 
Published: 5th December 2011 

 

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Zermattitis: A Musician's Guide To Going Downhill Fast by Tony Ashton  
Foreword by Jon Lord 
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-9-6 (Limited edition with DVD)
 
Written in 1991, as part of a planned trilogy, and published in conjunction with Tony's wife, these incredible and hilarious tales document Ashton’s roller coaster career that crossed paths with The Beatles, Deep Purple, John Entwistle and Eric Clapton amongst others. Ashton Gardner & Dyke, Paice Ashton & Lord, bankruptcy, GasTank with Rick Wakeman, skiing in Zermatt and many other adventures are described in Tony’s inimitable style. With a delightful and moving foreword from his dear friend Jon Lord, this is truly the last word from a man who sadly died in 2001, but whose life enriched so many. The testimonies from his numerous friends within the entertainment world speak volumes.  
 
This limited edition hardback comes with a DVD containing previously unreleased Ashton Gardner & Dyke footage including highlights of a live gig from the 1970 Gala Rose of Montreux, a rare promo film of The Ballad Of The Remo Four, and a performance of their biggest hit The Resurrection Shuffle. It also includes Tony's song The Big Freedom Dance written about John Lennon and filmed at Air Studios in 1996.  
 
“I loved Tony Ashton and his unique, slightly skewed, vision of the world. And here it is, in his own words, in this book.” Ewan McGregor 
 
“Tony Ashton was one of the funniest and most life affirming people I have ever met. Above all he taught me one of life’s great ways of staying sane and alive at the same time: Make a “V” sign, show you just don’t care. Living by this advice has certainly done me no harm at all. For this alone I am truly grateful to Tony.” Billy Connolly 

Published: 28th November 2011

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Zappa The Hard Way 
(Andrew Greenaway)  

Includes foreword by Patrice "Candy" Zappa-Porter 
 
ISBN: 978-1-908724-00-7 (Paperback edition) 

Story behind the band mutiny on Zappa’s fateful, final tour in 1988 by Andrew Greenaway; long term Zappa enthusiast and editor of Zappa fan site http://www.idiotbastard.com/  
Surviving members interviewed - many previously unpublished photos with foreword by Zappa’s sister Candy.

“Marvellous, so informative & clear... stuff about Frank I never knew... such a wonderful book.” Candy Zappa

“What a fantastic book... The best Zappa book ever.” Tim Op het Broek (L1 Radio)

“I absolutely devoured the book... Andrew captured what happened there. A great read.” Mike Keneally    
 
CLICK HERE TO READ AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR  
  
 Format: (234x156mm)
250 pp (including 16 b/w photo pages)  

 Published: 21st November 2011

 

A Hart Life by Colin Hart & Dick Allix 
Forewords by Roger Glover & Paul Mann 
 
"Colin was our mother hen" - Jon Lord 
  
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-7-2 (Deluxe slipcase with bonus book)*    ORDER ONLINE
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-8-9 (hardback)    ORDER ONLINE

 Colin Hart, the former Deep Purple and Rainbow tour manager devoted over thirty years of his life to these great rock musicians. This is his story and indeed theirs. A tale of excess in terms of greed, petulance, anger and devotion. It is counter balanced by extremes of pure talent, showmanship and, of course musicianship. He was the constant 'man in the middle' through all of the break ups, make-ups and revolving door line-up changes. Joining them at twenty-four years old and leaving with a curt email dismissal thirty years later, he was there every step of their rock 'n' roll way. A story of two of the most innovative, often copied, rock bands; seen through the eyes, ears and emotions of their 'mother hen'. He was their minder, chauffeur, carer, provider, protector, father confessor & confidant. In truth he is the only one who can tell this tale of both bands as he was the only one there on the road throughout the life of, not one, but both gigantic bands.  
  
* Bonus book, Hart's Life 1971-2001, 80 pages of photos and memorabilia from Colin's collection including reproduction of tour itineraries, faxes and letters.  Also includes a facsimile of the 'Burn' 1974 tour programme.
 
Published: 3rd October 2011 (deluxe edition mid November)

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Rock Landmarks: Judas Priest's British Steel by Neil Daniels 
Foreword by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal  
  
 ISBN: 978-0-9557542-6-5 (paperback) 

The second in our series of landmark albums looks at the sixth album by the British heavy metal band Judas Priest, recorded at Tittenhurst Park, home of former Beatle John Lennon. It is arguably the album that really defined heavy metal and is regarded as the band’s seminal recording. 

Written and researched by respected Judas Priest authority Neil Daniels, author of the first full Judas Priest biography, Defenders Of The Faith.

Publication date: 12th September 2011

 

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 Zappa The Hard Way 
(Andrew Greenaway)  

Includes foreword by Patrice "Candy" Zappa-Porter 
 
Hardback, deluxe edition ISBN: 978-0-9557542-4-1 SOLD OUT
Hardback, premium edition ISBN: 978-0-9557542-5-8 SOLD OUT

 Frank Zappa's last ever world tour that ended in turmoil with the sacking of almost all the band! Full tour appraised, the build up to it and the aftermath by Andrew Greenaway; long term Zappa enthusiast and editor of Zappa fan site http://www.idiotbastard.com/   
 
CLICK HERE TO READ AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR  
 
Publication date: 16th August 2010

 

 
 

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 Sketches Of Hackett - The authorised Steve Hackett Biography 
 (Alan Hewitt)
 ISBN: 978-0-9557542-3-4    Publication date: 3rd August 2009 
 
***LIMITED TO 1,000 COPIES ONLY***

The first full and authorised biography of former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett.  Written by Alan Hewitt, a recognised authority on Genesis, whose previous books include Opening The Musical Box and the critically acclaimed Genesis Revisited. Hewitt is also editor of the Genesis web fanzine The Waiting Room.
 
This strictly limited first edition is personally signed by Steve Hackett.  It also comes in hardback with a unique dust jacket, complete with a bonus DVD featuring an exclusive Steve Hackett interview. This DVD also includes an extensive photo gallery. 
 
Book includes:
* Foreword by Steve Hackett.
* Full pre-Genesis to solo discography.
* Genesis and solo gig guides.
* Album by album chronicled. 
 
"Sketches of Steve Hackett is an essential read for any Steve Hackett fan. It not only offers a wonderful telling of the history and the music, but also offers enough thoughtful analysis and detailed information to make this an invaluable resource for anyone moved by Steve's work".  David Negrin, WorldOfGenesis.com

Format: (234x156mm)
320 pp (including 2 x 8 page colour photo sections)

 

 

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 Rock Landmarks: Long Live Rock 'n' Roll 
 (Jerry Bloom) 
 ISBN: 978-0-9557542-2-7    Publication date: 6th June 2009 
 
"A very interesting format and concept". Tony Edwards, Deep Purple manager 1968-76 
 
This book, the first in a series on landmark albums is an in-depth look at the classic Rainbow album Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll. 

The full story behind the making of the album; recollections by the band and crew, track by track analysis, selected discography & 8-page colour section, all combined in a  'CD size' book designed to sit on your shelf, alongside the album as its perfect companion.  

Format: (125x140mm),  
64 pp (including 8 page colour photo sections)

 

 

OUT OF PRINT

 Diary Of A Nearly Man  
(The real-life diaries of legendary fashion enigma Alan Stutz) 
ISBN 978-0-9557542-1-0   Publication date: 17th November 2008
 
 For thirty years legendary fashion enigma Alan Stutz has kept a daily diary. Now in his first book in almost fifty years the real life, true diaries of Stutz’s early years are brought together; all the highs and lows recounted as they actually happened. 
 
 Haven't heard of him? Well let's face it, how many people in Britain had heard of Hitler before he invaded Poland? That doesn't mean that Stutz has anything in common with the former German Fürher, but buy this book and his hilarious life story will certainly invade your mind!
 
Stutz may not be as well-known as fashion gurus such as Yves Saint Laurent but he has hobnobbed with some of the rich and famous. Read his stories involving Britt Ekland, Kate Bush, Robert Plant and the (then) Environment Secretary Michael Heseltine. His encounters with many rock stars including Status Quo, Deep Purple, The Stray Cats, Kiss, Slade's Don Powell and Rough Mix are also detailed throughout this incredible tome:  
 
 In addition to all this, how many people do you know that have also walked through plate glass doors unscathed, been stopped drunk in possession of a push bike two nights running or invited a girl out on a date to her own birthday party?  
  
 All the ups and downs of the Nearly Man are documented in this very Monty Python-esque tome. Stutz might not be as famous as Michael Palin, but his diaries guarantee more laughter than a hyena! This will undoubtedly be the funniest book he has ever written.    

“Alan Stutz isn’t only one of Britain’s most enigmatic fashion gurus, he is also a very puzzling man with appalling dress sense.” Jean-Paul Saint-Laurent 

“I haven’t laughed as much as this since yesterday.” 
The Fulham Citizen

“More riveting than the Titanic.” 
Ship Builder’s Weekly  

“Shakespeare, Dickens and J.K Rowling are undoubtedly some of Britain’s greatest literary figures of the past five-hundred years.” 
The New York Literature Review 		“Put alongside War & Peace or the works of Oscar Wilde, you soon realise that Stutz’s diaries are in a different league entirely.”
The Newcastle Telegraph 

Reader comments: 
 "It is superb, I look forward to the next volume" 
Kerry Totten 

 "A huge congrats in making this wonderful read possible, a fab read" 
Declan Hickey 

"A work of genius" 
Sarah MacIntyre 

"The book is a laugh a minute, i've even started going to bed earlier just to read a chapter or two" 
Phil Harris

 

 
 

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 The More Black than Purple Interviews 
 (compiled by Jerry Bloom) 
 ISBN 978-0-9557542-0-3    Publication date: 1st November 2007 
 
For over ten years now More Black than Purple has featured many interviews within its pages. Now Wymer Publishing has collected the best and most riveting of these in to one book. There are also previously unpublished interviews, and additional, previously unpublished parts to some of the others. 
  
   · Each interview also includes background information and some amusing tales surrounding the stories behind them.
   
 · The book is bolstered further by a selection of b/w photos, many of which have never been published before. 
   
 · Includes interviews with: Don Aireyº • Ritchie Blackmore (x3) • Graham Bonnet • Tony Carey* • Mark Clarke • Bob Daisley* • Glenn Hughes* • John McCoyº • Steve Morse • Cozy Powell
º Part, previously unpublished * Previously unpublished  
   
Press comments:  
"The tone throughout is almost chat-by-the-fireside honest. Blackmore fans will relish the tales and trivia within." Classic Rock magazine, Feb 2008 
  
"The charm of the book is that the stars are often more forthcoming - and more three dimensional - than they might be in the contrived settings of a press conference. This along with witty, informative commentry, makes the collection a very nice piece of work indeed." William Pinfold, Record Collector magazine, March 2008 
  
Reader comments: 
 "What a cracking read. I had forgotten just how good that Ritchie interview was. Enjoyed the new interviews, especially Tony Carey. Looking forward to the next one."  
Graeme Irwin, Co Durham