Don’t Mention the Night

With Gaffa (Clive and John left of me, Mick and Wayne to my right) outside the Poacher, 2022.

It was never my intention to write a memoir, and I’ll explain how it came about nearer the time, but I’m pleased to announce that my next book will be Don’t Mention the Night: a memoir from Five Leaves Publications. It covers how writing about Nick Drake led me to Nottingham in the 1970s, studying Law at university and writing for Liquorice magazine, through which I discovered Kevin Coyne, the formidable singer/songwriter from Derby. Most weeks I’d go to The Imperial pub, to see local legends, Gaffa. The book weaves the three acts’ stories in with mine, from teenage depression to life as a writer. No cover to show you yet, but we do have a launch date: October 19th at Metronome, where the BBC’s John Holmes (a long time Gaffa supporter) will interview me about the memoir, for which I’ve had the cooperation of the Coyne and Drake families, and, of course, all four members of Gaffa. Which lead me to the best bit – the classic 1970s line-up of Gaffa have reformed for the first time in 42 years and will be playing a full set afterwards. That’s me with them, above. Tickets, accompanied by copies of the book/and or a brilliant brand new Gaffa CD, ‘Beaks and Bones for Buttons’ go on sale today. You can also pre-order the book here if you can’t make the launch). It’d be great to see you there. Book here. Listen to Gaffa on Soundcloud.

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