Blur were one of the biggest bands of the 90s. Simon Q. Elliott and Paul Ging explain why Alex James's memoir, A Bit Of A Blur is fun, funny and very interesting on what it was like to be a Cool Britannia rock star. Exploring the early days of Blur, the highs and lows of rock stardom, and the friendships formed in the music scene. They highlight some of the best bits that James talks about - his experiences of fame, the impact of hedonism, and the unique moments that define a rock star's life, all while maintaining a sense of humour and nostalgia for the 90s music era.TakeawaysAlex James's book offers a unique perspective on the 90s music scene.The early days of Blur were marked by excitement and excess.Fame can bring both joy and confusion to artists.Iceland provided a backdrop for self-discovery and reflection.Friendships in the music industry can be both supportive and complex.The Brit Awards were a memorable experience for Alex James.Hedonism requires constant effort to avoid falling into routine.Childlike wonder can be a powerful lens for experiencing life.The contrast between enjoying fame and its darker sides is evident.Alex James's humor and storytelling make the memoir engaging.This Bit's Brilliant is a podcast that tells viewers about great books on music, sport and culture. Because life's too short for bad books. On this unique channel we dive classics, hidden gems and unexpected connections. From classic writing to the all time bestsellers, we'll give you book reviews that lead you to discover great writing that resonates.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Book and Author02:57 The Early Days of Blur and Fame06:09 Exploring Iceland: A Journey of Discovery08:56 The Highs and Lows of Rock Stardom12:03 Friendships and Connections in the Music Scene14:50 Memorable Experiences at the Brit Awards17:49 Reflections on Fame and Its Impact20:50 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywordsBlur, Alex James, rock music, fame, memoir, 90s music scene, Iceland, Brit Awards, friendships, music industry
Music and sport books we recommend on this show
Wild Tales: A Rock n Roll Life by Graham Nash
This is a superbly written book by perhaps the most underrated member of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, describing his earliest days trying to form The Hollies in his native Salford, meeting the Everly Brothers as an unknown, being hugely inspired by the Beatles and later in the 1960s escaping to California.
It’s at this point that the book, named after one of his best solo albums, really lives up to its title. He details the many escapades and multiple fall outs between the members of the four piece supergroup he’s best known for and the complicated relationships between all four of them
Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young
Nash’s book overlaps to a certain extent with this endearingly rambling tome from one of his colleagues. Young’s writing, like his musical work,is more off the cuff, detailing his obsession with model trains and following that unrelated kind of train, a train of thought, into unrelated anecdotes from the past, in nothing resembling chronological order!
There’s almost a better sense of him in the Nash book than in his own work and, seeing as this pair are the two that probably fell out with each other the least, they’re certainly complimentary about each other.
Unlike Simon’s choices, despite tempers flaring on this stage or that studio, there’s very little boxing in these two books, but they are a fantastic “One-Two” for trying to understand the solo and group dynamics of one of rock music’s most celebrated units.
Around the world in 80 minutes by Rob Kitson
I always liked the Now That’s what I Call Music albums. Two tapes, four sides of music, (A pig with headphones and shades on the cover… really. Google it) to me it was like the compilers knew they had to put 7 or 8 awful tunes on so the albums covered all the bases but there was always one side that was top to toe gold. In my memory at least.
Rob Kitson’s pulled of the rugby equivalent of side 1 of Now 9(see below) with Around the World in 80 minutes. It’s rugby’s greatest funkin hits, revisited.
Will Carling on what it was like to be told the whole of Scotland hated him, Ray Gravell apologising to Jonathan Davies’ mother who had just watched on as he flattened her son. And, perhaps a little heavier but the amazing story of how Jason Robinson emerged from a childhood next to a heroin addict brother to reach the mountaintop with England’s world cup winners in 2003.
Funny, moving and above all entertaining to an audience who just love getting inside stories on great moments
Now 9 Side 1
Jackie Wilson : "Reet Petite"
Mental as Anything : "Live It Up"
Simply Red : "The Right Thing"
Erasure : "Sometimes"
Robbie Nevil : "C'est la Vie"
Hot Chocolate : "You Sexy Thing"
The Blow Monkeys : "It Doesn't Have to be This Way"
The Housemartins : "Caravan of Love"
In the Latest Episode of the Sport and Music book podcast This Bit's Brilliant Paul Ging and Simon Elliott talk about a couple of great books. The Perfect Distance by Pat Butcher is about the rivalry between Olympic athletes Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett and 1984: the year pop went queer by Ian Wade is about how the music we were listening to in the mid 80s changed for the better. In The Perfect Distance Pat Butcher gets right inside the intense rivalry between the two British middle distance runners domestically in the 70s and then on the world stage at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. The pair traded world records amid a flurry of press attention that wasn't always kind. The book looks at their contrasting backgrounds, coaching influences, and experiences at the Olympics. The chat highlights the impact of media portrayal, class dynamics, and the significance of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in shaping their legacies. Athletics writed Butcher takes yo right inside the tense moments ahead of and during the key moments at the Moscow and LA Olympics. In 1984 The Year Pop Went Queer Ian Wade looks at the cultural and musical landscape of 1984, highlighting the significant shift in pop music towards queer representation. He delves into the impact of artists like Bronski Beat and Queen, exploring how their work challenged societal norms and contributed to the visibility of LGBTQ+ identities in music. The discussion emphasizes the importance of this era in shaping contemporary pop culture and the ongoing legacy of these artists. takeaways · Coe and Ovett were the best runners in the world during the late 70s and early 80s. · Ovett was seen as the working-class hero, while Coe had a more privileged background. · The rivalry was fueled by their contrasting personalities and media portrayals. · Ovett’s relationship with the press was tumultuous, leading to negative coverage. · The 1976 Olympics were a pivotal moment for both athletes, shaping their future careers. · The 1980 Moscow Olympics were marked by political tensions and media scrutiny. · Coe's coaching relationship with his father was complex and influential. · Ovett’s physical maturity gave him an early advantage in competitions. · The aftermath of their rivalry influenced the next generation of athletes. · Both athletes left a lasting legacy in the world of athletics. · 1984 marked a pivotal year for queer representation in pop music. · Ian Wade's book provides insightful commentary on this cultural shift. · Bronski Beat's 'Small Town Boy' addressed previously taboo subjects. · Queen's 'I Want to Break Free' faced backlash in North America for its camp humor. · The leather subculture played a significant role in redefining masculinity in pop. · The influence of gay culture on mainstream music is profound and lasting. · The intersection of music and social issues was highlighted during the miners' strike. · High energy music, often dismissed, has its own cultural significance. · The conversation underscores the importance of acknowledging the past to understand the present. · "Small Town Boy is an incredible piece of work." · "High Energy, a music that's seldom celebrated." · "The legacy of gay influence in pop." Chapters 00:00The Rise of Coe and Ovett 02:57Class Dynamics and Rivalry 06:05Coaching and Family Influences 09:01The 1976 Olympics Experience 11:53Media Relations and Public Perception 14:48The 1980 Moscow Olympics 17:49The 800m and 1500m Finals 21:11Aftermath and Legacy of the Rivalry 27:00 The Cultural Shift of 1984 27:46 Pop Music and Queer Identity 29:16 Terrible post christmas Top of the pops 31:24 The iconography of the leather man 35:30 Queen's influence on Michael Jackson's thriller 37:43 Bronski and small Town Boy 43:43 The Legacy of Gay Influence in Pop
In this episode of This Bit’s Brilliant, the Music and Sport Book podcast, Simon Elliott and Paul Ging discuss two significant books: 'The Olivetti Chronicles' by John Peel and 'The Miracle of Castel de Sangro' by Joe McGinniss.
They explore how dry and funny John Peel was, how The Olivetti Chronicles reflects that and how Peel music and the BBC to this day. Paul met him once and wasn’t disappointed by the man. They also chat briefly about Good Night and Good Riddance, the brilliant book by David Cavanagh about John Peel
The conversation shifts to Joe McGinniss’s journey with a tiny Italian football team, Castel Di Sangro, detailing the challenges they face as they unexpectedly climb the Italian football ladder to the giddy heights of Serie B. Simon talks about how he picked the book for the show because he still remembered his first reading of it more than 20 years ago. The book tells a funny, fascinating and heartbreaking story about one season in an Italian town.
The episode concludes with regular cultural recommendations and why you should try the movie Bear Island with Donald Sutherland and also dive into the music of Fats Domino.
Keywords: John Peel, Olivetti Chronicles, Joe McGinniss, Castel de Sangro, music history, football literature, book recommendations, podcast, music influence, sports storiesnarratives.
takeaways
John Peel was a significant figure in music broadcasting.
The Olivetti Chronicles showcases John Peel's unique humor.
Joe McGuinness's book highlights the struggles of a small football club.
Embedded journalism can provide deep insights into local cultures.
John Peel's influence continues through modern radio stations like Six Music.
The Miracle of Castel de Sangro is a touching story about football.
Music and sports often intersect in unexpected ways.
Personal anecdotes can enrich the understanding of cultural figures.
The challenges faced by small teams reflect broader societal issues.
Fats Domino's music remains influential and enjoyable.
titles
Exploring the Legacy of John Peel
The Heart of Football in Castel de Sangro
John Peel: A Champion of Unique Music
Sound Bites
"John Peel was a champion of out there music."
"He was emotionally invested in the music."
"John Peel's dry humor is unforgettable."
"Football is a gateway to culture."
"Joe McGinniss tells the story beautifully."
"The Miracle of Castel de Sangro is a classic."
"Fats Domino's music is a treat to listen to."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to the Show and Books Discussed
04:49
The Influence of John Peel on Music
09:47
John Peel's Legacy and Personal Anecdotes
14:48
Exploring the Olivetti Chronicles
17:47
The Miracle of Castel de Sangro Overview
24:12
Joe McGuinness and His Journey in Football
29:54
The Challenges Faced by Castel di Sangro
35:09
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
This Bit's Brilliant is about to launch. Simon Q Elliott talks to people about the music and sport books they love.
On Episode one Paul Ging tells Simon why he loves The Olivetti Chronicles by John Peel and a tells strange tales about where the handwritten lyrics of Teenage Kicks by the undertones are. Plus the link between Fats Domino and The Beatles.
Simon talks about the brilliant football book The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro by Joe McGinniss. A late 90s classic the book is story that involves death, drama, cocaine smuggling with occasional football.
