He’s written some of the darkest entries in the American songbook but became world famous with a sunny celebration of friendship on the soundtrack of “Toy Story”. Inbetween can be found a staggering range of songs dealing with everything from short people to Vladimir Putin, from performing bears to the Louisiana Flood., from ELO to the Great Nations Of Europe, all of which show up in this authoritative new biography from Robert Hilburn, for years the rock writer of the Los Angeles Times. Topics touched on in his chat with David Hepworth:

… when you called your book “A Few Words In Defense Of Our Country”, did you know it was coming out in Election week?

… why Robert’s review of Elton John at the Troubadour in 1970 transformed the life of one piano player from Pinner while his review of Randy in the same same venue in the same year didn’t have the same effect on this local hero.

… how Randy finds his inspiration by sitting in front of the TV with a big stack of hardback books.

… what his famous uncles taught him and how he has spent a lifetime trying to follow their lead.

… how he got his first break from Cilla Black, Alan Price and the British chart,

… what he said when he finally got as Oscar after years of nominations.

… why he can write quickly when commissioned but moves agonisingly slowly when relying on inspiration.

… why he’s the only biographical subject to insist his children are interviewed.

… what he thinks of Donald Trump.

Order Robert’s book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Few-Words-Defense-Our-Country/dp/1408720361

Find out more about how to help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

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After many years of invisibility, Peter Perrett of the Only Ones is out, about and on tour again and talks to us here about the first gigs he ever saw and played, which involves …

… what time he goes to bed.

… “he writes better lyrics than Elvis Costello and is prettier than Billy Idol”: why Nick Kent’s review was an insult.

… seeing the Small Faces in 1966, the Floyd with Syd at Middle Earth, Dylan at the Isle of Wight, Fairport Convention, Geno Washington, Lou Reed in 1972 (“a hero”), Sex Pistols in 1975.

… the Ally Pally Love-In in 1967 with Pink Floyd, the Animals, Julie Driscoll and Arthur Brown (“doing Alice Cooper five years before Alice Cooper”).

… supporting Global Village Trucking Company at the Marquee in 1975 with Glenn Tilbrook and Jools Holland.

… memories of Vivienne Westwood, the Bromley Contingent and leopardskin vinyl trousers.

… the first gig he ever played, doing the Velvet Underground’s What Goes On with a four-string guitar at a college dance.

… the tangled tale of Another Girl Another Planet.

… “I never thought I’d retire at 28 and come back as a septuagenarian’.

… the role reversal of being produced by your own son.

… and how the Snow Station Vadsø festival in Norway – with Peter Buck, Lenny Kaye, Fritz Catlin and Mark Bedford – gave him the courage to go back on tour.

Peter Perrett tour dates here:

https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/peter-perrett-tickets/artist/5238432

Order his new album The Cleansing here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cleansing-Peter-Perrett/dp/B0DB8VMBDL

Find out more about how to help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

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Things this week that sent the needle into the red included …

… the last dance craze the whole world noticed.

... “Rock stars used to be anti-establishment. Now they ARE the establishment.”

… artworks, flags, bespoke I-Ching Coins … would YOU pay £1,350 for a box set?

… why Quincy Jones made records like a movie director.

... how Dylan’s Biograph and Springsteen’s live box started a gold rush.

… “an unprecedented event in popular recording".

… Hot Night, Starlight, Give Me Some Time, Lights Out and other working titles for Thriller.

… “We’re here to save the record business!”

… the speed of the Beatles: two years between Ed Sullivan and Tomorrow Never Knows; two years from the Cavern to Shea Stadium.

Plus birthday guest Phil Hopwood: moments in rock history you’d like to have witnessed to see what really happened.

Find out more about how to help us to keep the conversation going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

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