Author Archives: Paul

Yes, of course, we were outraged but at the same time horribly impressed by the escape from prison this week of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. The world’s most notorious drugs lord made his getaway down a shaft in his shower which led to an elaborately constructed mile-long tunnel. Naturally, the incorruptible guards and officials at […]

In my class at junior school was a girl I’ll always remember. Unlike her pale, ginger, freckly classmates she was dark, exotic and glamourous. She also had a worldly wise maturity unusual in one so young. After we left primary school, I never really saw her again. But over the years, every time I heard […]

…can be summed up in this video. Yes, of course, we all love the BBC but the corporation can be its own worst enemy. Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, in preparing the Green Paper to decide its future, described the BBC as “most bloated, wasteful organisation on the planet”. Sadly as this grotesque, vainglorious promotion illustrates, […]

John Peel famously championed obscure music from unsigned bands. Tim Westwood did the same for hip-hop. And David Rodigan the same for reggae. His summer season of programmes – a sort of Reggae for Beginners – returned to Radio 2 last night and every track was a delight. I’ve been listening to Rodigan since I […]

Camden Town is an area I’ve loved since I was a child. Back then, it was very working class and predominantly Irish and Greek. My first writing job was in Camden, so Withnail & I were both there in the 80s when it started to become “hip”. The Camden Palace was at one and of […]

And this morning, I reminded her that 30 years ago today, I went to the same place and saw Queen, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Ultravox, Elvis Costello, Phil Collins, George Michael, Spandau Ballet, The Who, Sting, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, U2, Dire Straits, Paul McCartney and David Bowie all on the same bill. This of […]

Two good people died this week. One was Val Doonican. From the mid 60s to the mid 80s, this genial Irish crooner was one of Britain’s biggest TV stars. Loved by everyone who knew him, he was a particularly popular with those of us from Irish backgrounds. He was always just like an ordinary, kind […]

I mean, literally bumped into him. It’s a sunny day in Soho and both of us were wearing shades. But we’re now middle-aged men and our eyesight is not what it was. Especially when wearing sunglasses. And yes, I’m afraid we made the inevitable joke about it being like Stevie Wonder bumping into Ray Charles.

Because it’s so easy. That’s the sneering refrain from old-skool spinners, including me, who plied their trade when it was hard. When the latest tunes had to be sought and bought on 12″ vinyl and lugged to gigs in heavy crates. All you need now is a laptop, an amp and a pair of speakers. […]

I love my birthday. Right on the middle of the year. And the weather – today’s a fine example – is always glorious. So today I’d love to go to Kingsbury Swimming Pool. It was a big outdoor lido where I spent many happy hours. Everyone would be there. In an era before cheap foreign […]