About This Event

Music journalist Tony Fletcher brings his new book 'When UK Punk Went Pop 1980-84' to the Henry Watson Music Library. This September, the acclaimed music journalist, industry head, and broadcaster Tony Fletcher will be discussing his brand new book 'When Pop Went Punk 1980-84' with a special in-conversation event at Central Library. Before authoring eleven books, including best selling biographies of Who drummer Keith Moon, R.E.M. and the Smiths, Tony Fletcher was a teenaged music magazine publisher in his native England. But, with a degree of industry that sounds absolutely exhausting, he also ran a record label, interviewed rock stars, led a band, promoted concerts, worked as an on-air TV interviewer — and still found time for romance. Fletcher chronicled the early days of his life and career in his previous work, 'Boy About Town' (2013) but had enough extraordinary experiences left over for this new colourful and engaging memoir: 'When Pop Went Punk 1980-84'. 1980–’84 was an explosive time in British rock, as the disruptive energy of bands like the Clash and Sex Pistols gave way to more sophisticated and chart-friendly genres and bands. Fletcher was on the front lines, running a record label with the Jam’s Paul Weller, attending all the important concerts and meeting the top acts, many of whom became MTV regulars: Madness, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Wham!, Echo & the Bunnymen, Killing Joke, Adam and the Ants, the Smiths and more. Then there’s the time he interviewed Paul McCartney... Tony's new book 'When Pop Went Punk 1980-84' is a coming-of-age story, the tale of a naïve young man in a cultural whirlwind who learns some hard lessons about business, journalism, love and sex – all the while trying to get his own band a record deal. Opening-up about the book and his whirlwind career in music, Tony will be chatting to Louder Than War journalist Iain Key about his extraordinary life. Appearing in-person at the Henry Watson Music Library of Central Library, catch them in-conversation on Tuesday 15 September. Tickets are donations based - just pay-what-you-can! All donations with go towards Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

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