HERE COMES EVERYBODYBy James Fearnley
October, 1984: Wham!, Culture Club and Status Quo dominate the top ten when The Pogues barrel out from the backstreets of Kings Cross, a furious, pioneering mix of punk energy, traditional melodies and the powerfully poetic song-writing of Shane MacGowan.
Reviled by traditionalists for their frequently fast, often riotous interpretations of Irish folk songs, The Pogues rose from the sweaty chaos of backroom gigs in Camden pubs to touring with the likes of Elvis Costello, U2 and Bob Dylan, and had huge commercial success with everyone’s favourite Christmas song, Fairytale of New York. Yet the exuberance of their live performances coupled with relentless touring spiralled into years of hard drinking and excess which eventually took their toll - most famously on Shane but also on the rest of the band – causing them to part ways seven years later.
Here their story is told with beauty and great candour by James “Maestro” Fearnley: founding member and accordion player. He brings to life the youthful friendships, the bust-ups, the amazing gigs, the terrible gigs, the fantastic highs and dramatic lows in a hugely compelling, humorous and honest account of life in one of our most treasured and original bands.
James Fearnley was born in 1954 in Worsley, West Manchester. He played guitar in various bands including The Nips with Shane MacGowan, before becoming the accordion player in The Pogues in 1982. The band grew to have a huge following and achieved their biggest commercial success with Fairytale of New York, featuring Kirsty MacColl. James left the band in 1994 and lives in Los Angeles with his wife.
Publication date: September 2011
Rights: World All Languages
Extent: 304 pp Editor: Lee Brackstone
philipchevron wrote:Actually, I believe it's delayed a little - till July. But I already have the shoes and rotten eggs ready.