simon napier-bell

Simon Napier-Bell & The Real Keith Moon

Published December 24, 2015 | By skrufff

I came across a fascinating documentary about The Who’s infamous drummer Keith Moon last week (The Real Keith Moon) which prompted me to revisit sometime Skrufff contributor Simon Napier-Bell’s book TA-RA-RA-BOOM-DE-AY a complete history of the music business. Click below for an excerpt from the book which recalls one [...] Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell: the Dodgy Business of Popular Music: Punk

Published December 10, 2014 | By skrufff

“British punk was not as nihilist as the punk ethos actually dictated; British punks liked to be successful and earn money......." Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell: the Dodgy Business of Popular Music: On the Road….

Published December 2, 2014 | By skrufff

"When it came to drug-taking every group told the same story. After being onstage and getting sent sky-high by the intense release of adrenalin it produced, rock performers found they couldn’t come down when the show was finished. ......" Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell: the Dodgy Business of Popular Music: The Dawn of Disco

Published November 25, 2014 | By skrufff

“The Peppermint Lounge was a dump. Full house was just 179 customers – rent boys, sailors, transvestites, lowlifes and street toughs...." Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell: the Dodgy Business of Popular Music: Elvis Presley

Published November 19, 2014 | By skrufff

"When Colonel Parker booked him into Vegas, a middle-class middle-aged audience gave him an ice-cold reception – “like a jug of corn liquor at a champagne party”, said Newsweek....." Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell: the Dodgy Business of Popular Music: The Birth of Black (Pop) Music

Published November 11, 2014 | By skrufff

In New York, Harlem had become the capital of black America. It attracted black intellectuals and artists from across the country. “The world’s most glamorous atmosphere,” said young Duke Ellington when he first visited...... Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell: the Dodgy Business of Popular Music: The Beginning of Records . . .

Published November 6, 2014 | By skrufff

Thomas Edison was born in Ohio in 1847. At age fifteen he began to study telegraphy, four years later he got a job with Western Union where he invented a device to electrocute the cockroaches in the office...... Continue reading →

Simon Napier-Bell’s Secrets of Superstar (DJ) Success

Published October 15, 2014 | By skrufff

“Let's face it - the whole thing is a façade. Being strictly underground is playing safe - you have your niche market and it will keep you in gigs and money to live........" Continue reading →

Simon Napier-Bell on Reaching His 100% Crowd-funding- I Wouldn’t Recommend It.

Published October 5, 2013 | By skrufff

"I don't think I'd go through it again. And I don't think I'd recommend crowd-funding whole-heartedly to new artists. It can be tough and confidence sapping......." Continue reading →

Simon Napier Bell- Fancying Françoise Hardy (& Ending up with Amanda Lear)

Published September 30, 2013 | By skrufff

In 1966, I was the music editor for the movie ‘What’s New Pussycat’ in which Françoise had a tiny but very alluring part. From seeing her face run through the moviola every day I became completely besotted. “Fuck being gay,” I decided. “This is what I really want........" Continue reading →

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