Dedicated to the Music & Stars of 50s to 80s

Tony Christie gets behind Dementia Charity

Tony Christie gets behind Dementia Charity

Following his own diagnosis of the condition, singer Tony Christie is hopeful there will be a cure for dementia one day... By Ian Woolley The 80-year-old singer is to help raise money with a cover of Andrew Gold's song featuring Sting and Chic's Nile Rodgers as part of a dementia campaign on behalf of Music for Dementia....

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News Beat

Peter Asher Gets Fifth Grammy Award

Peter Asher Gets Fifth Grammy Award

Famed Peter Asher (of 60s chart-topping duo Peter & Gordon), has just been given a special award at this year's Grammy Awards... However, Asher is no stranger to the ceremony. In this year's 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the singer, guitarist and producer...

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Back Beat

Review Beat

The Top 4 Business Mistakes To Avoid in 2024

The Top 4 Business Mistakes To Avoid in 2024

Running a business in the current global climate is like an uphill battle, but many savvy entrepreneurs are making the best of the situation. Being adaptable, thinking ahead and understanding what your target audience needs is how business owners are going to find...

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Obituaries

Lead Singer Of The Shangri-Las, Mary Weiss Has Died

Lead Singer Of The Shangri-Las, Mary Weiss Has Died

Teenage love and tragedy were told through many of the Shangri-Las songs which propelled the two sets of sisters to the very top of the US charts in the 60s... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The group came together when they met at school in the tough Queens district of New...

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Tony Christie gets behind Dementia Charity

Tony Christie gets behind Dementia Charity

Following his own diagnosis of the condition, singer Tony Christie is hopeful there will be a cure for dementia one day... By Ian Woolley The 80-year-old singer is to help raise money with a cover of Andrew Gold's song featuring Sting and Chic's Nile Rodgers as part of a dementia campaign on behalf of Music for Dementia....

read more

Print Issues

Trending

News Beat

Peter Asher Gets Fifth Grammy Award

Peter Asher Gets Fifth Grammy Award

Famed Peter Asher (of 60s chart-topping duo Peter & Gordon), has just been given a special award at this year's Grammy Awards... However, Asher is no stranger to the ceremony. In this year's 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the singer, guitarist and producer...

read more

Back Beat

Review Beat

The Top 4 Business Mistakes To Avoid in 2024

The Top 4 Business Mistakes To Avoid in 2024

Running a business in the current global climate is like an uphill battle, but many savvy entrepreneurs are making the best of the situation. Being adaptable, thinking ahead and understanding what your target audience needs is how business owners are going to find...

read more

Obituaries

Lead Singer Of The Shangri-Las, Mary Weiss Has Died

Lead Singer Of The Shangri-Las, Mary Weiss Has Died

Teenage love and tragedy were told through many of the Shangri-Las songs which propelled the two sets of sisters to the very top of the US charts in the 60s... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The group came together when they met at school in the tough Queens district of New...

read more

Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.

News Beat

After A 27 Year Hiatus, Belinda Carlisle Is Back

After A 27 Year Hiatus, Belinda Carlisle Is Back

The former Go-Go singer was seriously considering retirement after starting out 35 years ago. Now a chance meeting by her son with her former songwriter has led to the release of a new single "Big Big Love"... By Ian Woolley Belinda Carlisle releases a brand new...

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Dear Mr.Pop Star Is Helping Homeless Charities

Dear Mr.Pop Star Is Helping Homeless Charities

For over a decade, ‘The Philpotts’ have been writing old-fashioned letters to punk, pop and rock stars, picking up on genuine ambiguities within their lyrics or often deliberately misunderstanding them for comedic effect. 2023 sees the eagerly-awaited New Edition of...

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Remembering The 80s with Then Jerico

Remembering The 80s with Then Jerico

A lot of music fans will look back at the 1980s decade with fondness. The birth of MTV and the breakthrough of some of the biggest names in pop today were riding the airwaves and our screens with catchy pop videos to boot...and who can forget Live Aid... By Ian...

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Rockefellas TV To Promote UK & US Heritage Acts

Rockefellas TV To Promote UK & US Heritage Acts

When TOTP was launched on January 1st, 1964, it went on to become one of the BBC's most popular shows with over 6 million viewers tuning in to its Thursday night show. Now with many mourning its loss, it seems a helping hand from the US may finally bring it back. By...

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City Of Dreams For Imagination’s Leee John

City Of Dreams For Imagination’s Leee John

The new musical 'City Of Dreams' features the music of Eric Coates and opens in Surrey this April... The action takes place on a midsummer night in 1932 in Piccadilly Circus with all its characters... The Club owners, Flower and Newspaper Sellers, The Star-Crossed...

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Today is Bob Marley’s birthday

Today is Bob Marley’s birthday

On Marley's 78th birthday, would he approve of how life is? By Ian Woolley Before his untimely death in 1986, the dreadlocked pioneer of reggae music was awarded a Peace Medal no less by the United Nations.  Through his music which infused rocksteady and ska, he...

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Rediscovering Her Singing Voice – Sam Brown

Rediscovering Her Singing Voice – Sam Brown

Sam has accepted that the loss of her voice as it used to be, is probably permanent. As Sam says herself, it’s required a little thinking outside the (voice) box... By Ian Woolley "It's going to be released in January but since my last album was released I've since...

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These Booming days for ‘Diddy’ and his mates

These Booming days for ‘Diddy’ and his mates

With listening figures for the likes of Boom Radio at an all time high, the reason is crystal clear over their airwaves. They have employed the broadcasters that BBC deemed past their sell by date.... By Ian Woolley Boxing Day will see both David Hamilton and Pete...

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Former Yell! pin-up brings the festive spirit

Former Yell! pin-up brings the festive spirit

In the 1980s, singer Daniel James worked with two of the most successful music producers in the business. Now the former singer of Yell! is getting in the Christmas spirit with a festive classic of his own... By Ian Woolley His recent No 1 Heritage Chart hit 'Do You...

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Will Abba finally win a Grammy?

Will Abba finally win a Grammy?

Amazingly one of pop's most successful pop groups in history has never won a Grammy. Will they achieve it this time around? This time they may succeed as they have 4 nominations. Record of the Year and best pop duo for Don't Shut Me Down and with Voyage, nominated for...

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One Long Love Affair with Steve Ellis

One Long Love Affair with Steve Ellis

"But when it kicked into this sort of mania with the girls, you couldn’t hear anything. That's when I decided to quit the Love Affair." By Ian Woolley So the rumours in the past about not wanting to stay with the band because they wouldn't tour the States were fake...

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Still Creating His Own Art – John Illsley

Still Creating His Own Art – John Illsley

“I’ve never had six and half million hits on YouTube before – not many people do. So I’m quite pleased about that!” By Ian Woolley You could forgive John Illsley if he wanted to rest on his laurels. After all, being in one of the World’s biggest and most well-loved...

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John Wetton Book released this month

John Wetton Book released this month

Musician, songwriter, singer, and all-round top bloke (as his friend Geoff Downes describes him), John Wetton lived a truly extraordinary life until his death five years ago... John Wetton An Extraordinary Life features stories and tributes from more than seventy...

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50 Years A Rebel – Steve Harley

50 Years A Rebel – Steve Harley

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel celebrated their 50th Anniversary last year and the celebratory shows were such a joy that Steve is once more on the acoustic road to mark ‘50 Years A Rebel’... By Ian Woolley The Times wrote, in a profile marking this half-century, that...

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60 Years Of Making Musical History – The Half Moon

60 Years Of Making Musical History – The Half Moon

It's easy not to pay attention as you pass this unassuming pub situated on the south bank of the River Thames in Putney. Yet its rich musical history dates back to 1963 when it started putting on the many new bands and artists that sprung up at that time... By Ian...

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Beatles In Comics Comes To Mathew Street

Beatles In Comics Comes To Mathew Street

In the few short years since it opened in 2019, the Liverpool Beatles Museum has swiftly become one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations... Created by former Beatle Pete Best and his brother Roag Aspinall Best*, the museum features hundreds of intimate...

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Just Happy To Be Back – Go West’s Peter Cox

Just Happy To Be Back – Go West’s Peter Cox

With the release of his first solo album in 10 years, the Go West frontman is just happy to be back performing... By Ian Woolley His first album in 10 years, ‘Seaglass’ is the new album from Peter Cox, vocalist and frontman of Go West. Peter’s seventh album sees him...

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Are Some Stately Home Concert Organisers Ageist?

Are Some Stately Home Concert Organisers Ageist?

With many planned bespoke outdoor events involving some of the biggest names in pop music, seems most fans of a certain age must now stand for hours or miss out completely on seeing their idols... By Ian Woolley In these troubled cash-strapped times, some of the...

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Print Issues

Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.

Back Beat

Troggs – Wild boys of punk?

Troggs – Wild boys of punk?

By Derek Mead The group was originally called the Troglodytes but no one lived in a cave so they sensibly reduced the name and became an English garage rock band, later pop-rock and proto-punk. Formed in Andover, Hampshire where they lived and worked as skilled...

read more
Paul Young – Back in the saddle again

Paul Young – Back in the saddle again

By Ian Woolley At 64 years old, you could forgive Paul Young for wanting to take it easy, but far from it. He’s having too much fun with his Tex-Mex band... From his early life, Paul Young's musical influences would bring him the fame his soulful voice demanded. A...

read more
Share a cuppa tea with Jane and Hans Theessink

Share a cuppa tea with Jane and Hans Theessink

By Jane Quinn Hans talks about being a world citizen, grandfathers, and tears... Hans Theessink is a Dutch guitarist, mandolinist, singer and songwriter living in Vienna and has been called one of the fiercest acoustic players in Europe who has played with the best...

read more
Ben E King – Nelson had his own battles

Ben E King – Nelson had his own battles

By Derek Mead A look back at one of the famous soul singers, the Drifter's Ben E.King... BEN E KING DOO-WOP SOUL R&B THE DRIFTERS 1959-1962 SOLO CAREER BENJAMIN EARL NELSON (or King) was born on September 28, 1938, in North Carolina, moving to Harlem New York in...

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Frankie Valli – More than his fair share of tragedy

Frankie Valli – More than his fair share of tragedy

By Katie Davis The Four Seasons lead singer didn't have life easy... Legend is one of those terms all too often overused. There can be little argument it is a word that ought to be reserved to describe very few. When it comes to singers, one who, without doubt, falls...

read more
Wayne Fontana…. by popular request

Wayne Fontana…. by popular request

By Ron Tennant A look back at the career of Wayne Fontana... That unusual English male pop singer who started to become famous in the 1960s was called Wayne Fontana: but he was born on October 28, 1945, christened Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, in the Manchester area,...

read more
Share a cuppa tea with Jackie DeShannon

Share a cuppa tea with Jackie DeShannon

By Jane Quinn Jackie talks songwriting, martial arts and the cherished letter from screen legend Bette Davis... Share a cuppa tea with Jackie DeShannon as she chats about Bruce Lee, Secrets, and Isla! our paths first crossed on September 3, 1964. Jackie DeShannon...

read more
Debbie Harry – Blondie’s Fashion Icon

Debbie Harry – Blondie’s Fashion Icon

BY Amber Roy Blondie's Sunday Girl always made her own fashion statement on stage... Debbie Harry's delight is dressing with her own sense of fashion so here we look back at her top 10 Iconic fashion looks. Before becoming the new wave punk band Blondie, Debbie Harry...

read more
Troggs – Wild boys of punk?

Troggs – Wild boys of punk?

By Derek Mead The group was originally called the Troglodytes but no one lived in a cave so they sensibly reduced the name and became an English garage rock band, later pop-rock and proto-punk. Formed in Andover, Hampshire where they lived and worked as skilled...

read more
Paul Young – Back in the saddle again

Paul Young – Back in the saddle again

By Ian Woolley At 64 years old, you could forgive Paul Young for wanting to take it easy, but far from it. He’s having too much fun with his Tex-Mex band... From his early life, Paul Young's musical influences would bring him the fame his soulful voice demanded. A...

read more
Share a cuppa tea with Jane and Hans Theessink

Share a cuppa tea with Jane and Hans Theessink

By Jane Quinn Hans talks about being a world citizen, grandfathers, and tears... Hans Theessink is a Dutch guitarist, mandolinist, singer and songwriter living in Vienna and has been called one of the fiercest acoustic players in Europe who has played with the best...

read more
Ben E King – Nelson had his own battles

Ben E King – Nelson had his own battles

By Derek Mead A look back at one of the famous soul singers, the Drifter's Ben E.King... BEN E KING DOO-WOP SOUL R&B THE DRIFTERS 1959-1962 SOLO CAREER BENJAMIN EARL NELSON (or King) was born on September 28, 1938, in North Carolina, moving to Harlem New York in...

read more
Frankie Valli – More than his fair share of tragedy

Frankie Valli – More than his fair share of tragedy

By Katie Davis The Four Seasons lead singer didn't have life easy... Legend is one of those terms all too often overused. There can be little argument it is a word that ought to be reserved to describe very few. When it comes to singers, one who, without doubt, falls...

read more
Wayne Fontana…. by popular request

Wayne Fontana…. by popular request

By Ron Tennant A look back at the career of Wayne Fontana... That unusual English male pop singer who started to become famous in the 1960s was called Wayne Fontana: but he was born on October 28, 1945, christened Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, in the Manchester area,...

read more
Share a cuppa tea with Jackie DeShannon

Share a cuppa tea with Jackie DeShannon

By Jane Quinn Jackie talks songwriting, martial arts and the cherished letter from screen legend Bette Davis... Share a cuppa tea with Jackie DeShannon as she chats about Bruce Lee, Secrets, and Isla! our paths first crossed on September 3, 1964. Jackie DeShannon...

read more
Debbie Harry – Blondie’s Fashion Icon

Debbie Harry – Blondie’s Fashion Icon

BY Amber Roy Blondie's Sunday Girl always made her own fashion statement on stage... Debbie Harry's delight is dressing with her own sense of fashion so here we look back at her top 10 Iconic fashion looks. Before becoming the new wave punk band Blondie, Debbie Harry...

read more

Woolleys Beat

Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.

Review Beat

Three Classic Venues for Sixties Musicians to Play

Three Classic Venues for Sixties Musicians to Play

Today, most music gigs take place in very specific places. A concert hall or an arts venue tends to be the main outlet, which scales up depending on the size of the audience. But it was not always that way. Back in the sixties, huge acts would play in venues that were...

read more
The Zombies UK Tour 2023 – Review

The Zombies UK Tour 2023 – Review

Back from their recent US tour, it's the perfect time of the season to see the Zombies... REVIEW by Ian Woolley If the recent sell-out Tivoli Theatre opening night of their postponed 2020 tour is anything to go by, Zombies fans around the UK are in for a treat....

read more
From Rock Chick To Rock Author

From Rock Chick To Rock Author

Journalist and TV producer Suzan has woven her love for music and The Beatles into a hilarious story that also draws on her own dating disasters - before she met her musician husband - former Slade frontman Noddy Holder! By Ian Woolley Speaking with Suzan Holder, it's...

read more
The Right Soundtrack Can Really Make A Movie

The Right Soundtrack Can Really Make A Movie

As movie soundtracks go, long after the movie has run it's course, the viewer will vividly remember that certain scene because of the perfect song that was used... By Ian Woolley For example, would Art Garfunkel's haunting "Bright Eyes" ever have sold over a million...

read more
The Diana Ross Connection – Patti Boulaye OBE

The Diana Ross Connection – Patti Boulaye OBE

Patti Boulaye's 'I'm Coming Out' UK tour is going down well with her fans... By Ian Woolley The doyenne of entertainment, Patti Boulaye OBE, recently described as "a bundle of fizz" is back with her new one-woman show  "I'm Coming Out". This fascinating show strongly...

read more
Still Flying The Flag For Kinks Fans – Mick Avory

Still Flying The Flag For Kinks Fans – Mick Avory

Although rumours of a Kinks reunion have been around for a long time, only one member of the original band still regularly tours in the UK... REVIEW by Ian Woolley That member is drummer Mick Avory whose been there from the very start when he joined the Davies...

read more
4 Easy Ways to Win the Biggest Online Slot Jackpot

4 Easy Ways to Win the Biggest Online Slot Jackpot

Slot online is no longer a social taboo because hundreds of thousands of people play online slots every day. This makes sense since anyone who plays slots can get a lot out of it. Everyone who plays slots can win a slot jackpot with a cash prize worth million. One of...

read more
Three Classic Venues for Sixties Musicians to Play

Three Classic Venues for Sixties Musicians to Play

Today, most music gigs take place in very specific places. A concert hall or an arts venue tends to be the main outlet, which scales up depending on the size of the audience. But it was not always that way. Back in the sixties, huge acts would play in venues that were...

read more
The Zombies UK Tour 2023 – Review

The Zombies UK Tour 2023 – Review

Back from their recent US tour, it's the perfect time of the season to see the Zombies... REVIEW by Ian Woolley If the recent sell-out Tivoli Theatre opening night of their postponed 2020 tour is anything to go by, Zombies fans around the UK are in for a treat....

read more
From Rock Chick To Rock Author

From Rock Chick To Rock Author

Journalist and TV producer Suzan has woven her love for music and The Beatles into a hilarious story that also draws on her own dating disasters - before she met her musician husband - former Slade frontman Noddy Holder! By Ian Woolley Speaking with Suzan Holder, it's...

read more
The Right Soundtrack Can Really Make A Movie

The Right Soundtrack Can Really Make A Movie

As movie soundtracks go, long after the movie has run it's course, the viewer will vividly remember that certain scene because of the perfect song that was used... By Ian Woolley For example, would Art Garfunkel's haunting "Bright Eyes" ever have sold over a million...

read more
The Diana Ross Connection – Patti Boulaye OBE

The Diana Ross Connection – Patti Boulaye OBE

Patti Boulaye's 'I'm Coming Out' UK tour is going down well with her fans... By Ian Woolley The doyenne of entertainment, Patti Boulaye OBE, recently described as "a bundle of fizz" is back with her new one-woman show  "I'm Coming Out". This fascinating show strongly...

read more
Still Flying The Flag For Kinks Fans – Mick Avory

Still Flying The Flag For Kinks Fans – Mick Avory

Although rumours of a Kinks reunion have been around for a long time, only one member of the original band still regularly tours in the UK... REVIEW by Ian Woolley That member is drummer Mick Avory whose been there from the very start when he joined the Davies...

read more
4 Easy Ways to Win the Biggest Online Slot Jackpot

4 Easy Ways to Win the Biggest Online Slot Jackpot

Slot online is no longer a social taboo because hundreds of thousands of people play online slots every day. This makes sense since anyone who plays slots can get a lot out of it. Everyone who plays slots can win a slot jackpot with a cash prize worth million. One of...

read more

Back issues, subscriptions, pre-orders, etc.

Obituaries

Grease star had real talent – RIP Olivia Newton-John

Grease star had real talent – RIP Olivia Newton-John

The star of the hit musical Grease, Olivia Newton-John has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The Award-winning singer and actress died on Monday at the age of 73, after battling breast cancer for over 30 years. One of the most successful singers of all time, she had...

read more
The 60’s Voice of Australia – RIP Judith Durham

The 60’s Voice of Australia – RIP Judith Durham

Obituary by Ian Woolley Singer Judith Durham put Australia on the 60's musical map at a time when the Beatles would dominate the world... For a brief time, the Seekers would give the 'fab four' a run for their money and would become the first act from their continent...

read more
Comedy King of the Novelty Hit – RIP Bernard Cribbins

Comedy King of the Novelty Hit – RIP Bernard Cribbins

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley One of Britain's finest comedy actors Bernard Cribbins has died... The 93-year-old star of film and the small screen was one of Britain's most versatile actors who in 1962 became a surprise novelty chart star. Much has been documented on the...

read more
Just great melodic songs – RIP Jim Seals

Just great melodic songs – RIP Jim Seals

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley It was announced earlier today by fellow musician John Ford Coley that Jim Seals has died... James (Jim) Seals along with his musical partner, Darrell 'Dash' Crofts was one of the many talented duos to emerge during the seventies. At one time...

read more
Setting synthesizer pop – RIP Andrew Fletcher

Setting synthesizer pop – RIP Andrew Fletcher

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Andrew 'Fletch' Fletcher, founder of 80's band Depeche Mode has died... It was in 1980 when Andrew formed the synthesizer-based pop group in Basildon Essex along with Vince Clarke. The latter went on to form Erasure with Andy Bell. Other...

read more
The Chariots of Fire Composer – RIP Vangelis

The Chariots of Fire Composer – RIP Vangelis

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Oscar-winning Greek composer Vangelis has died... Born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou in1943 in the Greek coastal town of Agria, it was at the age of six when he first gave his first public performance. He was self-taught and during the 60's...

read more
Grease star had real talent – RIP Olivia Newton-John

Grease star had real talent – RIP Olivia Newton-John

The star of the hit musical Grease, Olivia Newton-John has died... OBITUARY by Ian Woolley The Award-winning singer and actress died on Monday at the age of 73, after battling breast cancer for over 30 years. One of the most successful singers of all time, she had...

read more
The 60’s Voice of Australia – RIP Judith Durham

The 60’s Voice of Australia – RIP Judith Durham

Obituary by Ian Woolley Singer Judith Durham put Australia on the 60's musical map at a time when the Beatles would dominate the world... For a brief time, the Seekers would give the 'fab four' a run for their money and would become the first act from their continent...

read more
Comedy King of the Novelty Hit – RIP Bernard Cribbins

Comedy King of the Novelty Hit – RIP Bernard Cribbins

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley One of Britain's finest comedy actors Bernard Cribbins has died... The 93-year-old star of film and the small screen was one of Britain's most versatile actors who in 1962 became a surprise novelty chart star. Much has been documented on the...

read more
Just great melodic songs – RIP Jim Seals

Just great melodic songs – RIP Jim Seals

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley It was announced earlier today by fellow musician John Ford Coley that Jim Seals has died... James (Jim) Seals along with his musical partner, Darrell 'Dash' Crofts was one of the many talented duos to emerge during the seventies. At one time...

read more
Setting synthesizer pop – RIP Andrew Fletcher

Setting synthesizer pop – RIP Andrew Fletcher

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Andrew 'Fletch' Fletcher, founder of 80's band Depeche Mode has died... It was in 1980 when Andrew formed the synthesizer-based pop group in Basildon Essex along with Vince Clarke. The latter went on to form Erasure with Andy Bell. Other...

read more
The Chariots of Fire Composer – RIP Vangelis

The Chariots of Fire Composer – RIP Vangelis

OBITUARY by Ian Woolley Oscar-winning Greek composer Vangelis has died... Born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou in1943 in the Greek coastal town of Agria, it was at the age of six when he first gave his first public performance. He was self-taught and during the 60's...

read more

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