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Journalist Mark Ellen shares the up and downs of a life dedicated to Rock n Roll

Simon Mayo presents the Drivetime show, with music, sport, travel and money news. Plus, there is a brand new listener confession for the team to consider.

In a sodden tent at a '70s festival, the teenage Mark Ellen had a dream. He dreamt that music was a rich meadow of possibility, a liberating leap to a sparkling future, an industry of human happiness - and he wanted to be part of it. Thus began his 50-year love affair with rock and roll. From his time at the NME and Smash Hits to Radio One, Old Grey Whistle Test, Live Aid, Q, Select, Mojo and The Word magazines, he's been at the molten core of its evolution.

His new book tells stories and settles scores. It charts the peaks and disappointments. It flags up surprising heroes and puts a chaotic world to rights.

Award-winning writer and broadcaster Mark Ellen was born at the wrong time. Five years older and he would have seen The Beatles and The Byrds; five years younger and he'd have been plunged into punk rock.

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 May 2014 17:05
麻豆社 Radio 2

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Clip

Music Played

  • Althea & Donna

    Uptown Top Ranking

  • The Byrds

    So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star

    • The Byrds.
    • CBS.

  • Canned Heat

    On The Road Again

    • The Hits Of 1968 (Various Artists).
    • MFP.

  • Chromeo

    Jealous (I Ain't With It)

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.

  • Dexys Midnight Runners

    Geno

    • Greatest Hits Of The 80's (Various).
    • Disky.
    • 5.

  • Paloma Faith

    Only Love Can Hurt Like This

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.
    • 004.

  • Jean Knight

    Mr Big Stuff

    • Stax Greatest Hits (Various Artists).
    • Stax.

  • Kylie Minogue

    I Was Gonna Cancel

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.
    • 003.

  • Van Morrison

    In The Days Before Rock N Roll

  • The Shires

    Nashville Grey Skies

    • (CD Single).
    • Decca.
    • 001.

  • Status Quo

    Rockin' All Over The World

    • Whatever You Want - V.Best Of Status.
    • Polygram Tv.

  • The Derek Trucks Band

    Down In The Flood

  • Joe Walsh

    Life's Been Good

    • Driving Rock (Various Artists).
    • Global Records & Tapes.

Broadcast

  • Mon 12 May 2014 17:05
    麻豆社 Radio 2