Acknowledgements

I couldn’t have written this book without plundering the experience and expertise of several people: my grateful thanks to Terry Staunton, Derek Owen, Martin Davies, Francesca Best, Darcy Nicholson, Michael Weston King, Andrew Gordon and Chris Couch here in the UK, and to Maggie Dawkins, Louise Rogers, Craig Cook, Sean Williams and Jared Thomas in Adelaide.

The estimable music sites Pitchfork, Uncut and Rock’s Backpages were invaluable resources, as was Pat Long’s The History of the NME, and that stellar radio station BBC Radio 6 Music – long may it reign.

Thanks to Elly, Joe and Jake Viner for continuing to help keep my taste in music current, and to Brian Viner, for so many reasons, but especially for coming up with a magnificent and unbeatable Dusty Springfield track.