Richard Balls
@musicbiographer
Music fan and author A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan, Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story, and Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Life of Ian Dury. Elvis Costello book now in progress.
Signed copies of Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story are available here. Read about the seminal label that launched Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Madness, The Pogues and many more original acts. ebay.io/m/aZ1RkF #stiffrecords #book
Made a pilgrimage to Basing Street in west London recently to see where so many of @islandrecords.bsky.social iconic albums were recorded. Bob Marley & The Wailers, Roxy Music but most importantly for me John Martyn were among those who made such unforgettable records in its hallowed walls.
Signed copies of A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan are available here. This is the fully updated paperback edition. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19807124... #shanemacgowan #thepogues
Like Ian Dury? Stiff Records? Shane MacGowan? Then join me at Ipswich Book Festival on Sunday 4 October at St Stephen’s Church and hear about all three! Book your tickets now www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/richa... #ipswich #books #stiffrecords #iandury #shanemacgowan
Cool find from yesterday’s Record Fair in Norwich. Demo copy of Elvis Costello & The Attractions’ US single Watch Your Step, with Luxembourg on the B-side. #vinyl #elviscostello #records
Such a pleasure to catch up with Bruce Thomas - one of the best bassists this country has ever produced - and to chat with him about his time with Elvis Costello & The Attractions. #elviscostello #stiffrecords
Elvis Costello is so often framed as an angry young man armed with little vials of vitriol. Alison, released as his second single in May 1977 on Stiff Records, revealed him as an unbelievably gifted writer capable of real depth. It remains perfect - a timeless masterpiece. #elviscostello
What a treat to hear Elvis Costello perform Heathen Town at Shepherds Bush Empire on the back of a request. I’ve always liked that song since hearing it on the other side of Everyday I Write The Book, and I don’t think I’ve heard him play it before. #elviscostello #london
Those enormous posters are worth some money now. I know because I just bought one!
No 32 Alexander Street in Bayswater was where Stiff Records was born 50 years ago, amid the steaming heat of 1976. The label that gave us Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric and many more original acts. It later expanded into No 28. A blue plaque is needed! #stiffrecords #london
A privilege to see Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton at Shepherd’s Bush Empire last night performing classic after classic from the early part of his career. High Fidelity, Shipbuilding, Man Out Of Time, Alison - the power of these songs will never fade. #elviscostello #gig
For years I’ve waited to see @nilerodgers.bsky.social play, so last night’s show at Thetford Forest felt special. Such a thrill to see him and Chic Organisation performing songs from his towering career as a musician, writer and producer. A ridiculous talent. #nilerodgers #chic #norfolk
Signed backstage at the University of East Anglia in Norwich on 31 October 1984. Elvis & The Attractions were supported by some band I’ve never heard of called The Pogues. Read about it in this blog. uea.ac.uk/library/archiv… #elviscostello #gig #norwich #vinyl #pogues
David Hockney - A Year In Normandie And Other Thoughts About Painting is at The Serpentine North Gallery in London until 23 August and it is an absolute treat. Free admission - advance booking advisable. #davidhockney serpentinegalleries.org/about/press/da…
Delighted to bag the last deluxe edition of the new @boardsofcanada.bsky.social album in the shop, and now giving it a first listen. Very cool gatefold packaging, 16-page booklet and a flexi disc. #boardsofcanada #vinyl
Very special evening at The Roundhouse in London last night seeing the first UK show by @rilokileyofficial.bsky.social in 19 years. Such a treat to hear The Execution Of All Things, Portions For Foxes, Silver Lining and other indie pop masterpieces played in this magnificent venue. #rilokiley
Cool billboards off Brick Lane promoting the newly released @boardsofcanada.bsky.social album Inferno. Loads of great promo going on around the group’s first new record for 13 years on @warprecords.bsky.social, and I can’t wait to hear it. #boardsofcanada #vinyl #album
Beyond excited to be seeing @rilokileyofficial.bsky.social for the first time tomorrow at The Roundhouse in London - their first UK performance for 19 years! #rilokiley #gig
Need an interviewer for an event or festival? I am an experienced public speaker and best-selling music biographer, so if that sounds a good fit with something you are planning, please get in touch. #interviewing #festivals #events #author #biographer
A big thank you to everyone who came out last night to hear Kevin Rowland from Dexys Midnight Runners in conversation with me at the Irish Cultural Centre in London. Some fascinating insights into the incredible records he has made and his life away from music. #dexys #Irish #kevinrowland #memoir
Kevin Rowland from Dexys Midnight Runners will be talking about his life and career with me TONIGHT at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. Tickets available here irishculturalcentre.co.uk/event/kevin-... #dexys #Irish #kevinrowland #memoir
Just 5 tickets left for my Norwich History Festival event about the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first punk record and the legendary Stiff Records. Don’t miss out! ticketsource.com/norwichhistory… #norwich #history #punk #stiffrecords #vinyl
Sometimes you see a really special gig and The Lemon Twigs at Norwich Waterfront on Tuesday was such a night. One of the most incredible live bands I’ve witnessed. Sensational songs and playing. Full review to follow. #lemontwigs #norwich #gig
