I Was There cover art

I Was There

Dispatches from a Life in Rock and Roll

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I Was There

By: Alan Edwards
Narrated by: Alan Edwards
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About this listen

 A TELEGRAPH AND LONDON STANDARD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

'Alan is such a wonderful storyteller' Debbie Harry

'If you love music, you should definitely read this book' Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 Live

'Alan Edwards is a class act: observant, attentive, always in the right place at the right time. I Was There tells you how' Jon Savage

'A beautiful, warm, jaw-dropping, once-in-a-lifetime, lifting-the-stone guide to a secret world . . . I loved it' Tony Parsons

'Revelatory' Will Hodgkinson, The Times

'Gossipy, insightful and a whole lot of fun' Neil McCormick, Daily Telegraph

'An absorbing read . . . Raw, warm and packed with incident' Barbara Ellen, Observer

Alan Edwards, the godfather of British music PR, has worked with some of the most legendary artists of our time, from David Bowie to the Spice Girls via the Rolling Stones, the Stranglers, Prince and Amy Winehouse.

In I Was There, he describes getting his break in the mid-'70s as a scruffy, stoned 20-year-old just back from the hippie trail; his encounter with London's thriving punk scene, which inspired him to set up his own PR company; broadening his horizons as his work with the likes of Blondie takes him to the US and beyond; and his move into the world of pop with the Spice Girls during the tabloid-crazed '90s.

At the centre of this story sits the defining relationship of Edwards' career: his close, thirty-year collaboration with David Bowie. He guides us through a series of vivid, funny, always insightful behind-the-scenes reports, whether he's playing a spontaneous game of football with Bob Marley, listening to Prince discuss the future of civilisation in a nightclub VIP area, or being used as a pawn in the power struggle between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Above all, we're treated to Edwards' fascinating observations about the brilliant artists he has worked with and what makes them tick, as he looks back on his role in the last five decades of music and culture.©2024 Alan Edwards (P)2024 Simon & Schuster, UK Entertainment & Celebrities Funny Inspiring Sports

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All stars
Most relevant  
A great insightful look at the very top of world PR and what it takes to stay there for decades. Alan comes across as one of the good guys. Throughly enjoyed listening. I would definitely recommend for anyone who is interested in the entertainment business, it has many hidden gems.

LOVED IT

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loved the insight into the world of rock and pop from a time when music meant more than just making money

great memoir and stories of the music scene

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I’m a bit of a music nerd so was interested to hear some behind the scenes stories.

The book seemed like an honest account.

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So extraordinary the incredible life and stress load that alen has taken on in his life to constantly bubble up and be over 20 years the number one go to PR press and then management. I had a similar life journey in the Music business so it was fascinating hearing when our paws crossed all the details about the stars that characters their personalities and the way that they handle their care careers. Also, the astonishing childishness and egocentric paranoia that a lot of the stars had.
There wasn’t a single star really but alen hasn’t interacted with From punk to Clinton in the White House! With all that’s happened stress wise on alen’s plate I hope he now has put his feet up in his playing because if this was my life, I would’ve had a heart attack one now!!
What a legend alen hope to meet you one day ! Jon X crosse

Fascinating insight into the music business and stars

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Fascinating in every way. Being of similar age and being present from a much greater distance to the events Alan relates, this sharing book brings a sparkling new dimension to real life.

His very open insights show a man whose passion who navigated a succession of genres and the iconic people who brought them to life. Just interesting, engaging and the way things are. Even the lawyers have not stopped it from being a great listen.

Highly recommended.

Now I was there too

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Genuinely brilliant book by a brilliant genuine bloke. He deserves everything that happened to him in what has been an amazing life!

Superb

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Ever wondered what the hell a PR person does?? This gives you a good insight. He’s PR’d for so many artists from the late 70’s to nowadays so there’s a good spread of stories.

Great for music lovers

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What an ungrateful child to his parents who grew up to be as dull as dishwater, with a narration voice and style that made me stop listening half way through part one.
Unfortunately I bought this in a sale so can't return it (it was still too expensive) so I'll stick it in my archive and purge the memory of it from my mind.

Personality be gone....

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Hard to believe this guy had access to some of the most exciting people in the music industry. This is dreary, repetitious and unremarkable. It is also incredibly bad read.

Dull

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