I really should have started a blog years ago of course…

I’ve been contributing to the Robert Elms Show on BBC London 94.9FM since 2009 and have bothered the listener with more arcane trivia about London’s rock and roll stories than is good for their health. Who ran The Who’s Fan Club in 1964 and 1965? TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s mum. What was Johnny ‘Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache’ Johnson’s real name? It was Johnny Mathis but he had to change it for obvious reasons. Who sings backing vocals on Tom Jones’ Delilah? Podgy Reg Dwight from Pinner, although you’ll know him better as Elton John. 

Just before we went on air the first time, Robert asked me how I wanted to be introduced. As a rock ‘n’ roll historian? Nah, I said, everyone’s a Rock ‘n’ Roll Historian. What about Rock ‘n’ Roll Geographer? God no, he said, that sounds ridiculous. And in the two seconds before he put the faders up and I spoke on air for the first time, he said What about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Routemaster? Not a lot of choice to be honest but I’ve grown to like it. Actually I’ve also done a couple of things for National Public Radio in the United States so maybe I’m now the Rock ‘n’ Roll Globemaster.

I’ll check in again soon.