We have been discussing this book for about six years. The Shadows were a formative influence on both of our suburban childhoods - Bob in Redhill and me a couple of miles down the road in Horley a few years later. It is the book @rockingbob.bsky.social was born to write Viva Los Shads!

We are also happy to announce that our friends @whiterabbitbks.bsky.social will also be publishing Bob’s ‘Twelve Songs of Christmas’ on 29th October. Because why only buy one book by @rockingbob.bsky.social when you can buy two? geni.us/TwelveSongsO...

BOB STANLEY - THE SHADOWS: THE DEFINITIVE STORY The definitive biography of how a group of working-class boys from Newcastle and London became the biggest band in the UK "The chronology should read Shadows, Beatles, Sex Pistols - they were that important" @rockingbob.bsky.social tr.ee/rSilFTJwfO

I wrote two books at the same time. What was I thinking? One is on the Shadows, my first musical love, and the other on another subject close to my heart. Shads out in September, Xmas in October, and you can pre-order here: tr.ee/rSilFTJwfO geni.us/TwelveSongsOfChristmas

All about Ellie Greenwich in the Record Room this week. So many great songs. And vocals. And productions. Her name should come up in conversation more often. Patreon.com/bobstanley

I was lucky enough to interview the king of 50s Soho, Jet Harris, back in 2004 for a feature on the Shadows. I only used a couple of quotes, but Jet was terrific. I've put the whole interview up on my Record Room page. patreon.com/bobstanley

Baz Luhrmann's EPiC investigated in the Record Room this week, plus the Pinkees, China Crisis, An*ta Bry*nt, the Ides of March, Betty Driver, and a video tribute to Neil Sedaka. It's all 'appened. www.patreon.com/bobstanley

Harry Belafonte was some kind of civil rights/acting/singing superman. He also made a bunch of interesting albums in the late 60s and early 70s, donning his folk-rock cape. I've written about them on my Record Room page: www.patreon.com/bobstanley

Trying to make sense of Pink Floyd in the post-punk age - my Record Room column at 12.45 today. Sign up, and you can scour the library for dozens more of my columns. An absolute bargain. www.patreon.com/c/bobstanley

I’m so happy with this comp. No acetates or anything recovered from a degrading quarter inch… all songs that will be familiar to anyone who woke up to Wogan/Ray Moore/Steve Jones in the 80s. www.acerecords.co.uk/weds-morning...

Bobbie Gentry’s uber rare Thunder in the Afternoon. First time ever on vinyl, a new release on the Measured Mile label. www.acerecords.co.uk/thunder-in-t...

Soft Cell were the first group whose preferred mode of expression was not the album or the 45 but the 12-inch single, and this compilation is one of the half-dozen or so greatest releases of the ‘80s. #daveball

Breaking out the Glen Campbell obscurities in the Record Room tonight. What a voice. I always feel better when a Glen Campbell record has been part of my day. patreon.com/bobstanley

Good to see Nelson, Lancs getting tourism props in the Guardian. Also: Wilkinsons the best 2nd hand hifi shop in the north; Slaters ice cream parlour; Mansha sweet centre; and Music Box for records/DVDs. Plus Nelson FC once beat Real Madrid, away. www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...

I interviewed the reclusive but absolutely charming Alan Tarney for the Record Room this week. One of my all-time favourite producers. Cliff, A-Ha, Lotus Eaters... patreon.com/bobstanley

Friends! In the Record Room this week we've had... a dig into Barbara Moore's Chappell library recordings, much fun to be had with Dionne Warwick's Scepter albums, PLUS the Crocheted Doughnut Ring, Gene Chandler, Glenn Miller, Eddie Kendricks, and more! patreon.com/bobstanley

This’ll be fun.

Now available in Spanish.

Unpicking the mystery of Micky Moonshine, the man who - with one solitary 7" to his name - connected Wigan Casino, primitive electronica, and junk shop glam. In the Record Room at 12.45 today! patreon.com/bobstanley

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#OtD 2 Oct 1766 the Nottingham Great Cheese Riot began. Angry at the excessive price of cheese, a mob formed who seized it and began wheeling or carrying the cheeses away, bowling over the mayor with a cheese. The army put down rioting 2 days later stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9225...

On "Static" from 8pm we'll speak to London's long-serving pop supremos Saint Etienne (@bobpetesarah.bsky.social) about what's set to be their final-ever album, the incandescent "International" ... _ @rockingbob.bsky.social

In the Record Room this week... the complex relationship between the Beatles and the Shadows, much closer than you might think... plus tonight a rifle through my Honeybus records. Perfect sounds for early autumn. Why not pop in? patreon.com/bobstanley

Our latest radio show is now on our Mixcloud page for your listening pleasure. Rob & Will chat to @rockingbob.bsky.social @augustinbo.bsky.social & @flashcassette.bsky.social about the new @bobpetesarah.bsky.social album and the Bradford music scene. It’s a corker! www.mixcloud.com/Record_Club/...

Come on down!

In the Record Room tonight - I tip my hat to Billie Davis, one of the greatest UK female singers of the 60s. What a look! What a sound! Billie Davis! patreon.com/bobstanley www.youtube.com/watch?v=-27p...

Terrific, definitive piece by @rockingbob.bsky.social that really does make you rush off to listen to Paul Simon's wonderful Hearts & Bones. www.patreon.com/posts/allerg...

Supporting the Jam, sausages with the Bay City Rollers and defying skinheads: post-punk girl group Dolly Mixture look back

New single from Quatermass III who opened for Saint Etienne back in 2022. Band member Gordon King (World Of Twist, Erarl Brutus, Pre-New) gave us two wonderful remixes of Avenue (Variety Club & Butlins) back in 1992. Check it out..

A *packed* Record Club Radio Show at 9pm tonight on BCB Radio. Local lad @rockingbob.bsky.social chats to Rob & Will about the new top 10 @bobpetesarah.bsky.social album International; plus @augustinbo.bsky.social & @flashcassette.bsky.social *and* more top Bradford tunes! Yay!

I’ll be on BCB radio tonight at 9, with Flash Cassette, Gus Bousfield and host Rob Prior talking about the making of International (Bradford dept.). 106.6FM if the wind is in the right direction.Tyune in! Or listen online at bcbradio.co.uk

A tremendous piece by @juderogers.bsky.social

"It feels that maybe there’s an element of going out in a dignified way before anything happens" - @rockingbob.bsky.social talks about International, the final album by @bobpetesarah.bsky.social, to @yorkshirepost.co.uk www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/art...

Safe In My Garden - a new compilation I've put together for Ace Records. Melancholic sunshine pop, created in the shadow of Vietnam. Perfect for early autumn. www.acerecords.co.uk/safe-in-my-g...

In the Record Room today with the Beach Boys, chewing over the beautiful late 60s suite Can’t Wait Too Long. patreon.com/bobstanley

St Et live in session on BBC 6 music with Lauren Laverne at 11.30. Viva Maida Vale! Tyune in!

Here's my review of International, the final album from Saint Etienne. Given that this might be the end, it's entirely appropriate for a reviewer like me to rave and gush a bit. www.apessimistisneverdisappointed.com/2025/09/the-...

Saint Etienne have released their new (and final) album 'International' | Listen to the album + read our ★★★★★ review here: album.ink/SEIntl @bobpetesarah.bsky.social @rockingbob.bsky.social

Angela Rayner has helped deliver the biggest uplift in workers' rights in a generation.

International is out! Happy release day to us. Thank you to West Riding Arts Research for creating such a beautiful sleeve to house our last album.

“Britpop’s best foundational band. From day one – in the post-perestroika summer of Italia 90 – their approach to music, lyrics, and films has always crossed borders, been open-minded, and kept time-travelling.” Thank you Jude Rogers. thequietus.com/interviews/s...

XS Noize Podcast #239: @rockingbob.bsky.social on Saint Etienne’s Final Album “International” and 30 Years of Music www.xsnoize.com/bob-stanley-...

International is Saint Etienne’s (@bobpetesarah.bsky.social / @rockingbob.bsky.social) final album. It’s an unalloyed winner. Out this week on @heavenlyrecordings.bsky.social. I’ve looked at it today for @theartsdesk.bsky.social: www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/al...

“An unalloyed winner. International is the definition of going out on a high.” Wonderful write-up of new St Et LP International by Kieron Tyler in the Arts Desk. theartsdesk.com/new-music/al...

When I find a village junk shop, what I'm really hoping to find is an album some local band who made magical DIY folk/psych/prog, and only pressed 50 copies for their friends and family. Never happens. But if I'd been hanging out in Ditchling, Sussex, it might've done. patreon.com/bobstanley

Mighty Mighty Bosstones, featuring Huey Lewis as a Carphone Warehouse salesman, and Alan B'stard as a hypeman. #totp

Of all the things that have happened to us in 35 years, hearing Winona Ryder say Saint Etienne "totally rescued me while I was going through a hard time" is up there. Bless her. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjX...