# My Life With Rock N' Roll People > Website of rock journalist and author of My Life with Rock N' Roll People Mike Nicholls. ## Posts - [Whisky Galore!](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/whisky-galore/): As 2025 limped to a close, the usual muddy race for the Christmas No. 1 single took place and the winner turned out to be the subtly titled XMAS from the consistently unreliable, if well-connected, Kylie Minogue who has been troubling the charts with ephemeral pap for some time now. Meanwhile, the top album was a 40-years-old relic from the Pink Floyd catalogue, the timeless Wish You Were Here, an LP winkled out by many a millennial and Generation X and Z kid from their parents’ record collections. As a forever Floyd fan, I happened to have bought it the week […] - [Freak Out!](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/frank-zappas-freak-out-revisited-at-my-life-with-rock-n-roll-people/): The phrase or expression “Freak Out!” has been around for some time now but this was how I discovered it, on the handsome sleeve of The Mothers of Invention debut studio album. Although not aware of it at the time I must have been drifting in some kind of alternative universe. Released in June 1966, I was at school in Manchester learning hymns like ‘Jerusalem’; Frank Zappa, cast on the cover here in glorious infra-red, and The Mothers were in LA, flying the flag of an alternative culture going by the name of freakdom. The term hippie was also around […] - [I'm With The Band](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/im-with-the-band-confessions-of-a-groupie/): You will probably be familiar with the phrase “Publish and be damned!”, an exhortation used by newspaper editors and publishers in many a film and TV show over the years. The origin of the expression dates back to Regency times involving one Harriette Wilson, the most notorious courtesan of that lascivious era.  At the age of 15 she became the mistress of the Earl of Craven and went on to have affairs with some of the most influential dudes of the day, from Lord Byron to Beau Brummel, an early hero of late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts. Since her former […] - [Peter Saville's Factory Life](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/peter-savilles-factory-life/): “Ian’s death was an unbelievable marketing campaign,” according to one of the speakers at the recent launch of the revised edition of Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records by James Nice (Faber). James was on a panel which also included Peter Saville, the graphic designer who co-founded Factory Records with TV presenter Tony Wilson in 1978, and Lesley Gilbert, widow of Rob Gretton, manager of Joy Division.  Ian, of course, refers to Ian Curtis, the Joy Division singer and songwriter who committed suicide in 1980, shortly before the release of their second album, Closer, and epic single ‘Love Will Tear […] - [Geldof's Back In Town](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/geldofs-back-in-town/): There’s always a frisson of excitement when Bob Geldof is back in town and this time round there are a couple of reasons why he should have popped up again. Firstly it’s the fiftieth anniversary of his band, the Boomtown Rats, the Dublin punk band famous for their chart-topping hits ‘Rat Trap‘ and ‘I Don’t Like Mondays‘. The group has recently been touring theatres and city halls throughout the UK. Secondly it’s the fortieth anniversary of Live Aid, the world-wide live TV rock event he organised to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. Who can forget Freddie Mercury and […] - [All About Spizz](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/spizz-from-spizzenergi-spizzoil-and-spizzology/): You’ve probably heard the name Spizz since he’s been around for years, decades even. Six, to be precise, dating back to the early post-punk scene of the late ’70s. In those days he and his ramshackle bunch of chums went under the brand of Spizzoil, making a name for themselves touring with Siouxsie and the Banshees.  This coincided with the new era of indie singles and a release entitled ‘Soldier Soldier’ partly inspired by Spizz, born Kenneth Spiers, being the son and nephew of forces veterans. Young Kenneth got it into his head to change the name of his band on […] - [The Chords UK](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/the-chords-uk/): As geopolitical chatter about World War III rises to a crescendo, one news organisation recently came out with a right old howler: how Russian aggression was leading to increased UK defence spending which would inevitably impact upon… The British Way Of Life. The lesser appreciated social commentator/cult rocker Chris Pope wrote about TBWOL some 45 years ago when he joined punk-mod revivalists The Chords, mainly as their guitarist. Back then his main beef was that “nothing new happens here.” Talk about water under the bridge! Or ale down the hatch, another great line in the song being “I swallow my dreams […] - [... But Then Again](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/but-then-again-the-chords-uk-album/): Cast your mind back to the late ’80s and it was a strange period.  Rock was rubbing shoulders with indie, new country, dance, hip hop and a major back catalogue scene based around old records being reissued on CD. At the time I was editing a magazine and would receive all manner of advance cassettes, one being Kick, the forthcoming album by the then little-known INXS. In Australia they had toured with Duran Duran whose John Taylor tipped me off about them, but they were not yet famous in the UK. I interviewed soon-to-be-legendary singer Mike Hutchence and this is part […] - [Nothing Less Than Brilliant](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/nothing-less-than-brilliant-sandie-shaw/): Funny what happens when you decide to do a tidy-up. That large box I kept tripping over was supposed to be full of 90s compilations, mostly repeating each other’s tracks, a hangover from the days when record companies were making their next round of easy money with greatest hits CDs of one sort or another.  Then shone a veritable diamond in the rough, which should have been shelved alphabetically like my thousands of other CDs. But you can imagine what it’s like shifting your collection from the Northwest to the (far) East… The gem in question is Nothing Less Than Brilliant […] - [The Tremelo Diaries](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/the-tremelo-diaries-by-justin-currie-del-amitri/): You may remember Beatle John Lennon’s wry but seething definition of life.  That “it’s what happens to us while we are making other plans”. Well since the late ‘80s Del Amitri have become a very popular band although most music fans will mainly be familiar with hits like ‘Nothing Ever Happens’ and ‘Kiss This Thing Goodbye’ and, at a stretch, their album Waking Hours. Nevertheless, I, for one, was surprised to discover that the Scottish combo, led by singer/songwriter Justin Currie, have sold six million albums worldwide. I guess that’s because during this period I was busy making other plans like […] - [The Birth of My Blog](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/the-birth-of-my-blog-mike-nicholls-ghostwriter-books-my-life-with-rock-n-roll-people/): So here we are, a quarter of the way through the current century and even though music and the way it’s delivered has changed and keeps changing, one thing remains the same: a charismatic front man or woman at the centre of the machine. In my last book, My Life with Rock N’ Roll People, published by Ghostwriter Books, I wrote about the 100 shiniest stars I had interviewed during my career as a rock journalist writing for Record Mirror, the tabloids, Hello!, The Times, Evening Standard, Penthouse and The Sunday Times. It included everyone from Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney […] - [Review for 'My Life With Rock N' Roll People'](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/review-for-my-life-with-rock-n-roll-people-by-mike-nicholls/): A fine review from the King of Indie… - [Rock N’ Roll People News](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/rock-n-roll-people-news-2/): The launch party for My Life With Rock N’ Roll People by Mike Nicholls took place at The Sun & Thirteen Cantons in Soho, London to a full house and a lively convivial atmosphere. Guests included Alf Martin, former editor of Record Mirror; Allan Jones, former editor of Melody Maker and Uncut; Chris Welch, journalist and ace drummer; Maggi Ronson, opera singer and sister of the late Mick Ronson; Dave Sinclair, band leader and journalist, David Stark, publisher of Song Link magazine; Rusty Egan of New Romantic fame, and many more.  Singer-songwriter Ben Smith provided the live entertainment and Mike Nicholls […] - [Join Author Mike Nicholls](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/join-author-mike-nicholls-for-a-book-talk-signing-at-the-owl-bookshop-in-kentish-town-thursday-6th-february-6-30pm/): Come along and join author Mike Nicholls for a book talk and signing at the Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town, 6th February, 6.30pm. ## Pages - [MY LIFE WITH ROCK N' ROLL PEOPLE](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/buy-book/): BY MIKE NICHOLLS AN A TO Z MEMOIR… About Mike Nicholls’ 100 favourite musicians and his relationship with them during his 40-year career as a rock journalist writing for newspapers and magazines including Record Mirror, the British tabloids, Penthouse, Hello!, The Times, Evening Standard and The Sunday Times. The hardback book is 425 pages and includes 32 pages of previously unpublished photos of Mike Nicholls with Joe Strummer, Ronnie Spector, Roger Daltrey, Bob Geldof, Jeff Beck, Kim Wilde and more. “So who are these rock ‘n’ roll people? Well, there are one hundred here in this book and I’ve interviewed […] - [COOKIES POLICY](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/cookies-policy/): Last updated: 25/08/2025 This website www.ghostwriterbooks.net uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and provide essential functionality. 1. What Are Cookies? Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences (such as login, language, or shopping cart contents). 2. How We Use Cookies On this website we use cookies to: 3. Third-Party Cookies Some cookies may come from trusted third-party services, including: 4. Managing Cookies You can control or delete cookies in your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of this […] - [NEWSLETTER](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/newsletter/): [newsletter] - [PAYMENT FAILED](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/payment-failed/): We’re sorry, but your transaction failed to process. Please try again or contact us for help. You have not been charged. - [PAYMENT SUCCESSFUL](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/payment-confirmation/): Thank you, your payment was successful. Please check your email for confirmation. Your book will be shipped within 3 business days. If you have any questions about your order, please contact us. - [SUBSCRIBE](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/subscribe/) - [REVIEWS](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/reviews/) - [ABOUT THE AUTHOR](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/about-the-author/): Mike Nicholls was born in Manchester in 1955, the perfect year to become a rock journalist when punk happened. During his 40-year career as a rock journalist, Mike wrote for newspapers and magazines including Record Mirror, the British tabloids, Penthouse, Hello!, The Times, Evening Standard and The Sunday Times. These days he lives near the Coast, the East Coast (of England), but is equally happy hitting the streets of his favourite cities – London, Liverpool and New York. Those wishing to know more should take a peek between the sheets. - [BLOG](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/blog/) - [CONTACT](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/contact-2/): Please fill in the form below to send us a message. - [HOMEPAGE](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/homepage/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://ghostwriterbooks.net/privacy-policy/): Last updated: 25/08/2025 This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit www.ghostwriterbooks.net 1. Information We Collect When you use our site, we may collect: 2. How We Use Your Information We use your information to: 3. 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