Adventures on the Wheels of Steel: The Rise of the Superstar DJs [Paperback]

‘Having checked his DJ ego in at the cloakroom, Haslam roams far and wide in his journey, unafraid of the less glamorous fringes of DJ culture. Haslam emerges as a thoroughly likeable, self-deprecating character. Haslam demonstrates a genuine warmth and passion for his subject, coupled with a scholarly attention to detail.’ Q Magazine

‘He is one of the most erudite and incisive commentators on club culture. This book crosses the gulf that exists between music industry reportage and genuine social documentation.’ i-D Magazine

‘This book cuts through the hype and describes the reality of DJs' experience in a way only a one-time resident DJ of the Hacienda could.’ Dazed & Confused

DJs like Fatboy Slim, Sasha and Paul Oakenfold are the new pop stars: high priests in the rapidly expanding world of dance music. Drawing on many nights out, this is DJ Dave Haslam's fascinating collection of portraits of the major players.

Dave Haslam travels Britain to meet clubbers and promoters: hangs out with Sasha in Glasgow, Fatboy Slim in Nottingham, Paul van Dyk in Cardiff, Norman Jay at the Southport Soul Weekender, and Lottie in Newcastle. He meets influential DJs like Pete Tong, pioneers including Jimmy Savile, younger DJs, and unknowns. He interviews mod DJs from the 60s, Northern Soul DJs from the 70s and rare groove DJs from the 80s. He follows aspiring turntablists in the DMC mixing championship, from the heats in Birmingham to the world final.

Among the exclusive stories and tall tales, we hear about the millionaire DJ who went to a friend's wedding dressed as a bee, the Radio One DJ who emptied a dancefloor in Ibiza, and the DJ who set a girl's hair on fire. This is a unique, entertaining and revealing book, where the tables are turned and the world of dance music is seen through the eyes of DJs, their fans and their managers. It's a book that will be enjoyed by dedicated clubbers and anyone curious to know more about a vital but under-documented part of modern music: the history of dance music and the rise of the superstar DJs.

Fatboy Slim, Sasha, Paul Oakenfold: DJs are the new pop stars, high priests in the rapidly expanding world of dance music. Drawing on many nights out with the major players, Dave Haslam presents a revealing and entertaining insight to the rise of the superstar DJs.

Dave Haslam travels Britain to meet clubbers, promoters and DJs; including Sasha in Glasgow, Fatboy Slim in Nottingham, Paul van Dyk in Cardiff, and Norman Jay at the Southport Soul Weekender. He meets key DJs such as Pete Tong, pioneers such as Jimmy Savile, as well as unknowns. He interviews mod DJs from the 1960s, and Northern Soul DJs from the 1970s. He follows aspiring turntablists in the DMC mixing championship, and throughout it all hears exclusive stories and tall tales, including the one about the millionaire DJ who went to a friend's wedding dressed as a bee, the Radio One DJ who emptied a dancefloor in Ibiza, and the DJ who set a girl's hair on fire.

With a crowdpleasing spin, Dave Haslam turns the tables to show us the world of dance music seen from the inside. It's a book that will be enjoyed by dedicated clubbers and anyone curious to know more about a vital part of modern music.

Dave Haslam DJ-ed at the Haçienda through the 'Madchester' years and has since DJ-ed regularly at clubs like Home and 'Cream', and round the world, including Ibiza, Chicago, Paris, Berlin, Zurich and Detroit. He has played gigs with dozens of bands, including the Stone Roses and New Order. Among his current residencies are 'Golden' and 'Tonto Bongo' (Manchester), and 'Strictly Handbag' (Dublin). He has written for NME, the FACE and the OBSERVER.