- Hardcover: 360 pages
- Publisher: Allison & Busby; 1st Edition edition (1 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0749005343
- ISBN-13: 978-0749005344
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.5 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
385,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #88 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Encyclopaedias
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Product Description
Review
An ideal Christmas present for those in the 20s and 30s age bracket, this encyclopaedia of 80s pop music includes Adam and the Ants, Gary Numan, Wham. and Jive Bunny.
Southern Daily Echo, November 13, 2002
'_The Encyclopaedia of Classic 80s Pop_ is indispensable for anyone who adores that fantastic decade.'
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First Sentence
These days, people will do anything to be first in a pop book, including calling themselves flagrantly unfair things like A and A1. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
These days, people will do anything to be first in a pop book, including calling themselves flagrantly unfair things like A and A1. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"If you can remember the 80's, you were probably there" opens this book, and for those of us who grew up arguing over whether Duran Duran or Wham were best, and hearing our dads exclaim 'is that a man or a woman?' when Boy George appeared on Top of the Pops, this encyclopaedia provides a nostalgic look into the music of our childhoods.
Blythe states from the start that this is not meant to be a serious tome, and his sense of humour generally makes the book a very enjoyable read. He also admits to leaving out musical giants such as Queen whose music spans the 80's but was not confined to it; but I don't think this is such a bad thing, as it leaves more room for obscure acts such as Nu Shooz - now I thought my memory was good, but this book has certainly revived a few dusty corners of my mind. It's well researched too; Blythe has included interesting facts, quotes and relevant websites in some of the sections.
After all this, why only 3 stars? Well, for me anyway there is one big problem with the book - it's clearly aimed at men, as it is peppered with laddish comments and observations about the physical appearance of some of the female stars of the 80's. From my recollection, about 50% of us growing up in the 80's was female, and although the popular stereotype that encyclopaedic-type books appeal more to men may sometimes be true, I do think that this book alienates some of its potential audience. It certainly did me; I got tired with all the 'phwooar' type references, as I do feel that way too much emphasis is placed on looks in Western society; after all, we get our looks from a random combination of genes; having fashionable ones does not make us any better than those who do not.
But OK then, maybe having crushes on pop stars was part of growing up in the 80's and maybe the author was trying to recreate this. But where are the references to the male pin-ups? My own teenage crush, the smouldering Morten Harket of A-ha, barely gets a mention. And as for Duran Duran, Blythe disparagingly describes them as 'slightly porky with bleach blond hair and a foppish name'... but then he still manages to get in a positive reference to female appearance even though the band were all blokes!
Maybe, though, this does say something. In my opinion the talents of bands like Duran Duran and A-ha went far beyond their appearance, and I think much of the music they produced was excellent and is still listenable to today. However in the section on Vanessa Paradis, the author can only manage a few words about her music and spends the rest of the time twittering on about her appearance and how nubile she is. Says it all really...
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I picked up a copy of this book on my recent vacation to the UK and it was well worth the money. Daniel Blythe is a hilarious writer and his takes on some of the '80s most notable acts are interesting, funny, and original. He clearly has great affection for most music from the 80s and so the jibes he takes are more from affection than dislike. I heartily recommend this to any music fan - you won't be disappointed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Daniel Blythe has already demonstrated his skill with his pacy, witty and dark novels; here, in his first work of non-fiction, he lets his wicked sense of humour come to the fore.
This is combined with an amazing knowledge of the great, the good, the awful and the astonishing from the Eighties music scene. It's packed full of references you'll be delighted to get, memories of songs you'd half-forgotten and some passionate defences of the author's favourite acts (The Adventures, the Pogues, Tears For Fears, Voice of the Beehive and more).
Scathing, witty, informative, delightful and constantly entertaining, this may not be an "Encyclopaedia" in the conventional sense - but it's a fantastic book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
if only all books were this good
ive never been a big fan of books but when i saw this on the shelves i thought id make an exception.this writer is an absolute genius. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2003
The funniest reference work you'll ever read
It's not often that I read an 'Encyclopaedia' from cover to cover, let alone in one sitting; but, of course, this is no ordinary book of names and dates. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2003 by I. H. Smith
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