Punk rock ruined my life: And other stories

Minister for the Counterculture, Mancunian mainstay, alternative national treasure – John Robb has lived a life in music. In this raucous memoir he charts his adventures on the cultural frontline, chronicling the making of a DIY icon.

‘Writes about music with the insight of someone who loves it from the outside and lives it from the inside.’ – Johnny Marr

‘A treasure trove of bands found and lost, greasy gigs, rumbles and fumbles and moments of bliss.’ – Ian Rankin

‘Clever, witty, eloquent and so weird – he's like the brother I never had.’ – Chris Packham
‘John Robb. OG.’ – Mary Anne Hobbs

John Robb’s quest began in 1970s Blackpool, where punk was a battle against the odds, and went international when he toured the world with his band. The first person to interview Nirvana, he also discovered The Stone Roses for weekly newspaper Sounds and did early interviews with The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Manics, before moving on to legends such as Mark E. Smith, Nick Cave and Patti Smith. Along the way, he became an on-screen commentator and author of bestselling books.

Robb’s memoir tells of deep friendships with figures from Poly Styrene to Chris Packham. Packed with riotous stories, it provides an alternative account of British musical and cultural history and a triumphant blueprint for a punk rock life.