White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s

From a man who stood squarely at the genesis of modern rock, Joe Boyd – also the author of the acclaimed And the Roots of Rhythm Remain – delivers a memoir, White Bicycles, that offers an unparalleled and intimate glimpse into a transformative decade. Praised by luminaries like Robert Plant and Brian Eno, Boyd's recollections are a genuine treasure trove for music aficionados. As the Daily Express succinctly puts it, "From Dylan to Pink Floyd, Boyd was there and can remember it all."

Boyd's credentials as a first-hand witness are impeccable. When Muddy Waters graced London in the early sixties, Boyd was his tour manager. When Dylan famously went electric at the Newport Festival, Boyd was the one connecting the guitar. During the hazy summer of love, Boyd was running London's hippest club, the UFO. And when a group of UFO regulars calling themselves Pink Floyd recorded their debut single, it was Boyd behind the mixing desk. Even the famously elusive Nick Drake, when seeking someone to entrust with his demo tape, chose Joe Boyd.

More than any previous autobiography chronicling the sixties music scene, White Bicycles provides the authentic, on-the-ground story of what it was truly like to be present at that pivotal time. While the book undoubtedly features the era's heavyweights, Boyd also paints wonderfully vivid portraits of a diverse array of other musicians who contributed to the decade's rich tapestry.

Perhaps Boyd's greatest achievement lies in bringing to life the enigmatic figure of Nick Drake. This is a rare and invaluable insight, being the first time Drake has been written about in such detail by someone who knew him well. Robert Plant's assessment is spot on: it's "profound ... and beyond." White Bicycles is an essential read for anyone seeking a genuine and insightful journey into the heart of the 1960s music revolution, told by a man who wasn't just a spectator, but a key participant.