Crossroads: In Search of the Moments that Changed Music

Description

Standing at the crossroads - the Mississippi crossroads of Robert Johnson and the devil's infamous meeting - Mark Radcliffe found himself facing his own personal juncture. Aged sixty, he had just mourned the death of his father, only to be diagnosed with mouth and throat cancer. Together these events led Radcliffe to think about pivotal tracks in music and how the musicians who wrote and performed them had reached the crossroads that led to such epoch-changing music. Crossroads is a warm, intimate account of music and its power to transform our lives, as Radcliffe takes a personal journey through these key tracks.

Mark Radcliffe is: a broadcaster, writer, musician, father of three, grandfather of two, husband of one, cavapoo owner, art appreciator, Manchester City Fan, Knutsford dweller and Builder's Arms regular. He is the author of three works of non-fiction: Showbusiness, Thank You For the Days and Reelin' in the Years; and one work of fiction, Northern Sky. He lives in Cheshire. @themarkrad

That warmth, that authenticity, those stories . . . Masterfully told -- ANNIE NIGHTINGALE A deep love of music and its legends, a warm wit and a hawkish eye for the absurd. I feel educated but I'm crying laughing. This is a great book -- GUY GARVEY Funny, brilliantly entertaining and packed with musical lore * * Daily Mail * * Warm and welcoming . . . yet possessed of a sweeping sense of melancholy and flight * * Times Literary Supplement * * Mark Radcliffe is like our shared friend. We feel we know him from being our late night, early morning or afternoon companion for many years. His voice is always a comfort and his music knowledge rivals that of anyone I know. His writing is like his broadcasting - light and funny when needed but it is beautifully emotional like the man himself. Long may Mark and his stories be part of our lives -- TIM BURGESS Written in the warm, engaging voice that's happily become a constant presence in the soundtrack of popular music -- SIMON ARMITAGE Wit and wisdom from Mark Radcliffe . . . The Lancashire-based broadcaster is known for a wry, witty presenting style as well as his love of music, and Crossroads blends these with an undertone of sadness * * Irish Times * * An excellent read - engagingly witty -- BERNARD SUMNER Radcliffe's a grounded, approachable broadcaster with a fine line in self-deprecating wit * * Herald * * Praise for Mark Radcliffe: Steal this book! -- DAVID BOWIE on Thank You for the Days