Martin Kielty

Tom Russell

TOM RUSSELL gives us a behind the scenes look at his life in rock and radio. He uncovered some of the great rock bands to come out of Scotland and has interviewed and spent time with some of the absolute legends: Robert Plant, Ozzy, ACDC, Genesis, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Rush, Motley Crue, Journey, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Black Stone Cherry, Alterbridge and many many more. The Godfather of Rock is a fantastic read and great insight into the emergence of rock through the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Tom is still immersed in the business and remains a major influence right up to the present day.

The Godfather of Rock

Big Noise from a Wee Country

When Alex Harvey died in 1982 he left behind a legacy and a passion which survives to this day - truly cult status. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB) were the biggest-grossing mid-70s live act in the UK; they released eight critically-acclaimed albums in their five years together; and they inspired many of the top names in pop entertainment over the last 30 years, from Robert Smith to Nick Cave; from Billy Connolly to Richard O'Brien. In 1972 a former teenage idol, Alex Harvey, joined Scotland's loudest rock group to form The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. As early pioneers of punk and glitter, they caused a sensation at live gigs and became one of the strongest artistic forces in popular music at the time. SAHB Story (based on the title of the band's fifth album) is the definitive biography of Scotland's most influential artists. It follows Alex's first outing as a 50s pop star then a 60s soul star, and at the end of the decade picks up the rest of the band as legendary too-loud prog-rockers Tear Gas. The mainstay of the book is a blow-by-blow account of the SAHB years 1972-77, illustrated with personal anecdotes and never-before-seen photographs. The career of each artist is followed into the 80s, after Alex died on tour at the age of 47. SAHB Story completes the band's history with the comeback of 2002-2004. This is the first authorised biography of the band written by journalist Martin Kielty with the approval and cooperation of Zal Cleminson, Chris Glen, and Hugh and Ted McKenna.

The Tale of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

SAHB Story

From 1927 until 1985 the Glasgow Apollo was a landmark in Glasgow's architecture and culture. Opened as Green's Playhouse, it shone through the golden age of cinema and ballroom until, for its last 12 years of life, it was the rock venue to play in Scotland, Britain and even Europe. Everyone who was anyone took to the infamously high stage and performed to an audience regarded as the most discerning music fans in the world. From AC/DC to Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash to the Style Council, the Apollo was synonymous with good, loud music and electric energy. Built as a showpiece palace in the great era of live entertainment, it was a giant and elaborate building capable of seating up to 4,500 people. It was renowned before the Apollo years as a unique experience, and the rock'n'roll years only added to its fame. But with its architectural glory days behind it, the building was in rapid decline in its closing decade; and while a new generation of thrill seekers brought new life to the great auditorium, the plaster, bricks and mortar rotted to dangerous degrees, earning the venue the nickname 'The Appalling'. As a landmark it's remembered for the huge Playhouse lettering, the family slogan 'It's Good - It's Green's' on the custom-made carpet, and the bouncing balcony which appeared to move up to six feet as rock fans moved to the beat of their favourite bands. This is the full story of those rock years before the Apollo closed for good. Rick Parfitt of Status Quo recalls they partied so hard they needed oxygen at the side of the stage as they played, while Francis Rossi maintains: 'The Apollo was the best venue anywhere in the world'. Bob Geldof summed it all up: 'The only thing that should happen to the Apollo is that it be torn down by rock fans, brick by brick, while a rock band plays "Scotland the Brave" at 50,000 watts. Fuck bingo - long live rock.'

The Venue - The Story - The Legend

Apollo Memories

Eddie Tobin

The first-ever inside story of how Scotland's ballrooms and dance halls remained a central part of Scottish culture throughout the 20th century. Told by the people who made it happen-the agents, managers, and promoters-and supported by anecdotes from the people who lived it: musicians, entertainers and the dancing public.

The Story of Scotland's Dance Halls - And How Yer Dad Met Yer Ma!

Are Ye Dancin'?

The Apollo legend retold... When the rock'n'roll revolution came, Scotland was in the thick of the action. Every big name in the business wanted to be there for one reason: the Glasgow Apollo. Between 1973 and 1985 the 'Purple Palace' played host to everyone who ever mattered. From ABBA to Zappa, Johnny Cash to the Style Council, they all played and they all came back. The former cinema was a one-off, with its high stage, infamous bouncers - and the terrifying bouncing balcony. This book, first published in 2005, explains what made the venue so special, with the addition of new interviews, unseen photos and commentary. It ties in with the GlasgowApollo.com website to bring you the story of a rock'n'roll legend, told by the people who made it: those who played there, those who worked there and the unforgettable Glasgow choir, who inspired dozens of acts to record their Apollo shows for live release. Martin Kielty is a Glaswegian music journalist, band manager and drummer.

A legend of the Glasgow Apollo, written by Martin Kielty - author of acclaimed documentary book Apollo Memories... Monday, May 1, 1978... AC/DC just left town with a live album on tape. Thin Lizzy, David Bowie, UFO and Black Sabbath are on their way. Logie Paterson, singer with local heroes Fox Ache, looks forward to a show by his favourite band, Night Garden. There's a lot on his mind, and not just the World Cup campaign. He's thinking of quitting his group, and rumours abound that Night Garden have gone punk (at least, that's what the NME says). But worse, far worse: the Glasgow Apollo is about to close - and that means Logie will never get the chance to play there. This is the story of one night in 126 Renfield Street, among the Glasgow choir, in front of the sloping stage, under the bouncing balcony... surrounded by the infamous Apollo bouncers. Illustrations by Jim MacNee.

Martin Kielty

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