Rock Goes to College

The Campus Music Scene That Shaped a Generation

By Mark Knopfler, Paul Sexton | Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

About the book

The hectic, hugely entertaining, and definitive story of the wonderful and entirely amateurish British university gig scene that launched the career of some of the world's most famous bands As rock exploded around the world, so young bands would sling their gear into their trusty Ford Transits and bomb up and down the new motorway system to university and polytechnic campuses all over the UK, honing their sound and hoping to get noticed. A list of acts who put in the hard yards on this circuit reads like a Who's Who of rock music: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Fleetwood Mac, Black Sabbath, Queen, the Kinks, Dire Straits, AC / DC, Genesis, Nick Drake, Joan Armatrading and Elton John all paid their dues in sweaty and badly ventilated dressing rooms in places like Leeds University and Regent Street Poly. Even Paul McCartney, after the Beatles fell apart, took his new band Wings out on the circuit to get them road tested. Now, for the first time, seasoned music journalist Paul Sexton sets out to document this extraordinary moment in British music history. Tapping into his huge network of contacts in the music industry, Rock Goes to College is a fascinating, raucous ride of a book, crammed full of incredible, never-before-heard stories of the beginnings of some of the most famous acts on the planet.

Editions of Rock Goes to College

Hardcover
ISBN 9780008722418
EBook
ISBN 9780008722432

Read an Excerpt

The hectic, hugely entertaining, and definitive story of the wonderful and entirely amateurish British university gig scene that launched the career of some of the world's most famous bands As rock exploded around the world, so young bands would sling their gear into their trusty Ford Transits and bomb up and down the new motorway system to university and polytechnic campuses all over the UK, honing their sound and hoping to get noticed. A list of acts who put in the hard yards on this circuit reads like a Who's Who of rock music: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Fleetwood Mac, Black Sabbath, Queen, the Kinks, Dire Straits, AC / DC, Genesis, Nick Drake, Joan Armatrading and Elton John all paid their dues in sweaty and badly ventilated dressing rooms in places like Leeds University and Regent Street Poly. Even Paul McCartney, after the Beatles fell apart, took his new band Wings out on the circuit to get them road tested. Now, for the first time, seasoned music journalist Paul Sexton sets out to document this extraordinary moment in British music history. Tapping into his huge network of contacts in the music industry, Rock Goes to College is a fascinating, raucous ride of a book, crammed full of incredible, never-before-heard stories of the beginnings of some of the most famous acts on the planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rock Goes to College about?

The hectic, hugely entertaining, and definitive story of the wonderful and entirely amateurish British university gig scene that launched the career of some of the world's most famous bands As rock exploded around the world, so young bands would sling their gear into their trusty Ford Transits and bomb up and down the new motorway system to university and polytechnic campuses all over the UK, honing their sound and hoping to get noticed. A list of acts who put in the hard yards on this circuit reads like a Who's Who of rock music: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Fleetwood Mac, Black Sabbath, Queen, the Kinks, Dire Straits, AC / DC, Genesis, Nick Drake, Joan Armatrading and Elton John all paid their dues in sweaty and badly ventilated dressing rooms in places like Leeds University and Regent Street Poly. Even Paul McCartney, after the Beatles fell apart, took his new band Wings out on the circuit to get them road tested. Now, for the first time, seasoned music journalist Paul Sexton sets out to document this extraordinary moment in British music history. Tapping into his huge network of contacts in the music industry, Rock Goes to College is a fascinating, raucous ride of a book, crammed full of incredible, never-before-heard stories of the beginnings of some of the most famous acts on the planet.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Rock Goes to College?

Language and Linguistics > Language: reference and general > Language: history and general works

Where can I read a sample of Rock Goes to College?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780008722418

How long is Rock Goes to College and how many pages does it have?

Rock Goes to College has 320 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Rock Goes to College?

Mark Knopfler, Paul Sexton

Who is the Publisher of the book Rock Goes to College?

HarperCollins Publishers

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Rock Goes to College is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780008722418) and ebook(ISBN 9780008722432)

Where can I buy Rock Goes to College online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Rock Goes to College from below

Where can I buy Rock Goes to College?