Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, with my wife Judy and our pets – two Dachshunds named Bella and Benny, and our cat Patch. I’m a big music fan, especially classic and progressive rock. My collection of vinyl and CDs reflects that, with a lot of German bands like Novalis, Anyone’s Daughter, Neu, Cluster, Kraftwerk, and Peter Maffay.
But my real passion is The Bee Gees. I’ve been collecting their stuff for over 45 years and contributed to projects about them, like tour programs and DVD sleeve notes. I’ve been part of TV documentaries, using my collection for visual material. I’ve also written a book about them called “The Ultimate Biography of The Bee Gees: Tales of the Brothers Gibb.”
It’s been through a few editions, the last one in 2012 after Robin passed away, and it’s available as an e-book. Right now, I’m working on a series of books about The Bee Gees’ career, split by decades. The first one covered the 1960s, and you can probably guess what the next ones will be called!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, “DECADES: The Bee Gees in the 1970s,” is a collaboration with my friends Grant Walters and Mark Crohan, just like our previous volume, “DECADES: The Bee Gees in the 1960s.” We’ve got contracts for two more volumes covering the 1980s and 1990s. Still, we’re hoping to persuade the publisher to let us delve into the 21st Century to wrap up the story.
Each book in the series clocks in at around 125,000 words. By the time we finish, we’ll have surpassed 600,000 words. It’s a significant jump from my first co-authored book, “The Ultimate Biography of The Bee Gees: Tales of the Brothers Gibb,” which was about 360,000 words. It shows the increased depth of research and detail in the “DECADES” series.
The idea of writing struck me during the COVID lockdown. A couple of friends had authored a book about a different group, so I reached out to Sonicbond Publishing and secured the deal. Bringing Grant and Mark on board made sense; they’re Bee Gees aficionados too, each with their unique skills and expertise.
We’re a global team—I’m in Anglesey, Wales; Grant is in Ohio, USA; and Mark is in Melbourne, Australia. Our Zoom sessions are a hoot—Grant sips his morning coffee, I munch on lunch, and Mark winds down with a nightcap!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits might not be uncommon among writers. When it comes to crafting factual material—though I detest calling it “non-fiction”—it’s a different ball game compared to writing fiction.
Researching is my favorite part. I relish diving into old music magazines, not just for relevant information but also for other intriguing stories. It’s enjoyable, but sometimes, I stumble upon incomplete bits that demand further investigation, leading to restless nights. The fix? I’ll rise at ridiculous hours and keep digging until it feels resolved.
When I’m in the writing phase, I can’t simply stop mid-flow. I have to finish what I’m working on before I can call it a night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Reading isn’t a big hobby of mine – I mainly buy books for reference. Fiction isn’t my cup of tea. However, occasionally, I stumble upon books with intriguing concepts or layouts that I envision using for future writing projects. The latest one that caught my eye was “From Me to You: Songs the Beatles Covered and Songs They Gave Away” by Brian Southall.
If I were to craft a book along similar lines, it would focus on the songs The Bee Gees gave away. Their catalog is vast, with over 200 songs recorded by others. I’ve already got a title in mind, and much of the groundwork is done from previous projects. Bringing it to life simply requires finding a publisher and presenting it well.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m getting everything ready for the upcoming “DECADES” series volume covering the 1980s. Once it’s all set, I’ll upload the files to Dropbox for Mark and Grant to access. We’ll collaborate to shape the narrative over time. Considering the writing, editing, printing, and distribution process, I’m aiming for a publication date in the final quarter of 2024.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Our website proved invaluable for facilitating online sales during the pre-order phase of the 1960s book. Vince Melouney, an actual Bee Gee during 1967-68, penned one of the forewords for that book. His offer to sign copies for pre-orders gave us an incredible sales boost. It’s worth noting that Robin Gibb’s son, Spencer, is generously contributing forewords for all the books in the series. His support means a lot to us.
While social media is crucial these days, we hit a setback in July when Facebook suspended our page. Despite appealing the decision and their promise of a review within 45 days, several months have passed with no resolution. I’ve resorted to sending a physical letter in hopes of prompting action.
Aside from Facebook, we’re active on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, and we maintain a YouTube channel.
We’ve garnered substantial promotion and reviews across various platforms—websites, magazines, newspapers, podcasts, radio, and television. All these are accessible on the “Media” page of our website, and our radio and TV appearances can also be found on our YouTube channel.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My journey as a writer might not match the typical experience. Fortunately, I’ve been fortunate to find publishers willing to take on all my books, so I’ve never had to venture into self-publishing.
When it comes to writing, factual books diverge significantly from fiction. I work with established facts, crafting narratives around real characters and their experiences. Rather than conjuring characters and scenarios from imagination, I report on the past activities of existing figures. It might not sound thrilling, but I find it endlessly fascinating.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get your hair cut!
What are you reading now?
It’s interesting how many TV news pundits display packed bookshelves behind them, isn’t it? I wonder if it’s a deliberate attempt to come off as knowledgeable. Personally, I’m not an avid reader despite having shelves full of books.
When I do buy books, it’s for a purpose—to acquire specific knowledge. I hardly sit down and read cover to cover; I use them as reference materials, focusing on the particular topics I want to explore further. I’m currently delving into several bookazines—three about The Who, two about Kraftwerk, and one each about The Eagles and Abba. They’re perfect for getting in-depth insights without committing to a full book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing the next two volumes of The Bee Gees’ “DECADES” books is my primary focus under contract. However, I’m open to the possibility of smaller, related projects popping up in between. These could serve as welcome breaks from the larger undertaking.
What is your favorite book of all time?
“The Railway Children” by E. Nesbitt
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