Pop: The History Makers with Steve Blame

• Backstage Chronicles with Carl Miller

  Carl Miller is a veteran tour manager and rock-and-roll raconteur whose memoir Backstage Chronicles offers an unfiltered look at the legends and loopholes of touring. As the author and compiler of the book, Miller draws from his decades of experience on the road—working with major figures such as Cat Stevens, Ginger Baker, and Iron Maiden.Through vivid, funny, and occasionally shocking stories, he shares backstage escapades, of him and friends, including Stevie Wonder driving a tour bus, getting stuck in a lift with Steve McQueen, and losing £75,000 of Led Zeppelin’s money, among many othersBeyond the anecdotes, Backstage Chronicles also paints a picture of how touring culture has evolved, and a look at what was really the wild west of rock n roll, which makes Spinal Tap feel real.If you'd like to get the book it's available through amazon online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Iain Mckell - Photographer

  Iain McKell is a distinguished British photographer and filmmaker celebrated for his powerful portraits and social-documentary work, particularly his chronicling of British youth subcultures since the late 1970s.His prints will be exhibited in the upcoming show Blitz – The Club That Shaped the 80s, which opens on September 20th and runs until March 29th, 2026 at the Design Museum in Kensington, London.Alongside the exhibition, he's published a monograph titled New Romantics under the imprint Little Acorn Press, featuring portraits I made in 1980 at the age of 22.Every Tuesday, the Blitz Club played out its weekly scene, and he would attend with invitation cards in hand. He handed them to people who caught my eye, inviting them to a Thursday afternoon pop-up studio he set up at the Orangery in Holland Park. To his delight, many came, including Vivienne Westwood, Billy Idol, and George O’Dowd, to name just a few.The result is a rare and intimate documentation of a dynamic cultural movement as it was just beginning to emerge.Born in Weymouth, Dorset, in 1957, Iain began his photographic journey at 19 as a seaside portraitist while studying graphic design at Exeter, before moving to London in 1979 to devote himself fully to photography His early self‑published book, SUB CULTURE (1979), spotlighted the Mod and Skinhead revivals and led to opportunities photographing Blitz Kids in 1980s London, Madonna’s first magazine cover, and other influential editorial work in i‑D, The Face, and L'Uomo Vogue. McKell is perhaps best known for his decade‑long immersion in the world of New Age Travellers—documenting a modern nomadic subculture through his book The New Gypsies (2011) and exhibitions across London, Paris, Milan, and New York.His other notable books include Fashion Forever: 30 Years of Subculture (2004) and Beautiful Britain: Photographs from the 1970s to the Present (2012) McKell’s approach is both empathetic and unromanticized: he immerses himself in the lives of diverse communities to produce honest, poetic visual narratives that explore themes of rebellion, identity, and belonging Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Deniece Pearson of Five Star

  Deniece Pearson—best known as the powerhouse lead singer of Five Star—was the voice behind some of the slickest pop-R&B hits of the 1980s. As frontwoman of Britain’s answer to the Jacksons, she helped the sibling group dominate the charts with platinum albums and a string of infectious singles like System Addict and Rain or Shine. With a Brit Award under her belt and a signature sound that defined an era, Deniece has since carved out a dynamic solo career, earning praise in the West End, on The Voice UK, and with her own soul-driven releases. Timeless, trailblazing, and still shining. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Steve Blacknell - The Man with the Child in his Eyes

  A veteran British broadcaster, music industry insider, and self-proclaimed "serial thrill-seeker", Steve Blacknell's life has zigzagged through some of pop culture's most iconic moments.Born in Peckham in 1952 and raised in Dartford, Blacknell rose from humble beginnings—working as a hospital cleaner—to becoming a dynamic force in radio, television, and music PR. He worked at major record labels like Decca, Chrysalis, and Jive, where he notably signed A Flock of Seagulls.In the early 1980s, he became a familiar face and voice on BBC Radio 1, BBC2’s Riverside, and later as a pioneering European video jockey on MTV USA’s London Calling, reaching an audience of over 20 million.In 1985, he flew on Concorde with Phil Collins to cover both the UK and US sides of Live Aid, cementing his place in music history.Blacknell also dated Kate Bush in the 1970s, and their romance has since become part of his rich tapestry of rock 'n' roll storytelling. In interviews and his writing, he speaks fondly of her artistry and the intimacy they once shared, offering rare insight into the reclusive star.In 2025, he published his memoir Tales from the Bedroom Wall: The Life & Times of a Serial Thrill Seeker, which charts the highs of stardom and the lows of personal collapse. To buy the book, go here;https://amzn.eu/d/gCDNm8KFor Steve, failure is not a shame—it's a vital part of learning. He believes falling down hard is often what creates the best stories, the most powerful comebacks, and the deepest empathy. His life is living proof of that philosophy.Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of music. 🔗 Support Me Here☕Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers🔗 Stay Connected With Me.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steve.blame/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Producer Steve Levine

  Steve Levine: The Hitmaker Behind Culture Club, The Beach Boys & More | Music Producer Legend #cultureclub #boygeorge #stevelevine #recordproducerHe’s the man behind the mixing desk who helped define the sound of a generation.My guest today is a Grammy Award-winning producer and one of the true architects of ‘80s pop. He shaped the global success of Culture Club, producing timeless hits like Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, and played a key role in launching Boy George into superstardom.Steve’s discography as a playlist on Spotify here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0WASlPyUQWAufcH1LnUAxe?si=1079ff5e819a478dBut Steve Levine’s story goes far beyond Culture Club. He’s worked with a staggering range of music legends — from The Beach Boys and Gary Moore to Lemmy — leaving his sonic signature on everything from polished pop to raw rock.A pioneer of studio innovation and a passionate advocate for new talent, Steve has never stopped pushing boundaries. Today, we’re diving deep into the music, the moments, and the mindset of a producer who helped shape the soundtrack of our lives.Full list of releases are herehttps://open.spotify.com/artist/1FZXNDQT6H3YSeMSgivXSQ?si=dnFW6HPxQRaYcI1WtFujIQLike, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of music.🔗 Support Me Here☕Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/popthehistorymakers🔗 Stay Connected With Me.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steve.blame/Website: http://www.popthehistorymakers.com/📩 For business inquiries: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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