Books

1976 Punk, Cricket and London's Burning is the story of the rise of punk as both a genre of rock and a cultural movement. In divided 1970s Britain, resentment to the establishment and old order was growing with yearnings for a new beginning. Despair and anger for the working-class young was everywhere. They were being sold a version of no hope Britain that was grey, bleak, bankrupt and unemployed with no future. Britain seemed broken and at the same time, the music was remote, insipid and uninspiring. Added to this misery was the ugly and repulsive spectre of the far-right rising in influence, sowing racial tensions and clashes in opposition to rising immigration. Yet hope was brewing. Punk was becoming the voice of young people, disgruntled with how things were! At last, there was energy and excitement. Billy Idol, Siouxsie Sioux and the Bromley Contingent were creating a new scene. The Clash and Joe Strummer were going to save the young. But they needed help and the spirit of Gene Vincent was on hand.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, the people still looked to the great game of cricket. The West Indies team were touring England. They had a rising star called Viv Richards who looked special, very special. The West Indians, living in Britain, needed a hero. Viv needed a mentor, and WG Grace was there for him. 1976 would be the summer of Viv Richards scoring boundaries endlessly and the searing pace of Michael Holding sending Tony Greig's stumps into orbit blowing in the winds of redemption. The fires of Babylon were burning bright. The summer of 1976 ends with the Notting Hill riots where cricket, punk and Don Letts come together to save the day.

1976 Punk, Cricket and London's Burning is a nuanced and original look at these hard times for Britain - the perspective of icons since passed, looking on at the brewing trouble, and hoping to share their wisdom to mend it.