Wild Boys and Material Girls: The Pop Idols of the 80’s in Print

Hands up all the Gen X pop tragics out there! Yes, I’m one of those, my pre-teen years were right there from 1980 – 1985, so I have a long history of boy bands, pop idols and pin ups in my past.  The good news is, all of those pop idols, at least those that are still with us, are writing books and being written about.  I’ve chosen a few of my favourites to share with you all here.

Please please tell me now : the Duran Duran story / Davis, Stephen
“In ‘Please Please Tell Me Now’, bestselling rock biographer Stephen Davis tells the story of Duran Duran, the quintessential band of the 1980s. Featuring exclusive interviews with the band and never-before-published photos from personal archives, this book offers a definitive account of one of the last untold sagas in rock and roll history – a treat for diehard fans, new admirers, and music lovers of any age.” (Catalogue)

Wham! : George & me / Ridgeley, Andrew
“Wham! were the band that never underestimated the power of pop, nor the healing powers it possessed. In 1981, what started out as a boyhood friendship, catapulted two suburban adolescents to worldwide pop domination, becoming icons of their era.” (Catalogue)

 

 

This thing called life : Prince, race, sex, religion, and music / Vogel, Joseph
“What were Prince’s politics? What did he believe about God? And did he really forsake the subject- sex- that once made him the most subversive superstar of the Reagan era? In this illuminating, thematic biography, Joseph Vogel explores the issues that made Prince one of the late 20th century’s most unique, controversial, and fascinating artists.” (Catalogue) Continue reading “Wild Boys and Material Girls: The Pop Idols of the 80’s in Print”

Songbooks at Te Awe

Calling all musicians and aficionados of musical theatre! Did you know that we have a collection of Songbooks at our newest Central City branch, Te Awe Library on Brandon Street?

Before Central closed, it was home to a large collection of Songbooks and music Scores. These are all now available to reserve from our warehouse. But if you would like to browse some Songbooks in person, you can find them upstairs at Te Awe, nestled amongst the CD collection, and next to the music magazines. There is a great selection of songs held there including, rock, pop, standards, musicals, folk, and movie songs, with instructions for piano, vocal and guitar.

You can find our Te Awe branch just off Lambton Quay at 29 Brandon Street, or you can enter from Panama Street. In addition to the Songbooks and CDs upstairs, you will find young adult books, non-fiction and Māori books, DVDs and Blu-ray. On the ground floor there are magazines, a children’s area, adult fiction, large print, audiobooks, bestsellers, and a café! So take a look today!