If you haven’t already got your copy, tonight’s the chance to pick up the definitive guide to the Dundee music scene.
Not before time, Dundee’s rich musical story is told in Take It To The Bridge, which is officially launched tonight at Waterstone’s at 6.30pm.
Dundee journalist, musician and now published author Lorraine Wilson (no relation) will be there to sign copies and swap stories with some of the characters in the book.
She said: ”It’s great to see it on the shelves but it all seemed to happen so quickly. The publisher gave the go-ahead at the end of February and it was complete the second week of July.
”That was after transcribing almost 70 interviews and putting everyone’s stories into some kind of timeline from the 1960s to the present day. Every one was great fun and it was an honour to tell the stories of musicians who are not really known outside of Dundee, as well as those of the bands and individuals who are.”
Miraculously, given the time involved, Lorraine has produced a fabulous history of the local music scene.
It’s a fascinating glimpse into its characters, impressarios and gifted musicians and Lorraine has perfectly captured the heart and soul of the past 50 years.
Neatly cataloguing the players, venues and some of the big gigs in the city throughout that period, she manages to interweave personal stories with historical events, the happy tales with the gut-wrenchingly sad, the many hilarious moments with the countless near-misses, own goals and cruel twists of fate.
Most importantly, underneath it all the wry Dundonian sense of humour shines through.
From Billy Mackenzie to Michael Marra, Average White Band to Danny Wilson and Ricky Ross to The View, the stories behind all those great acts are told. Take It To The Bridge is an enthralling look behind the scenes, to that magical backstage world where local legends were created, awestruck young pupils became global superstars and a myriad of dreams were cruelly dashed.
Published by Black & White Publishing, it’s available at Waterstone’s now.