Stupefied: The Paul Gorman Playlist

Rita, left, with Paul Gorman, somewhere in London

The Look

In this week's edition of the Stupefied Playlist, I'm happy to present someone who is no stranger to these pages, writer Paul Gorman, a personal hero of mine. As I've said about him before, he's a "...great gumshoe at the crossroads of fashion, music, art, and all cool culture." With an impressive list of published books behind him, including several I've mentioned over the last several years, Gorman shows no signs of slowing down. Its not often that a writer can claim to have written the definitive tome on one subject. It's even rarer to be able to say you've done it with two or three subjects. Paul fits this last category. A rare breed, indeed.

Reasons To Be Cheerful

Currently, besides being engaged in various projects surrounding the cultural legacies of Barney Bubbles and Malcolm McLaren, he is also working on a book telling the story of The Face magazine (currently scheduled to be published in 2015 by Thames & Hudson). He is also writing a monograph of the eminent Los Angeles-based British artist Derek Boshier, and working on a project relating to the work of the late photographer David Parkinson. Phew!

Keep up with Paul's cultural journey by visiting his blog -  

Paul Gorman Is

Official Barney Bubbles site - Reasons To Be Cheerful

And of course, his first - The Look: Adventures In Rock and Pop Fashion

Huge thanks to Paul for the list! 

To listen to the playlist, below you have two choices -
the 15-track Spotify version, or the 20-track YouTube version.
Turn up the volume and enjoy.

01. Cocoa Song (from Moon Over The Alley OST)

02. I Start Counting - Basil Kirchin

03. Say You Don't Mind - Colin Blunstone

04. Cut The World - Antony & The Johnsons

05. Burundi Black (Part 2) - Burundi Stephenson Black

06. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley

07. Boogie Children - John Fred & the Playboys

08. Jump Sturdy - Dr John

09. Natty Dread Taking Over - Culture

10. Love A We Deal With - Big Youth

11. Train To Rhodesia - Big Youth

12. Sadness Is A Blessing - Lykke Li

13. The Lights Of Tucson - Jim Campbell

14. Coz I Luv U - Slade

15. High - Ssion

16. Inside Out - Odyssey

17. Genesis - Grimes

18. Baby's On Fire - Die Antwoord

19. Sick Of Myself - Matthew Sweet

20. You Shouldn't Do That - Hawkwind (full live version)

The Kings Road Fashion & Music Trail, Part 5: Granny Takes A Trip

Click for detail

Paul Gorman, whose new book, Mr. Freedom - Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero, I wrote about recently, has taken part in a new series of short films highlighting some of the more historical music & fashion related addresses along the King's Road in Chelsea, London. Today wrap up this five part series, and feature Granny Takes A Trip.

Follow Paul Gorman at www.paulgormanis.com. A big thank you him for making these videos available.

The King's Road Music and Fashion Trail is a series of five downloadable film clips celebrating the historical and cultural significance of key locations in the King's Road - one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world where successive waves of stylistic and musical revolutions have been created over the decades.

Appealing to pop culture fans and casual visitors alike, the trail centres on three-minute filmed documentaries presenting the histories of buildings which once housed such iconic stores as the world's first boutique - Mary Quant's shop Bazaar -Granny Takes A Trip, whose customers included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and Johnson's The Modern Outfitters, which was frequented by Madness, George Michael and The Clash.

The Kings Road Fashion & Music Trail, Part 4: Paradise Garage

Click for detail

Paul Gorman, whose new book, Mr. Freedom - Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero, I wrote about recently, has taken part in a new series of short films highlighting some of the more historical music & fashion related addresses along the King's Road in Chelsea, London. Today we feature Paradise Garage, and its not the famed NYC dance club which would come a few years later. Tomorrow, in the final installment, the spotlight falls on Granny Takes A Trip.

Follow Paul Gorman at www.paulgormanis.com.

The King's Road Music and Fashion Trail is a series of five downloadable film clips celebrating the historical and cultural significance of key locations in the King's Road - one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world where successive waves of stylistic and musical revolutions have been created over the decades.

Appealing to pop culture fans and casual visitors alike, the trail centres on three-minute filmed documentaries presenting the histories of buildings which once housed such iconic stores as the world's first boutique - Mary Quant's shop Bazaar -Granny Takes A Trip, whose customers included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and Johnson's The Modern Outfitters, which was frequented by Madness, George Michael and The Clash.

The Kings Road Fashion & Music Trail, Part 3: Johnson's Modern Outfitters

Click for detail

Paul Gorman, whose new book, Mr. Freedom - Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero, I wrote about recently, has taken part in a new series of short films highlighting some of the more historical music & fashion related addresses along the King's Road in Chelsea, London. Today we feature Johnson's Modern Outfitters. Tomorrow Paradise Garage takes the stage.

Follow Paul Gorman at www.paulgormanis.com.

The King's Road Music and Fashion Trail is a series of five downloadable film clips celebrating the historical and cultural significance of key locations in the King's Road - one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world where successive waves of stylistic and musical revolutions have been created over the decades.

Appealing to pop culture fans and casual visitors alike, the trail centres on three-minute filmed documentaries presenting the histories of buildings which once housed such iconic stores as the world's first boutique - Mary Quant's shop Bazaar -Granny Takes A Trip, whose customers included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and Johnson's The Modern Outfitters, which was frequented by Madness, George Michael and The Clash.

The Kings Road Fashion & Music Trail, Part 2: Dandie Fashions/Apple Tailoring

Click for detail

Paul Gorman, whose new book, Mr. Freedom - Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero, I wrote about recently, has taken part in a new series of short films highlighting some of the more historical music & fashion related addresses along the King's Road in Chelsea, London. Today we feature Dandie Fashions/Apple Tailoring. Come back tomorrow for Johnson's Modern Outfitters.

Follow Paul Gorman at www.paulgormanis.com.

The King's Road Music and Fashion Trail is a series of five downloadable film clips celebrating the historical and cultural significance of key locations in the King's Road - one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world where successive waves of stylistic and musical revolutions have been created over the decades.

Appealing to pop culture fans and casual visitors alike, the trail centres on three-minute filmed documentaries presenting the histories of buildings which once housed such iconic stores as the world's first boutique - Mary Quant's shop Bazaar -Granny Takes A Trip, whose customers included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and Johnson's The Modern Outfitters, which was frequented by Madness, George Michael and The Clash.

The Kings Road Fashion & Music Trail, Part 1: Bazaar

Paul Gorman, whose new book, Mr. Freedom - Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero, I wrote about recently, has taken part in a new series of short films highlighting some of the more historical music & fashion related addresses along the King's Road in Chelsea, London. Over the next several days, I'll be posting these films, one by one. Today we begin with Bazaar, opened in 1955 by Mary Quant.

Follow Paul Gorman at www.paulgormanis.com.

The King's Road Music and Fashion Trail is a series of five downloadable film clips celebrating the historical and cultural significance of key locations in the King's Road - one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world where successive waves of stylistic and musical revolutions have been created over the decades.

Appealing to pop culture fans and casual visitors alike, the trail centres on three-minute filmed documentaries presenting the histories of buildings which once housed such iconic stores as the world's first boutique - Mary Quant's shop Bazaar -Granny Takes A Trip, whose customers included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and Johnson's The Modern Outfitters, which was frequented by Madness, George Michael and The Clash.

New book alert: Mr. Freedom, Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero

In his continuing fight to shine a light on the darker & less thought about corners of rock history, and the frequent intersections of music & fashion, UK writer Paul Gorman, has a new title coming very soon to a bookshelf near you. Mr. Freedom, Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero tells the story of Mr. Roberts who, since the mid-60's, has run cutting edge boutiques featuring original designs in London. With a strong connection to the music world in the 1970's, Roberts designs were often worn by many of the upper tier British rock stars at the time like Elton John (he wore those shoes on the cover above), Mick Jagger, and quite a few others.

As in previous books (the Barney Bubbles book and The Look specifically), Gorman's new title is a triumph. Meticulous in its research & design, it will be as useful on a researchers bookshelf, as it will be cool on a fashionista's coffee table. Gorman gets it right. For more info, visit his website for Tommy Roberts-related posts here.

Mr. Freedom, Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero can be ordered here.

Before and After: Album Art 5

Now that he's tackled Barney Bubbles, and Lloyd Johnson, friend of the blog, Paul Gorman, is now working on an upcoming exhibition for UK artist/designer Derek Boshier. For details on the exhibit & Boshier's work with David Bowie &The Clash, click here.

Before:

After:

Lloyd Johnson Exhibit, London

Johnson's Kensington Market shop, 1980s

 Friend of the blog, Paul Gorman, has been hard at work setting up the incredible looking Lloyd Johnson: The Modern Outfitter exhibit at the Chelsea Space in London, due to open this coming Tuesday the 24th. 


In between the arranging & setting up, and whatever else needs to be done when setting up an exhibit of this size, Gorman has found the time to post updates on his blog, Paul Gorman Is. He's done four as of this writing, and for those of you interested in rock 'n roll history & fashion, I highly suggest taking a look at whats in store for visitors to Chelsea Space. I have to say I'm really disappointed that I have no reason to be in London right now.

 Lloyd Johnson: The Modern Outfitter – the exhibition about one of the greatest contributors to British street fashion and visual culture of recent times – is at London gallery Chelsea Space in the New Year, from January 24 to March 3. The show will be centred on Johnson’s archive of garments, artwork, fabrics, ephemera and personal effects, augmented by contributions from customers and collectors from Tokyo to Sydney to LA.

The Chelsea Space is at: 
Chelsea College of Art and Design
16 John Islip Street
London SW1P 4JU
phone: +44 (0)207 514 6983
chelseaspace.org

Lloyd Johnson, center

Kate Simon by Paul Gorman

The Clash by Kate Simon

Every once in a while things pay off, and I feel like what I do, what I pursue, is worthwhile. I was recently able to introduce writer Paul Gorman, and photographer Kate Simon. The result is today's wonderful mini-bio, by Paul, of Simon's incredible career.

"...what has been her approach? “To make a connection; I love good eye contact, first and foremost. Also cultivating my work, which has been my greatest companion. My recommendation is: Follow your bliss and cultivate your work. That is one companion which will never abandon you.” Read the whole thing here.

Check out Kate's work here.

Of note - Yr Heart Out, Paul Gorman blog, Kate Simon book

I just wanted to point out a couple of things worth investigating.

Friend Kevin, over at Your Heart Out, has a new issue of his free ezine ready for your perusal entitled Skimming Stones. You can download it here.

As he describes it: After some revealing romps in the archives of The Pop Group and the Mad Professor’s Ariwa label it’s time to explore some related roots and branches. So, if you’ve even a passing interest in, for example, On-U Sound, Jah Wobble, Disco Dub Band, Dennis Bovell, lovers rock, afro rock, pub rock, The Fabulous Stains and Snatch, you will have a lot of fun exploring this particular pop tract.

Paul Gorman on his couch with friend

 Also, Mr. Paul Gorman, that great gumshoe at the crossroads of fashion, music, art, and all cool culture, has yet another blog to add to his already impressive list of online business. This would include the must reads The Look, and Reasons To Be Cheerful at BarneyBubbles.com. Head on over to PaulGormanIs.com and hit the subscribe button.

Wailers having fun at the hotel on tour for Exodus, by Kate Simon

Lastly, Kate Simon, she of the amazing photographic eye, has one of those incredibly beautiful, luxurious, and expensive books available from Genesis Publications in the UK - Bob Marley: Rebel Music. There are a couple of different editions available, and it's obviously essential for any serious Marley fans out there. Check it out here.

Wailers at the Lyceum Theatre, London, by Kate Simon