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Punk Rock Ruined My Life

And Other Stories

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Punk Rock Ruined My Life

By: John Robb
Narrated by: John Robb
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The irresistible story of a one-man cultural phenomenon. Minister for the Counterculture, Mancunian mainstay and alternative national treasure John Robb has lived a life in music. In this book he charts his adventures on the cultural frontline, chronicling the making of a DIY icon. Robb’s quest began in his hometown of Blackpool–where punk was a battle against the odds–and went international when he toured the world with his band. The first person to interview Nirvana, he also discovered The Stone Roses for weekly newspaper Sounds and did early interviews with The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Manics, before moving on to legends such as Mark E. Smith, Nick Cave and Patti Smith. Along the way, he became an on-screen commentator and author of bestselling books. Robb’s memoir tells of deep friendships with figures from Poly Styrene to Chris Packham. Packed with riotous stories, it provides an alternative account of British musical and cultural history and a triumphant blueprint for a punk rock life.

©2026 John Robb (P)2026 Manchester University Press Entertainment & Celebrities History & Criticism Music
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A fascinating journey through John Robb’s journey in the music business both off stage and on stage. The title is somewhat misleading, it’s clearly tongue in cheek, and from the onset punk gave John Robb’s life energy and inspiration to exist within its realms, a man that’s not only talked the talk he’s also picked up the punk rock baton and walked the walk too. John has pretty much rubbed shoulders with every punk rock outsider to punk rock royalty. It’s not merely a case of being in the right place at the right time, it’s about making things happen with a boundless tenacity that fuels his passion.
This book does not

John Robb

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the whole book from start to finish was educational, especially for me coming from blackpool and being a blackpool punk

A education in punk

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I truly admire John Robb. His ambition, drive and punk attitude has helped him forge a career in both music and rock journalism, despite, frankly, having little discernible talent for either. He’s also an engaging and insightful speaker. So I was disappointed by this memoir - the writing is a clunky LEGO brick of rock weekly cliche and fifth form purple prose, the delivery is distractingly histrionic, wasn’t there anyone producing to tell him to dial it down? This all gets in the way of a good story. John, do another: just relax and tell your story as if you were talking to a mate, you don’t need to impress anyone.

A let down

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