The
News
21May2007
Book Out!!
I went to Mackay’s the printers in Chatham today to see the awe inspiring sight of my book rolling off the presses. It’s a great thrill, somewhat marred by a few mistakes (Wrong or missing photo credits, bits of unwarranted punctuation…Grrr.. but what can you do?)
xx
Guy
59 comments
johan ödmann - May 21, 2007 9:41 PM
Not my photos I hope..:)
Phoenix - May 22, 2007 9:51 AM
Woohoo on the book rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ off the presses!
Looking forward to reading it.
george hartselle - May 22, 2007 3:49 PM
Onwards and upwards right? Has Bass Player magazine contacted
you about the book, maybe with a concerted effort we could get you a review, how about it bass fans?
Simon J - May 22, 2007 6:51 PM
Might not be a special announcement for you guys, but here goes.
Today, I completed my Business Studies Degree at Cardiff. It was a great occasion, and hopefully, by June 25th, I will know if I passed.
It’s a great feeling being employed now, as a Marketing Advisor, and hopefully, next time we all meet, drinks are on me!
Thanks to everyone and Mr. Pratt.
Simon J (Happy Days!)
Ricardo Padua - May 22, 2007 7:07 PM
Congrats Simon!
🙂
Guy Pratt - May 22, 2007 9:52 PM
Congratulations to us all!!!
Cheers
Guy
Simon J - May 23, 2007 12:59 AM
Thank you Ricardo and Mr. Pratt. I must ask though, have you two ever indulged in further education?
Happy Days to us all,
Simon J
Phoenix - May 23, 2007 8:27 AM
Huzzah, Simon J!
I’ll cheerfully break my usual ‘no drinking’ rule to virtually share one with you (especially since you’re buying). But the rest of my share of the booze, you’re welcome to.
I’ll celebrate finally getting my bloody artwork galleries back online for the first time in at least 3 years, whee!
(leans over to the next person in queue for The Book and queries, “What’re you celebrating?”)
Karen - May 24, 2007 1:27 AM
I got a new job, started 2 weeks ago.
Can we celebrate that also.
Karen.
Karen - May 24, 2007 1:31 AM
Oh, and this is my impressive new title, SAP Security Specialist.
Karen.
Cory - May 24, 2007 5:40 AM
Guy,
Congrats on the book! I am in Texas, USA and just ordered it on Amazon UK (not available in US for now). I really hope you do a US tour. I saw the Pink Floyd Division Bell tour in San Antonio and the New York tour last year with David. I hope you do a tour in the US and if you do, I will be sure to go where ever you can do a show. Please let us know.
Cory (and the rest of your American fans)
Michèle (France) - May 24, 2007 11:00 AM
Hi, Phoenix, tchin-tchin, mon amie!
Stefano - May 24, 2007 11:30 AM
Hy Guy,
congratulation for your book, I’m going to buy it soon!
I hope you are not a fan of Liverpool…because my preferred football team is MILAN…!!!!
Cheers.
Stefano
Angelo Ortiz - May 24, 2007 2:30 PM
Good luck Guy! And cheers to Simon and Pheonix…
Simon J - May 24, 2007 6:17 PM
Gag of the Month time again folks.
A priest stripped off to his birthday suit to have a shower in a church, before his sermon. He had a quick shower, as people had started to arrive.
However, when he got out, to his annoyance, there was no towels, and the closest towels were down the hallway in his private room. He sneaked out, and took the two bars of soap that he took with him originally.
As he sneaked down the hallway, two nuns were entering the hallway as well, so he stood to one side, and tried his best to look like one of the statues.
The two nuns saw the new statue and claimed that it was very lifelike. So the first nun pulled his penis.
Startled, the priest drops a bar of soap. The nun states “This must be one of these new soap dispensers.” So the second nun tugs his todger, and again the priest drops the second bar of soap.
The first nun enjoyed it so much, she tugged it again, but this time there was no soap, so she tugged for a good while, until she siad out loud.….
“There’s handcream as well!!”
Nick - May 24, 2007 9:41 PM
Guy,
Apologies for Chatham.…saying that you should have popped up the mine for a jam!
Phoenix - May 24, 2007 10:50 PM
Karen, way to go! Sounds very important! Good luck with that.
Simon… you’re nuts. 😀
Michele, mon amie, it’s good to hear from you. Click on my name, check out the pretty pictures, let me know what you think. There’s a link on there that will let you email me if you wanna. 🙂
Ricardo Padua - May 25, 2007 4:36 AM
Yes Simon i have a degree in Communication Design.
And now for something completely different
(and since we are in Happy Days mood):
The portuguese national channel made a story about my general works with a special higlight about this website where i talk a bit how it was made.
It has been broadcasted all week on national channel and even you don’t understand you can watch it on sunday, 2 a.m. (GMT: London / Lisbon), at RTP International since it broadcasts worldwide.
So, like Guy said, congratulations to us all!!
Cheers
Phoenix - May 25, 2007 6:35 AM
Well done indeed, Mr. Padua. Or, to borrow/edit a Gooner phrase, ‘Didn’t he do well?’ 🙂
george hartselle - May 25, 2007 3:59 PM
How about this? I’m an 8th grade Social Studies teacher (security, insurance, retirement, unlike my bass playing job). Today is the last day for the next 2 1/2 months. Summer vacation. Will be playing with The Hi 5 and SpunktheCombo (we are Americans my friends, no connotations), my bands. Who said there was nothing rewarding about teaching?
So.…once again, congrats to us all. See you in August.
Geo
Mrmago67 - May 25, 2007 11:36 PM
The sad fact is my daughters boyfriend works at Mackays in chatham and the day after Guy went to see the books he asked me if i had heard of him, the least he could have done was asked him to sign one and give it to me, lol, ps im in the picture in the book of guy standing in front of the crowd at Wembly in 88 in about middle right lol
Daniel Werwolf - May 26, 2007 10:11 AM
Congrats! 🙂 I hope it will be posiible to buy your book here in Israel 🙂
Nate - May 26, 2007 12:27 PM
Break a leg tonight Guy!
I have been considering making the trip to High Wycombe tonight to come and see your opening night. ‘Carpe diem’ and all that…
2 hrs drive vs. 15 minutes to get to Wimborne…
A little bird tells me you like Margaritas… I know a great place for them in Bournemouth BUT I would have to buy you dinner as well! 😀
I’ll have to do some preliminary market research in Wimborne to find the best place before you get here 😉
What’s your favourite type?
Nate - May 26, 2007 1:02 PM
Tonight’s gig is cancelled! 🙁
Guy, I hope that you are OK?
Well that’s made my decision for what I do tonight a little easier…
… or has it?
You wouldn’t have cancelled it to attend ‘Games for May’ would you?
mmmmmm…
Guy Pratt - May 26, 2007 1:15 PM
Wycombe was cancelled a couple of days beforehand, sorry I didn’t have a chance to post…It’s been rescheduled for Oct 3.
Nate - May 27, 2007 12:03 PM
I went to ‘Games for May’ last night and it was superb 🙂
There was no public involvement by any of Pink Floyd but that didn’t stop a great evening. There were projections of early Syd/Floyd footage in the lobby and some people dressed up, the girls (and some guys) held daffodils and there were ‘flowers in the hair’.
I overheard someone say that Joe Boyd was there and I think Robyn Hitchcock did a fine job with the songs especially with some of Syd’s solo work. Congrats to Graham Coxon for getting the right ‘noodle’ to start Interstellar Overdrive! There were about 5 guys operating the array of oil projectors and other ‘analogue’ lighting paraphernalia.
Congratulation Ricardo on getting on the TV, You do fine work 🙂
Jessica - May 29, 2007 6:31 PM
Hiyas Guy,
Congratulations on your book again,
I was just looking over your music credits and noticed you had worked with Iggy Pop in 05,
Was just wondering how you enjoyed that?
Tony - May 29, 2007 8:10 PM
Congrats!
What a flashback to Jr. High! The first day of school we were required to take our books home and jacket them for protection — usually done with paper shopping bags.
Looking at your book I’m reminded of how my books looked after a few weeks of “illustrating” during lectures. Identical!
Great nostalgia.
Tony
Paul Sexton - May 30, 2007 11:26 PM
Book on it’s way.……
Karen - May 31, 2007 1:18 AM
Book on it’s way also, just wait now.
sonicfrog - June 1, 2007 6:44 AM
Did my pic make it in the final cut??? 🙂
Guy Pratt - June 1, 2007 10:34 AM
What pic?
Haris Varajic - June 2, 2007 3:11 AM
Sorry for offtopic but…what happened to Betsy’s boddy? I can se a huge deep wound/scratch near the bridge pickup 🙁
Just dont say it was always being there…or am i blind? 🙂
Guy Pratt - June 2, 2007 9:59 AM
Haris
It was there when I got her..
lorraine - June 2, 2007 11:57 AM
Just to say I’m really enjoying the book. Yes, of course I read chapter 43 first, couldn’t help myself! Loved the glass clock story, you’re all very cheeky about that sweet man:)
Karen - June 2, 2007 2:46 PM
Hi,
Apparently Mr Pratt, you were on an episode of Top Gear, we are a few series behind here, so I take it, it was a while ago for you.
I however missed it; I know you were involved in the theme music, is that why you were on ?
Karen.
sonicfrog - June 2, 2007 3:53 PM
It was late at night; was tired, probably had some wine, and was being silly. There would be no reason for me to be in the book. You don’t know who I am… Hell most of the time I don’t know who I am!!!. 🙂
Anyway. Congrats on the book. If I don’t see it in the local bookstore, I’ll get it on the net.
Karen - June 4, 2007 6:10 AM
Book has arrived, and is doing the rounds in the office.
You will be happy to know it is bringing back a lot of memories for people. And there is now a list of who is borrowing it next.
Guy Pratt - June 4, 2007 1:20 PM
Borrowing??? They should be buying!!!!
Paul Sexton - June 4, 2007 5:47 PM
Heading to Turkey in a couple of weeeks for a break, book going too!!!
Looks good though..
Paul
Nate - June 4, 2007 11:07 PM
I love the gloss varnish and embossing on the cover.
For those of you that haven’t seen it ‘in the flesh’ yet…
It makes the colour photos look as though they have been cut from glossy magazines and have been stuck on with Sellotape…
…and the white title of the book looks like it’s been written in Tipp-Ex which was a common type of toxic all purpose white paint for the school child 😉
Great concept by Gala 🙂
Karen - June 5, 2007 5:10 AM
Hi,
I am trying to push the buy rather than borrow (but I think I am too nice, can’t say no)
I am enjoying the book very much, being a fan from way back, I loved the Icehouse stuff.
You mentioned an interview with Donny Sutherland from “Sounds”, I actually have a copy on tape of an interview you, Andy and Iva did with him many years ago.
It also brought back memories of many Icehouse concerts I went too, one being at Newcastle Workers club in NSW, where I actually bumped you into outside the club when I was at the tender age of 16.
And seems you used to live in the area I now resident in Bondi/Coogee/Bondi Junction.
Anyway it’s a great read and I’m having a great laugh, well done.
Karen.
Andy neale - June 5, 2007 9:54 AM
Guy,
How about bringing the show back to the Midlands…saw you in Birmingham last year (you signed my DG CD afterwards)…brilliant show , but now I have the book I want to see you do it live again!!
AN
Phoenix - June 5, 2007 7:42 PM
Simon J, I fear you telling people how to make money. 😀
Guy, I’m awaiting the postman. Shipping fees are nasty, but some things are worth the extra expense.
Hope everyone’s having a good day/week/whatever. 🙂
Johan Ödmann - June 7, 2007 11:32 AM
Hi Guy
Great fun reading the book and meeting you.
If anyone of you out there are interested to see more pics of Guy´s gig with Syl Sylvain And The Teardrops, click my name above. Guy even played guitar with Syl…
Cheers
Lesley - June 7, 2007 3:27 PM
Hello Guy
Just a line to say how much I am enjoying the book!! Some hilarious moments!! Great stuff!!
Jon - June 11, 2007 8:26 PM
Guy
Caught the show in Brighton on Friday, (sorry we couldn’t arrange a dressing room or a decent heckler) and thought it was excellent.
From now on, every time I see a Whitesnake video on VH1 a wry smile will cross my face.
To those who haven’t seen it, make the journey. You don’t need to be a guitar aficionado to appreciate the humour as was proved by my wife on the drive home …“I thought he was very funny but who is Jimmy Page?”!!!
All the best with the book.
Phoenix - June 12, 2007 7:19 PM
Sometimes things happen for a reason.
The day I forget my laptop’s power cord at home is the day I got the book in the post. Now I have something to entertain me at work, woohoo!
Thank you, Guy!
Chris Coleman - June 12, 2007 8:04 PM
Guy
’twas The Guardian that recommended your book and as an avid reader of most contemporary music memoirs — mainly to see if anyone I know gets mentioned — called upon Amazon to supply me with an attractively discounted copy. On holiday for a week, and having just finished Tony Parsons’ “Stories We Could Tell” (£1.00 from Asda — and a mite dull — cheap aint everything) I sat down this morning to read yours. From your description of “playing Comfortably Numb with Pink Floyd, or Kashmir with Jimmy Page…etc” and as the rice krispies went soggy, I was engrossed…
Took a break at page 144 as I’d promised the GLW we’d go to Warwick Castle — we live 90 seconds (by foot) from the main entrance and had never been.…wandering through the Tussauds dummy dominated display of a late 19th Century weekend royal party, there’s a room with several lesser royals sitting around listening to.…Dame Clara Butt.…a name I’d first come across just eight pages earlier in your book, in a Tony Hancock related reference!!!
Needless to say my wife was fascinated when I pointed this out to her.…
Anyway, your book delivered with it’s reference to my erstwhile fanzine contemporary Tony Fletcher and to Mr Stephen “Subterranean Hawks/TV Eye” Duffy. (btw, has he told you the story of Andy Wickett’s “Stevie’s Radio Station/aka Rio”???)
Whilst I’m yet to “get” Pink Floyd, as a mid 40’s cove, I guess it’ll come soon. As for Icehouse, well.…
Back when, I owned and loved (though subsequently sold) the eponymous “Icehouse”, and decided just a few weeks back I’d like to have it again. No joy on ebay, or iTunes, but thank god for Ausrock blog. Fond memories drifted back, boosted just the other day by a further re-acquisition, this time of Doll By Doll’s “Caritas”. For me, two of very few 80’s tracks that still live up to my memories.…
So I loved the book. As someone whose autobiography (should it ever be writ) is going to be called “My Vicarious Life”, it was cool to read the reminiscences of someone actually somewhat more involved, if still on occasion a little peripheral (no insult intended.…).
That “Eartha Kitt’s Left Tit” got the biggest laugh, says more about me than I’m proud of, but there you go. And finally, the proof reader in me (aka annoying little twat) points out that it’s GEOFF Travis and Nick HeyWARD. There you go then.…
“Literally A Literal Triumph” Chris 17
Phoenix - June 13, 2007 12:31 AM
As soon as it said ‘bassist’, I knew I had to share.
http://partiallyclips.com/index.php?id=1505
🙂
Simon J - June 15, 2007 6:09 PM
That time has come again. Friday night. Hopefully end up with a nice bird between my legs tomorrow morning, not like the Malibu bottle I woke up next to last week.
Stars in their Eyes tonight, so I’ll either make a twat out of myself doing Arnold Layne, or make a twat out of myself doing ‘I got a woman’ by R Charles!
Otherwise, enjoy your weekend folks and Guy.
Remember, Life is just an STD!
Happy Days,
Simon J
Genevieve - June 15, 2007 9:15 PM
I just finished it, and wanted 200 pages more.
Got it last week ( took its time to arrive in France)
a great book
Do you thinh it will be translate in French one of these days ?
Thank again for the good time I spent with this book
Phoenix - June 16, 2007 6:40 PM
While I haven’t got through the book yet due to being horridly busy, I thought I’d offer a comment on it so far. Sometimes things don’t translate well from one medium to another (in this case, spoken word to text), but so far, so good. The writing style here is conversational and relaxed, and I think it will do well even in the hands of non-fans and the casual reader.
In fact, I’ve a non-fan friend who would love reading this, so I’m about to patronize my favorite UK bookseller again for copy #2 to give to them for their upcoming birthday. They’ve been doing poorly of late, so this will be a much-needed laugh for them.
Again, thanks for writing this. Good stuff. 🙂
Guy Pratt - June 17, 2007 12:03 PM
Simon J
Take your laddish rantings elsewhere please.
Spider - June 17, 2007 2:34 PM
Hi everybody, hi Mr Pratt…
Congratulations Mr Pratt for your book! I have a question: will it be published in french? Because I’m Belgian and I think that I can’t understand all the book in english… It would be great but if it’s not possible I will try to read it in english…
Thanks for answers…
xx
Spider (19-years-old, Belgium)
Haris Varajic - June 19, 2007 12:23 AM
At the moment i can only place order via American Amazon 🙁 …does anybody know when the book will be available on it?
Karen - June 19, 2007 2:23 AM
I finished your book last week, and I must say love it love it.
It also reminded me of a question I was supposed to ask ages ago.
A friend of mine who does a bit of online remixing, after listening to Transit Kings – “ america is unavailable “. He wanted to know where the spoken intro bit came from. After reading your book, I came across a bit in the Robert Palmer chapter, where you said you tried ringing him and got an operator message — america is unavailable, assume that is where you got it from? Hope you know what I am talking about here, tried to keep it short.
Karen.
Guy Pratt - June 19, 2007 9:23 AM
Karen
It was Nassau that was unavailable, not America, but top marks for effort.
That bit comes from an album of weird spoken things for DJs that Alex Paterson had…
Rick Sheehan - July 26, 2007 4:42 PM
I really enjoyed your book. It was very funny and honest. I played bass in a band in Sydney with Iva and Michael Hoste before Flowers/Icehouse so I laughed about your very accurate observations on Iva and particularly Michael-“cyborg like”. I am telling my mates in Sydney to buy the book, and I am sure they will love it.
Thanks, Rick Sheehan
p.s. I’m one of the tech heads who read the appendix “Train Sets” with interest.