Deaf School: The Non-Stop Pop Art Punk Rock Party
ISBN: 9781781385593
Platform/Publisher: JSTOR / Liverpool University Press
Digital rights: Users: unlimited; Printing: chapter; Download: chapter
Subjects: Music;

Liverpool's dynamic music scene gave the world The Beatles. What city could hope to follow that? But 12 years later, in 1974, lightning nearly struck twice. Deaf School were a band formed in John Lennon's old art college, rehearsing in the very same rooms. With their chaotic and wildly entertaining brand of rock cabaret, Deaf School were tipped for instant stardom and signed up by Warner Brothers in California. But suddenly, with the world at their feet, Deaf School were swept aside by Britain's punk rock revolution. "A great band," said the Sex Pistols' manager Malcolm McLaren. "But it's just as bad being too early as too late." Though their hopes were dashed the band has never surrendered. And 40 years on, Deaf School's influence is acknowledged by British bands from Madness to Dexy's Midnight Runners. Their reunion shows, still madly glamorous and eccentric, are tribal gatherings for a fanbase that never forgot them. The band's first full-length biography is written by British music writer Paul Du Noyer, a follower since Deaf School's early days in Liverpool. "Deaf School are such a delicious secret," he says. "It's almost a shame to reveal it."

Paul Du Noyer is an author and editor. For more than 30 years he was also a music journalist, acting as founding editor at Mojo, editor at Q and as a writer for the NME. Since 1989 he has worked on numerous projects with Paul McCartney, including Paul's tour programmes and CD reissues. In 2010 he assisted Yoko Ono with John Lennon's anniversary CD editions. His books include the classic history of his home town's music scene Liverpool: Wondrous Place.

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