Richard Thompson has a new album, ‘Hippies, Thugs and Heroes’, and he’s touring again in 2027, the perfect excuse to get another of our favourite guests back in the chair again. He joins us here for a brilliant, free-wheeling conversation with a cast list including …

Arnold Schwarzenegger (and his son Wolfie)

William Shakespeare

Mandy Miller

Shostakovich

Fairport Convention

William Walton

Fellini

John Lennon

Louis Armstrong

Post-War Brighton gangsters

Nellie the Elephant

Les Paul

Harold Pinter

Booker T & the M.G.’s

Bix Beiderbecke

Stephane Grappelli

Ennio Morricone

John Coltrane

Django Reinhardt

My Fair Lady

‘50s radio show Journey Into Space

Once Upon A Time In The West

… his dad (a policeman) and his first girlfriend Deirdre.

Order copies of ‘HIPPIES, THUGS AND HEROES’ here: http://newwst.com/hippies

And tickets here: https://www.richardthompson-music.com/tour-dates/

Help us to keep The Longest Continuous Conversation In Rock'n'Roll going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

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You forget how huge and ubiquitous Rory Gallagher was in the ‘70s, just 22 at the Isle of Wight and auditioning for the Stones four years later, an inspiration for Johnny Marr, Andy Partridge, the Edge, Slash and countless others. And for his brother and manager Dónal - “it was a big wide world I wasn’t going to see unless I hung onto his coattails”. He’s just published a memoir, ‘Edged In Blue, A Rock’n’Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher’, and looks back here at some of the highlights, these among them …

… watching Six-Five Special through a closed TV shop window at night and adding vocals to entertain the crowd

… hearing jazz, Lonnie Donegan and Big Bill Broonzy on Forces Radio in Ireland

… auditioning for the Stones in 1974

… joining the Fontana Showband aged 15 playing ceilidh, Chuck Berry and Georgie Fame

… Taste on the chaotic Blind Faith US tour when Ginger Baker attacked the security

… when Johnny Marr and Joe Bonamassa asked to borrow his old guitars

… and “the BBC’s most recorded artist of the ‘70s” and managing his expanding legacy.

Order ‘Edged in Blue: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher’ here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edged-Blue-Rock-Odyssey-Gallagher/dp/1786052539

Help us to keep The Longest Continuous Conversation In Rock'n'Roll going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s extension of The Longest Conversation In Pop History™️ you’ll be happy to find …

… the front row audience driving Gillian Anderson mad and why we feel for her

... can you still buy anything for £1.10?

… when did rock nostalgia begin?

… what Andy Partridge paid “the Hermit of Mink Hollow”

… the famous playwright who wrote a Beatles film script

… Spirit of Eden, Trout Mask Replica, Bitches Brew? Unlistenable?!

… whatever happened to the pop instrumental?

… My Bloody Valentine and bands who were “a challenge”

… Japanese noise pioneer Merzbow’s 53-hour marathon at Colchester Arts Centre

… Bricknasty, Tooth, Clutter, Sleepazoid … real or invented new bands?

… and memories of first hearing Sister Ray.

Plus Widowmaker, Stan Ridgway, the long-suffering hero who’s heard every one of our podcasts and birthday guest Matthew Elliott.

Help us to keep The Longest Continuous Conversation In Rock'n'Roll going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.