Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, we take a trip to the Carousel’s reading room to talk to find out all about Phew, Eh Readers?, a new book collecting selected works of Smash Hits and Q scribe Tom Hibbert, with the book’s co-editor Jasper Murison-Bowie and designer (and former Smash Hits staffer) Caroline Grimshaw. We also hear from Hibbert’s Smash Hits colleagues Barry McIlhenney, Sylvia Patterson* and Mark Ellen who share their memories of working with him.

Here’s the book blurb:

The influence of Tom Hibbert’s music writing across print, radio, TV and podcasts is incomparable. From his genre-defining work at Smash Hits to his ‘Who the Hell … ?’ profiles for Q magazine and beyond, this book brings together many of Hibbert’s funniest writings.

Compiled by Barney Hoskyns and Jasper Murison-Bowie at Rock’s Backpages, the archive of music journalism, Phew, Eh Readers? showcases some of Hibbert’s greatest pieces. Presented thematically and chronologically, they highlight his marvellously eccentric perspective on life and popular culture.

Many leading writers and journalists attest to Hibbert’s genius. This compendium supplements his writing with new reflections on Tom from some of his peers, colleagues and admirers, including Mark Ellen, Bob Stanley, Tom Doyle, Chris Heath, Sylvia Patterson, along with his widow Allyce.

Phew, Eh Readers? is a must-read homage to one of the most influential writers of our time, a man who left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape.

HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg

GUESTS: Jasper Murison-Bowie & Caroline Grimshaw

*Sylvia Patterson clip from Word In Your Ear episode 225: https://shows.acast.com/word-in-your-ear-2/episodes/5fe229acf896715ee8319696. Many thanks to Mark Ellen & David Hepworth for letting us borrow this snippet.

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