Billy Bragg: A People’s History

700 Fans share memories of seeing gigs by and encounters with one of Britain's leading singer - songwriters and poltical activists.

Foreword & anecdotes from Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg – A People’s History is an oral history of the British singer-songwriter and political activist in the words of people who have been moved by his music. Containing over 700 fan memories of seeing Billy in concert, on a demonstration or on TV, Billy Bragg – A People’s History is the story of the Bard of Barking as it’s never been told before. Whether singing about love in ‘A New England’, domestic violence in ‘Levi Stubbs Tears’ or political activism in ‘There is Power in a Union’, Billy Bragg has been inspiring fans through his music and sparking political debate with his opinions for more than 40 years.

With memorabilia & photographs from Billy’s personal archive and contributions from the man himself, Billy Bragg – A People’s History spans Billy’s career in music, from his days with the punk-inspired Riff Raff through to the present day.

The book includes anecdotes from fans, friends and collaborators of seeing Billy in concert or encountering him as an activist, as well as Billy’s reflections on his long career. Contributors include Chris Packham, Wiggy, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Cara Tivey, Dave Woodhead, Grant Showbiz, Neil Spencer, Martin Goldschmidt (Cooking Vinyl), Sid Griffin (Long Ryders), Nora Guthrie and Jamie Webster and an introduction by Phill ‘Porky the Poet’ Jupitus.