The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

The ageing rock gods and me - Kate Mossman on meeting KISS, Bon Jovi, Terence Trent D'arby and more

Mar 31, 2025

Kate Mossman, a writer for the New Statesman and author of "Men of a Certain Age," shares her fascinating encounters with legendary rock stars like KISS and Bon Jovi. She reflects on the nostalgia and complexity of hero worship, revealing surprising insights from her interviews. Mossman dives into the cultural significance of aging rock icons and their journeys through fame, as well as the contrasting realities behind their public personas. She also touches on Terence Trent D'Arby’s rise and fall, showcasing the ever-evolving landscape of music and celebrity.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Rock Legends and Personal Journeys

02:14 • 14min

Navigating Nostalgia: Encounters with Aging Rock Legends

16:04 • 3min

The Rise and Fall of Terence Trent D'Arby

18:35 • 6min

Rock Legends and Pediatric Healthcare

24:22 • 9min

"Meet your heroes - it'll help you get over them"

Kate Mossman is known for her singular, surprising and ultra-perceptive interviews - in which she often reveals more about her subjects than sometimes they appear to know themselves.

And there is one breed of interview subject Kate has written about more than any other: the ageing male rock star.

If anyone knows about meeting their heroes, it’s her.

In her debut book, Men of a Certain Age, Kate Mossman collects and revisits the interviews she’s conducted with rock royalty such as Kiss, Jon Bon Jovi, Nick Cave, Ray Davies… and her teenage obsession: Roger Taylor of Queen.

In this episode of Culture from the New Statesman Kate join Tom Gatti to discuss her obsession with ageing rockers, and shares some behind the scenes stories of her time with rock royalty.

BUY KATE'S BOOK

Men of a Certain Age is available to pre-order here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/men-of-a-certain-age-my-encounters-with-rock-royalty-kate-mossman/7792527?ean=9781788705646

SEE KATE LIVE

Kate Mossman in discussion with Alexis Petridis, live in London

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/men-of-a-certain-age-kate-mossman-with-alexis-petridis-tickets-1270535970289?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1*25lj0d*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTU1MDAwNzE1Ni4xNzQzMTg1MTYz*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTc0MzE4NTE2My4xLjAuMTc0MzE4NTE2My4wLjAuMA..

Kate interviews Jon Bon Jovi: https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2016/11/jon-bon-jovi-on-trump-bono-bieber-and-the-agony-of-his-split-with-richie-sambora

Kate meets Terence Trent D'Arby: https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2015/10/i-was-killed-when-i-was-27-curious-afterlife-terence-trent-d-arby

How Jeff Beck became a guitar hero by saying no: https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music/2023/01/jeff-beck-interview-tribute-guitar-hero

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