Dylan Jones bangs the drum for 1975, an explosion of talent and creativity

Dylan Jones – writer, former editor of i-D, Arena and GQ - was 15 in 1975 and dressed like Jimmy McCulloch of Wings (“a lot of denim and silk scarves”), a time he thinks had enormous influence on the following five decades. There are many highlights in his latest book ‘1975: The Year The World Forgot’, a lot of them discussed here with David and Mark, including …

… the lasting impact of the cover of Patti Smith’s Horses.

… the “frightening” Millie Jackson, 50 years ahead of her time.

… why Blood On The Tracks was the first middle-aged rock album. 

… the information black-out and the value of the ‘70s rock press - particularly Street Life – for such experimental music.

… how the sarcasm of Steely Dan still feels contemporary – “Donald Trump is a figure they could have made up 50 years ago”.

… the three key rhythms of the ‘70s – Fela Kuti’s afro-beat, James Brown’s funk and Klaus Dinger’s Neu!-beat.

… the reason Donna Summer’s Love To Love You Baby is 17 minutes long.

… how Brian Eno’s accident led to the birth of ambient music. 

… “writing about pop music allows you to write about anything”.

… how the sophistication and intellect of the mid-‘70s was pilloried in Punk’s Year Zero.

… the Quiet Storm genre - aka “foreplay music” – from Sade to Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.

... the unrecognised power of the female record-buyer and the sexism of the rock press.

… and the greatest record of 1975!

Pre-order ‘1975: The Year The World Forgot’ here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1975-World-Forgot-Dylan-Jones/dp/1408721988

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