Can't Stand Up For Falling Down

The Sunday Times' Music Book of the Year 2017 Allan Jones launched Uncut magazine in 1997 and for 15 years wrote a popular monthly column called Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before, based on his experiences as a music journalist in the 70s and 80s, a gilded time for the music press. By turns hilarious, cautionary, poignant and powerful, the Stop Me... stories collected here include encounters with some of rock's most iconic stars, including David Bowie, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Smiths, R.E.M. and Pearl Jam. From backstage brawls and drug blow-outs, to riots, superstar punch-ups, hotel room confessionals and tour bus lunacy, these are stories from the madness of a music scene now long gone.

Allan Jones is an award-winning British music journalist and editor. He was editor of Melody Maker from 1984 to 1997 then launched Uncut magazine and for 15 years wrote a popular monthly column called Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before, based on his experiences as a music journalist in the 70s and 80s, a prosperous time for the music press. His book, Can't Stand Up For Falling Down, was the Sunday Times' Music Book of the Year 2017.

Introduction Leonard Cohen: London, June 1974 Tony Iommi: Iommi Mansions, Warwickshire, July 1974 Van Morrison: Knebworth, July 1974 Ray Davies: London, September 1974 Roxy Music: Cardiff, September 1974 KC and The Sunshine Band: London, October 1974 Lemmy: London, January 1975 John Martyn: Leeds, February 1975 Dave Brock: Devon, February 1975 Joe Strummer: London, February 1975 Wayne Nutt: Aberdeen, March 1975 Mick Ronson: Newcastle, April 1975 Alex Harvey: Glasgow, September 1975 Gordon Lightfoot: London, October 1975 Be-Bop Deluxe: Shrewsbury, January 1976 Patti Smith: London, May 1976 Phil Lynott's Mum: Manchester, August 1976 Bryan Ferry: London, January 1977 The Byrds: London, April 1977 Angie Bowie: Somerset, April 1977 Lou Reed: London | Stockholm, April 1977 Olivia Newton-John: Lake Tahoe, Nevada, April 1977 The Sex Pistols: London, May 1977 Elvis Costello: London, June 1977 The Sex Pistols: London, June 1977 Stiff Records: London, July 1977 The Mont De Marsan Punk Festival: Southern France, August 1977 David Bowie: London, September 1977 Dr Feelgood: Leicester, September 1977 Nick Lowe: Glasgow, October 1977 Gregg Allman and Cher: London, November 1977 Nick Lowe: Finland, February 1978 Tony Iommi: Glasgow, March 1978 Elvis Costello: Belfast, March 1978 Lou Reed: Philadelphia | New York, May 1978 Kenny Everett: London, July 1978 John Peel: London, August 1978 The Legendary Ariola Juncket: New York |Los Angeles | Portland, August 1978 Al Stewart: Los Angeles, September 1978 The Clash: London, November 1978 XTC: New York, December 1978 The Boomtown Rats: Los Angeles | Atlanta | Dallas, January 1979 The Clash: Cleveland | Washington DC, January 1979 Mike Oldfield: Berlin, April 1979 Lou Reed and David Bowie: London, April 1979 Robert Fripp: Bournemouth, April 1979 The Pretenders: Chester | Blackburn, July 1979 The Searchers: Rhydyfelen, South Wales, November 1979 Jerry Dammers: Hemel Hempstead, December 1979 London Calling: Melody Maker HQ, December 1979 Squeeze: Australia, February 1980 Def Leppard: Glasgow, February 1980 The Police: Bombay, March 1980 The Police: Cairo, March 1980 The Police: Milan, April 1980 Elvis Costello | The Specials | Rockpile: Montreux, July 1980 Monsters of Rock Festival: Castle Donnington, August 1980 Ozzy Osbourne: Texas, March 1982 Morrissey: Reading, February 1984 Johnny Marr: Reading, February 1984 R.E.M.: Athens, GA, June 1985 Van Morrison: London, June 1986 Eddie Grant: Barbados, October 1986 Townes Van Zandt: London, October 1987 Lou Reed: London, February 1989 Neil Young: London, October 1989 R.E.M.: Athens, Georgia, December 1991 Warren Zevon: London, September 1992 Bob Dylan: New York, October 1992 Neil Young: London, October 1992 Pearl Jam: New York, April 1994 The Afterglow