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Poptastic! My Life in Radio
Tony Blackburn is probably one of the most recognisable disc jockeys working in Britain today. In this book, Tony looks back on the time he has spent in radio and the media.
- GenresNonfictionMusic
Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 22, 2021
Steve Coogan must have read this - some of it is unintentionally hilarious, for example...
Because I was usually portrayed as Mr Goody-Goody in the press, I'd sometimes receive a bit of a ribbing from the more drunken elements in the Radio One Roadshow crowd. It wasn't particularly pleasant to hear the occasional chorus of "Tony Blackburn's a wanker!" from a few blokes at the back, but one of the first rules of partying and having fun is that there'll always be someone wanting to spoil it. It's annoying but it's also a fact of life.
Every page of Poptastic! contains the sort of bizarre, self important inanities that make Steve Coogan's Alan Patridge such a pitch perfect parody of a celebrity presenter.
Despite the book's overwhelmingly Patridge-esque hue, Poptastic! is quite an interesting read for those of us in thrall to pop culture. Tony was an original pirate DJ before being poached by BBC Radio One where his was the first voice ever heard on the new station. His life has taken many a bizarre twist and turn, and he is amazingly frank about his private life which frequently makes for a compelling, if somewhat suprising, read. He is also passionate about popular music (complete with some amusing pet hates).
I raced through it and really enjoyed it on a number of levels however mostly as a parody of a celebrity memoir that is, improbably, competely sincere.
3/5
Because I was usually portrayed as Mr Goody-Goody in the press, I'd sometimes receive a bit of a ribbing from the more drunken elements in the Radio One Roadshow crowd. It wasn't particularly pleasant to hear the occasional chorus of "Tony Blackburn's a wanker!" from a few blokes at the back, but one of the first rules of partying and having fun is that there'll always be someone wanting to spoil it. It's annoying but it's also a fact of life.
Every page of Poptastic! contains the sort of bizarre, self important inanities that make Steve Coogan's Alan Patridge such a pitch perfect parody of a celebrity presenter.
Despite the book's overwhelmingly Patridge-esque hue, Poptastic! is quite an interesting read for those of us in thrall to pop culture. Tony was an original pirate DJ before being poached by BBC Radio One where his was the first voice ever heard on the new station. His life has taken many a bizarre twist and turn, and he is amazingly frank about his private life which frequently makes for a compelling, if somewhat suprising, read. He is also passionate about popular music (complete with some amusing pet hates).
I raced through it and really enjoyed it on a number of levels however mostly as a parody of a celebrity memoir that is, improbably, competely sincere.
3/5
January 8, 2020
I challenge you to read this book with a straight face. Steve Coogan has gone on record to say that he based Alan Partridge on this book. And I really don't think it was written to be so funny, but no one could write anything drier and funnier. He honestly says that next time there is a war in the middle east that he should be flown in, because he doesn't think he can make it worse and it'll probably be a big help. I will leave you with one final comment that he honestly says he wants written on his gravestone.
"I gave you time checks"
"I gave you time checks"
November 21, 2018
An enjoyable enough and apparently very honest 'warts and all' autobiography. This is quite a long book, but a very easy read, with some amusing behind-the-scenes tales about Mott The Hoople, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, life on the pirate ships, friction with John Peel and fun with Wombles. I wasn't the biggest Tony Blackburn fan before I read this book and maybe I'm still not, but he seems a decent enough bloke. I certainly agree with him on his love for animals, nature and his moderate dislike of Queen music, religion and John Peel's programmes. I would give this book 3.75/5 but the proofreading is quite ropey, especially towards the end. If I had proofread it, I would've changed a million things, so 3.5/5
May 9, 2021
It's actually quite difficult to review this as a book as I only read it on the basis it was quoted extensively on the Elis and John Show, but nonetheless it was inadvertently hilarious.
I can't tell whether the ghost writer was authentically channelling the voice of Blackburn or wrote this as an elaborate prank, because Blackburn comes across as a well-meaning fool. He clearly knows his radio and loves the music he played, but the lack of self-awareness was brilliantly comedic, unlike the actual puns. He would opine on random topics like joggers (if they drink too much water "they will turn into a puddle") or the theatre as well as the more traditional autobiographical elements of his career and relationships, but I must have laughed out loud dozens of times.
My favourite example not read out on Radio X was regarding John Peel, from whom Blackburn "always felt an undercurrent of animosity." He is keen to point out that it was a matter of the popularity of records being played and that Peel always personalised it, before revealing "I did once tell a local newspaper reporter that Top Gear should be taken off the air, that it spoilt my weekend listening and that it appealed only to undesirables." How on earth could that be taken personally?
There are a few obvious inconsistencies, Blackburn feeling insecure about a girlfriend's fidelity while losing his virginity to someone else in a wood, and a similar situation with his first wife. Yet strangely Blackburn still seems to have his heart in the right place, with pettiness rather than nastiness and fairly harmless interests, even if I can only normally think of the word 'gadgets' in an ironic sense.
As an autobiography it was ok, 3 stars, and the writing was 5 stars - but I don't know how someone would find it treating it as a serious autobiography, it is almost impossible to take seriously.
I can't tell whether the ghost writer was authentically channelling the voice of Blackburn or wrote this as an elaborate prank, because Blackburn comes across as a well-meaning fool. He clearly knows his radio and loves the music he played, but the lack of self-awareness was brilliantly comedic, unlike the actual puns. He would opine on random topics like joggers (if they drink too much water "they will turn into a puddle") or the theatre as well as the more traditional autobiographical elements of his career and relationships, but I must have laughed out loud dozens of times.
My favourite example not read out on Radio X was regarding John Peel, from whom Blackburn "always felt an undercurrent of animosity." He is keen to point out that it was a matter of the popularity of records being played and that Peel always personalised it, before revealing "I did once tell a local newspaper reporter that Top Gear should be taken off the air, that it spoilt my weekend listening and that it appealed only to undesirables." How on earth could that be taken personally?
There are a few obvious inconsistencies, Blackburn feeling insecure about a girlfriend's fidelity while losing his virginity to someone else in a wood, and a similar situation with his first wife. Yet strangely Blackburn still seems to have his heart in the right place, with pettiness rather than nastiness and fairly harmless interests, even if I can only normally think of the word 'gadgets' in an ironic sense.
As an autobiography it was ok, 3 stars, and the writing was 5 stars - but I don't know how someone would find it treating it as a serious autobiography, it is almost impossible to take seriously.
February 13, 2025
The book can be quite funny and I enjoyed the ghost writer's style. Said to be part of the inspiration for Alan Partridge's books and I can see it in it. John Robins' retelling of the book on the Elis and John podcast was much more entertaining than the actual reading of it though. He seems like a harmless and decent man but I would not have been interested in hearing anecdotes about Tony Blackburn chatting about dehumidifiers with Noel Edmonds over dinner if it wasn't for the Accidental Partridge undertone. Listen to the podcast and skip the book
May 8, 2024
I once heard on the radio that it was hard to get hold of Tony's autobiography. And no, that wasn't mentioned on a programme of his. However, it was interesting to read about his mis-adventures in the Radio Caroline years, his mixing with celebrities, and best of all - peddling soul music to wide audiences. But on the whole, the book was a self promotion, a little Daily Mail, and had its share of horn blowing.
April 17, 2021
Appalling. This book is the concept of arrogance, distilled to 100% purity, and turned into written word. It only avoids 1 star due to the outrageous non-sequiturs that lead to unintended laugh-out-loud moments. Sadly though it seems John Robins covered most of these on the show, PCDs beware - there are few others worth reading this dross for.
November 4, 2025
Red due to the exposure from Elis and John, and the Coogan connection.
I can’t honestly say this is a good book, but it is the most unintentionally funny autobiography I’ve ever read. No wonder it was an inspiration for Partridge. Tony seems like a nice chap.
I can’t honestly say this is a good book, but it is the most unintentionally funny autobiography I’ve ever read. No wonder it was an inspiration for Partridge. Tony seems like a nice chap.
January 8, 2018
Unintentionally hilarious. A man who should be more careful when telling the truth, and more intelligent when telling lies.
June 10, 2018
The inspiration for I, Partridge and one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Needless to say, Tony had the last laugh.
June 7, 2019
He's got football pie all over his shirt.
April 2, 2026
Great read
September 8, 2015
More Partridge than Partridge. He invented time checks you know.
May 17, 2009
An interesting book giving the reader an insight into the world of a popular radio DJ.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews