Later ... With Jools Holland: 30 Years of Music, Magic and Mayhem

by Mark Cooper, Jools Holland (Introduction)

’You never knew what you were going to be confronted with when you went on Later…’ Nick Cave


‘Later… is a voyage of discovery for us as well as the viewers’ Dave Grohl


Dave Grohl and Alicia Keys loved it, Björk treasured it, Ed Sheeran’s life was changed by it, Kano felt at home while Nick Cave was horrified but inspired, and they all kept coming back.


This first-hand account of the BBC’s Later… with Jools Holland takes you behind the scenes of one of the world’s great musical meeting places. Legends including Sir Paul McCartney, Mary J. Blige and David Bowie found a regular welcome, alongside the next generation of superstars including Adele, Ed Sheeran and Amy Winehouse. Part of what has made the show so special is the format – all those bands, singers, stars and newbies brought together to listen as well as to perform in Jools’ circle of dreams. But there’s always been plenty of mayhem alongside the magic of convening a room full of musicians hosted by one of their own.


Written by the show’s co-creator and 26-year showrunner, music journalist Mark Cooper, this is the story of how Later… grew into a musical and TV institution. It was Mark who had to explain to Jay-Z why he couldn’t just do his numbers and split, who told Seasick Steve why he had to play ‘Dog House Boogie’ on the Hootenanny and persuaded Johnny Cash that he simply had to come in, even when The Man in Black wasn’t feeling well.


From Stormzy to Björk, from Smokey Robinson to Norah Jones, from Britpop to trip hop, here is the word on how Later… began, evolved and has endured, accompanied by exclusive interviews with some of the show’s regular stars as well as the unique pictorial record of Andre Csillag who photographed the show for over 20 years. A must-read for music fans everywhere, Later… with Jools Hollandpulls back the curtain on classic performances to reveal that the show is just as magical, if even more chaotic, than you imagined.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

436 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2023

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and well organised account of the show's longevity. I even enjoyed the chapter focusing on grime, rap and hip-hop. I'm still likely to get a drink or visit the loo when those contributions are playing cos they do nothing for me but at least I appreciate the reason for including these acts now. The diversity of the show's music often unearths other stuff I would never have considered which is the fun part. Here's to another 30 years!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only occasionally watch Later..., but this is an interesting look at it's history and evolution, and the technical challenges of putting it together. There are also contributions from artists who have guested on the show over the years - and at the back of the book there is a full, alphabetical list of every single one of them. Which is fun in itself to browse through and see the variety; household names next to artists you've never heard of, and from many corners of the world.

I like that the author does try and address issues such as the (often middle-aged) studio audience not always being particularly appreciative of the varied artists and genres presented on the show, and the backlash from some "fans" who don't always grasp that yes, *all* genres being welcome does include rap, hip-hop etc.

As a Foo Fighters fan, I found chapter 12 rather poignant. The book was being finished off in May 2022 (as you find out in the very last part), and it did make me pause for a moment to read the mention of "the late Taylor Hawkins", then shortly afterwards to see his signature printed alongside (most of) his bandmates beneath the piece written by Dave Grohl. It does explain that the autographs at the end of artist testimonies are taken from the show's guest book, but that did put a lump in my throat. That and seeing him and Dave sat next to each other in the photo of the 25th anniversary line-up, with Taylor looking a bit like he's sitting for a school photo, hands neatly on his knees, even as he's distracted, looking off to the side. Bless him.

It is an engaging book, regardless of your music taste, and makes me want to go back and find some of those earlier episodes that I'm not old enough to have seen in the early days of the show. You get a good feel for how much Jools, the author and the rest of the programme's staff really love all sorts of music and want to share that with the viewers.

And it does make me want to watch it more often.

[Nigel Samuels · Rating 1 out of 5]

A journalist, who writes like a journalist not a writer. Unnecessary and sometimes painful amount of detail. As an encyclopaedia of the show; it is no doubt a good record of the show; but it is not an enjoyable read/listen and lacks any humour. Sorry.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the artist contributions are a bit samey but they break up the narrative, which is told with precision and excellent prose. A brilliant tribute to a tremendous show. Hootenanny!!!

[Tony Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you. Mark for such an amazing book. I now want to watch everyone of the 450 episodes!

[Peter Bayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erratic narrative, but great for fans of the program who want to understand the backstory and the mechanics of it.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into best music show on tv for years if ever

[Bill Mcarthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

not what I thought it would be but still enjoyable. would have liked more artist input.