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69 Exhibition Road: Twelve True-Life Tales from the Fag End of Punk, Porn & Performance
A vibrant, wry, and engaging account of life as an adventurous, queer young person in late 1970s London discovering themselves as an artist, and an individual.
While working as a photographer's model, gallery usher, and exotic dancer, Dorothy “Max” Prior witnessed the births of Adam and the Ants, The Monochrome Set, The Sex Pistols, and Throbbing Gristle, as well as drumming in her own cult band Rema Rema and recording with Industrial Records.
Her exuberant commentaries, each presented as a stand-alone episode, illustrate the multilayered nature of the London music, art, and fashion worlds of the late 1970s, and the overlap between the early punk scene with the city's rapidly evolving club and queer cultures.
While working as a photographer's model, gallery usher, and exotic dancer, Dorothy “Max” Prior witnessed the births of Adam and the Ants, The Monochrome Set, The Sex Pistols, and Throbbing Gristle, as well as drumming in her own cult band Rema Rema and recording with Industrial Records.
Her exuberant commentaries, each presented as a stand-alone episode, illustrate the multilayered nature of the London music, art, and fashion worlds of the late 1970s, and the overlap between the early punk scene with the city's rapidly evolving club and queer cultures.
- GenresMusicNonfictionPunk
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
12 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 5, 2024
Suffers a bit from “And I Was There!!!” Syndrome but dug the sections about Rema-Rema.
May 7, 2023
Dorothy Max Prior was a young woman in London when the Sex Pistols exploded on the scene. She was already shopping at Vivienne Westwood's SEX shop and knew many of the key players. Her stories of London life at the time, her group of friends (some of whom would soon be famous) and her relationship to the music and culture of that time and place are fascinating. She writes well and the reader is soon drawn into her bohemian world. It doesn't end with the Sex Pistols either and I learned a lot about the British post-punk scenes of disco, industrial and pop. From Adam Ant to Throbbing Gristle, I now have a road map for exploring some music that has only been on my periphery. I really enjoyed "69 Exhibition Road" and hope Dorothy has more stories to tell.
February 15, 2025
inspirerend! Dorothy sleurt je mee in verhalen uit haar leven als drumster en gogo dancer alsof je er zelf bij was - alle kleren, personages en gebeurtenissen prikkelen en geven zin om op zoek te gaan naar mijn unieke zelf! heb het een en ander geleerd over de punk periode waar ik nog niet veel over wist - dus was een goede read! 4/5⭐️
July 20, 2023
I heard Dorothy Max Prior talk about her memoir 69 Exhibition Road: Twelve True-Life Tales from the Fag End of Punk, Porn & Performance (2023) and was inspired to buy a copy.
Well worth a read it is too, especially if you're interested in the punk era in London. Max's story starts in earnest in that fascinating immediate pre-punk era when changes were afoot but the scene, such as it was, had no label and was fairly amorphous, happening at the intersection of fashion, the gay scene, music and art.
Max was a witness to, and participant in, the emergence of Rema Rema, Adam & The Ants, The Monochrome Set, Throbbing Gristle and The El Trains, in addition to being on hand to watch early Pistols shows, hang out at Louises, Billys, Gaz's Rockin Blues, the ICA and more. She also worked as a drummer, striptease artist in London pubs, amongst other activities. There's plenty I haven't mentioned, she also kept hold of lots of photos and interesting ephemera so her book is illustrated with great photos, book covers, reviews and adverts.
It's also published by the wonderful Strange Attractor Press. What's not to love?
4/5
A vibrant, wry, and engaging account of life as an adventurous, queer young person in late 1970s London discovering themselves as an artist, and an individual.
While working as a photographer's model, gallery usher, and exotic dancer, Dorothy “Max” Prior witnessed the births of Adam and the Ants, The Monochrome Set, The Sex Pistols, and Throbbing Gristle, as well as drumming in her own cult band Rema Rema and recording with Industrial Records.
Her exuberant commentaries, each presented as a stand-alone episode, illustrate the multilayered nature of the London music, art, and fashion worlds of the late 1970s, and the overlap between the early punk scene with the city's rapidly evolving club and queer cultures.
Well worth a read it is too, especially if you're interested in the punk era in London. Max's story starts in earnest in that fascinating immediate pre-punk era when changes were afoot but the scene, such as it was, had no label and was fairly amorphous, happening at the intersection of fashion, the gay scene, music and art.
Max was a witness to, and participant in, the emergence of Rema Rema, Adam & The Ants, The Monochrome Set, Throbbing Gristle and The El Trains, in addition to being on hand to watch early Pistols shows, hang out at Louises, Billys, Gaz's Rockin Blues, the ICA and more. She also worked as a drummer, striptease artist in London pubs, amongst other activities. There's plenty I haven't mentioned, she also kept hold of lots of photos and interesting ephemera so her book is illustrated with great photos, book covers, reviews and adverts.
It's also published by the wonderful Strange Attractor Press. What's not to love?
4/5
A vibrant, wry, and engaging account of life as an adventurous, queer young person in late 1970s London discovering themselves as an artist, and an individual.
While working as a photographer's model, gallery usher, and exotic dancer, Dorothy “Max” Prior witnessed the births of Adam and the Ants, The Monochrome Set, The Sex Pistols, and Throbbing Gristle, as well as drumming in her own cult band Rema Rema and recording with Industrial Records.
Her exuberant commentaries, each presented as a stand-alone episode, illustrate the multilayered nature of the London music, art, and fashion worlds of the late 1970s, and the overlap between the early punk scene with the city's rapidly evolving club and queer cultures.
February 23, 2024
This book is made up of 12 parts looking at the life of Max from around 1976-1981, as a young artist/ musician/performer/erotic dancer in London. And the author captures the emergence of a creative dynamic scene, taking in Decadence, Women's and Gay liberation movements, emphasising individuality and the importance of fashion in making some sort of radical statement-whether drawing on fetish or vintage clothing . A lifestyle without much money, people existing in squats, bedsits, and whatever cheap accommodation was available. Personal relationships were unconventional by society's standards. A new underground press in the form of fanzines was germinating. Mainstream British culture and the 'hippie' alternatives were largely rejected. Though Glam rock had largely passed, Bowie and Bolan were still influential figures. Disco was appearing and Throbbing Gristle /COUM transmissions art terrorism hit the headlines in 1976. The media discovered Punk in a matter of weeks afterwards.
The book does not really go into the politics associated with Punk, decadence seems more important.There is little about activism or benefit gigs for 'good causes' . The early years of Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Slits, the Monochrome Set, Throbbing Gristle, all feature . Max knew many of the key players personally. She is not in the least bit sycophantic , John Lydon, Joe Strummer, Sid Vicious , Adam Ant , all come in for some criticism at times. Max is also open about her liking for Disco, Soul, and Jazz at the time. It is great to read about Max's own take on 'Women in Punk'. and her experiences in her short lived post-punk group Rema Rema. There is so much to praise about this book, and looking forward to the sequel.
The book does not really go into the politics associated with Punk, decadence seems more important.There is little about activism or benefit gigs for 'good causes' . The early years of Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Slits, the Monochrome Set, Throbbing Gristle, all feature . Max knew many of the key players personally. She is not in the least bit sycophantic , John Lydon, Joe Strummer, Sid Vicious , Adam Ant , all come in for some criticism at times. Max is also open about her liking for Disco, Soul, and Jazz at the time. It is great to read about Max's own take on 'Women in Punk'. and her experiences in her short lived post-punk group Rema Rema. There is so much to praise about this book, and looking forward to the sequel.
June 27, 2023
Punk, initially, was such a microscopic scene, that it seems if you're not name-checked in this book, you probably wunt there! Dorothy Max Prior appears to have been present/a part of, all the key events at the birth, and has described the experiences beautifully in 12 bite-sized and very tasty chunks, which can easily work as 12 pieces or 1 whole - they're not placed chronologically, but the flow is engaging, the stories immersive, but therein lies the small issue of occasional repetition, which, due to the quality of storytelling, is only a mild distraction. More than made up for by a host of photographs and illustrations.
Although it shares themes and timeframes with the excellent books by Cosey Fanni Tutti and Viv Albertine, it's very much its own book, and in fact, sits very well with those works.....makes a satisfying trilogy, even! Gaun the ladies!
For an over-written period in time, Dorothy manages to bring an engaging and vivid freshness to the subject, having links to Throbbing Gristle, The Monochrome Set, Adan And The Ants, Sex Pistols and Arnold Schwarzenegger (yup, you read right!) amongst others. She also relates her time as a drummer, and details her personal relationships within these times, honestly and entertainingly. And she released a single on Industrial Records, so how awesome is that?
As a biography it is impressive, all the more so being a debut book. There is scope for, and hints are dropped that a second volume is being written. No pressure, but if that compares with Cosey and Viv's follow up books, we're talking about a Writer! I'm in the queue!
Although it shares themes and timeframes with the excellent books by Cosey Fanni Tutti and Viv Albertine, it's very much its own book, and in fact, sits very well with those works.....makes a satisfying trilogy, even! Gaun the ladies!
For an over-written period in time, Dorothy manages to bring an engaging and vivid freshness to the subject, having links to Throbbing Gristle, The Monochrome Set, Adan And The Ants, Sex Pistols and Arnold Schwarzenegger (yup, you read right!) amongst others. She also relates her time as a drummer, and details her personal relationships within these times, honestly and entertainingly. And she released a single on Industrial Records, so how awesome is that?
As a biography it is impressive, all the more so being a debut book. There is scope for, and hints are dropped that a second volume is being written. No pressure, but if that compares with Cosey and Viv's follow up books, we're talking about a Writer! I'm in the queue!
May 23, 2023
This book was mostly good even if the author has a weird writing style which I found a little pretentious at first, but it got better. It is structured as a dozen stories that can be read separately. However, they overlap and it gets a little repetitive. I would have preferred a more linear narrative, but that is just me.
That said, I did learn a lot. Like I really had no idea that members of Adam and the Ants morphed into Bow Wow Wow and Monochrome Set. (I don't why I always thought Monochrome Set were from Boston...but whatever). And of course she was in the right places at the right time as far as punk was concerned (the Sex Pistols with Glen Matlock). It seemed she was destined to encounter future superstars (Adam Ant, Boy George, Soft Cell, Arnold Schwarzenegger...among others).
It made me realize I need to rewatch the movie, Jubilee. I am sure I did not understand it the first time. Some films take a few tries to get into. I have to give her credit for liking the Sex Pistols more than the Clash. I get a lot of crap for saying that,even if it is true.
That said, I did learn a lot. Like I really had no idea that members of Adam and the Ants morphed into Bow Wow Wow and Monochrome Set. (I don't why I always thought Monochrome Set were from Boston...but whatever). And of course she was in the right places at the right time as far as punk was concerned (the Sex Pistols with Glen Matlock). It seemed she was destined to encounter future superstars (Adam Ant, Boy George, Soft Cell, Arnold Schwarzenegger...among others).
It made me realize I need to rewatch the movie, Jubilee. I am sure I did not understand it the first time. Some films take a few tries to get into. I have to give her credit for liking the Sex Pistols more than the Clash. I get a lot of crap for saying that,even if it is true.
January 18, 2023
Great storytelling about the very interesting punk/postpunk era in London - the 12 independant/overlapping chapters makes you feel you are peeking in the same universe through different angles.
All the famous London names are in there - and even Arnold Shwarzenegger (!)
Certainly will read an eventual followup.
All the famous London names are in there - and even Arnold Shwarzenegger (!)
Certainly will read an eventual followup.
February 23, 2023
her life seems cool
July 24, 2023
This book feels like you’re sitting next to a fabulous older woman at the bar and she’s telling you her life story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews