Music in Dreamland: Bill Nelson & Be Bop Deluxe

by Paul Sutton Reeves

Music in Dreamland is the authorized biography of Bill Nelson, best known as guitarist, singer, and songwriter with '70s art rock band Be Bop Deluxe. Be Bop came to prominence through a combination of rock theatrics and Nelson's flamboyant guitar work, moving from glam rock to new wave via the band's art rock masterwork, Sunburst Finish. After Nelson split from Be Bop Deluxe, he formed the acclaimed but short-lived Red Noise, with whom he recorded the new wave classic Sound On Sound before embarking on a solo career. He continues to record and perform live.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2009

Reviews

[Roger Weir · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of two halves. I enjoyed this, but it’s quite academic at times. The first part of the book focuses on Bills early life and Be Bop Deluxe, very interesting. The second half I found less interesting. Bill produces an awful lot of music and I found the clinical discussion of it all a bit wearing.

I learned quite a lot from the book but a lot of artists’ quotes were a bit selective.

Worth a read nonetheless.