The Virgin label began with an eclectic and esoteric mix of left-field artists, including Mike Oldfield, Gong, Faust, Tangerine Dream and Henry Cow. Many of the resulting LPs are now considered to be important cultural reference points - is there anyone who hasn't heard of Tubular Bells? In 1977 Virgin signed the Sex Pistols. A horde of punk and new wave bands followed, such as XTC, Magazine, The Ruts and - as the Sex Pistols imploded - PIL. Following this, the iconic Front Line label was responsible for some of the best reggae ever heard, from artists such as U-Roy, Tapper Zukie, I-Roy, Keith Hudson, The Gladiators, Culture and the Twinkle Brothers. This book covers the 'classic' years and is an absolute must for anyone with half an ear open - let's face it, during the 1970s Virgin defined the nation's - if not the world's - musical taste. All known releases on Virgin and related labels are documented here - from Tubular Bells to numerous forgotten gems that deserve much greater recognition.

The ultimate guide for the Rolling Stones singles issued in the land of the rising sun. Fully illustrated book of 128 pages in color of one of the most spectacular and collectable discographies, featuring hundreds of pictures (covers, labels), variations (stock, promos), 7"s, 12"s, 3" & 5" CD singles, solo singles, a price guide and a chronology table. Made in conjunction with Stones7.com, the reference since 2000 in the band's singles discographies worldwide.

Updated and expanded second edition of this Award Nominated book (nominated for the 2014 ARSC Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research). Strictly limited edition of 50 copies in green jacket design. B&C started life as a distribution company, which was set up as a sister company to Island. Island's early success led B&C's owner, Lee Gopthal, to start releasing records in his own right. However, B&C's main strategy was based on licensing records rather than signing artists in its own right and many of B&C's labels concentrated on singles and budget compilation albums - strategies that set the seeds of the company's own destruction. The end, when it came in 1975 was probably inevitable. Still, whilst B&C was about, some very good music got released, almost despite itself on occasion. This book includes comprehensive discographies covering the Action, Stable, B&C, Charisma, Pegasus, Peg, People, Mooncrest, Dragon, Sussex and Seven Sun labels.

This volume acts as a reference to the 1000 top albums of all time. All the key information is provided, including track listings and a brief judgement on each album. The appendices in this new edition have been expanded and enlarged to include the top 1000 albums across a range of genres, from blues to rap, reggae to indie and jazz to dance. More specialist areas, such as Latin, have been included and the number of jazz albums have been increased.

The Mike Oldfield Chronology, Second Edition, is a comprehensive look at the recording and release history of the man who, for over 40 years, has created some of the world's most innovative and groundbreaking music. This Chronology covers every aspect of Mike Olfield's recording career, from his early days with his sister in the folk duo The Sallyangie, to his joining Kevin Ayers And The Whole World, through the recording of his albums and his numerous guest appearances. The information is presented date by date in chronological order, accompanied by detailed descriptions of each song version and non-album track, edit, remix, extended version and demo (some released and some unreleased). It also covers Mike's tours and live appearances.

'The greatest book ever written on British independent music' Guardian 'One of the best British music books of the last ten years' Mojo Founded by Alan McGee in 1983, Creation Records achieved notoriety as the home of Primal Scream, the Jesus and Mary Chain and other anti-Establishment acts. During the Britpop boom of the mid-90s, the astonishing success of Oasis brought Creation fame on the world stage. In 1999, however, McGee announced his shock departure as his label's influence over a generation of British music came to a confusing and disappointing end. Containing interviews with Creation musicians, employees, supporters and detractors, this is the inside story of Creation Records - and of British music since the 1980s.

All the facts and informed opinion that you need on the artists who made the history of this decade are contained in this single volume, distilled from The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music, universally acclaimed as the world's leading source of reference on rock and pop history.