Tales of a Life Lived Loud: Steve Blacknell’s Memoir Hits the Shelves This July

On July 9th, maverick broadcaster and music industry insider Steve Blacknell unveils his long-awaited memoir Tales from the Bedroom Wall – The Life & Times of a Serial Thrill Seeker, published by Old Treacle Press. With a foreword from Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, the book promises an unfiltered, chaotic, and deeply human account of a life spent hurtling between fame, fortune, and fragility. Blacknell, a man who once wallpapered his bedroom with posters of his heroes, went on to party with them, promote them, date them, and occasionally fall apart in their midst. It's a wild ride through the highs and heartbreaks of a life unafraid of excess.

Born in Peckham and raised in Dartford, Blacknell's origin story is as colorful as the decades he later dominated. Obsessed with pop music from a young age, he took John Peel’s advice and broke into radio through a hospital station, before landing in the industry via Decca and later Chrysalis and Jive Records. It was here, in the golden age of rock PR, that he tangled with everyone from Steely Dan to Jethro Tull — all while privately battling bulimia and addiction. Blacknell’s love story with early flame Kate Bush offers an intimate snapshot of two dreamers at the dawn of their artistic ascent, while his eventual relationship with his long-lost love Maggie is a thread of genuine tenderness in a story teeming with chaos.

The '80s were Blacknell's stage. As a BBC presenter, he brought cool to the screen with Riverside, Breakfast Time, and In Concert. His surreal journey on Concorde to Live Aid alongside Phil Collins secured his place in rock history. But the decade wasn’t just about the spotlight; it was also about survival. A brief but shining turn as MTV USA’s host of London Calling reached millions, and his off-screen tales — from chatting with Lemmy over Jack Daniels to dueling Bill Wyman in ping pong — offer delicious insight into the golden age of music TV.

Hollywood beckoned, and Blacknell answered — with characteristic recklessness. There he married ex-groupie and sixties icon Catherine James, stepped into movie roles, nearly died in a speedboat explosion, and ultimately returned to Britain bankrupt. But his story didn't end in defeat. He found Maggie again, founded The Waffle media club, and dedicated himself to mentoring young talent through his TV and media school. For all its extremes, Tales from the Bedroom Wall is a story of resilience and relentless reinvention.

At 72, Steve Blacknell is still standing — and still telling stories. His memoir doesn’t just chronicle a man who lived through the most decadent eras of pop culture; it captures the essence of someone who never stopped seeking thrill, connection, or meaning. As he writes, “With me it hasn't been deliberate — I've just tried to pack in as many adventures as possible.” And now, finally, those adventures are yours to read.