Don't Stop the Music A Year of Pop History, One Day at a Time

‘A brilliant musical almanac, compiled by an engaging writer whose musical knowledge is not just detailed but wide-ranging and generous.’ Jonathan Coe, author, Bournville

With entries for every day of the year, ranging from mini-essays to pithy and engaging sentences, Don’t Stop the Music is a novel musical companion – a way of charting your year through the major events and tiny incidents in the lives and careers of pop stars and recording artists.

Whether it be when pop became newsworthy; when future stars attended notable gigs; when that K-Pop act issued their first single; or when Elvis Presley found himself on TV singing ‘Hound Dog’ to a basset hound, there are surprising and enlightening events from the history of popular music for every single day of the year. And esteemed music writer Justin Lewis has compiled them all for you, informatively and divertingly.

Justin Lewis has an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a deep understanding of what makes it such a passion for so many people as well as a lively and sharp sense for what can sometimes make it eccentric and absurd. He has been an editor, writer and contributor to various print and online music publications for more than 30 years, including the Guinness Book of Hit Singles and The Rough Guide to Rock Music. He lives in Swansea, in Wales.

CONTENTS Introduction ix January 1 February 27 March 53 April 77 May 101 June 125 July 149 August 173 September 197 October 219 November 243 December 267 Acknowledgements 292